Azaghâl

A noble Dwarf, the Lord of Belegost in the later First Age. The great smith Telchar made for him a helm of steel and gold, with the head of Glaurung as its crest. While travelling the roads of East Beleriand, Azaghâl and his party were set upon by Orcs, but Maedhros and his people came to their rescue. In gratitude, Azaghâl gave Maedhros the helm of Telchar, and thus it passed on by circuitous routes to ultimately become an heirloom of the House of Hador: the Dragon-helm of Dor-lómin.

When his friend Maedhros created a Union to challenge Morgoth, Azaghâl and the Dwarves of Belegost allied themselves with his forces. In the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, they faced Glaurung himself, and set about him with their axes. Enraged, the Dragon struck down Azaghâl, and began to crawl across his body. As his final act, the Dwarf-lord took a knife and thrust it into Glaurung's belly, causing such a wound that the Dragon left the battle.

After Azaghâl's death, the Dwarves of Belegost took no further part in the fighting. Taking up his body, they marched slowly out of the battle, singing a death anthem to Azaghâl their fallen Lord.