After his return to Middle-earth, the Dark Lord Morgoth withdrew to his northern fortress of Angband and warred against Elves and Men. He claimed to be the rightful Lord of Middle-earth, and indeed he succeeded in bringing much of Beleriand under his power. He may have achieved the Lordship he claimed if not for the sudden arrival of the armies of the Valar and his utter defeat in the War of Wrath that brought the First Age to an end.