The Fall of Gondolin (chapter): Difference between revisions

From Tolkien Gateway
m (An Eagle has picked up Fall of Gondolin and carried it to The Fall of Gondolin: See Talk:Fall of Gondolin)
m (Added DEFAULTSORT)
(97 intermediate revisions by 31 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
[[Image:John Howe - The Fall of Gondolin.jpg|thumb|300px|''The Fall of Gondolin'' by [[John Howe]]]]
{{Disambig-two|the chapter from [[The Book of Lost Tales Part Two]]|article focused on the event itself|[[Fall of Gondolin]]}}
{{Cleanup}}
{{HoME2chapters}}
'''The Fall of Gondolin''' is the third chapter of ''[[The Book of Lost Tales Part Two]]''. It is the earliest tale from the First Age written by [[J.R.R. Tolkien|J.R.R. Tolkien's]] [[legendarium]]. It was written during a leave of absence granted to Tolkien around the year 1916, while he was fighting in the [[World War I]] and was only published posthumously in the [[The Book of Lost Tales Part Two|second volume]] of ''[[The History of Middle-earth]]'' series by his son, [[Christopher Tolkien]].


===Introduction & History of the Writing===
It is also striking as a text as it is the single complete account of the city of [[Gondolin]]'s fall in existence. The only revision made was an incomplete narrative entitled ''[[Of Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin]]'' which cut off abruptly at the moment Tuor first witnesses the city and thus never dealt with the actual fall of the city. It was published in [[Unfinished Tales]] under the title ''Of Tuor and his coming to Gondolin'' to more accurately state its content. In the commentary to ''The Fall of Gondolin'' Christopher Tolkien calls the unfinished state of ''Of Tuor and his coming to Gondolin'' "[...] one of the saddest facts in the whole history of incompletion" which adequately expresses the complications that arise.
The '''"Fall of Gondolin"''' is the name of one of the original [[The Book of Lost Tales|Lost Tales]] which formed the basis for a section in [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien's]] later work, ''[[The Silmarillion]]''.


"The Fall of Gondolin" tells of the founding of the [[Elves|Elven]] city of '''[[Gondolin]]''' (built in secret by [[Turgon]] and his people), of the arrival [[Tuor]], a prince of the [[Edain]], of the betrayal of the city to [[Morgoth]] by Turgon's nephew [[Maeglin]], and of its subsequent destruction by Morgoth's armies.
== Canonicity ==
As the text is such an early writing, many conceptions in ''The Fall of Gondolin'' are in their infancy and thus difficult to judge in relation to the notion of [[canon]]. Within its narrative are many features that rub uneasily if not outright clash with later conceptions of their forms. The entire notion of Gondolin's secrecy is presented as far weaker than later versions. Morgoth's animal spies (another feature not expressed fully in later versions of the legendarium) surround the vale of [[Tumladen]] completely, having discovered by their own scoutings exactly where the city lies. When [[Maeglin]] is captured therefore, the price of his freedom is not telling [[Morgoth]] the location of the city (as in later texts) but rather for information regarding [[Turgon]]'s preparations for the defence (since Morgoth's spies had been marked by the Gondothlim) and the layout of the city.


Tolkien actually began writing the story that would become "The Fall of Gondolin" in 1917 in an army barracks on the back of a sheet of military marching music.  It is more or less the first traceable story he wrote down on paper about the Middle-earth legendarium.
Many of the details found in ''The Fall of Gondolin'' feature only in that text with no other sources to confirm or deny their place in Middle-earth canon. Others, such as the [[Twelve Houses of the Gondothlim]] receive only fleeting and largely insubstantial glimpses in later writings: In the case of the Houses of the Gondothlim Ecthelion and [[Glorfindel of Gondolin|Glorfindel]] are occassionally featured with their respective titles [[House of the Fountain|'of the Fountain']] and [[House of the Golden Flower|'of the Golden Flower']] refering to the Houses they commanded.


Because he was constantly revising his [[First Age]] stories, the narrative Tolkien wrote in 1917 (published posthumously in the ''Book of Lost Tales'') remains the only full account of the fall of the city. The narrative in ''The Silmarillion'' was the result of the editing by his son [[Christopher Tolkien|Christopher]] of various different sources.
==Synopsis==
===In the Beginning ===
After escaping one of the tribes of [[Easterlings]] where he had been held as a slave, [[Tuor]] lived by the shores of [[Lake Mithrim]] hunting in its woods and learning lore from the [[Noldor|Ñoldor]] that wandered in the region. At some point he found a cave through which a river ran, and was driven to follow it by a mysterious and sudden spring of water. He met a couple of the Noldor (characters who would become [[Gelmir (messenger of Círdan)|Gelmir]] and [[Arminas]]) and came through the cave into the [[Rainbow Cleft]]. Tuor spent a time dwelling on the shores of the region (presumably [[Nevrast]]) before a group swans encouraged him to follow them. There followed a long trek south into more pleasant lands where the trend of the coast was more west-east than north-south. Eventually he reached a land where a river emptied into the sea. There, during the night he met a group of the Ñoldor who guided him far inland, to Arlisgion from where he followed the course of the River [[Sirion]] north until he came to [[Nan-tathren]], the beautiful valley of willows. In this region Tuor was content to live, but [[Ulmo]] Lord of Waters, who had willed Tuor on this journey, came before Tuor in person, bidding him to seek the hidden city of Gondolin. This Tuor did, but soon the Ñoldor guides deserted him, fearing the reach of Morgoth's power. Only [[Voronwë]] remained with him and together they found a way to the Hidden City.


A partial new version of "The Fall of Gondolin" was published in the ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'' under the title "Of Tuor and his Coming to Gondolin". Actually titled "Of Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin", this narrative shows a great expansion of the earlier tale. It can be surmised from this text that Tolkien would have rewritten the entire story, but for reasons that are not known he abandoned the text before Tuor actually arrives in the city. For this reason Christopher Tolkien retitled the story before including it in ''Unfinished Tales''.[[Image:Gondolin Plan.jpg|thumb|200px]]
The above section of the tale was replaced in its entirety by ''[Of Tuor and his coming to Gondolin]'' which retains many features and phrases but changes dramatically the narrative. In ''Of Tuor and his coming to Gondolin'' Tuor is guided by the swans to [[Turgon]]'s old city of [[Vinyamar]] where he finds arms and armour left for him by Turgon at the bidding of Ulmo. There the encounter with Ulmo takes place who sends him Voronwë, saved from a shipwreck to guide Tuor to Gondolin (the other Ñoldor do not appear). The journey is also considerably shorter, both in distance and the time it takes, as Tuor and Voronwë turn east beyond [[Mount Taras]] traveling the wilderness south of the line of the [[Ered Wethrin]]. However from the moment the travelers see Gondolin for the first time, ''The Fall of Gondolin'' is the only source.


== The Fall ==
=== Tuor in Gondolin ===
Tuor and Voronwë entered Gondolin, greeted with awe by its people and were taken before King Turgon. There Tuor, given the power and majesty of Ulmo's own voice tells Turgon to gather his forces and attack Morgoth as the time for his overthrow is ripe. Turgon refused this counsel and so Tuor warned him that both [[elves]] and [[men]] would suffer for a long whiles before the [[Valar]] could contrive another means of salvation. However Tuor voices Ulmo's other counsel which was to leave Gondolin, travel down the Sirion, build ships and sail back to [[Valinor]]. Again Turgon refuses, informing Tuor that he had every year sent messengers by boat over the sea but no word returned of their fate.


Tuor, none the less, is invited to remain in Gondolin and there he learned many things that would otherwise be kept secret from the race of men. Matters of music, lore, architecture and culture are all taught to him and he became beloved in the city. Turgon had a suit of armour made for him and an axe, [[Dramborleg]]. During this time he married Turgon's daughter [[Idril|Idril Celebrindal]] at [[Gar Ainion]] and Idril bore him a son, [[Eärendil]].


[[Eriol]] listened in the [[Cottage of Lost Play]] as [[Lindo]] and others told tales of old. Then [[Ilfiniol]], called [[Littleheart]] son of [[Bronweg]], was asked by Lindo to tell of the '''Fall of Gondolin'''.  And he did.
Not all was blissful though because Morgoth had gathered an army of spies and these he sent out to discover the city. They had found the [[Orfalch Echor|Way of Escape]] and with the aid of captive Ñoldor, bypassed the magic protecting it to enter through. Tidings of these spyings were bought to Turgon and he began preparing Gondolin for whatever may become of them. Idril then encouraged Tuor to have a [[Idril's secret way|secret tunnel]] constructed, leading from their house far onto the plain of [[Tumladen]], for Idril perceived that things would not remain peaceful and that [[Maeglin]], her cousin, was not all he seemed. This Tuor did and despite the hardness of the rock of [[Amon Gwareth]] work began.


=== Prologue ===
Idril's advice proved very good since Maeglin was captured by [[orcs]] spying in the region. In exchange for his life he offered them much information on Gondolin, and though they knew much of what he had told them, he told them to bring him before Morgoth so that he may judge the worth of his information. Morgoth was well pleased by what Maeglin had to tell and together they conceived a plan for the capture of Gondolin, Morgoth even promising Maeglin the hand of Idril if he could slay Tuor and Eärendil. On Maeglin's advice Morgoth had his smiths and sorcerers construct iron monsters in the likeness of dragons, which might cross difficult terrain and harbour legions of orcs to transport them safely across the open plain of Tumladen. These monsters it is noted had never been seen before and never would be again until the "[[Great End]]".


Maeglin returned to Gondolin promptly so as not to arouse suspicion and from that point on appeared increasingly happy and light-hearted though a shadow of dread placed upon him by Morgoth ever gnawed at him. This new Maeglin however only increased Tuor and Idril's suspicion. Furthermore Morgoth withdrew his spies which Turgon and the people of Gondolin interpreted as him seeing the impregnability of Gondolin and deciding against assault and the watch on the mountains was slackened. It was in that year that Eärendil was seven years of age.


Now there was a man who dwelt in [[Dor Lómin]] named [[Tuor]]. And he was both a singer and a hunter, and played on a rough harp of wood and bear-sinews. He eventually departed from his people to lonely places, where he learned the speech and lore of the [[Noldor]] from wanderers there.
=== The Fall ===
It was as the Gondolindrim were celebrating the festival of [[Gates of Summer|Tarnin Austa]] that Morgoth assaulted their city. As the sun went down that day and all the people were out to witness the ending of the day, a red glow grew in the north dyeing the snow on the mountains as blood. Riders fled over the plain bringing the tidings, Morgoth was upon them.


Later, it is said, [[magic]] and destiny led him one day do a cavernous opening through with a hidden river flowed from [[Mithrim]].  And he entered the cavern, curious.  But the waters forced him futher and further down, until he could not force his way back into the light.  And it is said that [[Ulmo]] had a hand in this.  Then came Noldorin [[elves]] to Tuor, and guided him until he came out into the light again, and saw the river flowed swiftly in a ravine of great depth with sides unscalable.  Then Tuor did not wish to return, but went ever forward, the river leading him to the west.  And he called it the [[Golden Cleft]], or the [[Gully of the Rainbow Roof]], which was in the speech of the Noldor [[Glorfalc]] or [[Cris Ilbranteloth]].
There follows a detailed description of the symbols and colours of the [[Twelve Houses of the Gondothlim]] as they ready for battle: [[Turgon]] and the [[House of the King]]; Tuor and the [[House of the Wing]]; Maeglin and the [[House of the Mole]]; [[Duilin of Gondolin|Duilin]] and the [[House of the Swallow]]; [[Egalmoth]] and the [[House of the Heavenly Arch]]; [[Penlod]] and the twin Houses of [[House of the Pillar|the Pillar]] and [[House of the Tower of Snow|the Tower of Snow]]; [[Galdor of the Tree|Galdor]] and the [[House of the Tree]]; [[Glorfindel of Gondolin|Glorfindel]] and the [[House of the Golden Flower]]; [[Ecthelion]] and the [[House of the Fountain]]; [[Salgant]] and the [[House of the Harp]] and [[Rog]] and the [[House of the Hammer of Wrath]].


He continued on, drinking the water of the river and eating the beautiful fish of the stream. One day a long time after he heard a cry, and could not decide what it came from.
A council of war was called by Turgon and though Tuor recommends an attempt to sally, Maeglin and Salgant (who fawned upon Maeglin and did his bidding) convinced Turgon to remain in the city since it was so hard in the making. So ended the council and the Gondolindrim deployed themselves for the battle.[[File:Narfil Palùrfalas - Siege_of_Gondolin_1.jpg|thumb]]


"It is a fay-creature," he said.  But after a while he said "Nay, 'tis but some small beast that waileth among the rocks."  But then it seemed to him as an unknown bird with a voice new to his ears and strangely sad. And on the next day he heard the same cry over his head, and looking up saw three great white birds, [[Gulls]] of [[Ossë]].
So the battle began in earnest. As the hosts of Morgoth, commanded by [[Gothmog (balrog)|Gothmog]] crossed the plain of Tumladen, Turgon's war machines opened fire, supplemented by the Houses of the Heavenly arch and of the Swallow, both houses of archers. However for all their efforts they did little to slow the advance. Once the forces of Morgoth had reached the city however, they found that they couldn't assault the walls as the sides of Amon Gwareth were smooth and hard and the beasts of Morgoth could not climb them. Therefore Gothmog led an assault on the North Gate, using the iron monsters that Morgoth had had forged to break them. From the bellies of the Iron creatures hosts of orcs spilled and Galdor and Rog with their houses were hard pressed to hold them.  


At last Tuor found a spot where he could scale the cliffs surrounding him. A fresh wind touched his face, and he said "This is very good and like the drinking of wine", but he did not know he was near the [[Great Sea]].  Then he came to a narrow neck, where the river rumbled angrily. Then Tuor saw the sea for the first time, and he was afraid.  He found himself in a country bare of trees and swept by winds of the west.  Some have said he was the first of the [[men]] to see the sea and feel the desire it brings.
At this time Maeglin had decided to bring his plans to fruition and had traveled with the House of the Mole to Tuor's abode on the south western wall. There he intended to thrust Eärendil over the walls and to goad Idril into leading him out of the ruin of the city by her secret way, which Maeglin had heard rumour of. However he was thwarted by Tuor, who arriving just as Maeglin was dragging Eärendil to the walls and Tuor gave a great shout, and battle ensued between the Houses of the Mole and of the Wing. In the midst of this Tuor rescued his wife and son and lifting Maeglin threw him over the walls to his death. Tuor left Idril and Eärendil in the keeping of Voronwë and a guard of warriors from his house and returned with the remainder of the House of the Wing to the combat. [[File:Narfil Palùrfalas - Siege_of_Gondolin_2.jpg|thumb]]


He took up his abode there, dwelling in a cove sheltered by black rocks.  And he marvelled at the wonders there; the seaweed and the tide pools and the sea-fowl. He adorned the cave in which he dwelt with figures of birds and flowers, and beasts and trees. But chief among them was that of the swan, which he loved more than all others.
At the gate, battle intensified as the balrogs came upon the defenders there. Duilin and Penlod were slain. But Rog rallied his House about him and made for a desperate charge, beating the enemy back from the gates and bringing the battle out onto Tumladen. There, however, he was slain, cut off from the city and his house fell to a man by the horde assembled.[[File:Narfil Palùrfalas - Siege_of_Gondolin_3.jpg|thumb]]


Once he saw three swans flying high and from the northward.  And he followed them, heading south.  Tuor bearing his harp and spear followed.  After a great day's journey he came back into a region of trees; a rugged land. Yet he still followed the swans, even through the winter.  At last he came to a southern land more kindly, of sandy spits and many new piping birds. And Tuor lost sight of the swans, and he never saw them again.  And the Noldor came to him at night, and he arose from sleep.  Then he followed them inland, and came to the land of [[Arlisgion]], the "place of reeds". And he rested by the [[Sirion]] that spring.  He called it the Land of Willows, and the birds there were unequalled in all the world. And here there was the sweetest grass and many aged willows, and Tuor was loth to depart, and he tarried in the morn.
Battle continued and a fresh assault was made by the forces of Morgoth upon the western wall. There the dragons had beat a way up Amon Gwareth and heaved against the wall, succeeding in breaching it. But Tuor and the House of the Wing and Ecthelion and the House of the Fountain (which had before now been held in reserve) were ready to meet it. In the battle that followed Tuor and Ecthelion proved themselves mighty in battle, slaying orc chieftains and balrogs alike but it was there that Ecthelion bought a wound on his left arm from a Balrog's whip. There a great dragon appeared and trampled all those about it, orc and elf alike. But Tuor hewed its foot and it fled wrecking ruin about it.[[File:Narfil Palùrfalas - Siege_of_Gondolin_4.jpg|thumb]]


Here he saw the first butterflies. And as summer came he still lingered, and gave names to all things, and sang new songs on his old harp.
And so slowly but surely all those Houses that remained were driven back to the [[Square of the King]]. Of the Chieftains, Turgon, Tuor, Ecthelion, Galdor, Egalmoth and Glorfindel were there. Glorfindel came late, only able to escape from his position in the [[Great Market]] once the House of the Harp under the craven Salgant had taken leave of their captain quailing in his bed and relieved the House of the Golden Flower, as they had previously been ordered. There the Gondothlim made their final stand, reinforced by the presence of Turgon and the House of the King. They were hard pressed and soon what barricades they could erect were broken. There came Gothmog and though grievously wounded Ecthelion stepped up to face him. Gothmog disarmed him, ruining his right arm, but Ecthelion was not so easily defeated and drove the spike of his helmet into the chest of Gothmog, wrapping his legs around the demon's body and forcing him into the [[Fountain of the King]] where they both drowned.


Then Ulmo feared that Tuor would dwell forever in the Land of Willows.  Therefor he leaped upon his chariot drawn by a narwhal and a sealion, fashioned like a wale, and amidst the sounding of great conches sped up from [[Ulmonan]]. And he came to Tuor, blowing on his great instrument, to which Tuor hearkened.  And Ulmo spoke to him.
=== The Escape ===
Battle proved vain, and Turgon recited the words of [[Amnon]] the prophet: ''"Great is the Fall of Gondolin"''. As the Noldor were pushed back to the very [[Tower of the King]] Turgon repented of his dismissal of Ulmo's advice, casting off his crown and bidding the Gondothlim follow Tuor from now on and if they might, find a way to flee the city. With that Turgon climbed to the highest peak of his tower and declared ''"Great is the victory of the Ñoldoli!"'' to which the orcs sneered in derision. Desperate council was taken and Tuor now informed them of the secret delving of Idril he had had made.  


"O Tuor of the lonely heart," he said, "I will not that thou dwell for ever in fair places of birds and flowers; nor would I lead thee through this pleasant land, but that so it must be.  But fare now on thy destined journey and tarry not, for far from hence is thy weird set.  Now must thou seek through the lands for the city of the folk called Gondothlim or the dwellers in stone, and the Noldoli shall escort thee thither in secret for fear of the spies of Melko.  Words I will set to your mouth there, and there you shall abide awhile.  Yet maybe thy life shall turn again to the mighty waters; and of surety a child shall come of thee than whom no man shall know more of the uttermost deeps, be it of the sea or of the firmament of heaven."
This course of action seemed best and so gathering what people of Gondolin they could find, Tuor led them south by the [[Road of Pomps]]. Where it crossed the [[Way of Running Waters]] to Tuor's house stood [[Gar Ainion]] where he and Idril had been married and there once again was Idril with a great mass of people about her but without Eärendil and Tuor feared he was dead. With Glorfindel and the House of the Golden Flower protecting the rear therefore, they moved quickly down the Way of Running Waters, with [[dragons]] and orcs in pursuit.


Then Tuor continued up the river, but he heard the conches of Ulmo calling him until he died.
They won to Tuor's house and there filed down into the tunnel which was hot from the fires of the dragons upon the plain and choked with bodies of those crushed by dislodged rocks in its roof. At length though, they came to the exit hidden in a dried pool shrouded by bushes. There the band came into some conflict over the path to take for though Tuor proposed [[Cirith Thoronath|Cristhorn]] others trusted rather to the Way of Escape which was nearer. Therefore a split occurred and those who fared to the Way of Escape were caught by a dragon that waited there and were slain. In the dark of the rising dawn, Tuor's company were guided across the plain by [[Legolas (elf of Gondolin)|Legolas]], of the folk of the tree and went far across the plain. But looking back they witnessed six men on foot fleeing across the plain pursued by orcs upon [[wolves]] and Tuor saw that upon the shoulders of one man was Eärendil. Therefore gathering fifty men about him he led them to the rescue of his son, destroying the orcs. So was Eärendil reunited with his parents.      


A day came when he was weary, and he slept until it was almost night again. And the Noldor came to him and guided him. Now Tuor wandered with them, but the elves became ill at ease. And they told him of Morgoth, and what would happen if they were betrayed.  And so they left him, though he wandered still in the hills. But it was said to Morgoth that there was a man there, and Morgoth doubted his own craft and watchfulness.
Tuor and the [[Exiles of Gondolin|refugees]] made it to the [[Cirith Thoronath|Eagle's Cleft]] and moved along the narrow pass, a cliff to one hand and a sheer drop to the other. They had already begun the passage when a hail of stones came from above, hurled by orcs, and from behind a Balrog came upon them, set there to prevent escape from the city. Glorfindel blocked it from reaching its target and there ensued a battle on the heights. Glorfindel hewed its arm and wrestled with it, but to defeat his foe forced his weight against it forcing it over the brink and into the abyss. The [[eagles]] came, driving the orcs off the mountain-side and so the column of exiles were saved. Glorfindel's body was borne up by the eagles and a cairn was made for him despite their haste and after this deed the exiles escaped the ruin of Gondolin.


But despite the desertation of Tuor by the elves out of fear, one elf named [[Voronwë of Gondolin|Voronwë]], or [[Bronweg]] remained with Tuor.  Now Tuor was sitting wearily by the stream, considering returning to the sea.  But Voronwë came up to him, and said "O Tuor, think not but that thou shalt again one day see thy desire; arise now, and behold, I will not leave thee.  I am not of the road-learned of the Noldoli, being a craftsman and maker of things made by hand of wood and of metal, and I joined not the band of escort till late.  Yet of old have I heard whispers and sayings said in secret amid the weariness of thraldom, concerning a city where Noldoli might be free could they find the hidden way thereto; and we twain may without a doubt find the road to the City of Stone, where is that freedom of the Gondothlim."
=== Later events ===
 
In the text it is told that the exiles wandered for a year or more before they found the Way of Escape and Sirion (This cannot logically be taken as canon for the Way of Escape was little more than five miles from the exit of the Cirith Thoronath). In this time they suffered much hunger and anguish and only late came at last again to the land of willows where Tuor had once witnessed Ulmo. Here the text ends.
Long did Tuor and Bronweg seek that city, and after many days they came to a deep dale amid the hills.  Here went the river over a very stony bed with much noise and rush, and it was curtained by alders; but the walls of the dale were sheer.  Then Voronwë found a gate concealed by bushes and foilage, and they passed through it into deep tunnels.  They heard echoes and footsteps behind them, and feared it was orcs.  After a long time they came to a second gate.  Then they passed through into the sunlight, and for a while they could not see anything.  Then they were suddenly surrounded by warriors in steel.  And even as they stood there they beheld Gondolin and the valley of [[Tumladen]].
 
Then Voronwë spoke with the guards, as did Tuor.  The guards received them gladly, saying "We are the guardians of the issue of the Way of Escape.  Rejoice that ye have found it, for behold before you the City of Seven Names where all who war with Melko may find hope."
 
Then Tuor asked "What be those names?"
 
"'Tis said," replied the chief of the Guard, "and 'tis sung: '[[Gondobar]] am I called and [[Gondothlimbar]], City of Stone and City of the Dwellers in Stone; [[Gondolin]] the Stone of Song and [[Gwarestrin]] I am named, the Tower of Guard, [[Gar Thurion]] or the Secret Place, for I am hidden from the eyes of Melko; but they who love me most greatly call me [[Loth]], for like a flower am I, even [[Lothengriol the flower that blooms upon the plain.'
 
''To be continued''
 
=== The Siege ===
 
 
====The Breaking of the Gates====
 
This book states that in the eighth year of [[Eärendil the Mariner|Eärendil]], son of Tuor, plain riders came to the city crying "Melko is upon us."  Then all were afraid, but the squares of the city were filled with the mustering of the companies (see [[Gondolin]] for a list).  Tuor was in command of the twelfth company, the Folk of the Wing.  Idril herself arrayed herself in mail, and sought Eärendil, who wept in fear because of the red lights dancing on the walls of his chamber.  And she gave him a small coat of mail to put on, and this he did and feared no more.[[Image:Siege of Gondolin 1.jpg|thumb|200px]]
 
Turgon called a council, and though Tuor and others counselled him to fight out in the plain in the hope that they could break through and escape, Turgon listen to the counsel of Maeglin and [[Salgant]], and remained in the city to guard his treasures and the work of his hands behind strong walls.
 
Upon the reaching of the city by [[Gothmog, Lord of Balrogs|Gothmog]] and his army, the archers of Gondolin poured unavailing arrows upon them.  All feared, but hope returned to them when it was found that the snakes of fire could not climb the hill for its steepness and glassiness, and because of the waters that poured down its sides.  But they lay about the feet of the city and rose up such heat that all in the city panted and were weary, and all fountains save those of the king grew hot.
 
Then Gothmog gathered all things of iron and piled them upon the [[North Gate of Gondolin|North Gate]], and at last the gates broke.  Then did the catapults and engines of the king pour down darts and boulders, but they bounced off the heavy bodies.  Then the orcs poured through the gates.
 
But [[Rog]] and [[Galdor of the Tree|Galdor]] with the [[House of the Hammer of Wrath]] and the [[House of the Tree]] leaped forward, while the [[Folk of the Swallow]] and of the [[House of the Heavenly Arch|Arch]] poured down arrows.  The orcs fell like leaves, but because of their might the Gondothlim were pushed back into the city until the orcs held the northernmost part of the city.[[Image:Siege of Gondolin 2.jpg|thumb|200px]]
 
====The Death of Maeglin====
 
Tuor was at this time leading the [[Folk of the Wing]] through the turmoil, and at last he won his way to his house, and found that Maeglin had been there first.  Now Maeglin intended to escape the sack and have his revenge by first throwing Eärendil from the wall and then forcing Idril to lead him to her secret passage out of the city. But when he confided his task to Salgant, the elf-lord fell into such a quaking that he became sick and lay in bed.
 
Now Tuor had come to this house to say farewell to his wife and son, and sent a bodyguard with them to the secret passage, but found the [[House of the Mole]] about the door, and these the grimmest and least good-hearted in the city.  Then Tuor saw Maeglin, who had Eärendil in his arms and Idril by the hair upon the battlements, but encumbered by the child and because Idril was fighting him he moved slowly, cursing as he went.  Then Tuor gave such a shout that the orcs far away wavered, and the Folk of the Wing threw themselves upon the Folk of the Mole, and Tuor pushed past.  Maeglin seeing Tuor drew a knife, and would have stabbed Eärendil, but the boy bit his hand, and the blow came down not solidly, bouncing off the mail coat.  Then Tuor caught him up by the hand that held the knife and wrenching it broke Maeglin's arm. Then he lifted Maeglin up by the middle and hurled him out from the wall, and thrice did his body smite the slope of [[Amon Gwareth]], until if fell into the flames.
 
But then the Folk of the Mole came at Tuor, and they were put to blows.  Yet none could stand before the wrath of Tuor, and they flew before him. Then Tuor and his men were forced to return to the gate, but Tuor left [[Voronwë of Gondolin|Voronwë]] and several swordsmen to guard Idril in his absence.[[Image:Siege of Gondolin 3.jpg|thumb|200px]]
 
====The Valor of the Hammer of Wrath====
 
Back at the gate the battle was evil, and [[Duilin of Gondolin|Duilin]] was stricken by a bolt from a [[balrog]], and fell from the walls and perished. The balrogs continued to shoot darts of fire and flaming arrows like small snakes into the sky, and these fell upon the roofs and gardens of Gondolin until all the trees and gardens were burnt, and the walls blackened.  Worse still it was when the demons climbed upon the coils of the serpents of iron and thence loosed unceasingly from their bows and slings till a fire began to burn in the city to the back of the main army of the defenders.
 
Then Rog of the [[House of the Hammer of Wrath]] cried out "Who now shall fear the [[Balrogs]] for all their terror?  See before us the accursed ones who for ages have tormented the children of the Noldoli ([[Noldor]]), and who now set a fire at our backs with their shooting.  Come ye of the Hammer of Wrath and we will smite them for their evil."  Then he lifted up his long-handled mace, and the people of the Stricken Anvil followed him, running like a wedge, and they were in a great rage.  Many of the orcs were borne backwards, and they leaped even upon the coils of the serpents and came at those Balrogs and smote them greviously. A number of the balrogs were slain, and they were sung as heroes ever after.
 
But Gothmog fell upon them, and at the last Rog was slain, and all the folk of the Hammer of Wrath with him, and in those streets there perished also [[Penlod]] and many of the [[House of the Pillar]] and of the [[House of the Tower of Snow]].
 
====Battle within the City and at the Breach====
 
The orcs held the gates, and many of the archers of the [[House of the Swallow]] and of the [[House of the Heavenly Arch]] were thrust to doom, but they had won a great space reaching nigh to the center of the city, even to the [[Place of the Well]] that adjoined the [[Square of the Palace]]. Then came [[Ecthelion of the Fountain|Ecthelion]] and the [[House of the Fountain]], whom Turgon had till now held in reserve.  And they fell upon the orcs with such fury that ever after "Ecthelion!" was a warcry of the [[Eldar]].[[Image:Siege of Gondolin 4.jpg|thumb|200px]]
 
Now Tuor and the Folk of the Wing arrayed themselves beside Ecthelion's company, and by their valiant blows pushed the orcs almost all the way back to the gate.  Then there came a quaking, for the [[dragons]] were beating a path up Amon Gwareth and casting down the walls of the city, and already there was a gap.  Little bands of the House of the Swallow and of the Arch fought bitterly amid the wreakage, but even as Tuor came one of the brazen snakes smote the western wall, and a great mass of it shook and fell.  Behind came a [[Beast of Gondolin|creature of fire]] and Balrogs upon it.  Flames shot from its mouth, clearing the streets, and the wings of the helm of Tuor were blackened.
 
Then the orcs returned, though Tuor slew [[Othrond]], the Lord of the Orcs, and [[Balcmeg]] and [[Lug]], and Ecthelion slew the champion [[Orcobal]].  At last the twain reached the balrogs, and Ecthelion alone slew three of them, and his sword (which might have been [[Orcrist]]) smote through their iron.  But they feared Tuor's axe [[Dramborleg]] even more, and five went down before it.
 
Then at last Ecthelion was wounded, and Tuor would not leave him, though the feet of the beast were like to trample them.  But Tuor hewed at the foot of the creature so that flame spouted forth, and the beast screamed and lashed its tale so that many orcs and Noldor were killed by its blows. Then Tuor lifted up Ecthelion and with his last remnant escaped the [[Fire-drake|drake]], but the Gondothlim were sorely shaken.
 
Tuor reached the [[Square of the Folwell]] by way of the north, and found there Galdor denying orcs the entrance by way of the [[Arch of Ingwë]], and but few of the men of the Tree were left.  It was then that Galdor saved Tuor's life, for Tuor tripped over a dead body in the dark and the orcs would have caught him had not Galdor leaped forward and hurled them back single-handedly.
 
====Defense of the King's Square, and the Death of Ecthelion====
 
Gradually the remaining companies seeped out of the Place of the Well, and went to the more defensable Square of the Palace.  Thus was the last gathering, and many among them were wounded, and Tuor was tired.  Even as he led his battalion in via the [[Road of the Arches]] there arose a noise, for [[Glorfindel of Gondolin|Glorfindel]] and the last of the [[House of the Golden Flower]] returned, having fought a terrible conflict in the [[Great Market]] on the east side of the city, and Glorfindel only barely escaped.
 
Turgon had sent the [[House of the Harp]] to their aid, but Salgant concealed this bidding from his soldiers, saying that they were to garrison the square of the [[Lesser Market]] to the south.  But they resisted Salgant and came before the king's hall, timely enough to save Glorfindel and push the enemy back into the market, though many perished there.
 
Tuor drank from the fountain, and gave the swooned Ecthelion a drink, so that he woke.  Then [[Egalmoth of the Heavenly Arch|Egalmoth]] came, for he had gathered some of the Arch and Swallow about him, and cast away his bow.  They went about the city dealing blows where they met the enemy, and men were glad to see him, for they had thought him dead, and he was a kingly lord.  The women and children had been brought into the palace, and a few survivors from each company had made it there, save that of the Hammer of Wrath, and the [[House of the King]] was untouched.  Long they resisted the press of foes around the Square of the Palace, but at last a drake broke through the line on the north, destroying the [[Alley of Roses]].  Tuor stood in the way of the beast, but was seperated from Egalmoth, and became weary.  Then Gothmog came, and beat him down.  But Ecthelion, who rose on weak legs, strode over Tuor's form.  But when he thrust his sword at the balrog he recieved a wound on his sword-arm, so that he dropped the sword, and Gothmog was unhurt.  As Gothmog raised his whip for a final blow, Ecthelion leaped forwar, and drove the spike of his helm into the evil breast of the balrog.  And he entwined his legs about the balrog's thighs, so that they both fell into the Fountain, and Gothmog's fire was quenched, for the fountain was very deep.  And Tuor wept.
 
Then came the soldiers of the House of the King, and they threw themselves upon the enemy with such vigor as to slay two score (forty-eight) balrogs, and even pushed one of the Fire-drakes into the [[Fountain of the King]], destroying it.  But a vast column of vapor rose, and many killed each other in the confusion.  One thing notable about this is that this, while happening to the fire-drake, did not occur when Gothmog fell in.  Despite the many deaths they rallied in a last stand beneath [[Glingal]] and [[Belthil]], the trees in the court.
 
====Last Words of the King====
 
Then said King Turgon "Great is the fall of Gondolin", and the elves about him shuddered, for such were the words of [[Amnon]] the [[prophet]].  But Tuor spoke wildly for ruth and love of the king.
 
"Gondolin stands yet, and Ulmo will not suffer it to perish!" he cried.  But Turgon responded:
 
"Evil have I brought upon the Flower of the Plain in despite of Ulmo, and now he leaveth it to wither in the fire.  Lo! hope is no more in my heart for my city of loveliness, but the children of the Noldoli shall not be worsted for ever."  Thus he spake.
 
Then the Gondothlim clashed their weapons, and Turgon spoke again.  "Fight not against doom, O my children!  Seek ye who may safety in flight, if perhaps there be time yet: but let Tuor have your lealty."  But Tuor said: "Thou art king;" and Turgon made answer: "Yet no blow will I strike more."
 
Then Turgon cast his crown at the roots of Glingal, the Golden Tree, and though Galdor who stood near picked it up, Turgon would not accept it, and bare of head he climbed to the topmost pinnacle of the [[Tower of the King|White Tower]].  There he shouted in a voice like a horn blown among the mountains: "Great is the victory of the Noldoli!"  It was said to be the middle of the night at this time, and the orcs yelled in derision.
 
Then they spoke of a sally (that is, a sortie from the city).  Many held that it was impossible to burst through, nor might they even get over the plain or through the hills, and that it was better therefor to die about the king.  But Tuor at last revealed to them [[Idril's Secret Way]].  The plan seemed desperate, due to the narrowness of the tunnel and the great amount of people, but that was their only choice.  But Turgon refused.
 
"Let Tuor," he said, "be your guide and your chieftain.  But I Turgon will not leave my city, and will burn with it."  Then again they urged him: "Sire, who are the Gondothlim if thou perish?  Lead us!"  But again he responded, "Lo! I abide here."  And when again they urged him for a third time, he cried "If I am king, obey my behests, and dare not to parley further with my commands."  After that they sent no more and made ready for the forlorn attempt.  But the folk of the royal house that yet lived would not budge a foot, and gathered thickly about the base of the king's tower.  "Here," said they, "We will stay if Turgon goes not forth."  And they could not be persuaded.
 
====Retreat through the City====
 
Then Tuor's heart was split between love for the King and love for Idril and Eärendil.  But even as he hesitated the last onslaught was being prepared, and he made his choice.  Hearing the wailing of the women he at last gathered all his company, and they moved southward by way of the [[Road of Pomps]] and the [[Way of Running Waters]].  But fire-drakes came, some of the largest, and Tuor forced the company on at a run.  But Glorfindel held them off at the rear, and many more of the House of the Golden Flower fell there.  But even as they ran on Tuor halted at [[Gar Ainion]], where he and Idril were married.  And there stood Idril before him, and beside her Voronwë.  But Idril did not see him, for she gazed back at the palace of her father.  Then all halted and looked back, and saw that a drake was coiled upon the very steps, and defiled their whiteness.  Orcs were rushing about, dragging out the innocent and forgotten, the women and children who had not made it to the palace, and murduring them or making captives of them.  The trees were withered, and the tower was besieged.  Even they could see the king upon the topmost tower, standing tall.
 
"Woe is me whose father awaiteth doom even upon his topmost pinnacle; but seven times woe whose lord hath gone down before Melko and will stride home no more!" cried Idril.
 
"Lo! Idril, it is I, and I live," said Tuor, "yet now will I get thy father hence, be it from the Hells of Melko!"  With that he would have gone down the hill alone, maddened with grief, but Idril coming to her wits grasped his heel, crying "My lord!"  But even as she spoke thus the tower fell, and Turgon was buried.
 
Then Idril said heavily "Sad is the blindness of the wise."
 
"Sad too is the stubbornness of those we love," replied Tuor, and he kissed his wife, for he loved her more than all of the people of Gondolin, but still she wept for her father.  Then Tuor turned to the captains, saying: "Lo, we must get hence with all speed, lest we be surrounded."
 
Then they moved quickly, and met only scattered bands of plunderers.  But every now and then they met a woman or child, and they joined them, though Tuor allowed them to take nothing but a little food.
 
Then Voronwë told Tuor of how Idril had waited before the door of her house, and how she wept for lack of tidings of her husband.  At length she sent most of her guard with Eärendil down the secret way, and girding up a sword went about the city gathering up the women and children and sending them down the tunnel.
 
Then they reached the house, and found it thrown down.  The exiles said farewell to Gondolin, and went down into the tunnel.
 
====The Tunnel and the Splitting of the Company====
 
The tunnel was hot and stuffy, for the dragons above caused it.  Many boulders were loosed by the trembling above, and not a few were crushed.  The fumes caused their torches and lanterns to go out, so that they were in darkness.  They found to their horror bodies of those who had cone before, and Tuor feared greatly for his son.  They were in that tunnel two hours, until at last they reached a basin where once water had been, but was now full of bushed.  There was gathered much of the folk that had gone on before, but Eärendil was not among them, and Tuor and Idril were in great anguish.
 
"Now," said Galdor, "We must get as far hence toward the Encircling Mountains as may be ere dawn come upon us, and that giveth no great space of time, for summer is at hand."  But a dissension rose, for a number said it was folly to make for [[Cristhorn]], as Tuor had proposed.
 
"The sun," they said, "Will be up long ere we win the foothills, and we shall be whelmed in the plain by those drakes and those demons.  Let us fare to [[Bad Uthwen]], the Way of Escape, for that is but half the journeying, and our weary and wounded may hope to win so far if no further."
 
But Idril spoke against this, and pursuaded the lords that they trust not to the magic of that way that had aforetime shielded it from discovery: "for what magic stands if Gondolin be fallen?"
 
But nonetheless a large body of men and women left Tuor and went to Bad Uthwen, and were destroyed by the jaws of a dragon that stood there at the order of Morgoth, as Maeglin had proposed.  But those in Tuor's company were led by [[Legolas of Gondolin|Legolas Greenleaf]], who knew all the plain by night or day, and could see well in the dark.
 
====Return of Eärendil====
 
They made much speed despite their weariness, and a mist fell upon them.  This was a marvel, for never before had mist come, and fared away in safety until they were too far away for any to see them from the hill or ruined walls.
 
The mists lifted at last late in the day, but Gondolin was still enshrouded.  But at the edge of the clearing of the mist, but a few furlongs off, a knot of Noldor on foot were fleeing strange cavalry of orcs mounted on [[wolves]], carrying spears.
 
"Lo! there is Eärendil my son," cried Tuor.  "Behold his face shineth as a star in the waste, and my men of the Wing are about him, and they are in sore straits."  Then he chose fifty of those that were least weary, and leaving the main company fared over that plain swiftly as they could, and Tuor shouted to the soldiers below to stand and flee not, for the [[wolfriders]] were scattering them and killing them off, and the child was seated upon the shoulders of [[Hendor]], a house-carle of Idril's.  Then they stood back to back, with Hendor amidmost, but Tuor soon came up, though all his troop was breathless.
 
The wolfriders numbered only a score, and only six men remained alive about Eärendil.  Then Tuor arranged his men into a crescent of one rank, and hoped to envelop the riders, so that none could escape.  Only two broke out, and these were wounded and without their mounts, so that tidings came too late to the city to be of any use.
 
Eärendil was glad to see his father again, and said: "I am thirsty, father, for I have run far — nor had Hendor need to bear me."  Then his father said nothing, for he had no water, and was thinking of the needs of his company.  But Eärendil spoke again: "'Twas good to see Maeglin die so, for he would se arms about my mother — and I liked him not; but I would travel in no tunnels for all of Melkor's wolfriders."  Then Tuor smiled and set him upon his shoulders.  Then the main company came up, and Tuor gave the child to his mother, who was in great joy, but Eärendil would not be borne in her arms.
 
"Mother Idril, thou art weary," he said, "And warriors in mail ride not among the Gondothlim, save it be old Salgant!"  Idril laughed amid her sorrow.  "Nay, where is Salgant?" Eärendil asked.  Salgant had told him quaint tales or played drolleries with him at times, and the child had much laughter of the old Noldoin those days when he came many a day to the house of Tuor (loving the good wine and fair repast he there recieved).  But none could say where Salgant was; he probably perished in the flames or was made a thrall.
 
====Passage of the Encircling Mountains====
 
They came to the foothills and it was full morning, but still grey, and there night to the beginning of the upward road folk stretched them and rested in a little dale finged with trees and hazel-bushes.  Many slept, for they were greatly exhausted.  Tuor, however, kept strict watch.
 
Eärendil, meanwhile, quenched his thirst and played beside a little brook with his mother.  Then he said to her "Mother Idril, I would we had good Ecthelion of the Fountain here to play to me on his flute, or make me willow-whistles!  Perchance he has gone on ahead?"  But Idril said nay, and told him the fate of that lord.  Eärendil wept, and said that he wished never to see the streets of Gondolin ever again.  And Tuor responded that he would not.  "For Gondolin is no more," he said.
 
At sunset they rose again, and they wound about through the hills.  They turning saw Gondolin for the last time, and then the sun disappeared, and they saw it never again.
 
The Pass of Cristhorn, which is the [[Eagle's Cleft]] was dangerous going, and the host would not ventured it by dark, with no light to guide them, and many women, children, and sick, had not their fear of Melkor's scouts been greater.  Darkness gathered, and they were forced to string out into a long straggling line.  Galdor and a party of spearmen went ahead, and Legolas with them.  Then came the least weary women and children supporting the sick that could go on foot, after which walked the House of the Wing.  After the House of the Wing was Egalmoth leading the slower women and children, as well as the sick.  At the back was the House of the Golden Flower of Glorfindel.
 
====Glorfindel and the Balrog====
 
As they came to Cristhorn, dark shapes that had lain hidden even from the eyes of Legolas leaped forward, and Galdor's men were beset.  Tuor thought that they had fallen in with one of Melkor's ranging companies, and feared no more than a sharp brush in the dark.  But he sent the women and sick rearward and joined with Galdor in the fray.  But rocks fell from above, and it looked as if the battle would go ill for the Gondothlim.  And with the enemies was a [[Balrog]].
 
Then Tuor realized that it was a trap, and now Galdor and Glorfindel held back the assault, and many of the orcs were stricken into the abyss.  And [[Thorondor]] rose with his people, the [[Thornhoth]], and they fell upon the orcs, and the battle turned.
 
Sudden the balrog leaped across the chasm, and came among the women and children, lashing his great whip of flame.  But Glorfindel was there, and long they fought.  His mail defended him from whip and claw, and they fought on a high rock which all could see.  Glorfindel had hewn off the balrog's whip arm, but the balrog leaped forward, and though Glorfindel stabbed forward only the shoulder it found, and for a while they swayed upon the crag-top.  Then Glorfindel drew a dirk, and pierced the balrog's belly, which was up to his face.  But even as the balrog fell with a shriek it grasped Glorfindel's long golden hair, and bock descended into the abyss.
 
Then the orcs fled, and Thorondor bore back up the body of Glorfindel, but the balrog remained down in the abyss in the water of the [[Thorn Sir]], and it was black for many a day after.
 
And so they raised a cairn over the body of Glorfindel, and the yellow flowers grew there ever after.  Thorondor would not allow orc to come near from that moment on.
 
====The Coming to the Land of Willows====
 
After much suffering the exiles came at last to the Land of Willows, where once Tuor had dwelt, and [[Tulkas]] had fought Melkor. And there they healed themselves, and there their wounds were healed, and their women and maidens grew fair again.  But they did not smile any more.
 
All that remained of the Gondothlim was three hundred and twenty men and boys, and two hundred and sixty women and children.  And they dwelt at the [[Mouths of the Sirion]], and they took up the name [[Lothlim]], that is the People of the Flower, for no longer would they be called Gondothlim.  And Eärendil grew great among that people, and there the tale of Tuor ends.
 
And Littleheart said "Alas for Gondolin."  And no one in that room spoke or moved for a great while.


==Inspiration==
Tolkien reputedly wrote ''The Fall of Gondolin'' recovering in a field hospital after the [[Battle of the Somme]]. While many of his works echo the conflicts of [[World War I]], ''The Fall of Gondolin'' is particularly striking in the descriptions of the 'monsters' Morgoth has built in his preparation for the battle. The [[Iron Dragons]] which are capable of crossing difficult terrain and which contain within them companies of orcs are speculated by some, notably [[John Garth]] in his book [[Tolkien and the Great War]] to be in part allegorical of the tanks that made their debut in the Battle of the Somme. In the commentary to the text in ''[[The Book of Lost Tales Part Two]]'', [[Christopher Tolkien]] seems to support this view saying that ''"the language employed suggests that some at least of the 'Monsters' were inanimate 'devices'."''


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Twelve Houses of the Gondothlim]]
*[[Twelve Houses of the Gondolindrim]]
*[[Gondolin]]
*[[Gondolin]]
*[[Fall of Gondolin screenplay]]
*[[Fall of Gondolin screenplay]]


[[Category:Gondolin and Turgon]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fall of Gondolin}}
[[Category:Battles]]
[[Category:Manuscripts by J.R.R. Tolkien|Fall of Gondolin]]
[[Category:Writings]]
[[de:Schlacht um Gondolin]]
[[fi:Gondolinin Häviö]]

Revision as of 10:14, 26 May 2015

This article is about the chapter from The Book of Lost Tales Part Two. For the article focused on the event itself, see Fall of Gondolin.
"I shan't call it the end, till we've cleared up the mess." — Sam
 This article or section needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of article quality.
The Book of Lost Tales Part Two chapters
  1. The Tale of Tinúviel
  2. Turambar and the Foalókë
  3. The Fall of Gondolin
  4. The Nauglafring
  5. The Tale of Eärendel
  6. The History of Eriol or Ælfwine

The Fall of Gondolin is the third chapter of The Book of Lost Tales Part Two. It is the earliest tale from the First Age written by J.R.R. Tolkien's legendarium. It was written during a leave of absence granted to Tolkien around the year 1916, while he was fighting in the World War I and was only published posthumously in the second volume of The History of Middle-earth series by his son, Christopher Tolkien.

It is also striking as a text as it is the single complete account of the city of Gondolin's fall in existence. The only revision made was an incomplete narrative entitled Of Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin which cut off abruptly at the moment Tuor first witnesses the city and thus never dealt with the actual fall of the city. It was published in Unfinished Tales under the title Of Tuor and his coming to Gondolin to more accurately state its content. In the commentary to The Fall of Gondolin Christopher Tolkien calls the unfinished state of Of Tuor and his coming to Gondolin "[...] one of the saddest facts in the whole history of incompletion" which adequately expresses the complications that arise.

Canonicity

As the text is such an early writing, many conceptions in The Fall of Gondolin are in their infancy and thus difficult to judge in relation to the notion of canon. Within its narrative are many features that rub uneasily if not outright clash with later conceptions of their forms. The entire notion of Gondolin's secrecy is presented as far weaker than later versions. Morgoth's animal spies (another feature not expressed fully in later versions of the legendarium) surround the vale of Tumladen completely, having discovered by their own scoutings exactly where the city lies. When Maeglin is captured therefore, the price of his freedom is not telling Morgoth the location of the city (as in later texts) but rather for information regarding Turgon's preparations for the defence (since Morgoth's spies had been marked by the Gondothlim) and the layout of the city.

Many of the details found in The Fall of Gondolin feature only in that text with no other sources to confirm or deny their place in Middle-earth canon. Others, such as the Twelve Houses of the Gondothlim receive only fleeting and largely insubstantial glimpses in later writings: In the case of the Houses of the Gondothlim Ecthelion and Glorfindel are occassionally featured with their respective titles 'of the Fountain' and 'of the Golden Flower' refering to the Houses they commanded.

Synopsis

In the Beginning

After escaping one of the tribes of Easterlings where he had been held as a slave, Tuor lived by the shores of Lake Mithrim hunting in its woods and learning lore from the Ñoldor that wandered in the region. At some point he found a cave through which a river ran, and was driven to follow it by a mysterious and sudden spring of water. He met a couple of the Noldor (characters who would become Gelmir and Arminas) and came through the cave into the Rainbow Cleft. Tuor spent a time dwelling on the shores of the region (presumably Nevrast) before a group swans encouraged him to follow them. There followed a long trek south into more pleasant lands where the trend of the coast was more west-east than north-south. Eventually he reached a land where a river emptied into the sea. There, during the night he met a group of the Ñoldor who guided him far inland, to Arlisgion from where he followed the course of the River Sirion north until he came to Nan-tathren, the beautiful valley of willows. In this region Tuor was content to live, but Ulmo Lord of Waters, who had willed Tuor on this journey, came before Tuor in person, bidding him to seek the hidden city of Gondolin. This Tuor did, but soon the Ñoldor guides deserted him, fearing the reach of Morgoth's power. Only Voronwë remained with him and together they found a way to the Hidden City.

The above section of the tale was replaced in its entirety by [Of Tuor and his coming to Gondolin] which retains many features and phrases but changes dramatically the narrative. In Of Tuor and his coming to Gondolin Tuor is guided by the swans to Turgon's old city of Vinyamar where he finds arms and armour left for him by Turgon at the bidding of Ulmo. There the encounter with Ulmo takes place who sends him Voronwë, saved from a shipwreck to guide Tuor to Gondolin (the other Ñoldor do not appear). The journey is also considerably shorter, both in distance and the time it takes, as Tuor and Voronwë turn east beyond Mount Taras traveling the wilderness south of the line of the Ered Wethrin. However from the moment the travelers see Gondolin for the first time, The Fall of Gondolin is the only source.

Tuor in Gondolin

Tuor and Voronwë entered Gondolin, greeted with awe by its people and were taken before King Turgon. There Tuor, given the power and majesty of Ulmo's own voice tells Turgon to gather his forces and attack Morgoth as the time for his overthrow is ripe. Turgon refused this counsel and so Tuor warned him that both elves and men would suffer for a long whiles before the Valar could contrive another means of salvation. However Tuor voices Ulmo's other counsel which was to leave Gondolin, travel down the Sirion, build ships and sail back to Valinor. Again Turgon refuses, informing Tuor that he had every year sent messengers by boat over the sea but no word returned of their fate.

Tuor, none the less, is invited to remain in Gondolin and there he learned many things that would otherwise be kept secret from the race of men. Matters of music, lore, architecture and culture are all taught to him and he became beloved in the city. Turgon had a suit of armour made for him and an axe, Dramborleg. During this time he married Turgon's daughter Idril Celebrindal at Gar Ainion and Idril bore him a son, Eärendil.

Not all was blissful though because Morgoth had gathered an army of spies and these he sent out to discover the city. They had found the Way of Escape and with the aid of captive Ñoldor, bypassed the magic protecting it to enter through. Tidings of these spyings were bought to Turgon and he began preparing Gondolin for whatever may become of them. Idril then encouraged Tuor to have a secret tunnel constructed, leading from their house far onto the plain of Tumladen, for Idril perceived that things would not remain peaceful and that Maeglin, her cousin, was not all he seemed. This Tuor did and despite the hardness of the rock of Amon Gwareth work began.

Idril's advice proved very good since Maeglin was captured by orcs spying in the region. In exchange for his life he offered them much information on Gondolin, and though they knew much of what he had told them, he told them to bring him before Morgoth so that he may judge the worth of his information. Morgoth was well pleased by what Maeglin had to tell and together they conceived a plan for the capture of Gondolin, Morgoth even promising Maeglin the hand of Idril if he could slay Tuor and Eärendil. On Maeglin's advice Morgoth had his smiths and sorcerers construct iron monsters in the likeness of dragons, which might cross difficult terrain and harbour legions of orcs to transport them safely across the open plain of Tumladen. These monsters it is noted had never been seen before and never would be again until the "Great End".

Maeglin returned to Gondolin promptly so as not to arouse suspicion and from that point on appeared increasingly happy and light-hearted though a shadow of dread placed upon him by Morgoth ever gnawed at him. This new Maeglin however only increased Tuor and Idril's suspicion. Furthermore Morgoth withdrew his spies which Turgon and the people of Gondolin interpreted as him seeing the impregnability of Gondolin and deciding against assault and the watch on the mountains was slackened. It was in that year that Eärendil was seven years of age.

The Fall

It was as the Gondolindrim were celebrating the festival of Tarnin Austa that Morgoth assaulted their city. As the sun went down that day and all the people were out to witness the ending of the day, a red glow grew in the north dyeing the snow on the mountains as blood. Riders fled over the plain bringing the tidings, Morgoth was upon them.

There follows a detailed description of the symbols and colours of the Twelve Houses of the Gondothlim as they ready for battle: Turgon and the House of the King; Tuor and the House of the Wing; Maeglin and the House of the Mole; Duilin and the House of the Swallow; Egalmoth and the House of the Heavenly Arch; Penlod and the twin Houses of the Pillar and the Tower of Snow; Galdor and the House of the Tree; Glorfindel and the House of the Golden Flower; Ecthelion and the House of the Fountain; Salgant and the House of the Harp and Rog and the House of the Hammer of Wrath.

A council of war was called by Turgon and though Tuor recommends an attempt to sally, Maeglin and Salgant (who fawned upon Maeglin and did his bidding) convinced Turgon to remain in the city since it was so hard in the making. So ended the council and the Gondolindrim deployed themselves for the battle.

Narfil Palùrfalas - Siege of Gondolin 1.jpg

So the battle began in earnest. As the hosts of Morgoth, commanded by Gothmog crossed the plain of Tumladen, Turgon's war machines opened fire, supplemented by the Houses of the Heavenly arch and of the Swallow, both houses of archers. However for all their efforts they did little to slow the advance. Once the forces of Morgoth had reached the city however, they found that they couldn't assault the walls as the sides of Amon Gwareth were smooth and hard and the beasts of Morgoth could not climb them. Therefore Gothmog led an assault on the North Gate, using the iron monsters that Morgoth had had forged to break them. From the bellies of the Iron creatures hosts of orcs spilled and Galdor and Rog with their houses were hard pressed to hold them.

At this time Maeglin had decided to bring his plans to fruition and had traveled with the House of the Mole to Tuor's abode on the south western wall. There he intended to thrust Eärendil over the walls and to goad Idril into leading him out of the ruin of the city by her secret way, which Maeglin had heard rumour of. However he was thwarted by Tuor, who arriving just as Maeglin was dragging Eärendil to the walls and Tuor gave a great shout, and battle ensued between the Houses of the Mole and of the Wing. In the midst of this Tuor rescued his wife and son and lifting Maeglin threw him over the walls to his death. Tuor left Idril and Eärendil in the keeping of Voronwë and a guard of warriors from his house and returned with the remainder of the House of the Wing to the combat.

Narfil Palùrfalas - Siege of Gondolin 2.jpg

At the gate, battle intensified as the balrogs came upon the defenders there. Duilin and Penlod were slain. But Rog rallied his House about him and made for a desperate charge, beating the enemy back from the gates and bringing the battle out onto Tumladen. There, however, he was slain, cut off from the city and his house fell to a man by the horde assembled.

Narfil Palùrfalas - Siege of Gondolin 3.jpg

Battle continued and a fresh assault was made by the forces of Morgoth upon the western wall. There the dragons had beat a way up Amon Gwareth and heaved against the wall, succeeding in breaching it. But Tuor and the House of the Wing and Ecthelion and the House of the Fountain (which had before now been held in reserve) were ready to meet it. In the battle that followed Tuor and Ecthelion proved themselves mighty in battle, slaying orc chieftains and balrogs alike but it was there that Ecthelion bought a wound on his left arm from a Balrog's whip. There a great dragon appeared and trampled all those about it, orc and elf alike. But Tuor hewed its foot and it fled wrecking ruin about it.

Narfil Palùrfalas - Siege of Gondolin 4.jpg

And so slowly but surely all those Houses that remained were driven back to the Square of the King. Of the Chieftains, Turgon, Tuor, Ecthelion, Galdor, Egalmoth and Glorfindel were there. Glorfindel came late, only able to escape from his position in the Great Market once the House of the Harp under the craven Salgant had taken leave of their captain quailing in his bed and relieved the House of the Golden Flower, as they had previously been ordered. There the Gondothlim made their final stand, reinforced by the presence of Turgon and the House of the King. They were hard pressed and soon what barricades they could erect were broken. There came Gothmog and though grievously wounded Ecthelion stepped up to face him. Gothmog disarmed him, ruining his right arm, but Ecthelion was not so easily defeated and drove the spike of his helmet into the chest of Gothmog, wrapping his legs around the demon's body and forcing him into the Fountain of the King where they both drowned.

The Escape

Battle proved vain, and Turgon recited the words of Amnon the prophet: "Great is the Fall of Gondolin". As the Noldor were pushed back to the very Tower of the King Turgon repented of his dismissal of Ulmo's advice, casting off his crown and bidding the Gondothlim follow Tuor from now on and if they might, find a way to flee the city. With that Turgon climbed to the highest peak of his tower and declared "Great is the victory of the Ñoldoli!" to which the orcs sneered in derision. Desperate council was taken and Tuor now informed them of the secret delving of Idril he had had made.

This course of action seemed best and so gathering what people of Gondolin they could find, Tuor led them south by the Road of Pomps. Where it crossed the Way of Running Waters to Tuor's house stood Gar Ainion where he and Idril had been married and there once again was Idril with a great mass of people about her but without Eärendil and Tuor feared he was dead. With Glorfindel and the House of the Golden Flower protecting the rear therefore, they moved quickly down the Way of Running Waters, with dragons and orcs in pursuit.

They won to Tuor's house and there filed down into the tunnel which was hot from the fires of the dragons upon the plain and choked with bodies of those crushed by dislodged rocks in its roof. At length though, they came to the exit hidden in a dried pool shrouded by bushes. There the band came into some conflict over the path to take for though Tuor proposed Cristhorn others trusted rather to the Way of Escape which was nearer. Therefore a split occurred and those who fared to the Way of Escape were caught by a dragon that waited there and were slain. In the dark of the rising dawn, Tuor's company were guided across the plain by Legolas, of the folk of the tree and went far across the plain. But looking back they witnessed six men on foot fleeing across the plain pursued by orcs upon wolves and Tuor saw that upon the shoulders of one man was Eärendil. Therefore gathering fifty men about him he led them to the rescue of his son, destroying the orcs. So was Eärendil reunited with his parents.

Tuor and the refugees made it to the Eagle's Cleft and moved along the narrow pass, a cliff to one hand and a sheer drop to the other. They had already begun the passage when a hail of stones came from above, hurled by orcs, and from behind a Balrog came upon them, set there to prevent escape from the city. Glorfindel blocked it from reaching its target and there ensued a battle on the heights. Glorfindel hewed its arm and wrestled with it, but to defeat his foe forced his weight against it forcing it over the brink and into the abyss. The eagles came, driving the orcs off the mountain-side and so the column of exiles were saved. Glorfindel's body was borne up by the eagles and a cairn was made for him despite their haste and after this deed the exiles escaped the ruin of Gondolin.

Later events

In the text it is told that the exiles wandered for a year or more before they found the Way of Escape and Sirion (This cannot logically be taken as canon for the Way of Escape was little more than five miles from the exit of the Cirith Thoronath). In this time they suffered much hunger and anguish and only late came at last again to the land of willows where Tuor had once witnessed Ulmo. Here the text ends.

Inspiration

Tolkien reputedly wrote The Fall of Gondolin recovering in a field hospital after the Battle of the Somme. While many of his works echo the conflicts of World War I, The Fall of Gondolin is particularly striking in the descriptions of the 'monsters' Morgoth has built in his preparation for the battle. The Iron Dragons which are capable of crossing difficult terrain and which contain within them companies of orcs are speculated by some, notably John Garth in his book Tolkien and the Great War to be in part allegorical of the tanks that made their debut in the Battle of the Somme. In the commentary to the text in The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, Christopher Tolkien seems to support this view saying that "the language employed suggests that some at least of the 'Monsters' were inanimate 'devices'."

See also

Retrieved from "https://tolkiengateway.net/w/index.php?title=The_Fall_of_Gondolin_(chapter)&oldid=268376"