Turgon

Turgon the Wise (Years of the Trees 1300 – First Age 510, aged approx. 2,430 years) was an Elven king of the Ñoldor, second son of Fingolfin, brother to Fingon, Aredhel and Argon, and ruler of the hidden city of Gondolin. His name is a Sindarinized form of his Quenya name Turukáno, which probably means something like "valiant lord".

Although Turgon was originally against the departure of the Ñoldor from Aman, he eventually did set out on the journey. After Fëanor and his sons departed using the only ships, he took his people across the dangerous Helcaraxë with his father Fingolfin. He lost his wife Elenwë in the crossing and settled at Vinyamar in Nevrast.

When he journeyed with his friend Finrod Felagund along Sirion, Ulmo sent both of them a dream to look for a hidden place where they could be safe from the power of Morgoth. Then in the following year Ulmo appeared directly to Turgon and guided him to the vale of Tumladen in the Encircling Mountains, to which Turgon later secretly moved with many of the Ñoldor, deserting Nevrast, and built Gondolin, where he ruled with the Staff of Doom in his right hand, and a coronet of garnets upon his head. At his side was Glamdring, for it was said in the Hobbit that it once belonged to the King of Gondolin.

Turgon and his people remained isolated in Gondolin for many years with his daughter Idril, who married Tuor after the man found the secret way and discovered the city.

Turgon reemerged with his host during the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, and although the battle was still lost, his intervention prevented the rout from completely destroying the armies of the Ñoldor and their allies. He was killed at Gondolin's fall when his tower fell down over his head.

Preceded by: Fingon

High King of the Noldor I 472 – 510

Followed by: Ereinion Gil-galad