Tolkien Gateway - User contributions [en]

Dale

2008-04-29T18:35:28Z

146.142.45.43:

{{expansion}}
[[Image:WAR-ICONS Dale.jpg|left|150px]]
'''Dale''' was a township of [[Men]] lying between [[Erebor]] and [[Esgaroth]]. It was destroyed when [[Smaug]] the dragon descended on the Dwarf-kingdom of Erebor. For one-hundred seventy-two years city lay in ruins, until the [[Battle of Five Armies]]. After the battle, '''Dale''' and was refounded by [[Bard]] the Bowman , the descendant of its royal line. '''Dale''', once again was a prosperous city. It had a long lasting friendship with the Dwarves of Erebor and the Iron Hills, and the people of Lake-Town, trading with them and allying with them in times of war.

During the [[War of the Ring]], the [[Easterlings]] attacked the city. Not able to hold the Easterlings back the [[Men of Dale]] and their allies, the [[Dwarves of Erebor]], retreated into the the Lonely Mountain, but not without losing both Dale and Erebors' kings [[Brand]] and [[Dain II Ironfoot]] who were both slain at the gates of the mountain. For seven days the Men and Dwarves barricaded themselves in Erebor until news came from the south of the defeat of Sauron, the new kings of Dale and Erebor ([[Bard II]] and [[Thorin III Stonehelm]]), broke the siege and chased the Easterlings out of Dale. After the siege, the Men of Dale rebuilt Dale, with the help of the Dwarves. Bard also sent an emissary to the coronation of king [[Elessar]].

[[Category:Cities]]
[[Category:Realms]]
[[Category:Rhovanion]]
[[de:Thal]]
[[fi:Laakso]]

Dale

2008-04-29T18:34:48Z

146.142.45.43:

{{expansion}}
[[Image:WAR-ICONS Dale.jpg|left|150px]]
'''Dale''' was a township of [[Men]] lying between [[Erebor]] and [[Esgaroth]]. It was destroyed when [[Smaug]] the dragon descended on the Dwarf-kingdom of Erebor. For one-hundred seventy-two years city lay in ruins, until the [[Battle of Five Armies]]. After the battle, '''Dale''' and was refounded by [[Bard]] the Bowman , the descendant of its royal line. '''Dale''', once again was a prosperous city. It had a long lasting friendship with the Dwarves of Erebor and the Iron Hills, and the people of Lake-Town, trading with them and allying with them in times of war.

During the [[War of the Ring]], the [[Easterlings]] attacked the city. Not able to hold the Easterlings back the [[Men of Dale]] and their allies, the [[Dwarves of Erebor]], retreated into the the Lonely Mountain, but not without losing both Dale and Erebors' kings [[Brand]] and [[Dain II Ironfoot]] who were both slain at the gates of the mountain. For seven days the Men and Dwarves barricaded themselves in Erebor until news came from the south of the defeat of Sauron, the new kings of Dale and Erebor ([[Bard II]] and [[Thorin III Stonehelm]]), broke the siege and chased the Easterlings out of Dale. After the siege, the Men of Dale rebuilt Dale, with the help of the Dwarves. Bard, also sent an emissary to the coronation of king [[Elessar]].

[[Category:Cities]]
[[Category:Realms]]
[[Category:Rhovanion]]
[[de:Thal]]
[[fi:Laakso]]

Caras Galadhon

2008-04-29T18:27:40Z

146.142.45.43:

{{Pronounce|Caras Galadhon.mp3|Ardamir}}
[[Image:Peter Jackson's Caras Galadhon.jpg|thumb|300px|Caras Galadhon as envisioned in [[Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring]]]]
'''Caras Galadhon''' (pronounced {{IPA|/ˈkaras ˈgalaðon/}}) was the chief city of [[Lórien in Middle-earth|Lórien]].

Caras Galadhon was in the [[Naith]] of Lórien, in the heart of the [[Silvan Elves]]' realm. It was built in the middle of, on top of, and out of the [[mallorn]] trees that [[Galadriel]] had brought with her from [[Valinor]]. At it heart was the residence of [[Celeborn, Lord of Lórien|Celeborn]] and Galadriel.

During the events of the [[War of the Ring]], the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] was brought through Lórien to Caras Galadhon, and there met the lords of the [[Galadhrim]]. They stayed in the city for a month, recovering from their journey through [[Moria]].

In the [[Fourth Age]], after Galadriel had gone into the [[Straight Road|West]], Caras Galadhon was ruled by a lonely Celeborn as capital of a Lórien which now spanned both sides of the river [[Anduin]]. Later Celeborn left for [[Valinor]] as well, and Caras Galadhon became an empty place.

In some printings of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', "Caras Galadhon" was misspelled "Caras Galadon".

[[Category:Cities]]
[[Category:Rhovanion]]

[[de:Caras Galadhon]]
[[fi:Caras Galadhon]]

The War of the Ring

2007-06-26T18:52:45Z

146.142.45.43:

{{book|
title=The War of the Ring|
image=[[Image:The War of the Ring.jpg|225px]]|
author=[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Christopher Tolkien]]|
isbn=039556008X|
publisher=[[Houghton Mifflin]]|
date=November 14, 1990|
format=Hardcover|
pages= 496|
amazon=http://www.amazon.com/War-Ring-History-Rings-Middle-Earth/dp/039556008X|
amazonprice=$21.90
}}

'''The War of the Ring''' takes up the story of [[The Lord of the Rings]] with the [[Battle of Helm's Deep]] and the drowning of [[Isengard]] by the [[Ents]], continues with the journey of [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]], [[Sam]] and [[Gollum]] to the Pass of [[Cirith Ungol]], describes the war in [[Gondor]], and ends with the parley between [[Gandalf]] and the ambassador of the Dark Lord before the [[Black Gate|Black Gate of Mordor]]. Unforeseen developments that would become central to the narrative are seen at the moment of their emergence: the [[palantíri|palantír]] bursting into fragments on the stairs of Orthanc, its nature as unknown to the author as to those who saw it fall, or the entry of [[Faramir son of Denethor II|Faramir]] into the story ('I am sure I did not invent him, I did not even want him, though I like him, but there he came walking through the woods of Ithilien'). The book is illustrated with plans and drawings of the changing conceptions of [[Orthanc]], [[Dunharrow]], [[Minas Tirith in Gondor|Minas Tirith]] and the tunnels of [[Shelob's Lair]].

{{home}}

[[Category:Books by J.R.R. Tolkien|War of the Ring]]
[[Category:Books by Christopher Tolkien|War of the Ring]]

The Fall of Gondolin (chapter)

2007-06-26T18:40:10Z

146.142.45.43: /* The Escape */

[[Image:John Howe - The Fall of Gondolin.jpg|thumb|300px|''The Fall of Gondolin'' by [[John Howe]]]]

[[Image:Canon_Scale_-_2.jpg]]

'''The Fall of Gondolin''' is perhaps the earliest extant writing of [[J.R.R. Tolkien|J.R.R. Tolkien's]] [[legendarium]]. It was written in the original [[Book of Lost Tales]] that Tolkien was working on in the trenches of [[World War I]] and was only published postumously in the [[Book of Lost Tales 2|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 existance. 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 publised in [[Unfinished Tales]] under the title 'Of Tuor and his coming to Gondolin' to more accurately state it's content. In the commentry 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 so 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. [[Balrogs]] for instance within 'The Fall' are slain in their multitudes: ''"Of those demons of fire [[Ecthelion of the Fountain|Ecthelion]] slew three...yet the leap of that axe [[Dramborleg]] that was swung by the hand of [[Tuor]] were they still more afraid...and five of them went down before it."'' and in the fight in the [[Square of the King]] ''"...of the balrogs slew even two score"''.

However the problem of canon stretches beyond just the battle. 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 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.

== The Narrative ==

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 however he is driven by some force of fate to enter a cave through which a river ran. Driven on he meets a couple of the Noldor (characters who would become [[Gelmir of Angrod's People|Gelmir]] and [[Arminas]]) and comes through the cave into the [[Rainbow Cleft]]. Tuor spent a time dwelling on the shores of the region (presumably [[Nevrast]]) before three swans encouraged him to follow them, because he had a great liking of the birds and took them as his symbol. There-follows a long treck south into more pleasent lands where the trend of the coast was more west-east than north-south. Eventually he reaches a land where a river empties into the sea. There, during the night he is met by a group of the Ñoldor who guide 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 and fearing this, [[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 does, but soon the Ñoldor guides desert him fearing the reach of Morgoth's power. Only [[Voronwë of Gondolin|Voronwë]] remains with him and together they find a way to the hidden city.

The above section of the tale was replaced in its entirity 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]] travelling the wilderness south of the line of the [[Ered Wethrin]]. However from the moment the travellers 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 [[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.

Idril's advice prooved 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 untill 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 Gondothlim 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 dying 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 the Wise|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 of the Heavenly Arch|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 of the Fountain|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 Gondothlim deployed themselves for the battle.[[Image:Siege_of_Gondolin_1.jpg|thumb]]

So the battle began in earnest. As the hosts of Morgoth, commanded by [[Gothmog (Lord of Balrogs)|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 couldnt 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 creaturs 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 travelled 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. [[Image:Siege_of_Gondolin_2.jpg|thumb]]

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 desparate 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.[[Image:Siege_of_Gondolin_3.jpg|thumb]]

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 prooved 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.[[Image:Siege_of_Gondolin_4.jpg|thumb]]

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 greviously 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 prooved 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. Desparate 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 [[Christhorn]] others trusted rather to the Way of Escape which was nearer. Therefore a split occured 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 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.

Tuor and the [[Exiles of Gondolin|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.

== World War 1 ==

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 commentry to the text in [[The Book of Lost Tales 2]], [[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==
*[[Twelve Houses of the Gondothlim]]
*[[Gondolin]]
*[[Fall of Gondolin screenplay]]

[[Category:Gondolin and Turgon]]
[[Category:Battles]]
[[Category:Writings]]

__NOTOC__

The Fall of Gondolin (chapter)

2007-06-26T18:28:30Z

146.142.45.43: /* The Fall */

[[Image:John Howe - The Fall of Gondolin.jpg|thumb|300px|''The Fall of Gondolin'' by [[John Howe]]]]

[[Image:Canon_Scale_-_2.jpg]]

'''The Fall of Gondolin''' is perhaps the earliest extant writing of [[J.R.R. Tolkien|J.R.R. Tolkien's]] [[legendarium]]. It was written in the original [[Book of Lost Tales]] that Tolkien was working on in the trenches of [[World War I]] and was only published postumously in the [[Book of Lost Tales 2|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 existance. 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 publised in [[Unfinished Tales]] under the title 'Of Tuor and his coming to Gondolin' to more accurately state it's content. In the commentry 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 so 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. [[Balrogs]] for instance within 'The Fall' are slain in their multitudes: ''"Of those demons of fire [[Ecthelion of the Fountain|Ecthelion]] slew three...yet the leap of that axe [[Dramborleg]] that was swung by the hand of [[Tuor]] were they still more afraid...and five of them went down before it."'' and in the fight in the [[Square of the King]] ''"...of the balrogs slew even two score"''.

However the problem of canon stretches beyond just the battle. 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 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.

== The Narrative ==

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 however he is driven by some force of fate to enter a cave through which a river ran. Driven on he meets a couple of the Noldor (characters who would become [[Gelmir of Angrod's People|Gelmir]] and [[Arminas]]) and comes through the cave into the [[Rainbow Cleft]]. Tuor spent a time dwelling on the shores of the region (presumably [[Nevrast]]) before three swans encouraged him to follow them, because he had a great liking of the birds and took them as his symbol. There-follows a long treck south into more pleasent lands where the trend of the coast was more west-east than north-south. Eventually he reaches a land where a river empties into the sea. There, during the night he is met by a group of the Ñoldor who guide 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 and fearing this, [[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 does, but soon the Ñoldor guides desert him fearing the reach of Morgoth's power. Only [[Voronwë of Gondolin|Voronwë]] remains with him and together they find a way to the hidden city.

The above section of the tale was replaced in its entirity 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]] travelling the wilderness south of the line of the [[Ered Wethrin]]. However from the moment the travellers 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 [[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.

Idril's advice prooved 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 untill 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 Gondothlim 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 dying 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 the Wise|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 of the Heavenly Arch|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 of the Fountain|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 Gondothlim deployed themselves for the battle.[[Image:Siege_of_Gondolin_1.jpg|thumb]]

So the battle began in earnest. As the hosts of Morgoth, commanded by [[Gothmog (Lord of Balrogs)|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 couldnt 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 creaturs 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 travelled 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. [[Image:Siege_of_Gondolin_2.jpg|thumb]]

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 desparate 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.[[Image:Siege_of_Gondolin_3.jpg|thumb]]

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 prooved 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.[[Image:Siege_of_Gondolin_4.jpg|thumb]]

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 greviously 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 prooved 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. Desparate 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 [[Christhorn]] others trusted rather to the Way of Escape which was nearer. Therefore a split occured 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 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.

Tuor and the [[Exiles of Gondolin|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 it's target and there ensued a battle on the heights. Glorfindel hewed it's 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.

== World War 1 ==

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 commentry to the text in [[The Book of Lost Tales 2]], [[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==
*[[Twelve Houses of the Gondothlim]]
*[[Gondolin]]
*[[Fall of Gondolin screenplay]]

[[Category:Gondolin and Turgon]]
[[Category:Battles]]
[[Category:Writings]]

__NOTOC__

Galadriel

2007-06-26T17:47:44Z

146.142.45.43: /* Return to Valinor */

{{noldor infobox
| image= [[Image:Matt Stewart - Galadriel.jpg|250px]]
| name= Galadriel
| quenya= [[fn]] ''[[Artanis]]'' ([[mn]] ''[[Nerwen]]'')
| titles= Lady of [[Lothlórien]], Lady of Lórien, Lady of the [[Galadhrim]], Lady of Light, Lady of the Wood
| birth= Sometime during the [[YOTT]], [[Tirion]]
| realm= [[Tirion]], [[Lindon]], [[Eregion]], [[Lothlórien]]
| death= Passed west [[Third Age 3021|TA 3021]]
| age= 3100+
| parentage= [[Finarfin]] + [[Eärwen]]
| spouse= [[Celeborn (Lord of Lórien)|Celeborn]]
| children= [[Celebrían]]
| gender= Female
| hair= Radiant gold-silver
| marks=
|}}
{{quote|Very tall [Galadriel and Celeborn] were, and the Lady no less tall than the Lord; and they were grave and beautiful. They were clad wholly in white; and the hair of the Lady was of deep gold… but no sign of age was upon them, unless it were in the depths of their eyes; for these were keen as lances in the starlight, and yet profound, the wells of deep memory.|[[The Lord of the Rings]], ''[[The Mirror of Galadriel]]''}}
'''Galadriel''' was a [[Noldo]], one of the [[Calaquendi]], and arguably the most famous and powerful elf of the [[Third Age]]. She was one of the bearers of the [[Three Rings]], of [[Nenya]], and with it kept her realm of [[Lothlórien]] free of stain.

==History==

===Fostering and Life in Aman===

When a fourth child was born to [[Finarfin]], prince of the Noldor, and [[Eärwen]], princess of the [[Teleri]], her father named her “''Artanis''”, which is “noble woman”. She was unusually tall and strong as she grew, and so Eärwen’s name for her was “''Nerwen''”, “man-maiden”. But the most distinctive thing about her was her hair, which was of a rare silver-gold color, and dazzlingly bright. Her hair reflected her unusually diverse heritage, being half [[Teleri]]n (typified by silver hair), a quarter [[Noldor]]in (typified by dark hair), and a quarter [[Vanyar]]in (typified by golden hair). Despite her mixed blood, she was identified as a princess of the Noldor, as her father was the third son of [[Finwë]], [[High King of the Noldor]]. Yet according to [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]’s later accounts she lived with her Telerin relatives in [[Alqualondë]].

It was in Alqualondë that she met [[Teleporno]], a young Telerin prince probably the son or grandson of [[Olwë]] (which would make him Artanis’s uncle or cousin)[[Galadriel#Controversy|*]]. They eventually fell in love, and he called her in his own [[Telerin]] tongue ''[[Alatáriel]]'' (later [[Sindarin]]ized as ''Galadriel''). She had another admirer as well: her half-uncle, [[Fëanor]]. Fëanor, being a lover of beauty and brilliance, noted her shining hair. He may have been inspired by her tresses to make the [[Silmarils]], both being said to capture the light of the [[Two Trees]]. He begged her to spare him some of her hair, but she refused him a single hair three times and he gave up. She had unusually strong powers of mental perception, and when she looked into his mind, she saw only darkness.

During the [[Darkening of Valinor]], she was just as fiery and visionary as Fëanor, although she despised him. During the troubles that followed she took no part in the atrocities against the Teleri during the [[Kinslaying of Alqualondë]], but urged Teleporno her beloved to sail across the [[Belegaer|Sea]] to [[Middle-earth]] by her side. He agreed for her sake, and so they both came under the [[Ban of the Valar]].

===First Age===

Once in [[Beleriand]] they were welcomed by King [[Thingol]] of [[Doriath]], as both were Telerin in origin. Thingol knew nothing of what had happened to his brother [[Olwë]] and the [[Calaquendi]], and they brought news. But they said nothing about the Kinslaying. Teleporno was Sindarinized as ''[[Celeborn (Lord of Lórien)|Celeborn]]'', and Artanis adopted Teleporno’s pet name for her, ''Alatáriel'', in its Sindarin form: ''Galadriel''.

After the rest of the Noldor arrived in Beleriand and the great [[Dagor-nuin-Giliath]] was fought, Galadriel re-established contact with her brothers, though her hate for the orphaned sons of Fëanor was still strong. She learned much from [[Melian]] during her days in Doriath, and occasionally spent time in [[Nargothrond]] with her eldest brother [[Finrod Felagund]]. She and Melian became friends, speaking often to one another about Valinor. Melian was eager to learn of the happenings of the Exile, but Galadriel would tell her nothing of what occurred after the death of the Trees. Eventually, however, as Melian’s guesses became more shrewd and accurate, Galadriel told her more, except for that of the death of Finwë, the Kinslaying, and the [[burning of the Ships]] at [[Losgar]]. Melian was able to discern some, and the rest came in rumors to Thingol’s ears. At last, egged on by the accusing words of Thingol, Angrod told all. Galadriel escaped being removed from Doriath by Thingol’s sympathy to the houses of Finarfin and [[Fingolfin]] for the wrongs they had suffered. All the same, she moved for a time to Nargothrond to live with Finrod. By [[First Age 300|300]], however, she had gone back to live in Doriath. Presumably, her husband lived with her there in peace.

Precisely where the twain were during the [[Sack of Nargothrond|destruction of Nargothrond]] in [[First Age 495| 495]] and [[Sack of Doriath|Doriath]] in [[First Age 503|503]]/[[First Age 506|506]] is unknown; perhaps they were there during the sacks and escaped one or both. It is not unlikely that after the destruction of the latter they went either to the [[Havens of Sirion]] or with their Telerin kin to the [[Isle of Balar]] with [[Círdan]]. If the former, they escaped the [[Third Kinslaying]] there, and either went into hiding in Beleriand or, more probably, went to the Isle of Balar. During the [[War of Wrath]], given the choice whether to stay in Middle-earth or not, they surprisingly decided to remain. Galadriel was still very proud, even arrogant, and refused to accept the pardon of the [[Valar]]. Either Celeborn felt the same way, or stayed for the sake of his wife.

===Second Age===

Galadriel and her husband stayed in [[Lindon]], the kingdom of Galadriel’s grandnephew [[Gil-galad]]. There they stayed for a while, ruling over a fiefdom of Noldor. Eventually they established or moved to [[Eregion]]. Celebrimbor lived there, and gradually grew in importance among the smiths. Perhaps because of Galadriel’s detestation (Celebrimbor being the last of the [[House of Fëanor]]), Celeborn and Galadriel made contact with the [[Nandor]] of [[Amdír]], who dwelt in a forest realm called [[Lórinand]]. They eventually crossed the [[Hithaeglir]] through [[Moria]] and relocated to there, becoming great among the Wood-elves.

Though Galadriel urged Celebrimbor against it, the Noldo collaborated with [[Annatar]] on the great process of making [[Rings of Power]]. By Annatar’s help, the Elves of Eregion created many rings, but both Celebrimbor and Annatar created greater rings of their own in secret. Celebrimbor wrought the [[Three Rings]] of the Elves, which were far more powerful than the lesser rings. Annatar, however, wrought the [[One Ring]]. When he placed it on his finger, the Elves were aware of his treachery, and took off their rings. Celebrimbor, afraid for his life but even more for the safety of the Three Rings, sent them to three of the [[Wise]]: [[Narya]] for Círdan, [[Vilya]] for Gil-galad, and [[Nenya]] for Galadriel. Very few even of the [[Eldar]] knew who hid each of these Rings. Celebrimbor was slain by [[Sauron]] not long after, and Eregion was laid waste. But the Three Rings were safe.

[[Image:Angus McBride - Galadriel.gif|thumb|left|250px|''Galadriel'' by [[Angus McBride]]]]In time Amdír, King of Lórinand, was slain in the [[Battle of Dagorlad]] during the [[War of the Last Alliance]]. Celeborn may have participated in the war, but the greatest effect it had on the twain (and Lórinand) was the destruction of Sauron and the loss of the [[One Ring]]. Galadriel was now free to use her ring. With Nenya, the Ring of Water, Galadriel made the realm of Lórinand even greater. With the power of her ring, she protected it from the intrusion of evils throughout the [[Third Age]].

===Third Age===

When [[Amroth]] son of Amdír perished, Celeborn and Galadriel ruled Lórinand (now known as [[Lothlórien]] or Lórien) jointly, and were called the [[Lord and Lady]]. Lothlórien blossomed, and Galadriel planted the [[mallorn]] seeds brought with her from Lindon, the only mallorns east of the Sea. They established [[Caras Galadhon]], and the realm of Lothlórien was one of light and life. It was during their days of power and glory in Lothlórien (either before or after the deaths of Amdír and Amroth) that Galadriel bore her first and only child: a daughter exceedingly fair named [[Celebrían]]. She married [[Elrond]], a close friend of Galadriel’s and bearer of [[Vilya]] after the death of Gil-galad during the Alliance. Celeborn and Galadriel had three grandchildren by her, one of whom, [[Arwen]], they were especially close to. But Celebrían was waylaid and tortured by [[Orcs]] in [[Third Age 2509|2509]], and passed West over the sea.

In [[Third Age 2463|2463]] the [[White Council]] was formed. Galadriel, being one of the [[Wise]] and the greatest threat to Sauron alive, was one of the members. Celeborn may have been as well, but this is not known for sure. She was a good friend of [[Gandalf the Grey]], and recommended that he be made head of the Council. But this distinction fell instead to [[Saruman]], whom she distrusted.

[[Image:Billy Mosig - The Mirror of Galadriel.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''The Mirror of Galadriel'' by [[Billy Mosig]]]]During the [[War of the Ring]], Galadriel met the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] in [[Third Age 3019|3019]]. She especially was attentive to the [[Hobbit]] [[Frodo Baggins]], who was the bearer of the [[One Ring]]. She showed him Nenya, and let him gaze into her [[Mirror of Galadriel|mirror]] of seeing. He offered her the One Ring, and despite the extreme temptation, she resisted it successfully. She sent the Fellowship off on their quest furnished with gifts. The two most important gifts she gave were to [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]], whom she knew well and liked, and a [[dwarf]] named [[Gimli]]. To Aragorn she gave the [[Elfstone]], which she had worn, and Celebrían her daughter. She was unsure as to what to give Gimli, and asked what he wanted. After complimenting her beauty, he requested a single strand of her hair. Galadriel remembered the posing of a similar question by Fëanor, but had searched Gimli’s heart and knew that his intentions were pure. She rewarded him with three strands, which he was later to put into an imperishable crystal in memory of her.

Not long after the departure of the Fellowship she received the resurrected Gandalf. She reclothed and refurnished him, giving him a new staff. After Gandalf left, Lothlórien was subjected to three successive attacks by armies coming out of [[Dol Guldur]]. By the power of her Ring they were thrice repulsed. Celeborn then led an attack on Dol Guldur itself. Once the dark fortress was in the hands of the Galadhrim, Galadriel came, threw down its walls, and purified it of its evil. It was her last act of power, for the One Ring was destroyed, and the strength of Nenya waned and eventually vanished almost completely.

===Return to Valinor===

Galadriel attended the wedding of Aragorn with Arwen, then returned to Lothlórien. But in [[Third Age 3021|3021]], two years later, she bade farewell to Celeborn her husband and went West to Valinor. With her went the other two bearers of the Rings, Gandalf and Elrond, and Frodo and Bilbo Baggins who had borne the One Ring. They passed West, and came never again to Middle-earth. There in Valinor Galadriel must have tried to heal Frodo of his spiritual wounds. Whether she was successful or not is unknown. But sometime later during the [[Fourth Age]] she received Celeborn, her husband. And in [[Fourth Age 120]], it is said, she received Gimli her admirer, who died in Valinor.

==Characteristics==

Galadriel was very beautiful, her hair being the most notable feature about her. It reminded the Eldar of the light of the [[Two Trees]]. Galadriel, at least in her earlier years, was of a somewhat proud and rebellious nature. She was free-spirited, and during her time in Aman had many dreams of wide unexplored lands. Her favorite brother was Finrod, for he, too, shared this vision. She could explore the minds and hearts of others, and her gaze was seeing. It may be because of her unusual beauty and power that she became proud.

But by the Third Age she is also seen to act with wisdom and gentleness. In ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', she appears very gentle, firm, and wise. She was revered even more than Celeborn by the Galadhrim and all who met her.

==Other Versions of the Legendarium==

There is a bit of befuddlement and confusion in the story of Galadriel, which Tolkien revised multiple times. Originally, and in the published ''[[The Silmarillion|Silmarillion]]'', Galadriel supported Fëanor and even fought at Alqualondë. Then she met Celeborn in [[Doriath]], for Celeborn was one of the Sindar. This earlier account explains the difficulty of Celeborn and Galadriel being so closely related (the Eldar did not marry that close). Though it’s possible that Galadriel and Celeborn rebelliously defied the customs and laws, it is primarily because of this difficulty that some [[Tolkienists]] take the earlier account as canon.

The later account is the one used here, being considered more canon by most (being written and used later than other accounts). It is found in ''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]''.

== Genealogy ==
<code>
[[Finarfin]] = [[Eärwen]]
|
-------------------|-------------------
| | | |
| | | |
[[Finrod]] [[Angrod]] = [[Eldalôtë]] [[Aegnor]] '''GALADRIEL''' = [[Celeborn, Lord of Lórien|Celeborn]]
| |
| |
[[Orodreth of Nargothrond|Orodreth]] [[Celebrían]] = [[Elrond]]
| |
------|------ |
| | |
| | |
[[Gil-galad]] [[Finduilas of Nargothrond|Finduilas]] |
[[Arwen]] = [[Aragorn II|Aragorn Elessar]]

</code>

== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
[[Image:Ralph Bakshi's Galadriel.jpg|thumb|left|Galadriel as portrayed in [[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings]]]]
[[Image:Peter Jackson's Galadriel.jpg|thumb|[[Cate Blanchett]] as Galadriel in [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]]]]
In [[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings]] Galadriel is voiced by [[Annette Crosbie]].

In [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]] Galadriel is played by [[Cate Blanchett]]. In the movie adaptation of The Fellowship of the Ring, Galadriel narrates the Prologue, explaining the creation of the Rings of Power and the War of the Last Alliance. Earlier plans considered were to have either Frodo or Gandalf narrate the Prologue, but this was dropped: Frodo wasn't alive until thousands of years after these events happened, and although Gandalf was alive, he was not present in Middle-earth at the time; the Wizards came some one thousand years after the Prologue ends. Thus Galadriel narrates the Prologue, because she had first-hand accounts of this history and actively participated in its events.

Later in the films, Galadriel frequently seems to be consulting telepathically with Elrond; there is some indication from the books that the two were able to communicate in some way, but the specific instances in the movies (particularly the discussion with Elrond in ''[[Peter Jackson's The Two Towers]]'') have no direct counterparts in the books. She does at one point send messages to [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]] and certain members of the Fellowship, which do not make it into the movie. Further, the notion that Galadriel would send her warriors to assist at [[Helm's Deep]] is practically unthinkable in the context of the books, where [[Lórien in Middle-earth|Lórien]] is itself under threat of attack at the time.

== In Popular Culture ==
The name Galadriel has moved outside of Tolkien's work and into the wider world; parents occasionally give it to their daughters, and a number of rock bands and at least one high-end shop have adopted it as their own.

== See Also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Galadriel|Images of Galadriel]]

[[Category:High Elves]]
[[Category:Noldor]]
[[Category:House of Finwë]]

The Fall of Nargothrond

2007-06-26T16:44:16Z

146.142.45.43: /* Analysis */

{{coh-chapters}}
'''The Fall of Nargothrond''' is the eleventh chapter of [[The Children of Húrin]].

==Synopsis==
For five years a peace was realised about [[Nargothrond]]. It was then that two [[Elf|Elves]] came to King [[Orodreth]]: [[Gelmir]] and [[Arminas]] they were who had journeyed long from [[Círdan]] at the [[Mouths of Sirion]] who sent message from [[Ulmo]]; for the [[Lord of Waters]] had said peril draws near to Nargothrond. ''Shut your doors'' he had bidden and ''cast down [[Narog|Narog’s]] bridge''.

But Ordoreth turned to [[Túrin]] [[Mormegil]] for counsel, who in his pride would not heed the words sent from Círdan, who, Túrin said, hid from wars in the furthest place of [[Beleriand]], far from the shadow of [[Morgoth]].

Now autumn came, and indeed Morgoth unleashed a great horde long prepared and at its head was [[Glaurung]], [[Father of Dragons]]. In the northern vale of [[Sirion]] was [[Eithel Ivrin]] defiled and the [[Guarded Plain]], [[Talath Dirnen]] was burned. There came Túrin and Ordoreth, ahead a host of Nargothrond, but the multitude from [[Angband]] was greater and none but Túrin guarded by his dwarf-mask could withstand the dragon.

The soldiers of Nargothrond were withered and beaten; and Gwindor in death said, ''“Haste to Nargothrond and save [[Finduilas]]”''. But Túrin came too late, for Glaurung and a host of [[Orcs]] were before him, and the bridge over the Narog proved a ruin for they came upon the Doors in force and all the halls were taken and ruined.

In that sack, Túrin came to the wrecked [[Doors of Felagund]] and Glaurung awaited him, so that Túrin was bewitched by the dragon’s eye. There Túrin stood as stone as Finduilas amongst the thralls were led away to torment in Angband by a horde of Orcs. And Glaurung held [[Húrin|Húrin’s]] son to wound him with the cries of those innocents so they would trouble him thereafter.

With the passing of that dreadful company, Túrin was loosened; but once more Glaurung taunted him, and seemingly released him in pity. As he gave Túrin his freedom, he said to hasten to [[Dor-lómin]] to his mother and sister, and not tarry with the fate of Finduilas.

==Analysis==
It is now that Morgoth’s malevolent patience sows dividends; long planned for and thought through, a great host is unleashed. The forerunner of this army are the skirmishes of the previous years: the bands of [[Orcs]] who plundered, raided and sought out the lay of the land about [[Sirion]] and into [[Beleriand]]. So was the time made ripe with the exposure of Nargothrond.

It is now that Túrin is the very core of destruction for Orodreth’s kingdom. This comes to pass after the coming of the messengers of Ulmo. For as a result of Túrin's prowess, he has authority and respect; but the result of his pride and charisma is his pronouncement not to destroy the bridge he instigated at the Doors of Felagund. This seals the doom of the once-hidden kingdom and once more sows the seeds of his own regret.

To support in his scheme of destruction, Morgoth lets loose the mighty Glaurung; whose guidance is the very will of his master. It is Glaurung whose power holds Túrin whilst Finduilas and the others are driven forth; this, combined with the parting words to direct Túrin to Dor-lómin, seal Túrin’s lament.

For what might have happened if Túrin had slain Glaurung here (if he could)?

Or what if he broke the spell of the dragon and followed the trail of Finduilas?

Or would Nargothrond have fallen if the bridge had not been built or had been destroyed?

Does the cloak of doom that enrobes Túrin always bring with it destruction? So it would seem.