Gar Ainion

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Gar Ainion - Place of the Gods by Sara M. Morello

Gar Ainion, the Place of the Gods, was a sort of temple in Gondolin, according to the early version of the legendarium in The Book of Lost Tales.

It was located nigh the king's halls, going southwards by the Road of Pomps. It was very open and at its middle was the highest ground of all the city, from which the Square of the Palace could be seen. It was here that Idril and Tuor were wed, in the Place of Wedding. During the Fall of Gondolin, Voronwë took a confused Idril to Gar Ainion, where they were found by Tuor and his group of survivors. From there, they gazed with despair the Square of the King being overran by enemies, the fall of the king's tower and the death of King Turgon.[1]

Etymology

Gar Ainion is Gnomish, from gardh ("place, district")[2] + genitive plural Ainu. A previous form was Gar Ainon.[3]

Qenya cognates were Ainurarda and Arda Valarwa.[4]

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, "III. The Fall of Gondolin", pp. 164, 186-188
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, "Sí Qente Feanor and Other Elvish Writings", in Parma Eldalamberon XV (edited by Christopher Gilson, Arden R. Smith, Patrick H. Wynne, and Bill Welden), p. 24
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, "III. The Fall of Gondolin": "Notes and Commentary", p. 202
  4. J.R.R. Tolkien, "The Alphabet of Rúmil & Early Noldorin Fragments", in Parma Eldalamberon XIII (edited by Carl F. Hostetter, Christopher Gilson, Arden R. Smith, Patrick H. Wynne, and Bill Welden), p. 103