Turgon
| Turgon | |
|---|---|
| Noldo | |
 | |
| "Turgon" by Venlian | |
| Biographical Information | |
| Other names | Turucáno (Q, fn) Turgon the Wise |
| Titles | King of Gondolin High King of the Noldor |
| Location | Tirion Nevrast Gondolin |
| Language | Quenya Sindarin |
| Birth | Y.T. 1300 |
| Rule | F.A. 116 - 510 (King of Gondolin) F.A. 472 - 510 (High King of the Noldor) |
| Death | F.A. 510 (aged c. 29,310) Gondolin |
| Family | |
| House | House of Fingolfin |
| Parentage | Fingolfin (father) Anairë (mother) |
| Siblings | Fingon (brother) Aredhel (sister) Argon (brother) |
| Spouse | Elenwë (wife) |
| Children | Idril (daughter) |
| Physical Description | |
| Gender | Male |
| Height | Tall |
| Weaponry | Glamdring |
| Gallery | Images of Turgon |
- "Then did the Gondolindrim clash their weapons, for many stood nigh, but Turgon said: ‘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.’"
- ― The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, The Fall of Gondolin
Turgon (S, pron. [ˈturɡon]) was an Elven king of the Noldor, second son of Fingolfin, brother to Fingon, Aredhel and Argon. He was lord of the Elves of Nevrast, and later of the hidden city of Gondolin.
He is described as tall, wearing white with a gold belt and a crown of garnets, holding the Staff of Doom in his hand. He was often called "the Wise".
History
The Departure to Middle-earth
Although Turgon was originally against the departure of the Noldor 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.
During their journey, Elenwë his wife, and Idril his daughter, fell into the water, but Turgon managed to save only Idril, and Elenwë drowned. From then on, his hatred for Fëanor and his sons was unappeasable, and he would not have any dealings with them.[1]
Life in Beleriand
After the host of Fingolfin reached the shores of Middle-earth, Turgon was given the lordship of a region called Nevrast. Turgon and his daughter Idril came there, and Turgon there built a city named Vinyamar and gathered to him one-third of the Noldor of Fingolfin and a large number of Sindar.
The Dream of Ulmo
When he journeyed with his cousin 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. Initially, Turgon left Tumladen and returned to Vinyamar, keeping his discovery a secret for many years. After the Dagor Aglareb, Turgon began once again to feel the restlessness set in his heart by Ulmo, and his thought turned to Tumladen. He secretly moved many of the most skilled of the Noldor to the valley, and had them build Gondolin. When it was completed, he abandoned Vinyamar with his people and led them to Tumladen in secret, hidden by the power of Ulmo. Before leaving, however, and following Ulmo's prophecy, he left in Vinyamar a sword, mail and helm for one who would come in the hour of direst need of the Noldor and deliver hope. [2]
The Departure of Aredhel
About two hundred years after Gondolin was wrought, Turgon's sister Aredhel journeyed to meet with the sons of Fëanor. She was lost, however, and returned with her son Maeglin a few years later. However, her husband Eöl followed them, and stumbled upon the Dry River and the entrance to Gondolin. After Aredhel revealed his identity to Turgon, he welcomed him as a kinsman an a friend, and bid him stay in Gondolin. But Eöl refused that, and derided the authority of Turgon over any lands of the Teleri. Nonetheless, Turgon warned him that it was his law that none who found entrance to the Hidden City should ever leave it. Eöl, enraged by this, chose death rather than being confined to Gondolin, and he chose death also for his son Maeglin, and casting a poisoned javelin at Maeglin, Aredhel sprang before it and was wounded by it. However, in the following night, Aredhel died due to the poison which Eöl laced over his javelin.[3]
Turgon had no more mercy for his actions. He ordered him to be executed by being thrown over Caragdûr - and with his last words Eöl cursed his son Maeglin - to die in the same manner as he did.[3]
After the deaths of both Eöl and Aredhel, Turgon took their son Maeglin under his wing and made him the Lord of the House of the Mole. Maeglin secretly loved Turgon's daughter Idril, who rejected his advances.[3]
Turgon and Húrin
Aside from the misadventure of Eöl, the splendor of Turgon's reign in Gondolin was undisturbed until Dagor Bragollach, when Turgon was brought his father's body by Thorondor. Two years later Thorondor brought him Húrin and Huor, boys of the House of Hador, whom he fostered for a year. Great love grew between the brothers Húrin and Huor and Turgon King of Gondolin; and moreover Húrin learned much of the designs of Turgon of the future of his realm.
However, Maeglin disliked the brothers, and when Húrin asked leave from Turgon to return to their kin, he allowed them to return to Dor-lómin their home, by the way in which they were brought. At this time also, Turgon foresaw the doom of the Noldor, and he secretly sent mariners to try to obtain the mercy of the Valar.[4]
None of these missions was successful and only one of the mariners, Voronwë, survived the Shadowy Seas, paving the way for Huor's son, Tuor, and his coming to Gondolin.
Nirnaeth Arnoediad
Under the Union of Maedros all the Elves of Beleriand, as well as the Edain, Dwarves, and the newly arrived Easterlings were invited to combine in arms and fight Morgoth. The Union first cleared Beleriand and Dorthonion of Orcs, and then gathered to assault Thangorodrim.[5]
The plan was for Maedros' host in the east to assault and draw out the army of Angband, after which Fingon's host would attack from the Ered Wethrin, taking the offensive in the west, crushing Morgoth's forces between them.[5]
Under Maedros in the east were gathered the remainder of the sons of Fëanor, the Elves and Men of Himring under Maedros and Bór, and the men of Amon Ereb under Caranthir and Ulfang.[5]
Under Fingon in the west were gathered the Elves and Men of Hithlum, the Elves of the Falas, the Halethrim of Brethil and the companies sent from Nargothrond and the two elves of Doriath, Beleg and Mablung.[5]
Because of the evil deeds of Celegorm and Curufin, two of Maedros' brothers, Nargothrond would send only a small company of Elves under Gwindor. From Doriath, where Thingol had sworn never to fight beside any son of Fëanor, came only Mablung and Beleg, who did not wish to remain behind. However, Turgon unexpectedly came forth with over ten thousand Elves from Gondolin, doubling the force of the west.[5]
But Morgoth through his spies had learned of the battle plan, and his spy Ulfang, who betrayed the Noldor, delayed Maedros' attack. A small host of Orcs sallied forth from Angband to provoke the Western host to attack. Within sight of the Ered Wethrin, Gwindor's brother Gelmir, captured during the Dagor Bragollach, was brought forth, and brutally slain. Enraged, Gwindor broke ranks, and with him most of Fingon's troops. The Orcs were swiftly defeated, and the sudden charge of Fingon's army nearly foiled Morgoth's plans; the forces of Gwindor and Fingon pushed forth, reaching Angband itself.[5]
It is said that Morgoth trembled on his throne as Gwindor's company pounded at his gates. They burst through, and slew the guards on the steps of Angband. They were then ambushed with hidden forces set about Angband; all of Gwindor's company was slain and Gwindor himself was captured. From clandestine gates around Angband thousands of Orcs erupted suddenly, repulsing the host of Fingon from the walls. The Elven army was driven back in great slaughter, and many of the Halethrim fell fighting in the rearguard. Turgon, who had withheld his host from the reckless charge, now came upon the Orc host. The phalanx of Turgon broke through the Angband lines, and met with the guard of Fingon.[5]
Finally Maedros arrived, but before he could make junction with Fingon and Turgon, Glaurung the dragon and Gothmog lord of Balrogs intercepted him. Union forces could yet have prevailed, but Uldor, son of Ulfang and a traitor, turned ranks and attacked Maedros in the rear, while more of his kin came down from the mountains and attacked from the east. Maglor slew Uldor in single combat, but could not turn the tide of the battle; and Bór and his sons slew the remaining sons of Ulfang the Black, but were themselves slain in turn - thus they won renown, and remained faithful to Maedros. Under assault from three sides, the eastern host was scattered, and only the valour of the Dwarves of Belegost helped them escape, as their lord Azaghâl and his forces held off Glaurung, allowing the sons of Fëanor to escape into Ossiriand.[5]
Azaghâl and his army fought with fierce iron masks on, and they were able to resist the fire far better than any Elf or Man. Then Glaurung trampled Azaghâl beneath his feet, but Azaghâl ran a dagger through Glaurung's stomach, and the dragon fled in pain. Many of Morgoth's forces retreated with him. In a solemn ceremony the Dwarves picked up their fallen leader, abandoning the battle, and marched him home in a great procession. Their wrath was so great that none troubled them.[5]
All this had not helped the western host, who were attacked by many Orcs under Gothmog. Gothmog cut a path to Fingon and fought him in single combat. Fingon fell under his might, and Húrin begged Turgon to retreat back to Gondolin. Huor and Húrin and the remaining Men of Dor-lómin formed a living wall across the Fen of Serech, buying time for Turgon to escape with most of the surviving Elves of the north. Acting as a rearguard, these Men were almost all slain – Huor fell when his eye was pierced by a poisoned arrow. His brother Húrin fought ferociously to buy his allies time to escape, fighting until his axe withered away. Morgoth had ordered him to be taken alive, however; he killed no fewer than seventy Orcs and Trolls before he became pinned under their corpses, and was later taken prisoner by Gothmog.[5]
Húrin in Echoriad
In F.A. 501, Húrin son of Galdor, and a friend of Turgon, after being released by Morgoth after watching the suffering and doom of his kin for over 28 years, sought for the entrance to Gondolin, to behold once more Turgon's beautiful city, the memory of the ancient Tirion upon Túna. However, Turgon did not allow Húrin to be brought to Gondolin, believing that he betrayed its location to Morgoth. But in the end, he changed his mind, remembering his valour, and honour, and bravery, and loyalty, and besought Thorondor to seek for him once more, but he could not be found. And in his despair, Húrin cried aloud somewhere in the Echoriad, begging Turgon to remember their old friendship and his sacrifice to him - but unbeknownst to Húrin, there were spies observing him, and Morgoth at last found out in what region Gondolin stood.[6]
Tuor in Gondolin
Tuor son of Huor, 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 told 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.[7]
Tuor, nonetheless, 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 an axe made for him, Dramborleg. During this time Tuor married Turgon's daughter Idril Celebrindal at The Place of the Ainur and Idril bore him a son, Eärendil.[7]
Not all was blissful though, and Idril 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 Gwared work began.[7]
Idril's advice proved very good since Maeglin was captured by the spies in the region beyond the Echoriad. 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 Dagor Dagorath.[7]
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.
The Fall of Gondolin
It was in that year that Eärendil was seven years of age, and when the Gondolindrim were celebrating the festival of the Gates of Summer 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.[7]
A council of war was called by Turgon and though Tuor recommended an attempt to sally, Maeglin and Talagand (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.[7]
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 Gwared 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.[7]
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 arrived 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.[7]
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.[7]
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 Gwared and heaved against the wall, succeeding in breaching it. But Tuor and the House of the Wing and Ecthelion and the House of the Fountains (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, 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.[7]
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 Talagand 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 Gondolindrim 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.[7]
However, the battle proved vain, and 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 Gondolindrim 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 Noldor!" 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.[7]
As Tuor and the remnants of the Gondolindrim were escaping towards Idril's secret way, Tuor met Idril along with Voronwë near his own house. Together they watched the fall of the Tower of the King, and realized that Turgon was in fact trying to draw off the army of Morgoth from the refugees and so buy them the time for their escape. And thus, Turgon was killed in the ruin of his own tower.[7]
- "Then said Idril heavily: ‘Sad is the blindness of the wise’; but Tuor said: ‘Sad too is the stubbornness of those we love - yet 'twas a valiant fault.’"
- ― The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, The Fall of Gondolin
Genealogy
Etymology
Turgon is the Sindarized version of his Quenya father-name, Turucáno. The latter contains the element cáno ("commander").[8]
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "XI. The Shibboleth of Fëanor"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Noldor in Beleriand"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Maeglin"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Narn i Hîn Húrin (The Tale of the Children of Húrin)"
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 5.9 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Fifth Battle: Nirnaeth Arnoediad"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Three. The Wanderings of Húrin and Other Writings not forming part of the Quenta Silmarillion: I. The Wanderings of Húrin"
- ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, "III. The Fall of Gondolin"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "XI. The Shibboleth of Fëanor", "The names of Finwë's descendants", p. 345
| Turgon House of Fingolfin | ||
| None Position created | King of Gondolin F.A. 116 - F.A. 510 | None Gondolin destroyed |
| Preceded by: Fingon | High King of the Noldor F.A. 472 – F.A. 510 | Followed by: Gil-galad |
