The Fall of Gondolin

At last Morgoth unleashed his attack on Gondolin, aided by Maeglin's betrayal, from the North. This was least guarded direction because of it's steep cliffs. He also attacked during a time of festival so that the Elves were caught unawares. Morgoth unleashed Balrogs, dragons from the brood of Glaurung, Orcs, and wolves. The city was besieged and without hope. Many fought valiantly including Tuor. Ecthelion died while slaying Gothmog, Lord of the Balrogs. Turgon, the king, defended his mighty tower dying as it crumbled down.

At last Tuor sought Idril and Eärendil, now seven, to rescue them but Maeglin had already seized them. Tuor overcame Maeglin and threw him over the walls to his death. Together Tuor and Idril gathered what remnant they could to escape by the secret path she had built. The smoke and reek of the sack of Gondolin hid them when they passed open ground. They headed north, toward Angband, a move Morgoth did not expect so little guard was there to hinder them.

Even still the refugees were hard pressed as Orcs and a Balrog stood along the steep mountainous pass. Glorfindel, chief of the House of the Golden Flower of Gondolin, fought bravely against the Balrog and both fell to their death in that bitter fight. Had not Thorondor and his Eagles came to their aid they would have never escaped. The Eagles killed the Orcs so that news of the escape did not reach Morgoth until much later. Thorondor bore up Glorfindel's body and he was buried and ever after, until the world was changed, golden flowers grew on his burial mound.

Finally the refugees rested by the Sirion River and Ulmo's power protected them. There many songs of lamentation and remembrance were made. "There Tuor made a song for Eärendil his son, concerning the coming of Ulmo the Lord of Waters to the shores of Nevrast aforetime; and the sea longing woke in his heart, and in his son's also" (p. 244, The Silmarillion). Eventually they made there way to the mouth of the Sirion and joined Elwing's, Dior's daughter, people. And when the news of the sack of Gondolin reached the refugees and Círdan's folk Gil-galad, son of Fingon, was named High King of the Noldor on Middle-earth.

Morgoth rested thinking his victory complete and sons of Fëanor and the Noldor broken. "And it is said that in that time Ulmo came to Valinor out of the deep waters, and spoke there to the Valar of the need of the Elves; and he called them to forgive them, and rescue them from the overmastering might of Morgoth, and win back the Silmarils, wherein alone now bloomed in the light of the Days of Bliss when the Two Trees still shone in Valinor" (p. 244, The Silmarillion). But Manwë and the Valar did not yet come to aid Middle-earth and it is said they waited for one who could seek pardon on behalf of both races.

Eventually Tuor, as age set in, felt the longing of the sea and left Middle-earth with Idril Celebrindal. No more tales of these two would come. "But in after days it was sung that Tuor alone of mortal Men was numbered among the elder race, and was joined with the Noldor, who he loved; and his fate is sundered from the fate of Men" (p. 245, The Silmarillion). I think this means Tuor was ushered into the Halls of Mandos upon his death and there ever after was with Idril and the Elves whome he gave his life for. And thus ends the story of Tuor my favorite character of the race of Men in the First Age of Middle-earth.

I especially like that his greatness came by serving others. He followed Ulmo's lead and willingly served Turgon thereafter once he arrived in Gondolin. Whereas his cousin, Túrin, often was looking for his own glory. While he accomplished great things his end was much different then Tuor's. Much like Jesus calls me to lose my life in order that I might save it. Give up living for my desires, my wants, my glory, and live to serve Him and others.

Middle-earth timeline: First Age, 510-525

Today's reading comes from: The Silmarillion, pages 242-245