Tuor Arrives In Gondolin

After Túrin passed them by Voronwë and Tuor started their journey again, by now the Fell Winter, powered by Morgoth, was setting in and Tuor's strength faded. He bid Voronwë to lead him by the quickest route possible. On they journeyed and at last they came upon a camp of Orcs. Tuor wanted to attack in order to gain mastery of their fire but Voronwë did not allow that. His far seeing Elf eyes noted this camp was not alone. And even if sent by Ulmo Voronwë would not lead Tuor to the Hidden City with enemies on their heels.

They snuck by an old road and Voronwë halted for he knew Orcs were all around. Almost spent of strength Tuor covered them both in the cloak of Ulmo and they crossed the road. In a tense scene the Orcs scented the sojourners but could not see them because of the powers of the cloak. Many Orcs were on watch by command of Morgoth to guard against Túrin rescuing the prisoners of Nargothrond. They found a safe hiding place and spent an uneasy night near the Orcs. By morning Voronwë could see the Encircling Mountains in the distance where the Hidden City of Gondolin lay.

Tuor wished to move with haste toward their goal but Voronwë hesitated until his Elf eyes saw a sight afar. He could see the Eagles of Thorondor flying at great heights above. He knew their way was still guarded by the Eagles. And moving quickly, for the Orcs always hid from the Eagles, they crossed the Ford of Brithiach. "'At last beyond hope we find it!' cried Voronwë. 'See! Here is the mouth of the Dry River, and that is the road we must take'" (p. 42, Unfinished Tales).

Along the rocky old river bed they traveled and Tuor wondered aloud how the great Kingdom of Turgon could be unguarded. Voronwë promised him the secret path was no less a guard. Though any passerby would only think it to be an old dried out river it was the skill of Turgon's workers that made it look as such. Surely without the guide of Voronwë Tuor would simply have passed the road by even if he had made it that far. Plus, Voronwë reminded Tuor that the Eagles also guarded the land and all Morgoth's servants feared them and no evil thing had yet taken to the skies.

Eventually after much labor they made their way into the mountain but still no guard was found. This puzzled Voronwë and has he spoke to Tuor their whispers echoed mightily in the walls. At that moment a hidden guard came upon them and surrounded them with arms drawn. Voronwë declared himself to the guards and they turned their attention on Tuor. Finally, Elammakil, captain of the guard revealed himself and spoke, "'This is strange of you Voronwë,' he said. 'We were long friends. Why then would you set me thus cruelly between the law and my friendship?'" (p. 45, Unfinished Tales). He was ill pleased that a mortal Man had been shown the way to the Hidden Kingdom. At this Tuor's tongue was loosed and he told how Ulmo had appointed Voronwë his guide and a message from the Lord of the Waters must be delivered to Turgon. Elammakil stood in wonder as Tuor told of his journey that began in Nevrast and deemed this a matter too great for him to judge.

Thus began the journey into the City of Gondolin. I wish I could go into great detail here but I am leaving out a lot. Tuor was led through seven gates, each more elaborate than the last; each with a bigger company of guards than the last; truly the Hidden Kingdom was well guarded. I will briefly describe each gate:

1. The Gate of Wood was the first gate, a great portcullis of intricately carved wood. Before that was the Outer Guard.
2. The Gate of Stone was the second gate complete with towers on either side of an arch. Behind it's walls were armed guards clad in grey.
3. The Gate of Bronze was next. Huge plates of bronze with many figures and signs etched on hung on the doors. Three towers covered in copper were there with a larger company of guard armed with axes.
4. The Gate of Withrin Iron, three rows of intertwined iron with the shape of Thoronder of the Eagles, on it. They passed the Iron Guards, clad in black, with long shields, and each bearing a visor in the shape of an Eagle's beak. After the Iron Gate the road ran level; up until this point it had been a steep upward climb.
5. The fifth gate was built of white marble, the Silver Gate. Upon the Gate was engraved an image of Telperion, the White Tree of Valinor. On either side of the gate stood 100 Archers clad in silver mail and white crested helms.
6. The sixth gate was built of yellow marble, the Golden Gate. And on it rested the image of Laurelin, The Tree of the Sun from Valinor. In the court behind the gate rested 300 archers with long bows and golden plumes in their helmets.
7. Last was the Great Gate. Wrought of Steel after the Battle of Unnumbered Tears by Maeglin. Two huge towers with many windows while the walls ending in needle points. Seven huge pillars of steel with seven crossbars. The image of Turgon's crown embedded in the gate. And many guards were around, companies from each of the previously passed gates.

Elammakil struck the seventh gate and it rang out like a harp of many chords. It opened and forthcoming was the Lord of Fountains, Warden of the Great Gate: Ecthelion. Clad in silver, a helm of steel with a spike of steel topped with a diamond. Tuor pulled his cloak around himself as Ecthelion inspected him finally saying that no stranger could leave this point save by death. Tuor, led by Ulmo, responded, "'Speak not ill-boding! If the messenger of the Lord of Waters go by that door, then all those who dwell here will follow him. Lord of the Fountains, hinder not the messenger of the Lord of the Waters'" (p. 50, Unfinished Tales).

All were amazed and to Voronwë it seemed that Tuor's stature grew. While Tuor seemed it was someone other than himself speaking. Ecthelion bowed low and proceeded to take him in; and when Tuor removed his cloak and his weaponry from Nevrast was seen Ecthelion declared no further proof was needed. "Then Tuor stood before Turgon son of Fingolfin, High King of the Noldor, and upon the King's right hand there stood Maeglin his sister-son, but upon the left hand sat Idril Celebrindal his daughter; and all that heard the the voice of Tuor marvelled, doubting that this were in truth a Man of mortal race, for his words were the words of the Lord of Waters that came to him in that hour" (p. 240, The Silmarillion). Thus came Tuor to Gondolin.

Tuor warned Turgon of the hastening of the Curse of Mandos and how the Noldor would be destroyed. Ulmo's message was for Turgon to abandon the Hidden Kingdom and retreat to the mouth of the Sirion where Círdan's folk abided. Turgon pondered long over these words and they recalled his memory to words he received long ago. But Turgon was proud trusting in the strength and secrecy of Gondolin plus after Nirnaeth Arnoediad, his people wished not risk war or danger. As well, Maeglin ever counseled against the words of Tuor (remember the dislike he had for his father) and his words were weighty. Turgon decided not to follow the warning of Ulmo.

Even in this decision he remembered the words of the Valar long ago and feared treason among the Elves again as a consequence of the Doom of Mandos. Therefore Turgon ordered that the entrance to Gondolin, the very entrance along the Dry River that Tuor had travelled be stopped up. And no more messengers ever left Gondolin. Tidings were brought forth by Thorondor and his Eagles. And Turgon vowed never to march forth again especially at the aid of any son of Fëanor.

So as Morgoth's power grows Men are broken; the sons of Fëanor are scattered like chaff in the wind, Turgon barricades himself in the Encircling Mountains, Doriath still stands by the Girdle of Melian, and far south the remnants of Elves gather with Círdan the Shipwright. The Doom of the Noldor is nigh and it seems the Valar will no longer help since Turgon rejected the counsel of Ulmo.

Middle-earth timeline: First Age, 495
Today's reading comes from: Unfinished Tales, pages 38-51; The Silmarillion, 239-241