Tuor left to check on his wife and son he found Maeglin's most devoted followers blocking the way to his house. Maeglin was dragging her by the hair, while she fought savagely, to the wall of the city so she might watch her son be thrown down to his death. Tuor lets out such a great shout that the Orcs hear it and hesitate even from without of the city walls. Tuor, in rage, quickly captured Maeglin and threw him over the walls and his folk of the Wing, though outnumbered, quickly destroyed Maeglin's followers. By then they could hear the noise at the battle at the Gate arise. A small contingent was left (Voronwë included) to guard Tuor's family and he rushed back toward the fighting hoping the City might stand.
But the forces of Morgoth were too many. Rog and his folk made one last great charge of renown driving back many Balrog's who assailed the Elvish defenders. At first the Balrog's retreated by design to lure Rog into the open; soon they were running for their lives as the Folk of the Hammer of Wrath ran forth killing as they went. But even so, they would never return to the City. Further into the City the attackers came in. The forces of Morgoth had the advantage. The defenders dwindled and were to be overrun when the music of flutes was heard. Ecthelion and his warriors, held in reserve by Turgon, now entered the fray. Even still the battle went ill many were killed and Ecthelion wounded. Gathering their last defense in the Square but Turgon would not leave his tower and look for escape. Tuor was torn between his devotion to the King and the safety of Idril and his son but ultimately fought on.
They retreated gathering folks from the Wing, Tree, Fountain, Swallow, and Arch. Tuor ordered them to fall back to the Square of the King, perhaps the most defensible position left. Soon Glorfindel and the Elves of the Golden Flower are driven to the Square by pursuing Orcs. All were weary and tired, many like Ecthelion were wounded. All entrances to the square blocked, save one, and through came Egalmoth who had been defending the walls. He had gathered to him stragglers of the defense and fared about Gondolin destroying bands of Orcs they met. Their coming to the Square proved an encouragement. The women and children were moved into the king's halls and the defenders organized. All houses, save the Hammer of Wrath, were present, if only a few, and the king's guard was completely intact.
At last came the assault. The defenders were hard pressed as those outnumbered can only defend so long. Ecthelion fighting Gothmog, Lord of the Balrogs, fell with a wound in his other arm; he could now wield now weapon. "Then leapt Ecthelion lord of the Fountain, fairest of the Noldoli, full at Gothmog even as he raised his whip, and his helm that had a spike upon it he drave into that evil breast, and he twined his legs about his foeman's thighs; and the Balrog yelled and fell forward; but those two dropped into the basin of the king's fountain which was very deep. There that creature met his bane; and Ecthelion sank steel-laden into the depths, and so perished the lord of the Fountain after fiery battle in cool waters" (p. 184, The Book of Lost Tales, Part II).
The enemy hesitated at Gothmog's death and Turgon with his guard entered the battle driving them further back. But even this fresh assault from the defenders could not keep the enemy at bay for long. Turgon knew Gondolin was lost. The King urged them to flee and seek safety and throwing down his crown he climbed to the top of his tower. They could not change Turgon's mind and he bid them to follow Tuor who counselled them of the secret way that Idril had built for escape. As they retreated Glorfindel held the rearguard valiantly though many of his house fell. Beyond hope Tuor led his people away and came upon Voronwë and Idril. She was stricken with woe and together they saw the Tower of the King crumble behind them.
As they fled they gathered women and children and Tuor commanded they only bring food. He learned from Voronwë that Idril gathered all that she could and sent them to the Secret Way, including Eärendil, their son, but she would not leave the city without her husband. Those who left were led by one Legolas Greenleaf, a keensighted Elf from the Folk of the Tree who knew the plains of the Valley well. Into the Secret Way the refugee's went. As they rushed into the open they espied Eärendil's guard pursued by Orc wolfriders. Tuor gathered 50 men and rescued his son. On they pressed, even past sundown, and climbed the Encircling Mountains seeking the Eagle's Cleft to pass out of the Hidden Valley.
There they ran into a stiff defense and to make matters worst Glorfindel's rearguard was also being heavily engaged. (The last mention of Legolas was that he did see the enemy ahead because they were so well hidden). Another battle ensues. Glorfindel fights against a Balrog slaying it but as it fell it grabbed his long golden locks and the Elf fell to his death. At the front the Eagles came to the aid of Tuor and their King, Thorondor, uplifted the body of Glorfindel so that the Orcs might not hew it. By the aid of the Eagles and bravery of Glorfindel Tuor led the refugees out of the Fall of Gondolin.
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