The Fate of Gondolin: An Untold Story of Middle Earth

Article Key Points

Gondolin, an Elven city in Middle-earth, was built out of stone with high walls, unlike what fans of the movies would expect from Elves.

The city remained concealed from prying eyes, including the malevolent lord Morgoth, and enjoyed two centuries of tranquility under the guardianship of the Eagles of Thorondor.

Gondolin experienced its downfall when the secrets of the city were unveiled, resulting in an assault by Morgoth's forces and the complete annihilation of the White City.

The Lord of the Rings is a vast world filled with diverse people, cultures, and cities. One of the most significant historical events in the LOTR lore revolves around Gondolin, the magnificent White City. Unlike the Elves depicted in the movies, the founders of Gondolin chose to construct the city with stone, creating high walls that cast long shadows within a valley surrounded by towering mountains.

This splendid Elven city thrived during the First Age, predating the events of the movies, but met its demise before the Second Age of LOTR. While details of this once-great city can be found in The Rings of Power, it is highly recommended to delve into Tolkien's books for a more comprehensive understanding. In The Silmarillion, Tolkien briefly depicts Gondolin, offering insights into its history and prominent figures. For a more extensive account of the White City, readers can explore The Fall of Gondolin, a novel-length narrative.

The History of Gondolin

Gondolin, meaning "Hidden Rock" in Sindarin, was a magnificent Elven city constructed by King Turgon in the northern lands of Middle-earth. It rivaled the glory of Tirion, a great Elven city in Valinor, with its impressive white walls and the Tower of the King. The city's location remained secret, even from the dark lord Morgoth, who was unaware of its resting place.

Situated in the Valley of Tumladen, which was once a lake with an island at its center, Gondolin was surrounded by the Encircling Mountains. As the lake dried up, only one entrance remained, concealed as the secret path of Orfalch Echor. Gondolin's inhabitants enjoyed peace for two centuries while Morgoth dealt with conflicts in the north. However, the ominous presence of the dark lord was always looming, never ignoring Gondolin's existence.

To safeguard its secrets, Gondolin formed an alliance with the wise Eagles of Thorondor and imposed strict restrictions on outsiders. The mighty Eagle of Thorondor patrolled the Encircling Mountains, discouraging any unauthorized access, while Turgon's laws prevented anyone from divulging Gondolin's whereabouts. However, when Turgon's sister Aredhel succumbed to cabin fever, everything changed. Growing weary of her confined life within the city walls, she defied Turgon's disapproval and ventured into the surrounding lands of Beleriand.

During Aredhel's absence, she entered a relationship with a certain elf known as Eöl, who was famously referred to as "the Dark Elf." This moniker was not due to any resemblance to R.A. Salvatore's Drizzt Do'Urden, but rather because Eöl lacked the purity of heart that most Elves possessed. It is worth mentioning that Aredhel's involvement with Eöl was not entirely consensual, as he employed enchantments to tempt her and manipulate her decision to stay with him. 80 years later, an opportunity arose for Aredhel to return to Gondolin alongside her son Maeglin. Sadly, Eöl discovered their escape and trailed after the pair.

Maeglin instantly fell in love with the magnificent city of stone, and he and his sister were warmly received by King Turgon. However, Eöl's presence was not welcomed by the King, as he managed to infiltrate the city walls. When Eöl tried to take his son and depart, Turgon staunchly refused to grant permission for anyone to leave. In a desperate effort, Eöl attempted to fatally wound his own son with a poisoned javelin, inadvertently causing the death of Aredhel instead. This heinous act sealed Eöl's own fate, as the people of Gondolin swiftly executed him.

Maeglin stayed behind, unaffected by his father's darkness during that period, and swiftly rose to become one of the prominent leaders. As stated in The Silmarillion:

Thus it came to pass in Gondolin; and amidst the endless joy of that kingdom, as long as its splendor endured, a sinister seed of malevolence was deliberately planted.

What Happened to Gondolin?

In the year F.A. 458, Gondolin was faced with internal conflict. The initiation of this strife occurred when Thorondor, known as the Eagle Lord, arrived at the borders of Gondolin, accompanied by two Men named Húrin and Huor. These two warriors had been separated from their army and sought refuge within Gondolin. Initially, Turgon, the King of Gondolin, agreed to their temporary stay for a year, despite his usual laws regarding visitors. Eventually, Turgon granted them permission to depart, as they had proven their loyalty by vowing to never disclose the secret location of Gondolin.

But after enduring torture and being freed by Morgoth and his followers, Húrin sought sanctuary in the Encircling Mountains, hoping that Turgon would provide him shelter. However, Húrin discovered that there was no passage through the mountains, as Turgon had sealed off the seven gates leading to Gondolin. In "Of the Ruin of Doriath" from The Silmarillion, Húrin cried out:

Turgon, Turgon, recall the Fen of Serech! O Turgon, will you not listen within your concealed halls?

Morgoth's spies observed the plea for assistance and reported it to their dark lord, providing a vague indication of where Gondolin was located. Meanwhile, Morgoth strengthened his army's presence around the Encircling Mountains, unbeknownst to the people of Gondolin. If not for Maeglin's actions, Morgoth might have never discovered the Elven City or the likelihood of escape would have been greater.

Disregarding Turgon's laws that prohibited anyone from leaving the city confines, Maeglin ventured beyond Gondolin's walls and was captured by orcs. Under Morgoth's torment, Maeglin revealed the exact location of Gondolin in exchange for power and the opportunity to marry the King's daughter. However, Morgoth postponed the attack on Gondolin for a year.

As the people of Gondolin readied themselves for a festival commemorating the coming of the sun, Morgoth unleashed his horde of balrogs, dragons, orcs, and wolves, pouring forth from the highest peak of the Encircling Mountains. Instead of witnessing the dawn's gentle embrace in the east, the Gondolindrim were greeted by a surge of fire and darkness emerging from the north. Simultaneously, Maeglin launched an assault from within the city's fortified walls. The betrayer of Gondolin sought to abduct Idril and her son, yet it was Tuor, Idril's valiant husband, who struck down Maeglin and saved as many of the city's inhabitants as possible before the unspeakable demise of their cherished home. From the distant northern plains, Tuor, Idril, and the other survivors gazed upon the engulfing flames that consumed the White City.

The Lord of the Rings

The Lord of the Rings is a highly recognizable name in the entertainment industry. It originated as novels by J. R. R. Tolkien and was later brought to the big screen by Peter Jackson in an exceptionally acclaimed film trilogy. Additionally, there have been several video games based on The Lord of the Rings, with varying levels of quality.

Editor's P/S

As a fan of The Lord of the Rings, I am fascinated by the untold story of Gondolin. The majestic Elven city, built out of stone with high walls, stands in stark contrast to the Elven cities depicted in the movies. Gondolin's history is rich and tragic, and its ultimate downfall is a captivating tale that adds depth to the LOTR lore.

The city's secrecy and the lengths it went to in order to remain hidden from Morgoth's forces are intriguing. The alliance with the Eagles of Thorondor and the strict restrictions imposed on outsiders create an atmosphere of suspense and intrigue. The character of Aredhel and her ill-fated relationship with Eöl add a layer of complexity to the story, and the tragic events that unfold as a result of her actions are both heartbreaking and compelling.