Charles’s Reviews > The Fall of Gondolin > Status Update

Maeglin, lustful for his cousin Idril, daughter of King Turgon, betrays his people when he was captured by the Orcs of Morgoth, and reveals the location of the hidden city of Gondolin. Idril foreshadowed the dangers to come and instructed her husband, mortal Tuor, to cave out a secret path that led to Tumladen in case of any dire emergencies. After a year had passed, on the Tarnin Austa, Morgoth stroke.

'Then did King Turgon call a council, and thither fared Tuor and Meglin, as royal princes; and Duilin came with Egalmoth and Penlod the tall, and Rog strode thither with Galdor of the Tree and golden Glorfindel and Ecthelion of the voice of music. Thither too fared Salgant atremble at the tidings, and other nobles beside of less blood but better heart.'

Littleheart, sone of Bronweg (Voronwë), tells the story of Tuor, his coming to Gondolin, and its fall. In the first version of this tale, the son of Huor set out on a journey under the command of Lord Ulmo in search of the hidden kingdom of the Gondothlim. His guides were some of Noldoli elves enslaved by Morgoth, though secretly in service of Ulmo. However, out of fear, the elves deserted him, save Bronweg.