Chapter 23 - Of Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin - J.R.R. Tolkien
95The Silmarillion
The History of the Silmarils - Of Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin
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Huor, the brother of Húrin, had one son who was born after his death in the Battle of Unnumbered Tears. His name was Tuor and he lived in the caves of Androth, where he was fostered by a group of Sindarian Elves. When he turned sixteen, he and the others tried to escape down south towards the Havens of Sirion. Yet his group was attacked by a combined force of Orcs and Easterlings, who managed to capture and enslave Tuor to a chief named Lorgan. Tuor was forced into hard labor for three years before managing to escape in stealth.
For four more years he lived a nomadic existence alone, but he had been marked by Ulmo as a tool of prophecy. Tuor went west and eventually came to the shores of Nevrast, and he felt amazed by the sea. Thus he found the abandoned city of Vinyamar and the arms once made by Turgon at the behest of Ulmo. Tuor took those items for himself and went down to the sea, where Ulmo himself appeared out of the waters.
Ulmo bade Tuor to leave and search for the hidden city of Gondolin. Tuor woke the next morning to find that an Elf named Voronwë had also found his way to Vinyamar. Voronwë was once part of a crew sent by Turgon to sail to the West, but his ship had been destroyed on the journey, and only Voronwë survived. After being told by Tuor of Ulmo's will, Voronwë began to guide him to the hidden city.
At last, they came to Orfalch Echor and crossed the seven gates of Gondolin. Once in the city, they were taken to Turgon, who saw the arms Tuor bore and he himself once made. This served as a confirmation to him that the warning of Ulmo was indeed coming to pass. Tuor reminded Turgon of Ulmo's warning, but Turgon had grown proud since those days. He was loath to abandon his city and trusted its secrecy and defenses. So Ulmo's warning went mostly unheeded, but it did manage to stir up fear in Turgon's heart. Turgon thus ordered the city closed off from the outside world. Even hearing of the doom of Nargothrond and Doriath did not move him. His pride was aided by Maeglin, who took an instant dislike to Tuor and spoke against him at every turn.
Tuor stayed on in Gondolin, for Turgon remembered the words of Huor his father at Serech. Tuor was treated well by Turgon and eventually won the love of Idril, Turgon's daughter. This only served to make Maeglin all the more enraged, for he loved Idril as well, but he hid his feelings for the time being.
Tuor and Idril had one child: Eärendil, who was well-loved by all who met him. And the bliss of Tuor and Idril seemed complete. Yet Idril also foresaw the doom of Gondolin, and ordered that a secret way be made from their house out of the city. This path was kept hidden from all.
Maeglin was captured by Morgoth during one of his expeditions out of the city to look for ores. They brought him before Morgoth, who daunted him, and Maeglin was compelled to reveal the location of Gondolin. However, Maeglin himself was moved to treachery as well, revealing information on how to defeat Gondolin's defenses and promising to aid Morgoth in the attack in exchange for Idril. Maeglin was set free and returned to Gondolin to avoid any suspicion while Morgoth prepared.
The attack finally came on Midsummer during Eärendil's seventh year. The attack force was great, consisting of Orcs, Dragons, Balrogs, and many other fell creatures. However, it was a losing battle, and Gondolin was at last overthrown with many killed, including Turgon, who died in the collapse of his tower.
Tuor searched for his wife, but Maeglin found her first and tried to kill Eärendil. Yet Tuor found him and fought with Maeglin before throwing him from the walls, fulfilling the curse of Eöl. Tuor took Idril and Eärendil, as well as any other person they could find, through the secret passage out from their dwelling to the north of the city. There they made their escape through the plain of Tumladen. However, while crossing the northern mountains, the exiles of Gondolin were ambushed by a small party including a Balrog, who Glorfindel fought to the death and threw over a cliff before dying himself.
The exiles made their way through the Vales of Sirion to Nan-tathren, where they rested. Eventually, they also left Nan-tathren and came to the Mouths of Sirion, where Elwing and survivors of Doriath hid from Morgoth. They created a small settlement on the isle of Balar. Upon hearing of Turgon's death, Gil-galad became High King of the Noldor.
Morgoth's victory over the Noldor was complete. All of their kingdoms were overthrown. The sons of Fëanor were scattered and posed no threat to him. He paid no heed to the survivors in Balar, nor to the Lords of the West.
As for Tuor and Idril, Tuor built a ship, Eärrámë, in his old age and took Idril with him. Together they sailed west and came into no more stories. Yet it is said that Tuor did indeed sail to Valinor, and alone of Men is counted as one of the Eldar.