Early Middle-earth - Gondolin

But Tuor looked upon the walls of stone, and the uplifted towers, upon the glistering pinnacles of the town, and he looked upon the stairs of stone and marble, bordered by slender balustrades and cooled by the leap and threadlike waterfalls seeking the plain from the fountains of Amon Gwareth, and he fared as one in some dream of the Gods, for he deemed not such things were seen by men in the visions of their sleep, so great was his amaze at the glory of Gondolin.

- J.R.R. Tolkien 

I just finished reading The Fall of Gondolin by J.R.R. Tolkien and so deeply enjoyed it. I had not read this longer tale (other than in the brief passing of other books) and for some reason I felt a real liking to the Tuor and Idril story (one of the very few man and elf stories, alongside Beren and Lúthien, and Aragorn and Arwen) in the beautiful, impregnable white marble city of Gondolin, home of the last real kingdom of elves (a hidden city, full of majestic beauty). This tale shows how no city is impenetrable, especially when dark minds linger within the walls. Evil finds a way in when given the opportunity. 

Like all Tolkien, there is a sadness lingering about everything, and tragedy that strikes due to choices made by single individuals. The king of Gondolin is killed, the city of beauty is destroyed, Melko takes hold of all that is good and corrupts it. But there is also hope, as there always is. The escape by way of a secret tunnel of Tuor and Idril, and their young son Eärendil, who obviously is hugely important if you know your Middle-earth history (his son will be Elrond of Rivendell in The Lord of the Rings). Also, Legolas shows up when they escape the burning city, and his elf eyes see into far distances to help guide the group of refugees and their perilous journey into the mountains. 

There is a fight in the mountains between Glorfindel and a Balrog, which I found so reminiscent of Gandalf fighting a Balrog in Moria to allow the fellowship to get to safety. The same thing happens here, as Glorfindel fights to allow safe passage for the rest of the group, and falls off the precipice with the Balrog and they both fall to their ends. As Gandalf did in his sacrificial act to save others.

They all reach a river later on, which gives them hope and a feeling of safer passage, as Ulmo, the great Lord of the Waters can reach them and help them build ships, so they can sail to Valinor as the time of the elves is fading in Middle-earth. 

I think I really liked this tale partly because it was not the tragic hero kind of tale (as Túrin Turambar is, which can be a little gloomy), but a tale of working together and learning from mistakes made. It combines many things - journeys, discovering who you are, the choices of individuals, the wisdom (or lack) of a king, and choosing not to give up when all seems lost.

This peak into early Middle-earth was just what I needed. I felt myself getting lost in the story and wandering the ancient paths of Middle-earth. The more history of Middle-earth I read, the more I want to read. It kind of has that effect on me.