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the weight of his falling waters delved； and he issued again three leagues southward with great noise and smoke through
rocky arches at the foot of the hills which were called the Gates of Sirion。
This dividing fall was named Andram； the Long Wall； from Nargothrond to Ramdal； the Wall's End； in East
Beleriand。 But in the east it became ever less sheer； for the vale of Gelion sloped steadily southward； and Gelion had
neither fall nor rapids throughout his course； but was ever swifter than was Sirion。 Between Ramdal and Gelion there
stood a single hill of great extent and gentle slopes； but seeming mightier than it was； for it stood alone； and that hill was
named Amon Ereb。 Upon Amon Ereb died Denethor； lord of the Nandor that dwelt in Ossiriand； who marched to the aid
of Thingol against Morgoth in those days when the Orcs first came down in force； and broke the starlit peace of
Beleriand； and upon that hill Maedhros dwelt after the great defeat。 But south of the Andram； between Sirion and
Gelion； was a wild land of tangled forest in which no folk went； save here and there a few Dark Elves wandering； Taur…
im…Duinath it was named； the Forest between the Rivers。
Gelion was a great river； and he rose in two sources and had at first two branches； Little Gelion that came from
the Hill of Himring； and Greater Gelion that came from Mount Rerir。 From the meeting of his arms he flowed south for
forty leagues before he found his tributaries； and before he found the sea he was twice as long as Sirion； though less
wide and full； for more rain fell in Hithlum and Dorthonion； whence Sirion drew his waters； than in the east。 From Ered
Luin flowed the six tributaries of Gelion： Ascar （that was after named Rathlóriel）； Thalos； Legolin； Brilthor； Duilwen；
and Adurant； swift and turbulent streams； falling steeply from the mountains； and between Ascar in the north and
Adurant in the south； and between Gelion and Ered Luin； lay the far green country of Ossiriand； the Land of Seven
Rivers。 Now at a point nearly midway in its course the stream of Adurant divided and then joined again； and the island
that its waters enclosed was named Tol Galen； the Green Isle。 There Beren and Lúthien dwelt after their return。
In Ossiriand dwelt the Green…elves； in the protection of their rivers； for after Sirion Ulmo loved Gelion above all
the waters of the western world。 The woodcraft of the Elves of Ossiriand was such that a stranger might pass through
their land from end to end and see none of them。 They were clad in green in spring and summer； and the sound of their
singing could be heard even across the waters of Gelion； wherefore the Noldor named that country Lindon； the land of
music； and the mountains beyond they named Ered Lindon； for they first saw them from Ossiriand。
East of Dorthonion the marches of Beleriand were most open to attack； and only hills of no great height guarded
the vale of Gelion from the north。 In that region； upon the March of Maedhros and in the lands behind； dwelt the sons of
F？anor with many people； and their riders passed often over the vast northern plain； Lothlann the wide and empty； east
of Ard…galen； lest Morgoth should attempt any sortie towards Bast Beleriand。 The chief citadel of Maedhros was upon
the Hill of Himring； the Ever…cold； and that was wide…shouldered； bare of trees； and flat upon its summit； surrounded by
many lesser hills。 Between Himring and Dorthonion there was a pass； exceeding steep upon the west； and that was the
Pass of Aglon； and was a gate unto Doriath； and a bitter wind blew ever through it from the north。 But Celegorm and
Curufin fortified Aglon and held it with great strength； and all the land of Himlad southward between the River Aros that
rose in Dorthonion and his tributary Celon that came from Himring。
Between the arms of Gelion was the ward of Maglor； and here in one place the hills failed altogether： there it was
that the Orcs came into East Beleriand before the Third Battle。 Therefore the Noldor held strength of cavalry In the
plains at that place； and the people of Caranthir fortified the mountains to the east of Maglor's Gap。 There Mount Rerir；
and about it many lesser heights； stood out from the main range of Ered Lindon westward； and in the angle between
Rerir and Ered Lindon there was a lake； shadowed by mountains on all sides save the south。 That was Lake Helevorn；
deep and dark； and beside it Caranthir had his abode； but all the great land between Gelion and the mountains； and
between Rerir and the River Ascar； was called by the Noldor Thargelion； which signifies the Land beyond Gelion； or
Dor Caranthir； the Land of Caranthir； and it was here that the Noldor first met the Dwarves。 But Thargelion was before
called by the Grey…elves Talath Rhúnen； the East Vale。
Thus the sons of F？anor under Maedhros were the lords of East Beleriand； but their people were in that time
mostly in the north of the land； and southward they rode only to hunt in the greenwoods。 But there Amrod and Amras
had their abode； and they came seldom northward while the Siege lasted； and there also other of the Elf…lords would ride
at times； even from afar； for the land was wild but very fair。 Of these Fin…rod Felagund came most often； for he had great
love of wandering and he came even into Ossiriand； and won the friendship of the Green…elves。 But none of the Noldor
went ever over Ered Lindon； while their realm lasted； and little news and late came into Beleriand of what passed in the
regions of the East。
Chapter 15
Of the Noldor in Beleriand
It has been told how by the guidance of Ulmo Turgon of Nevrast discovered the hidden vale of Tumladen； and that （as
was after known） lay east of the upper waters of Sirion； in a ring of mountains tall and sheer； and no living thing came
there save the eagles of Thorondor。 But there was a deep way under the mountains delved in the darkness of the world
by waters that flowed out to join the streams of Sirion； and this way Turgon found； and so came to the green plain amid
the mountains； and saw the island…hill that stood there of hard smooth stone； for the vale had been a great lake in ancient
days。 Then Turgon knew that he had found the place of his desire； and he resolved to build there a fair city； a memorial
of Tirion upon Túna； but he returned to Nevrast； and remained there in peace； though he pondered ever in his thought
how he should acplish his design。
Now after the Dagor Aglareb the unquiet that Ulmo set in his heart returned to him； and he summoned many of
the hardiest and most skilled of his people； and led them secretly to the hidden vale； and there they began the building of
the city that Turgon had devised； and they set a watch all about it； that none might e upon their work from without；
and the power of Ulmo that ran in Sirion protected them。 But Turgon dwelt still for the most part in Nevrast； until it
came to pass that at last the city was full…wrought； after two and fifty years of secret toil。 It is said that Turgon appointed
its name to be Ondolind？ in the speech of the Elves of Valinor； the Rock of the Music of Water； for there were fountains
upon the hill； but in the Sindarin tongue the name was changed； and it became Gondolin； the Hidden Rock。 Then Turgon
prepared to depart from Nevrast and leave his halls in Vinyamar beside the sea； and there Ulmo came to him once again；
and spoke with him。 And he said： 'Now thou shalt go at last to Gondolin； Turgon； and I will maintain my power in the
Vale of Sirion； and in all the waters therein； so that none shall mark thy going； nor shall any find there the hidden
entrance against thy will。 Longest of all the realms of the Eldali？ shall Gondolin stand against Melkor。 But love not too
well the work of thy hands and the devices of thy heart； and remember that the true hope of the Noldor lieth in the West
and eth from the Sea。'
And Ulmo warned Turgon that he also lay under the Doom of Mandos； which Ulmo had no power to remove。
'Thus it may e to pass；' he said； 'that the curse of the Noldor shall find thee too ere the end； and treason awake within
thy walls。 Then they shall be in peril of fire。 But if this peril draweth nigh indeed； then even from Nevrast one shall
e to warn thee； and from him beyond ruin and fire hope shall be born for Elves and Men。 Leave therefore in this
house arms and a sword； that in years to e he may find them； and thus shalt thou know him； and not be deceived。'
And Ulmo declared to Turgon of what kind and stature should be the helm and mail and sword that he left behind。
Then Ulmo returned to the sea； and Turgon sent forth all his people； even to a third part of the Noldor of
Fingolfin's following； and a yet greater host of the Sindar； and they passed away； pany by pany； secretly； under
the shadows of Ered Wethrin； and they came unseen to Gondolin； and none knew whither they had gone。 And last of all
Turgon arose； and went with his household silently through the hills； and passed the gates in the mountains； and they
were shut behind him。
Through many long years none passed inward thereafter； save Húrin and Huor only； and the host of Turgon came
never forth again until the Year of Lamentation after three hundred and fifty years and more。 But behind the circle of the
mountains the people of Turgon grew and throve； and they put forth their skill in labour unceasing； so that Gondolin
upon Amon Gwareth became fair indeed and fit to pare even with Elven Tirion beyond the sea。 High and white were
its walls； and smooth its stairs； and tall and strong was the Tower of the King。 There shining fountains played； and in the
courts of Turgon stood images of the Trees of old； which Turgon himself wrought with elven…craft； and the Tree which
he made of gold was named Glingal； and the Tree whose flowers he made of silver was named Belthil。 But fairer than all
the wonders of Gondolin was Idril； Turgon's daughter； she that was called Celebrindal； the Silver…foot； whose hair was as
the gold of Laurelin before the ing of Melkor。 Thus Turgon lived long in bliss； but Nevrast was desolate； and
remained empty of living folk until the ruin of Beleriand。
Now while the city of Gondolin was building in secret； Finrod Felagund wrought in the deep places of
Nargothrond； but Galadriel his sister dwelt； as has been told； in Thingol's realm in Doriath。 And at times Melian and
Galadriel would speak together of Valinor and the bliss of old； but beyond the dark hour of the death of the Trees
Galadriel would not go； but ever fell silent。 And on a time Melian said： 'There is some woe that lies upon you and your
kin。 That I can see in you； but all else is hidden from me； for by no vision or thought can I perceive anything that passed
or passes in the West： a shadow lies over all the land of Aman； and reaches far out over the sea。 Why will you not tell me
more？'
'For that woe is past；' said Galadriel； 'and I would take what joy is here left； untroubled by memory。 And maybe
there is woe enough yet to e； though still hope may seem bright。'
Then Melian looked in her eyes； and said： 'I believe not that the Noldor came forth as messengers of the Valar； as
was said at first： not though they came in the very hour of our need。 For they speak never of the Valar； nor have their
high lords brought any message to Thingol； whether from Manw？； or Ulmo； or even from Olw？ the King's brother； and
his own folk that went over the sea。 For what cause； Galadriel； were the high people of the Noldor driven forth as exiles
from Aman？ Or what evil lies on the sons of F？anor that they are so haughty and so fell？ Do I not strike near the truth？'
〃Near；' said Galadriel； 'save that we were not driven forth； but came of our own will； and against that of the Valar。
And through great peril and in despite of the Valar for this purpose we came： to take vengeance upon Morgoth； and
regain what he stole。'
Then Galadriel spoke to Melian of the Silmarils； and of the slaying of King Finw？ at Formenos： but still she said
no word of the Oath； nor of the Kinslaying； nor of the burning of the ships at Losgar。 But Melian said： 'Now much you
tell me； and yet more I perceive。 A darkness you would cast over the long road from Tirion； but I see evil there； which
Thingol should learn for his guidance。'
'Maybe；' said Galadriel； 'but not of me。'
And Melian spoke then no more of these matters with Galadriel； but she told to King Thingol all that she had
heard of the Silmarils。 'This is a great matter；' she said； 'greater indeed than the Noldor themselves understand； for the
Light of Aman and the fate of Arda lie locked now in these things； the work of F？anor； who is gone。 They shall not be
recovered； I foretell； by any power of the Eldar； and the world shall be broken in battles that are to e； ere they are
wrested from Morgoth。 See now！ F？anor they have slain； and many another； as I guess； but first of all the deaths they
have brought and yet shall bring was Finw？ your friend。 Morgoth slew him； ere he fled from Aman。'
Then Thingol was silent； being filled with grief and