Hello, readers. I'm back with another chapter.

Let's begin.

Rico: No, this has nothing to do with Operation Illuvatar.


Chapter 2- Come to Gondolin

As the sun rises calmly over the lands of Beleriand, in the lands of Dorthonion, two figures are slowly making their way towards a mountain in the western part of the land. It is Tuor and Voronwe. For many weeks, the two companions have journeyed over the lands of Beleriand, making for the city of Gondolin. Now, at last, they have come to the mountain covering the gates leading to the city.

"Are you certain that this is where the gate lies?" Tuor asks his companion.

Voronwe smiles and chuckles to himself. "Well, I do come from this city. I think that I know where the gates into my home lie." Tuor chuckles in response.

The two make their way carefully towards the tunnel leading into the mountains. The tunnel, though well concealed behind foliage and rocks, cannot be hidden from memory. Voronwe immediately finds the tunnel, and the two companions enter the tunnel. As they enter, Tuor dons his cloak that was left for him by Ulmo, concealing his armor and weapons and rendering him harder to detect.

The two companions make their way slowly down the tunnel, passing undetected all the way to the first gate, the Gate of Wood. However, it as the gate where their luck runs out. The gate is shut and well guarded by members of the guard of the gates.

Tuor and Voronwe attempt to make their way towards the gate without being spotted. However, before they can get too close, one of the Elves guarding the gate spies them. "Intruders!" He blows his horn, and the rest of the guards are instantly alerted. In only a moment, multiple Elves descend on Tuor and Voronwe.

The two hold their hands out to show they do not intend to resist. The Elves bind their hands and begin marching them down the tunnel, leading them past the other gates until they reach the seventh gate. The Elves also send a bird on ahead with a message for their captain, Ecthelion of the Fountain.

The Elves hold Tuor and Voronwe at the Gate of Steel with restraints while they wait for Ecthelion's arrival. As they do, Tuor leans over to Voronwe. "Why are they so concerned and holding us like this?"

"The king has become very concerned since the Nirnaeth. He declared long ago that nobody was to leave the city without his express permission, and he increased security tenfold. Especially since the Easterlings betrayed us at the Nirnaeth, he is very cautious of men. It is lucky you are with me. Their captain is a friend and will recognize me immediately," Voronwe declares. Tuor feels a bit more at ease hearing this.

The two wait as patiently as possible for over an hour before they hear the sound of a horn and approaching horses. As they are not blindfolded, they look in the direction of the sound. Riding over the rocky terrain just outside the gate is Ecthelion of the Fountain, the captain of the guards, and his personal escort. Their white horses are decked out in full banners, and they are dressed in full armor and banners.

Ecthelion rides to within a few feet of the gathering and dismounts his horse. As he walks slowly towards them, the great Elf recognizes one of the two individuals on their knees amidst the guards.

"Voronwe! Years it has been since I have seen you! At last, you have returned to us!" Ecthelion says with joy at the sight of Voronwe. He then turns to the guards and says, "Why have you restrained him? He is Voronwe, sent by King Turgon to find a way to Valinor."

"Apologies. We did not recognize him," one of the guards says. He then goes to release Voronwe, saying again, "Apologies, sir."

Ecthelion looks at Tuor, confused as to who this is. "Voronwe, why have you brought a Man to this place? You know the orders of the King. Men are not be allowed into the city."

"I know, but this is not just any man. He is Tuor, son of Huor, who was hosted by King Turgon in this city long ago, and who gave his life to allow Turgon to flee the Nirnaeth. He was sent by Lord Ulmo himself to deliver a message to the King," Voronwe says to defend his companion.

Ecthelion looks at Tuor, now intrigued learning of his parentage. After a moment, he says, "Loose his hands." One of the Elves moves to Tuor and releases the bonds on his wrists.

Tuor stands before Ecthelion, looking down at the Elf as his height surpasses any of the Elves present. Then, Tuor casts off the cloak given to him by Ulmo, revealing his armor, the shield, and the sword he claimed from Vinyamar. Ecthelion immediately recognizes the arms, having been there when Turgon placed them upon the wall in the throne room of the citadel.

"That…that is the armor and arms left by the king in Vinyamar," Ecthelion muses aloud. Then, he asks Tuor directly, "How came you by these?"

"I was led by Lord Ulmo directly to Vinyamar. He chose me and tasked me to come to Gondolin to deliver a message to the king directly. He led me to Vinyamar so that I would obtain these, and then appeared to me in person on the shore beside the city to give me the message he wished me to deliver," Tuor declares proudly. He then speaks more, but to the astonishment of the Elves, the few lines he says are not in any tongue of Men or Elves, but the tongue of the valar themselves.

Ecthelion, who lived in Valinor during the Years of the Trees, recognizes the tongue immediately, as well as understanding most of the words. His shock and awe is amplified not only by the tongue, but by the power and authority within Tuor's voice, as if he is speaking with the voice of Ulmo himself. After a few moments, Ecthelion inclines his head in respect towards Tuor.

"Welcome to Gondolin, Tuor, son of Huor. I apologize for treating you so harshly, even if it was part of our precautions. If you and Voronwe will come with me, I will take you to King Turgon," Ecthelion declares. He then turns to his escort and asks, "Halfel, Tauriel, give up your horses."

The two Elves obey immediately, dismounting and inclining their heads in respect to Tuor and Voronwe. Tuor and Voronwe return the gesture before mounting the horses as Ecthelion mounts his horse to escort them back to Gondolin.

The Elves and Tuor commence with riding back towards the city. Tuor's eyes are fixated on the city as he approaches closer and closer to the city. Never has Tuor seen anything so grand and magnificent. Even Vinyamar, when it was in its prime, would've been naught compared to Gondolin.

It doesn't take long for the group to reach the city itself. The gates into the city itself open to allow the horses and their riders to enter. At Ecthelion's signal, a series of trumpets are blown to announce the group's arrival and signal to Turgon that they are coming with a guest.

As the group rides through the streets of Gondolin, Elves throng the streets, recognizing someone important is come to Gondolin. As the Elves of the city see that a mortal man is riding amidst Ecthelion's group, they begin to marvel, wondering why Ecthelion and the gate guards allowed a mortal into the city.

Finally, the riders arrive at the Tower of the King. Waiting outside its front door is Turgon himself. On one side is his daughter, Idril Celebrindal, and on his other side is his nephew, Maeglin.

The group stops a good distance away and dismounts. Ecthelion leads Voronwe and Tuor towards the king and his entourage.

As the three of them get within a few yards of the king, Turgon recognizes one of the two arrivals. A slight smile gracing his face, Turgon speaks up and greets him, "Voronwe! Welcome back to Gondolin! We feared the worst had befallen you when you did not return. It is glad tidings that you have returned!"

"Thank you, King Turgon," Voronwe says, bowing his head and rendering respects to the king.

Turgon then looks at the other arrival to the city. Curious, as Tuor looks a little familiar, Turgon speaks again and asks, "You, mortal. What brings you to my city? Why has a mortal Man come to Gondolin, when no mortal man has found the way to my city?"

"I come bearing a message," Tuor declares. It is then that Turgon notices the crest upon his shield. In only a moment, he recognizes the armor and sword the Tuor bears.

"You wield the arms and armor I left in Vinyamar. How came you by these?" Turgon asks.

"I was led to Vinyamar," Tuor asks.

Turgon's curiosity is now peaked. This Man intrigues him. Why would a Man be guided to Vinyamar to these arms, and who would've guided him? After a moment of silence, he asks, "Who are you, Man?"

Tuor stands up even straighter and proudly declares, "I am Tuor, son of Huor, Lord of the House of Hador. And I am come from Lord Ulmo himself."

All who hear this marvel at Tuor's declaration. And no less so than King Turgon. Upon hearing Tuor's declaration of his lineage, Turgon instantly makes the connection in why he looked familiar, and in his face sees the echo of the face of Huor.

"The son of Huor! At last, we meet!" Turgon exclaims joyfully. He walks forward, resting his hands on Tuor's shoulders and looking into his eyes. "Yes, you have your father's eyes and his bearing. Well does it remind me of your father." Turgon smiles brightly at Tuor as he declares, "Tuor, son of Huor, as I once welcomed your father into Gondolin, I welcome you. I considered your father a close kinsman and friend, made all the more stronger by his willingness to sacrifice himself to save my life. So long as you live, you will be welcome in Gondolin as if you were one of us!"

Tuor can't help but smile a bit as he feels some of his nervousness subside. "Thank you, King Turgon. I am honored by your kind words and your welcome here to Gondolin. But sadly, I come not just for friendship, or to meet a friend of my father's. I come with a warning from Lord Ulmo himself."

Turgon takes a step back, raising an eyebrow. "A Man who brings a personal message from Lord Ulmo? Color me surprised. Do you have proof that you bring a message from Lord Ulmo?" Although wishing to believe the son of Tuor, he feels he needs some bit of proof of such a claim.

Tuor looks at the king, then, to the shock of all present, begins to speak in a tongue some do not even recognize. However, Turgon and many others do. The tongue spoken by the Valar in Valinor. Turgon, the most well versed in the language, listens in awe as Tuor repeats the message he was asked to deliver by Ulmo, warning the Gondolindrim of the threat of Morgoth and Doom of Mandos coming for the Noldor and all of their works.

When Tuor finishes speaking, silence reigns in the courtyard as everyone takes in what Tuor just said. On of the Elves says, "That was the tongue of Valinor."

"Yes," Turgon mutters before he says, "You have indeed come from Lord Ulmo."

"Yes, King Turgon. He has sent me as his personal emissary. He wishes you to go down to the Havens of Sirion with your people. If you do so, your people will be protected and preserved," Tuor says,

Turgon is quiet, considering Tuor's words. However, only a moment later, the king's nephew, Maeglin, his tone critical. "This Man comes to your city, never having been here before, and thinks to counsel us on how to protect our people?"

"I am sent by one of the Valar. You think I come to deceive you?" Tuor demands.

"We know nothing of you save your parentage. You were not there at the Nirnaeth Arnoediad. It was the Elves of Gondolin that held back from the reckless charge of Fingon and saved his host. It is the Gondolindrim that escaped with almost all of our forces intact, and with many more swelling our ranks in the process. We are the mightiest Elven settlement ever created. And you think to lecture us on strength and how to wage war?" Maeglin demands.

"Maeglin, enough!" Turgon declares, silencing his nephew. Turgon shoots him a glare for his rudeness, but he cannot deny that Maeglin's words ring true in his heart. After many long moments in silence, Turgon declares, "I appreciate you coming here, Tuor. But Gondolin is not so weak as you might think. Lord Ulmo spends his time in the depths. He does not know the strength of our cities. Nor is an escape so easy for our entire city. We could leave behind our city, but we could be ambushed on our way there. Why not stay here within our strong walls for protection? The armies of Morgoth will break upon our walls and impale themselves upon our swords!"

Tuor is aghast that Turgon could so easily disregard a warning from Ulmo. However, Turgon quickly demonstrates he is not so foolish as to entirely disregard a warning from a Vala. "However, lord Ulmo would not send such a warning, especially after appearing to you in person. Morgoth's power is growing. We must be more cautious." He pauses, then says, "We will seal up our city. The gates will be concealed as much as possible, and we will do everything we can to erase any sign of our city in the wider world. We will fortify as much as possible, and nobody shall venture outside this realm without my express permission."

Tuor feels a sense of arrow, knowing that the pride of Turgon's heart will not allow him to abandon his city, and that by so doing, Turgon has doomed Gondolin. However, Tuor remains committed to his quest, and declares, "I will respect your desire, Your Majesty, though I do not agree with it. I will remain in Gondolin, and should the day of doom come, I will fight with my life to defend the city."

Turgon smiles with gratitude. "I am thankful for your loyalty and friendship, Tuor. Come. There is much i wish to talk about with you.," Turgon declares.

Turgon places a hand on his shoulder to steer Tuor towards the Tower of the King. As he does, Tuor's eyes fall upon Idril, the king's daughter. He had noticed her when he first arrived, but had been more focused upon her father. Now, all of his attention falls upon Idril, and his heart swells as he looks upon her. Idril's beauty is far beyond anything he has ever seen in his life. Her beautiful flowing hair, her fair face and brilliant eyes all draw him towards her. He feels a sense of great attraction rising in her. As he looks upon her, Idril looks at Tuor in the eyes. The two keep eye contact for a moment before she smiles brightly at him. Tuor's heart swells even further, his heart beginning to yearn for a meeting with Idril, if only to talk to her only once.


And, i'll end the chapter. I hope you liked it.

So, in some of my stories, I do something I find really fun: I fancast the characters I'm writing about. For the fun of it, I'm doing it here too. My casting for the characters we met so far is as follows; Tuor played by Chris Hemsworth; Voronwe played by Jake Abel; Ecthelion played by Patrick Wilson; Turgon played by Michael Fassbender; Maeglin played by Ben Barnes; and Idril played by Elizabeth Olsen (open to suggestions on that one, as I'm sure there are even better choices).

Next chapter will be up in a week or so. Until then, leave a review, and stay tuned!