Desperation
Smoke and fire and shadow encompassed his whole world, and the roar of the Balrog drowned out the terrified screams of women and children. He swung his sword with a desperate cry as a flaming whip descended –
And steel bit deep into fire and shadow, while fire devoured once-gleaming armor and once-fair skin. With a howl of helpless rage the Balrog fell.
Those watching cried out in horror as the noble warrior breathed his last breath beneath the dying fury of Morgoth's beast.
Thus fell Ecthelion of the Fountain as he contended against Gothmog, lord among the Balrogs of Morgoth.
Sacrifice
Golden hair shimmered in the sunlight as he leapt from the precipice. "Gondolin!" he cried, raising his sword as the monster before him raised its whip of fire. It stumbled backwards as they collided, the sword plunging deep into shadow and smoke.
And they fell, mighty lord of Gondolin and monster of death, both screaming in agony as the cliffs above shrank against the darkening sky.
Then the eagles came, driving away the orcs, and bearing gently up the broken, blackened body of the golden warrior to be buried with honor, and tears of fallen Gondolin watered his lonely grave.