The Ashes of Tumladen

[trekqueen.livejournal.com]

Title: The Ashes of Tumladen
Author: trekqueen
Beta: rhapsody11
Rating: PG
Warnings: Spoilers about Gondolin, deathfic
Summary: Short, one-shot fic. Morgoth has found Gondolin, the city is lost, and Tuor has left to take Idril and the survivors of Gondolin to safety, but Turgon remains behind in his beloved city.
Disclaimer: I own nothing and do not make financial gain from my fanfiction. Everything belongs to Tolkien.

The Ashes of Tumladen

Gondolin burns.

Forgive me, Master of the Seas: I should have remembered your song in my dreams and heeded the warning of your emissary. You gave me your favor and my city your grace and protection. I have doomed Gondolin to meet this terrible end.

Outside of my tower window, the servants of the Dark Lord have already stormed the gates, ransacking and looting as they go onward in their killing. With every rumble that reaches my ears, I know that the white walls are crumbling beneath the assault. My heart breaks with every death throe, scream and rumble of stone falling into ruin. I only hope that my last stand here, my sacrifice, will distract these vile creatures long enough for Gondolin’s survivors to escape unhindered. Glorfindel, my friend and confidant, protect my family from harm. Take the lords and soldiers who are left and find safety so that this evil does not take them too.

Be strong, my daughter, and do not weep for me. Your son and husband need your guidance and wisdom, but not the depth of your grief. I love you, Idril, and you have made me proud. One day we shall meet again on white shores and gracefully rising hillsides of Aman.

The clanging of metal and the roars of battle cries are carried on the night air. I have met this enemy before and now they have finally come to this last stronghold. Those of my royal guards who remained are true heroes and in lore their deeds shall be remembered in the ages to come due to their bravery. I will join you, my brothers, then meet those who have gone before us: Enerdhil, Ecthelion, Penlodh, the Bar-en-Duilin, and so many more of our kin and kith.

As I gaze up, I see that the flames are closer now and are spreading swiftly. Morgoth’s firedrakes consume what is still standing and they shall come for me, bidden by their Black King to seek me out. I can already feel the heat of their breath as I descend the stairway to meet my fate. The walls shake beneath their crushing bodies while the dragons coil tighter around this final monument of my defiance against Morgoth, but I shall not yield or turn in flight.

With my sword clutched in my hand, I will fight until my soul answers to Mandos’ call. Never will I give in to the One who has slain my kind unmercifully often in cold blood.

My dear Elenwë, I will see you soon but first, I shall make these foes regret their deeds this night. The Eldar of Gondolin will never be forgotten.

Comments

[kenazfiction.livejournal.com]

Very powerful. Thank you for sharing it with us.

[trekqueen.livejournal.com]

you're very welcome and thank you!

[hrymfaxe.livejournal.com]

Very powerful! I'm moved by the way he bids his daughter farewell, and thinks of his imminent meeting with his wife. All is crumbling around him, but true to his position as lord he will not bow before the enemy. My stomach is all in knots at the image of the dragons twisting around elegant elven buildings and the elven guard lying dead at their feet.. Thank you for sharing this.

[trekqueen.livejournal.com]

I appreciate the review, thank you! The fact Turgon decided to stay with his city and his refusal of Tuor's messengers really made an impact when I read it and Turgon probably knew that was to be his fate. Gives me shivers imagining it all!

Thanks again!

[jilba.livejournal.com]

This puts a whole new spin on Turgon staying in his tower to me. He is sacrificing himself to slow up the orcs, to let Idril, Tuor and the others get further away. And his words to Elenwe are almost an Oath, to make a great killing then to see her again. Loved it.

[trekqueen.livejournal.com]

*hugs* thanks Jillian. ^_^ There was a part in Lost Tales and UT that mentioned a segment about the reason he stayed was a ploy of sorts or a distraction... his decision to remain didn't seem as clear in Silm to me. And I felt like he knew that if he HAD listened to Ulmo there wouldn't be the destruction and death, thus why he knows it is his responsibility to make sure some do live.

thanks again!

[jilba.livejournal.com]

I think what impresses me most is that Turgon seems much braver here, a true King and a warrior King at that. I always the Silm version made him a bit whimpy..but this piece of yours is great!

[trekqueen.livejournal.com]

aw thanks! yea... I did feel kind of bad for Turgon because I know some other readers have thought him cowardly for going into hiding but I'm sure he had good reasons that people can elaborate on. ^_^