Chapter XV--Of the Noldor in Beleriand

[Melian]

Chapter XV is nothing like "Of Beren and Luthien" or "Nirnaet Arnoediad". It's plain to see it's not one of those remarkable epic parts of the Silmarillion. When I was asked to write this intro, I had to think for a long time before I recalled what it was all about...and no wonder this 'unpopular' chapter is among the last ones to be discussed.
However, it is one of those (as I call them) preliminary chapters, an intro itself to the great events. A link between the Sil.'s unforgettable scenes.
Chapter 15 is in fact a crucial linking moment. There are a few hints designed to prepare the reader for the formidable forthcoming events.

:D

Hint#1: Turgon decides to change his whereabouts. This chapter deals with the secret construction of Gondolin.
With the help of Ulmo, it seems like there couldn't have been a safer settlement for Turgon....52 years of toil!!!...
However, one can sense even then, that Ulmo has something on his mind. There's a hint that turgon shouldn't love and rely too much on this kingdom...And here comes the itchy question: what was the prupose of Gondolin at all??? Was it meant just for a safer environment for Idril????

Hint#2: Of the coming of someone from Nevrast---this is a little prophecy that shall have a great importance later.

Hint#3: Finrod delves the underground halls of Nargothrond---this is a link for some of the most remarkable chapters later.
There's a small scene in this chapter concerning the 'inauguration' party of Nargothrond...when all the important characters have gathered. There's a line by Finrod which, I'm personally most impressed by: his vow of celibacy. I'd very much like to see what you think about this, and of this mysterious Amarie and this foresight of his...

Hint#4: Of Galadriel and Melian. This is the place in the Sil where the two fair ladies have a long conversation. Quite a blurry one, I think.
I cannot decide whether they are frinds or not...whether they just respect each other and pay kin-visits, or whether they love each other...It cannot be inferred from the taxt about their emotions to each other in this guessing-and-foreseing game they play. As a reader, I was always disturbed by this lack of indication...which is usaully clearly stated about other fair characters in Tolkien's works.
the essantial thing is, however,that Melian finally perceives the woeful fate of galadriel's kin. And she's alarmed....and here we have yet another 'teaser hint' by tolkien.

Hint#5: Of the strange Melian-Thingol-Finrod connection. I must confess I'm subjective about Melian. I ahve read your discussions about thingol and I agree with those who state he's the dumbest king. I think this chapter casts some light over this matter.
She warns him..and not only against Feanor's kin...she perceives the threat of the Silmarils...and Thingol,of course, is as ignorant as ever.
Quite inapraopriate for a famous king...how come he is always the one who makes the inadequate decisions , sends people on quests and receives 'good guys' disagreeably...his attitude is inacceptible..epecially towards good old Finrod...

[Ithrynluin]

by Melian
52 years of toil!!!...

52 years truly is a whole lot of time...but compare this to the building of Barad-dur, which took approximately 600 years! Ouch! What does this tell us? That the Elves of Gondolin were especially diligent (or crafty) and Sauron's minions not so, or that Gondolin was simply much 'smaller' in comparison to the Dark Tower?

by Melian
what was the prupose of Gondolin at all??? Was it meant just for a safer environment for Idril????


Gondolin 'produced' Eärendil, who was meant to find a way to the West. Doriath 'produced' Lúthien, who together with Beren recovered a Silmaril, without which Eärendil would not have succeeded. Nargothrond 'lent' Finrod without whom Beren's and Luthien's Quest would have been futile. It is interesting how the fate of these three greatest realms became intertwined.

by Melian
Of Galadriel and Melian.

I thought it is interesting to note how Galadriel, in comparison to Melian, is rather a student, still learning the ways of the world. Later on, in the Second and Third Ages, Galadriel would become a 'Melian' in her own way, if you take my meaning.

By Melian
I cannot decide whether they are frinds or not...

I think they were very fond of each other, and had much love for one another. Galadriel is simply reluctant to pour forth the whole account of what happened thus far, which is why she keeps the most grievous parts of it to herself.

By Melian
She warns him..and not only against Feanor's kin...she perceives the threat of the Silmarils...and Thingol,of course, is as ignorant as ever.


I didn't find Thingol to be particulary 'hateable' in this chapter. His reaction to Angrod's story was an emotional one, but also understandable in a way.

A couple of observations:

Do you think Ulmo chose Turgon for some special reason? Why not one of the other princes?

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 accomplish his design.

Note the coloured part of the quote. Perhaps Ulmo chose Turgon to go to Gondolin because he had known that the place would have suited him above all other princes, and that he would be content there more than anywhere else.

And Ulmo warned Turgon that he also lay under the Doom of Mandos, which Ulmo had no power to remove. 'Thus it may come 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.

Perhaps this is in some way referring to the Balrogs who would assail Gondolin?

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, company by company, secretly, under the shadows of Ered Wethrin, and they came unseen to Gondolin, and none knew whither they had gone.

The number of people going to Gondolin was huge. Isn't it a bit too convenient that not even a single spy of Morgoth was anywhere near when the companies moved to the city?

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 Fëanor, 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 come, ere they are wrested from Morgoth. See now! Fëanor they have slain, and many another, as I guess; but first of all the deaths they have brought and yet shall bring was Finwë your friend. Morgoth slew him, ere he fled from Aman.'

Isn't Luthien an Elda? ;)