[Aiwendil]

Tuor in Gondolin

Here is my version of the brief section we're still missing between the Transition and the Maeglin's Treachery.

The following symbols are used:
[ ] Normalized, usually used for proper names indicating they are here in final form, not as in original text. Eg. "[Huor]" probably represents an original "Peleg", "[nor]thward", represents original "southward", and "[']" represents original """.
< > Material inserted from secondary source. If more than one secondary source occurs in the passage then a code appears after the opening angle-bracket, eg. "< QS77 ".
{ } Material to be deleted.
Italicized Material inserted for grammatical reasons or as editorial bridge.

FG-TG01

{Then Tuor's heart was heavy and Voronwe wept and Tuor sat by the great fountain of the king and its splashing recalled the music of the waves, and his soul was troubled by the conches of Ulmo and he would return down the waters of Sirion to the sea.} But Turgon, who knew that Tuor, mortal as he was, had the favour of the Valar, marking his stout glance and the power of his voice sent to him and bade him dwell in Gondolin and be in his favour, and abide even within the royal halls if he would.

In the later story, the urging of Ulmo through Tuor that Turgon prepare an assault on Angband is gone, as should be Tuor's weeping.

FG-TG02

{and she was} Idril Celebrindal, the daughter of the king.

Idril has already appeared in the story.

FG-TG03

{and how there had been divided counsels in that matter, yet pity for the enthralled Noldoli had prevailed in the end to its making}

There is no later mention of such divided counsel, and the enthralled Noldor motif was later significantly downplayed.

FG-TG04

{and many murmured and would fain have backed him into battle with the Orcs, seeing that the speeches of those two, Tuor and Turgon, before the palace were known to many; but this matter went not further for reverence of Turgon, and because at this time in Tuor's heart the thought of the words of Ulmo seemed to have grown dim and far off.}

Same reason as in TG-01.

FG-TG05

Great love too had Idril for Tuor, and the strands of her fate were woven with his even from that day when first she gazed upon him {from a high window} as he stood a way-worn suppliant . . .

According to TO, Idril is in the king's chamber when Tuor arrives, not at a high window.

FG-TG06

{Thus was first wed a child of Men with a daughter of Elfinesse, nor was Tuor the last}

Beren and Luthien.

FG-TG07

{and that tale of Isfin and Eol may not here be told}

This will have been told earlier.

FG-TG08

{Less fair was he than most of this goodly folk, swart and of none too kindly mood, so that he won small love, and whispers there were that he had Orc's blood in his veins, but I know not how this could be true.}

I think this should be deleted, though we are without any direct contradiction of it. There is no later indication that Maeglin was 'swart', and certainly there were not rumours that he had Orc's blood!

FG-TG09

{Now he had bid . . . often with the king for the hand of Idril, yet Turgon finding her very loth had as often said nay, for him seemed Meglin's suit was caused as much by the desire of standing in high power beside the royal throne as by love of that most fair maid.}<QS77And {Maeglin's} his secret hatred grew ever greater, for he esired above all things to possess {her} Idril, the only heir of the King of Gondolin.>

FG-TG10

{Now thereto there are many interpretations both among Elves and Men, but belike it was a name wrought of some secret tongue among the Gondothlim and that has perished with them from the dwellings of the Earth.}

The etymology of 'Earendil' is obviously not now a secret.

[ December 05, 2001: Message edited by: Aiwendil ]