The Gates of Gondolin

[thorondil]

I was thinking that Tuor's quest for Gondolin was like a spiritual journey.

Tuor escapes thraldom, and lives in a cave as a solitary, ever seeking the Gate of the Noldor. Ulmo's spring leads him to the Gate, he passes into Nevrast, and is enamoured by and longs for the Great Sea (what is beyond it.) "Seven great swans" lead him to Vinyamar, he is given his quest by Ulmo, finds Voronwe, and begins to speak at times with Ulmo's voice. They pass through the Fell Winter, "under the eaves of the Mountains of Shadow", the "defilement" of the pure waters of Irvin, and come at last to the Guarded Gate.

Because he is not of the High Race, his sentence should be death for passing this gate. He begins a steep uphill journey, under gaurd, through the "leagues of the Seven Gates" and a "great weariness comes on him like a cloud" until he is given sustenance after the second gate by the Noldor. Each gate he passes is more beautiful than the last, and the hosts of the Noldor increase in size, and in the beauty of their raiment, with each one.

Wood, Stone, Bronze, Writhen Iron, Silver, Golden, and the Great which rings "like a harp of many strings, giving forth clear notes in harmony."

Because he wears the "mighty livery of Nevrast" it is "...clear truth, that he comes from Ulmo himself."

He is brought to the Tower of the King and looks upon the images of the Trees of Valinor. No longer a mere man...