Narn-i-Ondolindë, a Concert by Lindamar



Lindamar played songs about the bittersweet story of the famed seven-named city of Noldor called Gondolin at the pavilion of Celondim, from its rise to its fall.

The event was held on October 22nd, 2019.

The programme of Narn-i-Ondolindë

[Speech 1]
Welcome Elves and elven-friends to an evening of remembrance of a once great city, lost to us throughout the ages.
We are Lindamar of Bar-En-Vanimar, and it is our pleasure to share, through music and words, Tales of Gondolin, Narn-i-Ondolindë.
We cannot tell the complete tale, it would be too long, only capture that which has left the greatest legacies to us.
If you have brought with you lanterns to light beacons of hope, please hold onto them to honor all those who were lost.
Please, no fireworks during the performance.
Welcome and please enjoy our musical performance.


[Song 1, Spirit of the Wild]

[Speech 2]
Gondolin, the great Hidden City of Turgon, second only to Tirion of Eldamar in magnificence, splendor, and beauty.
The city was founded, by the guidance of Ulmo, in the hidden valley of Tumladen.
Turgon had the city built in utmost secret for 50 years before migrating from Vinyamar with his people.
The city enjoyed peace for almost 400 years, concealed from friend and foe alike by the Encircling Mountains.
Guarded from trespassers by the Eagles of Thorondor.
Our tale begins where Tuor, in company of Voronwë, finds his way to the hidden city, bearing tidings from Ulmo to Turgon.
Following the Orfalch Echor, the ravine of the Dry River, they pass through seven guarded gates.


[Song 2, Palladio]

[Speech 3]
The First Gate, the Gate of Wood, a wide arch with tall pillars upon either hand, hewn in the rock.
In between hung a great portcullis of crossed wooden bars, marvellously carved and studded with nails of iron.
The Second Gate, the Gate of Stone, a great wall built across the ravine, with stout towers of stone at either hand.
Its dark and polished face gleamed in the light of a white lamp that hung above the midst of the great archway.
The Third Gate, the Gate of Bronze, a wall yet higher and stronger than before.
A great twofold door hung with shields and plates of bronze, wherein were wrought many figures and strange signs.
Upon the wall above its lintel were three square towers, roofed and clad with copper that were ever bright.
The Fourth Gate, the Gate of Writhen Iron, a high and black wall, lit with no lamps.
Four towers of iron stood upon it, and between the two inner towers was set an image of the great eagle Thorondor.


[Song 3, Character Creation]

[Speech 4]
The Fifth Gate, the Gate of Silver, a low and broad white marble wall, its parapet a trellis of silver between five globes of marble.
The gate was in shape as three parts of a circle, and wrought of silver and pearl of Nevrast in likenesses of the Moon.
Above the Gate stood an image of the White Tree Telperion, wrought of silver and malachite, with flowers made of pearls of Balar.
The Sixth Gate, the Golden Gate, a wall built of yellow marble, with red gold parapet and six globes.
On a golden pyramid, an image of Laurelin, the Tree of the Sun, with flowers wrought of topaz in long clusters upon chains of gold.
The Gate itself was adorned with discs of gold, many-rayed, set amid devices of garnet and topaz and yellow diamonds.
The Seventh Gate, the Great, the Gate of Steel, stood across the wide entrance to the Orfalch Echor.
No wall there was, but two round towers of great height, many-windowed, tapering in seven storeys to a turret of bright steel.
Between them stood a mighty fence of steel that rusted not, but glittered cold and white.
It is here Tuor and Voronwë are met by Lord Ecthelion, Lord of the Fountains, Warden of the Great Gate.


[Song 4, Court Dance]

[Speech 5]
Lord Ecthelion lets Tuor and Voronwë through the last gate, to finally behold the hidden valley, Tumladen.
A vast plain broken with many pathways and well-tended gardens and fields.
In its center, Amon Gwaereth, upon which the white shining city stands, towers reaching high up into the sky.
By seven names the city is known.
Gondobar and Gondothlimbar, City of Stone and City of the Dwellers in Stone.
Gondolin the Stone of Song and Gwarestrin, the Tower of Guard.
Gar Thurion or the Secret Place, hidden from the eyes of Morgoth.
Loth, for it is like a flower, and even Lothengriol, the flower that blooms on the plain.


[Song 5, On the Greens]

[Speech 6]
Escorted by Lord Ecthelion they arrive to the city, to marvel at its many wonders.
The streets were paved with stone and wide, and kerbed with marble.
Fair houses and courts amid gardens of bright flowers were set about the ways.
Many towers of great slenderness and beauty, built of white marble and carved most marvelously rose to the heaven.
Squares there were lit with fountains and the home of birds that sang amid the branches of their aged trees.
Greatest was that place where stood the king's palace, and the tower thereof was the loftiest in the city.
The fountains that played before the doors shot twenty fathoms and seven in the air and fell in a singing rain of crystal.
The fountain of music, thus was the city named Ondolindë, The Rock of the Music of Water.
Two trees stood on either side of the palace doors, one that bore blossom of gold and the other of silver.
The trees were named Glingal and Belthil, and were shoots of old from the glorious Trees of Valinor.


[Song 6, Vivaldi Spring 1]

[Speech 7]
The City is also remembered for its twelve proud houses, home to the various kindred of the Noldor.
Mighty was the House of the King, the house of Turgon.
Its colors were white and gold and red, and emblems were the moon and the sun and the scarlet heart.
So too was the House of the Wing, the bodyguard of Tuor, silver gleaming mail.
Wearing winged helmets, and the emblem of the White Wing on their shields.
There was the House of the Swallow and the Heavenly Arch. Great bowmen came from these houses.
Those of the Swallow bore a fan of feathers on their helms, wearing white and dark blue, and purple and black.
On their shields an arrowhead, and Duilin was their lord, swiftest of all men to run and leap and surest of archers at a mark.
Those of the Heavenly Arch, a people of uncounted wealth, wore a glory of colors, and their arms were set with jewels.
Shields of the blue of the heavens and its boss a jewel built of seven gems and an opal of great size set in their helms.
Egalmoth was their lord, and wore a blue mantle embroidered stars in crystal, and his sword was bent.


[Song 7, Vivaldi Summer 3]

[Speech 8]
There was the House of the Pillar and of the Tower of Snow, and both these kindreds were marshalled by Penlod, tallest of the Noldor.
There was the House of the Mole, its lord was Maeglin, prince of Gondobar. No signs or emblems, and sable was their harness.
Carrying round caps of steel covered with moleskin, and wielding two-headed axes like mattocks.
There was the House of the Tree, wearing raiment of green, wielding iron studded clubs or slings.
Their lord Galdor was held the most valiant of all the Gondothlim save Turgon alone.

[Song 8, Vivaldi Winter 1]

[Speech 9]
There was the House of the Golden Flower, a rayed sun on the shield.
Their lord was Glorfindel, adorned with a mantle embroidered in threads of gold, diapered with celandine as a field in spring.
In the south of the city was the House of the Fountain, Ecthelion was its lord, and silver and diamonds were their delight.
Carrying swords long and bright and pale, and they went into battle to the music of flutes.
There too was the House of the Harp, brave warriors. Dight with tassels of silver and tassels of gold.
A harp of silver shone in their blazonry upon a field of black, but their lord Salgant bore a harp of gold.
Last there were the House of the Hammer of Wrath, housing many of the best smiths and craftsmen,
Carrying great maces like hammers, and their shields-were heavy, for their arms were strong.
Their lord was Rog, strongest of the Noldor, scarce second in valor to that Galdor of the Tree.
Their sign was the Stricken Anvil, and a hammer was set on their shields of red gold and black iron.

[Song 9, Vivaldi Winter 3]

[Speech 10]
Peace lasted many years, and Tuor came to fall in love with Idril, daughter of Turgon.
Though he was of the second born, he was in great favor by the king, who agreed, seeing Idril sharing these feelings.
Turgon saw in Tuor a kinsman of great comfort, but also saw Idril’s fate entwined with his.
Thus, for the first time a son of Men and a daughter of the Eldar were wed, yet it was not to be the last time.
Much mirth and joy accompanied that marriage, and in the years that followed, a son was born, Eärendil he was named.


[Song 10, On My Way Home]

[Speech 11]
Yet, peace was not meant to last.
Maeglin, lord of the house of the Moles, son of the king’s sister Aredhel and Eöl, resented, in secret, the marriage.
He too, harbored warm feelings toward Idril, but Turgon had refused to let him court her, as they were first-cousins.
Maeglin sought himself further and further away into the Encircling Mountains, searching for ore to mine.
Yet, the servants of the dark lord had not been idle, and espied him, and brought him before Morgoth.
Maeglin fearing for his life, bewitched by Morgoth, betrays the lay of Gondolin, promised Idril for himself.
Maeglin is bidden to return, lest his absence is noticed, and the sentinels are alerted.
Idril, harboring ill-omens, seeing Maeglin in her dreams, bids Tuor to construct a secret escape way.


[Song 11, Thorn]

[Speech 12]
So it came to pass, on the dawn of Tarnin Austa, seven years later, the dark lord launched all his might upon the city.
Armies of orcs, dragons of metal, balrogs, and creatures long forgotten descended upon hidden valley.
All the heroes of the houses gathered to defend. Many were they, and valiant were their deeds in defense of the city.
We cannot recount them all. We can only honor a few.
Lord Ecthelion who led his people into battle accompanied by the music of their flutes.
Great were the damages caused to the enemy by their long, bright swords.
Lord Ecthelion who perished, slaying the captain of the balrogs, Gothmog, at the fountain in the king’s square.


[Song 12, Ecthelion]

[Speech 13]
Another who fought valiantly was Rog the blacksmith, of the House of the Hammer of Wrath, strongest of all Noldor.
He led his people against the Balrogs and the Orcs during the Fall of Gondolin after the Gate was broken.
But the House of the Hammer of Wrath were hemmed in, and every one of them perished, including Rog.


[Song 13, Hammerfall]

[Speech 14]
In the end, the city was doomed.
Turgon threw down his crown, begging the people to follow Tuor, as he climbed his tower to face the fate of his city.
Protected by what remained of his house and that of Glorfindel and Galdor, Tuor gathered what remained of the people.
As he led them to the secret passage, out of the city, the tower of the king was toppled by dragons of metal.
Thus king Turgon, second son of Fingolfin, brother to Fingon and Aredhel, perished, and passed forever from these lands.


[Song 14, Noldor]

[Speech 15]
There remains two more heroes to remember and honor, Glorfindel and Galdor.
They accompanied the exiles, led by Tuor, as they fled out of the city through the secret passage.
And a blessing that was, as servants of the enemy lay in ambush who had espied them from afar.
In the mountain pass of Thorn Sir, where a narrow pathway followed a ravine south, they were set upon.
Here, they would have all perished, if not for Glorfindel and Galdor who valiantly fought them off.
Here, Glorfindel fought a balrog single-handed, and both plunged to their death in the great abyss below.


[Song 15, Hero]

[Speech 16]
Sad was the purchase of escape the great Noldor had bought for Tuor and those following him.
The great eagle Thorondor retrieved the body of Glorfindel, and a cairn was raised in his memory.
Protected by what power Ulmo could lend, the exiles followed Sirion south and reached the refuge at its mouth.
And it is here our tale must end.
What happened afterwards, we all know or have been told, and it is a tale for another time.


[Song 16, Aerith]

[Speech 17]
Thank you all for being with us tonight as we through music and words shared our memories to honor that which was lost long ago.
It has been our pleasure, to tell our story of that once great city, Ondolindë, the city of the singing rock, Gondolin.
We, Lindamar of Bar-en-Vanimar, wish all of you, Elves and elven-friends a safe journey home.
May the blessing of Eru forever be upon and may the light of stars always guide you.