Idril’s lament for Gondolin

Substack AI generated

Oh, how much time did pass since I

saw Gondolin the fair?

How many moons have waxed and waned

since last time I was there?

So mighty was my Gondolin,

so beautiful that vale:

Tumladen was such gentle place

with flowers bright and pale.

When Turgon’s reign was good and strong,

and freedom went about,

protected by those vast strong walls,

the maidens sang aloud.

Then war seemed far away from all,

Oh, happy were those days,

when Elven folk dwelt in the streets

while Idril music plays.

Ulmo himself was hiding us,

casting a magic spell

upon the waters of the vale,

where we could always dwell.

And yet, the shadow of the War

closer and closer came,

how little did we then suspect

what was to be its name.

Such treason in the darkest night

the world had not yet seen,

slowly it grew behind the walls,

the thoughts of one, so mean.

Though we were warned by Ulmo’s words,

the warrior he sent,

we heeded not the Vala’s signs

that our day soon would end.

Oh Gondolin, it came too soon

-Oh, city of the past-

The War swept most of us away,

so fast it went, so fast.

Only a handful could escape,

the road we had to take

I never ever shall forget

Whether asleep, awake.

The flames of my dear Gondolin

are haunting all my dreams.

Where are you now, fair Elven folk?

Is it not what it seems?

Am I no longer in your court,

sitting beside the well?

Is that not Turgon, father dear?

Alas, gone is the spell.

For waking up I see again

my people, so few now.

They look at me for strength, and I

turn to the West and bow.

One day the Valar may look down

and take pity on us,

not for myself, but for this folk

whose fate is grieving thus.

Oh Gondolin, my Gondolin,

Idril will not forget

your fate, and those who died for you,

a tale so long and sad.