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Ecthelion - First Age

Meaning: son of the fountain (Sindarin)/spear-point (Noldorin)

Location(s): Gondolin

Race/Species: Elf

Type/Kind: probably Sindarin

Dates: d. F.A. 510

Description:
Ecthelion was captain and lord of the House of the Fountain in Gondolin. His people were noted for their use of silver and diamonds, and Ecthelion himself wore a silver helm capped by a long silver spike. He was an excellent singer, with "the fairest voice...and the most skilled in musics of all the Gondothlim." The young prince Eärendil admired his flute playing, and it seems Ecthelion sometimes cut willow-whistles for him.

With Glorfindel, Ecthelion guarded Turgon''s flank at the Nirnaeth Arnoediad. When Gondolin fell in FA 510. Ecthelion brought his men up from the south of the city and held the King''s Square. He slew Gothmog, Lord of Balrogs, by driving his spiked helm into the creature''s belly and pulling it back with him into a deep fountain; pinned under the Balrog and weighed down by his own armor, Ecthelion drowned.

Source: "The Fall of Gondolin," The Book of Lost Tales II.'

Contributors:
Zimraphel, 7/16/2003

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