The
Fall of Gondolin: In my interpretations of the works of JRR
Tolkien, it goes farther back in years and isn't even remotely close to sudden.
I would say it all starts with Eol The Dark. From him and his smithy (probably the greatest smith of the
Sindar elves) he fashioned 2 great longswords. I would also say I do not think he was
evil in his heart to begin with, but more a sundered
elf alone and powerful. In pure speculation I would imagine he was bitter, or jaded towards the
Kings of The
Noldor elves. I guess I would too if stronger elves invaded my homelands as a Laiquendi or Moriquendi, right?
So... I could be wrong... but I'm pretty sure I remember Eol The Dark crafting black
armor of might, which he would wear abroad. And most notably, the 2 Longswords of
Anguirel and
Anglachel that played Ancient Artifact level of power in the Tolkien world. These 2
swords pretty much sealed the fate of any and all who wield them for even a short time. (Which we see in Beleg Strongbow). Gifted and cursed swords both.
(As a side note;... Imagine one elf wielding both swords of Eol in combat. Too cool.)
In reality, those 2 swords were separated far from one another. Again, back to Eol The Dark. Then his son Maeglin stole his father's
sword and departed from Nan Elmoth with his mother Aredhel back to
Gondolin. Eol was slain along with his wife, and so was fostered Maeglin; Son of Eol and Aredhel, a mighty Prince of the Noldor and Sindar in Gondolin. In my personal opinion and knowledge, I'd say that Maeglin bringing that Black Sword
Anguirel to Gondolin was its downfall. The
books say Gondolin fell to Maeglin Son of Eol, but I say it fell to Anguirel. The first and mightiest black sword of Eol.
That being said.... lmao.... The second Black Sword.
Anglachel/ Gurthang:
Anglachel was one of two swords Eöl forged from a meteorite. The other,
Anguirel, he kept for himself. Eöl gave this sword to
Thingol as payment for staying in his forest,
Nan Elmoth, though he did not relish giving it away.
Thingol gave the sword in keeping to his subject
Beleg Cúthalion, when Beleg left to seek down
Turin. Whenever Beleg took the sword out of its sheath, the sword is said to have sung with gladness.
At one time, Beleg was unbinding the unconscious
Túrin, who had been held captive and tormented by
Orcs. However, whilst undoing his bonds, the sword slipped and cut
Túrin's foot. Túrin woke, thinking Orcs again upon him, and in the dark slew Beleg with Anglachel before realizing who it was. This mistake he rued bitterly.
Túrin was then given the sword by
Gwindor, and Túrin travelled to
Nargothrond, Gwindor's place of birth, where the sword was reforged and renamed
Gurthang, "Iron of Death."
Hope that helps!!