Before The Lord of the Rings…
Was The Silmarillion
Tales of Elves…
Of beauty, grace and valor
One story told of a King…
A Messenger…
And the man who would betray them all
From J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Silmarillion…

Gondolin

Began: December, 2003
End:???

The Lord of the Rings is by far my favorite of fantasy novels/movies. I love the complexity of the story and the beauty and depth of each character, particularly the Elves. I grew up dreaming of Elves as tall, graceful people with fair faces and slightly pointed ears; the elves of Santa or the little impish people never appealed to me much. J.R.R. Tolkien envisioned Elves the same way I do, and for that I am eternally grateful to him.

After viewing Orlando Bloom, Liv Tyler, Hugo Weaving, Cate Blanchett, Marton Csokas and Craig Parker's performances as the lovely Elves of Middle-earth, I wanted to know what other tales Tolkien wrote about these fair people. I found more within the pages of The Silmarillion and in The History of Middle-earth series. I fell in love with all the characters and their stories; from Maedhros to Fingon, to Glorfindel and Ecthelion, Beleg and Elu Thingol, to Maglor and a young Elrond I loved each and every one. But my favorite of all the stories told has always been The Fall of Gondolin.

It soon became a dream of mind to see The Fall of Gondolin written in something that could be easily adapted to screen, something with more dialogue but still holding true to Tolkien and his story. I decided I would give it a try, adapt The Fall of Gondolin into something that could be changed to a screenplay and find as many of actors and actresses which I felt best embodied each of the characters.

And so, during Christmas break in December of 2003, along with my Elladan/Elrohir costume project and my many fanfictions, I began the Gondolin project. It is my greatest desire to actually have this adapted to the big screen, perhaps even with Peter Jackson's brilliant and already experienced mind to aid me. Perhaps one day my dream will become more than a mere picture in my head. Perhaps.

Disclaimer: It is not my intention, in any way, to infringe upon the rights held by Christopher Tolkien and the Tolkien Estate. It is merely my wish to fulfill a dream I have and hope that one day, through hard work, dedication and a little bit of hope and love that my dream will become a reality. I am not making any money off of this endeavor of mine, so I do not wish to be sued. I do not intend to offend anybody by this labor of love I am performing.

The Cast

These are the actors and actresses, in my opinion, are best suited for the main characters. Minor characters have not been chosen due to their relatively small role in the story. Explanations on why I believe these are the best actors/actresses suited for the roles will follow each person's image.

The Main Characters

Keira Knightley as Idril Celebrindal, Daughter of Turgon
Keira has the impish look I always envisioned Idril as possessing. The daughter of Turgon should be beautiful, witty, loving and foresighted. She should be strong-willed and determined, but caring and compassionate. She should be youthful in looks, but wise in mind and strong in spirit. Keira is all these things and more; her performances in movies such as Bend It Like Beckham and Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl were excellent and prove she can play a variety of roles. She is simply the most perfect Idril in my mind.


Heath Ledger as Tuor, Lord of the Folk of the Wing
Heath's previous experience in playing a knight in A Knight's Tale will give him the inspiration he needs to play valiant but quiet Tuor. Heath's blond locks also make him a perfect match for Tuor, who is from the Third House of the Edain, the House of Hador known for their blond tresses. He possesses the look of someone valiant and strong, one that is able-bodied and willing to serve his king. A perfect match for Tuor who loves both his wife and his king, willing to die for them both. I honestly have not seen any of Heath's other films, but I would like to view Ned Kelly and possibly The Order, but he is, so far, the best for Tuor.


Stuart Townsend as Maeglin, Lord of the Mole
I've seen Stuart in both Queen of the Damned and The League of Extraordinary Gentleman; his performance as Dorian Gray was what made me think he would be the best to portray Maeglin, Idril's cousin and Turgon's nephew. Maeglin is a complex character who is the main "villian" in the story; he lusts after his cousin and will do anything to have her. Stuart has not only the look for the role of the dark-haired Elf but also the potential to make an audience both loath and sympathize with the character. As he was originally cast to play Aragorn (but later was deduced to be "too young" for the role), he would fit in quite nicely within this story.


Travis Fimmel as Glorfindel, Lord of the House of the Golden Flower
Travis has little acting experience other than playing the lead in the short-lived Tarzan television series, but he is a perfect match for Glorfindel; plus, imagine the boost he would get playing this character, the most loved of Elves in Gondolin. Glorfindel is reknowed for his prowess in battle and for his legendary slaying of a Balrog. Named after his golden hair, a possible indication that he is related to the House of Finarfin, he is much loved and respected. Travis possesses the ideal looks for the character, and would, I believe, portray Glorfindel beautifully if given the chance.


Jude Law as Ecthelion, Warden of the Gate and Lord of the Fountain
Jude, Jude, what can I say? This is Ecthelion embodied. Jude is an excellent actor; I've seen him in A.I. and I can't wait to see him in Cold Mountain. My mother even testifies to his wonderful acting skills, which is really all the proof I need. Ecthelion's role in Gondolin seems minor, but it is not. Warden of the Gate to the city as well as one of the eleven Elven lords, he is well respected. Famous for his slaying of Gothmog, Lord of Balrogs, the utterance of Ecthelion's name strikes fear into armies of Orcs. Jude is more than adequate to betray this character, who, along with Glorfindel, is one of my favorites.


Bret McKenzie as Eärendil the Mariner, Lord of the Elves of Sirion
The role of Eärendil the adult barely exists within the story of Gondolin, but he is present nonetheless as being too late to stop his parents from sailing to Valinor without him. Though he will always be famous for his role as the Elf extra Figwit in the Rings movies, Bret McKenzie has the looks I envision Eärendil possessing. It is a distinctly masculine but fair complexion, a match for one who becomes a star of hope for the Elves in the later Ages of Middle-earth.


Turgon, Son of Fingolfin and King of Gondolin: Not yet casted

Voronwë, Son of Aranwë and friend to Tuor and Eärendil: Not yet casted.

The Minor Characters

Aredhel: Daughter of Fingolfin, sister to Fingon and Turgon, mother of Maeglin. She was taken to wife by Eöl, the Dark Elf, when she journeyed from Gondolin and became lost. Eventually she returned with Maeglin but was killed protecting her son from her husband.

Eöl: The Dark Elf, originally from Doriath and possibly kin to Elu Thingol. He was befriended by Dwarves and was keen at the smiths, a skill he taught his son. Learning Aredhel and Maeglin had gone to Gondolin, he followed them as asked they return to him. When he was refused, Eöl attempted to kill Maeglin, but failed and was executed.

Huor: The father of Tuor, he entered Gondolin was a young boy of thirteen with his brother Húrin. It was he who predicted Eärendil’s coming as he urged Turgon to flee from the Nirnaeth Arnoediad; he died in that battle.

Egalmoth: Lord of the House of the Heavenly Arch. His house was known for their skills in archery. Egalmoth survived to the fall of Gondolin to help lead the survivors to the Mouths of Sirion; he later died during the Sack of Sirion.

Salgant: Lord of the House of the Harp. He was the only Lord of Gondolin to take sides with Maeglin, and rode into war upon a horse. His fate is unknown but it is likely he died during the fall.

Rog: Lord of the House of the Hammer of Wrath. His house, like Maeglin’s, was known for their skills of the forge, and their bravery upon the battlefield; not one of the members of the house, including Rog, left Gondolin as they all died defending it.

The Original Characters

Aduial: handmaiden of Idril, member of the House of the Fountain. One five given the task of protecting Idril; her weapons of choice were twin knives. She was also given the added charge of guarding Eärendil, to whom she bestowed one of her knives, beseeching the child to find his father before defending him to the end.

Lothriel: handmaiden of Idril, member of the House of the Golden Flower. Fair-haired, her weapon of choice was the sword; she was the first of the handmaidens to fall as she defended the door to the House of the Wing.

Nimriel: handmaiden of Idril, member of the House of the King. Commanded by Turgon to guard his daughter, she did so alongside Lothriel at the cost of her life; like Lothriel, who was her cousin, she too chose the sword as her weapon.

Arien: handmaiden of Idril, member of the House of the Heavenly Arch. Like her brothers-in-arms, Arien preferred the bow and a quiver of arrows as a weapon. She defended Idril’s chamber door from great distances until her quiver was spent and the enemy became too many.

Celebelen: handmaiden of Idril, member of the House of the Hammer of Wrath. A spear was her weapon and it was she who made sure Eärendil was safely away once Aduial had released her charge. She, like Aduial, was killed by Maeglin as he attempted to take Idril and Eärendil.

The Story

Prologue
I. The Building of Gondolin
II. The Leaving of Aredhel
III. The Coming of Maeglin
IV. Of Mortal Men: Huor and Húrin
V. Nirnaeth Arnoediad: The Battle of Unnumbered Tears
VI. Heralding a Messenger
VII. Vinyamar
VIII. Court of the King
IX. House of the Wing
X. Second Union
XI. Beginnings of a Great Star
XII. Delving in Secret
XIII. The Betrayal
XIV. Gates of Summer
XV. Attack on Tarnin Austa
XVI. Arming of the Twelve Houses
XVII. Strategy
XVIII. Darkness at the Door
XIX. Maidens' Stand
XX. The Wing Marches
XXI. Maeglin’s End
XXII. The Hammer of Wrath
XXIII. Coming of the Fountain
XXIV. At the Square of the Folk
XXV. Ecthelion the Fair
XXVI. Turgon’s Last Stand
XXVII. Hidden Escape
XXVIII. Eärendil’s Rescue
XXIX. Fall of the Golden Lord
XXX. The Mouths of Sirion
XXXI. Sailing for Valinor
XXXII. Eärendil the Mariner