Evil Morgoth rules over a vast military power from his fortress of Angband. Ulmo, the Lord of Waters, opposes him. Central to this enmity of the gods is the city of Gondolin, built and peopled by Noldorin Elves who rebelled against their rule and fled to Middle-earth. Into this world comes Tuor, cousin of Túrin. Guided unseen by Ulmo, Tuor sets out from the land of his birth on the fearful journey to Gondolin. The story -- only ninety-five pages long-- is accompanied by variant forms as well as essays and commentaries on Tolkien's work and on the source material. The final work of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth fiction, completing Christopher Tolkien's life-long achievement as the editor and curator of his father's manuscripts.

"In the Tale of The Fall of Gondolin are two of the greatest powers in the world. There is Morgoth of the uttermost evil, unseen in this story but ruling over a vast military power from his fortress of Angband. Deeply opposed to Morgoth is Ulmo, second in might only to Manwë, chief of the Valar: he is called the Lord of Waters, of all seas, lakes, and rivers under the sky. But he works in secret in Middle-earth to support the Noldor, the kindred of the Elves among whom were numbered Húrin and Túrin Turambar. Central to this enmity of the gods is the city of Gondolin, beautiful but undiscoverable. It was built and peopled by Noldorin Elves who, when they dwelt in Valinor, the land of the gods, rebelled against their rule and fled to Middle-earth. Turgon King of Gondolin is hated and feared above all his enemies by Morgoth, who seeks in vain to discover the marvellously hidden city, while the gods in Valinor in heated debate largely refuse to intervene in support of Ulmo's desires and de