House of the Fountain

Their lord was Ecthelion of the Fountain, and they lived in the southern part of the city, near the Fountains of the South. They were said to find delight in silver and diamonds, and their swords were long, bright, and pale. They went into battle accompanied by the sweet music of their flutes.

During the Fall of Gondolin, they were held in reserve by King Turgon, who watched the battle from his tower. After the Balrogs made a breach in the wall and other houses had been defeated near the northern gate, the enemy sent messengers to its troops, informing them to hold what they had won. Then a sweet music sounded amid the host of the Gondothlim, as the people of the Fountain came to battle playing their flutes, led by their lord. The music ceased suddenly and the army attacked at the shout of Ecthelion.

Tuor and the house of the Wing joined the fight alongside them, and they harried the attacking Orcs until they almost reached the gate. However, some dragons opened a path from Amon Gwareth and knocked down walls and ward-towers, opening a gap in the walls of that part of the city. Tuor gathered bands of other houses to fight against the oncoming enemies, while on his right Ecthelion rallied his people. Tuor and Ecthelion killed many Balrogs and Orc captains, but the enemy outnumbered them; Ecthelion was injured and they had to retreat.

Tuor carried Ecthelion to the Square of the Folkwell, where the guard of the Fountain and other houses were scattered, forming a good battalion. They were led by Tuor to the Square of the King, and there they resisted with the remnants of all the other kindreds (except of the Hammer of Wrath, who had been cut down in a charge outside the city). After Ecthelion died defeating the balrog Gothmog at the Fountain of the King, there is no mention of what happened to his house, who either were dispersed or joined the exiles.

Their Gnomish name was Thlim Ecthel, while in Qenya they were simply known as Kapalindar.

1. Esta ficha se ha importado inicialmente de TolkienGateway.net el día 26/05/2026.