7. Elemmakil
Presumed Meaning: 'El' - star, 'makil' - sword
Title: Captain of the Guard
Race/Species: Elf
Type: Noldo
Dates: First Age
Locations: Gondolin
Elemmakil was the captain of the guard who watched the hidden way into Gondolin when Tuor and Voronwë arrived.
He is a friend of Voronwë as evidenced by:
"Know you not whom you see? I am Voronwë son of Aranwë of the house of Fingolfin. Or am I forgotten in my own land after a few years? Far beyond the thought of Middle-earth I have wandered, yet I remember your voice, Elemmakil."
He is distressed by the choice Voronwë has forced on him:
"This is strange in you Voronwë," he said. "We were long friends. Why then would you set me thus cruelly between the law and my friendship?"
The following suggests that he is sympathetic towards others, including Edain:
"If our law were less stern, long ago guile and hatred would have entered and destroyed us. That you should know well," said Elemmakil. "But we are not pitiless. Here there is no food, and the stranger may not go back through a gate that he has passed. Endure then a little, and at the Second Gate you shall be eased."
"It is well,' said Tuor, and he went forward as he was bidden. After a little he turned and saw that Elemmakil alone followed with Voronwë.
"There is no need more of guards," said Elemmakil, reading his thought. "From the Orfalch there is no escape for Elf or Man, and no returning."
No word was spoken, but Elemmakil led his charges to a chamber beneath the northern tower; and there food and wine was brought to them, and they were permitted to rest a while.
"Scant may the fare seem," said Elemmakil to Tuor. "But if your claim be proved, hereafter it shall richly be amended."
Finally, this helps clarify Elemmakil's relative place in the heirarchy of Gondolin:
When Tuor speaks of his message from Ulmo, Elemmakil "looked in wonder upon Tuor."
"In matters so great judgement is not mine," said Elemmakil. "Therefore I will lead you to the light where more may be revealed, and I will deliver you to the Warden of the Great Gate."
And high and noble as was Elemmakil, greater and more lordly was Ecthelion, Lord of the Fountain, at that time Warden of the Great Gate.
Elemmakil appears only in Of Tuor and His Coming to Gondolin, Unfinished Tales.
This is a work of fan fiction, written because the author has an abiding love for the works of J R R Tolkien. The characters, settings, places, and languages used in this work are the property of the Tolkien Estate, Tolkien Enterprises, and possibly New Line Cinema, except for certain original characters who belong to the author of the said work. The author will not receive any money or other remuneration for presenting the work on this archive site. The work is the intellectual property of the author, is available solely for the enjoyment of Henneth Annûn Story Archive readers, and may not be copied or redistributed by any means without the explicit written consent of the author.
