ケツァルコアトルについて 『Fate/Grand Order -絶対魔獣戦線バビロニア-』より転載
ケツァルコアトルは、12世紀頃に南下してきたチチメカ人が、14世紀の中頃にメキシコ中央部に建設した国──ヨーロッパ人がアステカ帝国と呼んだ都市国家で崇拝された、主要な神の一柱である。アステカ以前にこの地域にあったトルテカ帝国の神がその原型で、ナワトル語で「ケツァル（羽毛の生えた）」「コアトル（蛇）」を意味する。
全身もしくは頭部に羽毛を生やした蛇の姿で描かれる「羽毛の生えた蛇」は、オルメカ文明の時代にまで遡るメソアメリカの古い神霊で、紀元200年頃には都市国家テオティワカンに羽毛ある蛇の神殿が築かれ、落成時には200人の生贄が捧げられたという。
ややこしいことに、「ケツァルコアトル」という言葉は、トルテカ時代には王や祭司、軍人の称号としても使われた。そして、実在のケツァルコアトルたち──とりわけ10世紀トルテカの伝説的な祭司王トピルツィン・ケツァルコアトルの事績もアステカの神話に取り込まれて、この神の多彩なエピソードを形作っている。そのため、時に超常の神として描かれることもあれば、人間の王や魔術師のように描かれることもある。
また、この神の崇拝はトルテカ時代の内に他の地域にも広まっていて、メキシコ南東部やユカタン半島のマヤ人にはククルカン、グァテマラ高地のキチェ族にはグクマッツと呼ばれた。キチェ族の歴史書『ポポル・ヴフ』ではグクマッツとは別にトヒールという神がケツァルコアトルと同一視され、トヒールが自身のキチェ族に火を与えたという事績が、ケツァルコアトルが人間に火を与えた逸話として紹介されることがある。
さて、アステカのケツァルコアトル神は、水と豊穣の神であると同時に、風の神エエカトルの別側面でもある。『クアウティトラン年代記』などによれば、彼の顔は怪物の如く醜く、臣下の前に出ることを嫌がった。そこで、テスカトリポカらの計略で羽根細工師のコヨトリナワルが送り込まれ、彼を美しく装って人前に出させたとされる。
『絵によるメキシコ人の歴史』『太陽の伝説』などに描かれるアステカの創世神話によれば、十三層ある天上界の最上層で、両性具有の創造神オメテオトルが四柱の子供──順に赤いテスカトリポカ（狩りと戦いの神ミシュコアトルの別名）、黒いテスカトリポカ、ケツァルコアトル、ウィツィロポチトリを設けた。この兄弟神が世界や人間、暦などを創るのだが、黒いテスカトリポカの統治する最初の「土の太陽」の時代はケツァルコアトルの棒の一突きを受けてジャガーに姿を変えた統治者自身によって滅亡、ケツァルコアトルが統治する「風の太陽」の時代はテスカトリポカのせいで滅亡、雨の神トラロックが統治する「雨の太陽」の時代はケツァルコアトルが降らせた火の雨によって滅亡、トラロックの妻であるチャルチウトリクェが統治する「水の太陽」の時代は大洪水で滅亡する。こうして四つの世界が破壊された後、テスカトリポカら四柱に、さらに加わった別の四柱が力を合わせて新世界を創造。そして、ケツァルコアトルは髑髏頭の冥界神ミクトランテクトリの支配する地下世界ミクトランから、地上に改めて住まわせるべく前時代の人間の骨を持ち帰る。現在の人間の世界は、この五番目の世界なのである。
時に対立し、時に協力するケツァルコアトルとテスカトリポカだが、決定的な決裂が『フィレンツェ絵文書』『クアウティトラン年代記』などに描かれる。都市トゥーラの祭司王となり、鳥と蝶のみを生贄に捧げていたケツァルコアトルは、かねて人間の生贄を主張する魔術師テスカトリポカの一派と対立していた。ある時、ケツァルコアトルが病で倒れると、テスカトリポカは小柄な老人に変身して寝所に潜入し、薬と偽ってご禁制のプルケ（リュウゼツランの樹液を発酵させた酒）を病人に与えた。酔ったケツァルコアトルは姉のケツァルペトラトルにも酒を勧め、泥酔の果てに近親相姦の罪を犯してしまう。正気に戻り、己の行いを恥じたケツァルコアトルは、王位を降りると一部の忠実な人々を引き連れてトゥーラから去るのだった。流亡の神のその後については、いくつかの物語が知られている。『クアウティトラン年代記』では、焼身自殺を遂げたケツァルコアトルの心臓が金星の神トラウィスカルパンテクトリになり、時に人間を投げ矢（光線？）で人間を傷つけたり、地上に旱魃をもたらしたりするのだという。
パープルハート叙勲
日中だな (ΦωΦ)
ゴンドリンの陥落／The Fall of Gondolin 3
『没案草稿集その２／The Book of Lost Tales 2』
〈中つ国〉執筆史、第二巻／The History of Middle-earth, Book 2 より
[rakuten:book:13356433:detail]
![The Book of Lost Tales 2 (The History of Middle-earth, Book 2)【電子書籍】[ Christopher Tolkien ]](https://thumbnail.image.rakuten.co.jp/@0_mall/rakutenkobo-ebooks/cabinet/4401/2000000634401.jpg?_ex=128x128 "The Book of Lost Tales 2 (The History of Middle-earth, Book 2)【電子書籍】[ Christopher Tolkien ]")
149
Now who shall tell of the wanderings of Tuor and the exiles of Gondolin in the wastes that lie beyond the mountains to the south of the vale of Tumladin? Miseries were theirs and death, colds and hungers, and ceaseless watches. That they won ever through those regions infested by Melko's evil came from the great slaughter and damage done to his power in that assault, and from the speed and wariness with which Tuor led them; for of a certain Melko knew of that escape and was furious thereat. Ulmo had heard tidings in the far oceans of the deeds that were done, but he could not yet aid them for they were far from waters and rivers - and indeed they , thirsted sorely, and they knew not the way.
150
But after a year and more of wandering, in which many a time they journeyed long tangled in the magic of those wastes only to come again upon their own tracks, once more the summer came, and nigh to its height" they came at last upon a stream, and following this came to better lands and were a little comforted. Here did Voronwe guide them, for he had caught a whisper of Ulmo's in that stream one late summer's night - and he got ever much wisdom from the sound of waters. Now he led them even till they came down to Sirion which that stream fed, and then both Tuor and Voronwe saw that they were not far from the outer issue of old of the Way of Escape, and were once more in that deep dale of alders. Here were all the bushes trampled and the trees burnt, and the dale-wall scarred with flame, and they wept, for they thought they knew the fate of those who sundered aforetime from them at the tunnel-mouth.
151
Now they journeyed down that river but were again in fear from Melko, and fought affrays with his Orc-bands and were in peril from the wolfriders, but his firedrakes sought not at them, both for the great exhaustion of their fires in the taking of Gondolin, and the increasing power of Ulmo as the river grew. So came they after many days - for they went slowly and got their sustenance very hardly - to those great heaths and morasses above the Land of Willows, and Voronwe knew not those regions. Now here goes Sirion a very great way under earth, diving at the great cavern of the Tumultuous Winds, but running clear again above the Pools of Twilight, even where Tulkas' after fought with Melko's self. Tuor had fared over these regions by night and dusk after Ulmo came to him amid the reeds, and he remembered not the ways. In places that land is full of deceits and very marshy; and here the host had long delay and was vexed by sore flies, for it was autumn still, and agues and fevers fared amongst them, and they cursed Melko.
152
Yet came they at last to the great pools and the edges of that most tender Land of Willows; and the very breath of the winds thereof brought rest and peace to them, and for the comfort of that place the grief was assuaged of those who mourned the dead in that great fall. There women and maids grew fair again and their sick were healed, and old wounds ceased to pain; yet they alone who of reason feared their folk living still in bitter thraldom in the Hells of Iron sang not, nor did they smile.
153
Here they abode very long indeed, and Earendel was a grown boy ere the voice of Ulmo's conches drew the heart of Tuor, that his sea-longing returned with a thirst the deeper for years of stifling; and all that host arose at his bidding, and got them down Sirion to the Sea.
154
Now the folk that had passed into the Eagles' Cleft and who saw the fall of Glorfindel had been nigh eight hundreds -- a large wayfaring, yet was it a sad remnant of so fair and numerous a city. But they who arose from the grasses of the Land of Willows in years after and fared away to sea, when spring set celandine in the meads and they had held sad festival in memorial of Glorfindel, these numbered but three hundreds and a score of men and man-children, and two hundreds and three score of women and maid-children. Now the number of women was few because of their hiding or being stowed by their kinsfolk in secret places in the city. There they were burned or slain or taken and enthralled, and the rescue-parties found them too seldom; and it is the greatest ruth to think of this, for the maids and women of the Gondothlim were as fair as the sun and as lovely as the moon and brighter than the stars. Glory dwelt in that city of Gondolin of the Seven Names, and its ruin was the most dread of all the sacks of cities upon the face of Earth. Nor Bablon, nor Ninwi, nor the towers of Trui, nor all the many takings of Rum that is greatest among Men, saw such terror as fell that day upon Amon Gwareth in the kindred of the Gnomes; and this is esteemed the worst work that Melko has yet thought of in the world.
155
Yet now those exiles of Gondolin dwelt at the mouth of Sirion by the waves of the Great Sea. There they take the name of Lothlim, the people of the flower, for Gondothlim is a name too sore to their hearts; and fair among the Lothlim Earendel grows in the house of his father, and the great tale of Tuor is come to its waning.
156
Then said Littleheart son of Bronweg: 'Alas for Gondolin.'
157
And no one in all the Room of Logs spake or moved for a great while.
ゴンドリンの陥落／The Fall of Gondolin 2b
『没案草稿集その２／The Book of Lost Tales 2』
〈中つ国〉執筆史、第二巻／The History of Middle-earth, Book 2 より
![The Book of Lost Tales: Part Two BK OF LOST TALES PART 2 （Histories of Middle-Earth） [ J. R. R. Tolkien ]](https://thumbnail.image.rakuten.co.jp/@0_mall/book/cabinet/5223/9780345375223_1_2.jpg?_ex=128x128 "The Book of Lost Tales: Part Two BK OF LOST TALES PART 2 （Histories of Middle-Earth） [ J. R. R. Tolkien ]")
| 高家 | 訳語 | 表記ブレ | 宗主 |
|---|---|---|---|
| House of the White Wing | “白翼”家 | “翼”家 | トゥオル／Tuor |
| House of the Mole | “鼴”家 | ゴンドバル大公メグリン／Meglin, Prince of Gondobar | |
| House of the Swallow | “燕”家 | ドゥイリン公／Lord Duilin | |
| House of the Heavenly Arch | “天弧”家 | “弧”家、“虹”家 | 族長エガルモス／Chieftain Egalmoth |
| House of the Pillar | “柱”家 | ペンロド／Penlod | |
| House of the Tower of Snow | “雪の塔”家 | ペンロド／Penlod | |
| House of the Tree | “木”家 | ガルドル公／Lord Galdor | |
| House of the Golden Flower | “金華”家 | 首長グロルフィンデル／Chief Glorfindel | |
| House of the Fountain | “噴水”家 | “南の噴水”家 | エクセリオン公／Lord Ecthelion |
| House of the Harp | “竪琴”家 | 指導者サルガント／Leader Salgant | |
| House of the Hammer of Wrath | “怒りの鎚”家 | “鎚”家 | 指導者ログ／Leader Rog |
99
今や戦いは正門に迫ろうとしていた。城壁にいた“燕”家のドゥイリンはアモン・グワレスの麓からバルログが放った火の矢に襲われた；彼は胸壁から転落して死んだ。さらにバルログたちは空に向けて小蛇のような火の投げ矢と炎の矢を放ち続け、それらはゴンドリンの屋根と庭園に降り注ぎ、すべての樹木は焦げ、花や芝生は焼かれ、白き壁と列柱は煤けた；それらよりも悪いことは悪鬼の群れが“鉄の蛇”のとぐろをよじ登り、弓や投石器を用いて間断なく火を降らせ、防衛軍の背後の都を焼き始めたことだった。
100
その時ログが大音声で呼ばわった：「今このような時、バルログの恐怖を恐れるべきだろうか？ 我らはかの忌まわしき者どもがノルドリの子らを苦しめてきた姿を見てきた。そして今、やつらの放つ火は我らの背後を焼いている。我ら“怒りの鎚”家に続け、やつらめに悪行の報いを食らわせてやろう！」そこで彼はその鎚矛を掲げた。その柄は長かった；そして彼は崩壊した門に向けて怒りを持って歩きだした：“火花散る金床”の民が楔となって背後を固めた。彼らは憤怒のあまり、激しい眼光を散らしていた。ノルドリは歌った。そして進んだ。オークの大多数はその眼光にひるみ、算を乱した；ログの郎党は大蛇のとぐろに飛び乗ると、一様に鋼の鉤爪と鞭を持った巨躯のバルログに肉迫し、激しく打ち据えた。彼らは敵がいなくなるまで打ち据えた。またその鞭を奪い取り相手に対して振るった。それらはかつてノームを引き裂くために使われたが、今では彼らが引き裂かれていた。そこで死んだバルログの数はメルコ軍にとって驚愕であり恐怖だった。その日まではバルログのいずれもエルフや人間の手によって殺されたことが無かったからだ。
101
そこで大バルログのゴスモグは配下の悪鬼を呼び集めて命じた：“鎚”家の民の前面に少数を送り込み、門に近い竜のとぐろの上に陣取る主力を側面から強襲させたのだ。ログは民を虐殺から救うため退路を確保しようとした。ログは背後を突かれないように奮戦したが、彼の民は徐々に攻囲の前に倒れて行った；そして彼らの戦線は崩壊した。苦難に陥った彼らの絶体絶命の雄叫びがトゥムラデンの空に響いた。“鎚”家の人々は取り囲むメルコ軍に楔を打ち込み混乱を誘ったが、最終的にはオークとバルログ、そして火竜によって圧倒された。ログは殺される瞬間まで鉄と炎に抗い続けた。“怒りの鎚”家の郎党は彼らが倒されるまで七倍の敵の命を奪ったことは今でも歌われている。ログの死と彼の軍勢の敗北はゴンドリンの民により強い恐怖をもたらした。そのため他の者は都に向けて踵を返した。そのためペンロドは外壁に追い詰められ、彼と“柱”家の郎党の多くと“雪の塔”家の郎党の多くが路地で討ち死にした。
102
今やメルコのゴブリンがすべての門と主要な外壁を支配しており、“燕”家と“虹”家の郎党の運命は極まりつつあった；しかし都の中枢である宮殿前庭に隣接する“井戸の広場”を含む広範な地域は奪われていなかった。それでも門の周囲とそこに至る道には数えきれないほどの遺体が積み上げられていたので、彼らは足を止めて現状を確認した。ゴンドリンの民は勇猛ではあったが、彼らは防衛陣が許容範囲を大きく超えて喪失されたことを知った。彼らはログがバルログに対して行った虐殺すら怯えていた。なぜなら、かの悪鬼たちが復讐心に心を燃やしているかもしれないからだ。
103
先鋒の計画は、まずは橋頭堡を築き、そこに“青銅の蛇”と敵を踏みにじるための足を備えた“鉄の蛇”の来援を待ち、最後にバルログを乗せた火竜に破孔をくぐらせるというものだった：火竜の持つ熱は永遠に続くわけではなく、メルコが領土に築いた“火の井戸”からのみ補充されるため、彼らはこれを迅速に達成しなくてはならなかった。
104
彼らの軍の伝令が足早に行き来していると、ゴンドリンの民の中から甘い音楽の演奏が流れてきた。彼らはそれが何を意味するのかを訝しんだ；すると、見よ！ 塔の高みより緒戦の趨勢を見極めていたトゥルゴンの命令一下、温存されていたエクセリオンと“噴水”家の郎党が出陣したのだ。彼らは素晴らしきフルートの演奏に合わせて進軍し、水晶と銀の装いの行軍は火の赤と廃墟の黒の中で極めて美しく見えた。
105
不意に音楽が止み、“妙なる声”のエクセリオンが剣を引き抜くと雄叫びを上げた。その煌めく青白い刃を見たオークたちの脳裏にはその猛攻が浮かんだ。その日エクセリオンの民はエルダリー種族が戦ったすべての戦い以上にゴブリンを殺した。彼の名とエルダルの鬨の声は、後々に至るまで彼らの間に恐怖を呼び起こした。
106
ここでトゥオルと“翼”家の郎党がエクセリオンと“噴水”家の側面に陣を敷き、両家の猛攻は多くの陣を突き崩してオークを門まで押し戻した。その時地面に激震が走った。アモン・グワレスの傾斜路を登り切った竜が都の外壁を打ち崩したのだ；監視塔群は瓦礫と化し、破孔周辺は混乱に包まれた。“燕”家と“天弧”家の勢力は瓦礫の中に陣取ると、東西の敵と戦った；そこにトゥオルがオークを追いこんだところ、厚顔無恥な蛇が巨体を打ち付けて西壁を崩壊させた。そこを火の化け物とバルログが襲った。長虫の顎から噴き出した炎の突風が民を一掃し、トゥオルの兜の翼も煤けた。しかし彼は持ち堪えると、見つけられるだけの郎党と、“弧”家、“燕”家の郎党を結集させた。彼の右翼ではエクセリオンが“南の噴水”家の郎党を集結させていた。
107
オークは竜の到来で気を取り直すと、破孔から侵入したバルログと入り混じって突進してきた。彼らの猛攻はゴンドリンの民に多大な被害を出した。しかしトゥオルはオーク将軍のオスロドの兜を叩き割り、バルクメグを滅多切りにし、ラグの膝から下を斧で斬り飛ばした。エクセリオンは一振りで2体のゴブリン隊長を薙ぎ払うと、族長闘士であるオルコバルを頭から歯まで斬り下げた；2人はあまりにも強かったため、やがてバルログがやってきた。それら“力強き悪鬼”をエクセリオンは3体斃した。彼の剣の輝きは彼らの鉄を断ち、彼らの火を裂き、彼らを悶え苦しませたからだ；しかし彼らが最も恐れたのはトゥオルの握る斧ドラムボルレグの冴えだった。それは空舞う鷲の翼のように歌い、振り落ろされるたびに死を生み出し、5体が斃れた。
108
しかし多勢に無勢であり、エクセリオンの左腕はバルログの鞭で引き裂かれて盾が地面に落ちた。そして市壁の残骸から火竜がやってきた。エクセリオンはトゥオルを頼り、トゥオルは彼を見捨てなかって。彼らを踏みつぶそうとした獣の足が真上に迫り、彼らは圧倒されようとした：その時トゥオルの一撃が化け物の足を斬り裂いた。蛇は咆哮を上げると炎を噴き出し尻尾を打ち叩いた；多数のオークとノルドリがその下敷きとなって死んだ。トゥオルは力を振り絞ってエクセリオンを持ち上げると、竜の惨劇を生き延びた者をかき集めて撤退した；しかし獣がもたらした死は膨大であり、ゴンドリンの民を震撼させた。
109
かくしてペレグの息子トゥオルは、敵を前にして堂々と戦い、道を切り開いて“噴水”家のエクセリオンを救い出したが、竜と敵勢は都の北半分を蹂躙するに至った。そして略奪隊が街路を捜索し、老若男女問わず闇の中で奪い、殺した。そして機会を得られる限り、市民は“鉄の竜”の中に設けられた鉄の檻に拘束され、メルコの奴隷とするため攫われていった。
110
さて、トゥオルが北側から“民の井戸”広場に入ると、ガルドルが西のインウェイ門でゴブリンの大群と奮戦していた。彼に従っているのは少数の“木”家の郎党だけだった。そこでガルドルがトゥオルの救いとなった。彼は暗闇の中でエクセリオン諸共倒れ込んでしまったため、彼の郎党がいなければ棍棒を握ったオークの闘士に討ち取られていたからだ。
111
そこには“翼”家、“木”家、“噴水”家、“燕”家、“弧”家の残兵がいたため、合流させて大隊の体裁を整えた。トゥオルの提案により、彼らは“井戸の広場”より防御に適した次の階層にある“王の広場”に移動した。ここにはとても深く、清らかな水をたたえる井戸があり、その周囲には樫やポプラといった美しい木々がたくさん植わっていた；しかしここ数時間の醜悪なるメルコの民の暴虐により、水は彼らの死体で汚染されていた。
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このようにして、トゥルゴン宮殿の広場に、最後の偉丈夫たちによる守備隊が集結した。彼らの中には負傷者や人事不省な者も多く、未だ気絶したままのエクセリオンを夜を徹して運び続けたトゥオルは疲労困憊していた。彼が大隊を率いて北西のアーチ道から広場に入ったところ（彼らは背後の隠れた敵を阻止するため遅れていた）、広場の東側から歓声が上がった！ グロルフィンデルが“金華”家の最後の郎党と共に撤退してきたのだ。
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さきほどまで都の東にある大市場では恐ろしいまでの衝突が生じていた。彼らが門の戦いに加勢しようと迂回路を進んでいたところ、バルログに率いられたオークの軍勢と鉢合わせしたのだ。彼らは敵の左側面に不意打ちした形であったが、実のところ互いに奇襲し合ったようなものだった；彼らは何時間も激しい戦いを繰り広げたが、破孔から現れた火竜がすべてを圧倒した。そこでグロルフィンデルは進撃を断念し、ほとんどの郎党を引き連れて撤退した；しかし多様な工芸品の飾られていた大市場は灰燼と帰した。
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伝えられるところによると、トゥルゴンはグロルフィンデルからの火急の救援要請に対して“竪琴”家の郎党を支援に向かわせる命令を出したが、サルガントがそれに反した。彼は郎党に南の小市場への駐屯を命じ、彼らはそこで手をこまねいていた。しかしながら、彼らはサルガントの足止めを無視して王の広間に参集した；それは非常に時宜を得たものだった。なぜなら敵の勝利の圧力がグロルフィンデルの足元にまで迫っていたからだ。“竪琴”家の郎党は主君の臆病を償って自発的に推参し、敵を市場に追い返し、主君の無きままに憤怒の果てに下命を遂行したのだった。蛇の息吹を前にして、彼らの多くが炎に閉じ込められたが、彼らは満足して斃れた。
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トゥオルは大噴水の水を飲んで活力を取り戻した。そしてエクセリオンの兜を緩めて彼にも飲ませ、彼の顔に水をはねかけると彼は目を覚ました。トゥオルとグロルフィンデルの両公は広場を掃討し、すべての郎党を内部に配置し、南側を除いた出入口を障壁で封じた。その時エガルモスがやって来た。彼は外壁の防衛を担当していた；しかし胸壁からの射撃よりも街路での白兵戦が求められていると判断してからは、彼は“弧”家と“燕”家を召集すると弓をうち捨てた。それから彼らは市街を捜索し、敵集団に遭遇する毎に痛撃を与えた。彼は多くの捕虜を救い出し、残兵や敗兵を吸収しつつ、激しい戦いを潜り抜けて“王の広場”に撤退してきたのだ；彼は非常に歓迎された。皆、彼がすでに死んだいると恐れていたからだ。エガルモスが救出した女性や子供たちは“王の広間”に集められた。そして家格に応じた最後の準備が行われた。生存者には“怒りの鎚”を除いた様々な高家の者が少数ずつ含まれていた；ただ王家に配された者だけは無傷のままだったが、これは恥ずべきことではなかった。なぜなら彼らの役目は最後までここに踏み止まり、王を守ることにあるからだ。
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やがてメルコに従う者たちは軍勢を再編すると、7体の火竜にバルログを乗せてオークを伴わせ、“王の広場”目指して、北、東、西から大路を進ませた。やがて各防壁が修羅場と化した。エガルモスとトゥオルは持ち場に向かったが、エクセリオンは噴水の傍らに横たわっていた；この防衛戦は今に伝わるすべての詩歌と物語で最も激しいものとして伝えられている。そしてついに竜が北部の防壁を破った。かつては逍遥と観賞に適した“薔薇の小道”があったそこは煤けた轟音の巷と化した。
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トゥオルは獣の進路を阻もうとしたがエガルモスと引き離され、噴水のある広場の中央付近まで押し戻された。そこで彼は噎せ返るような熱気と衝撃に倒された。そこには大いなる悪鬼、メルコの息子、大バルログのゴスモグがいた。しかし、その時である！ エクセリオンが立ち上がった。その顔は灰色の鋼のように蒼白で、盾持つ腕は力なく垂れ下がり、満身創痍の有様だったが、彼を守るべく立ち塞がったのだ；ノームは悪鬼に向かった。何者も彼を斃すことはできなかった。とは言え彼の剣持つ腕は傷ついており武器が落ちた。ゴスモグが鞭を振りかざすと、最優のノルドリたる“噴水公”エクセリオンは跳び掛かった。彼は兜の大釘を悪しき怪物の胸に突き立て、両足で相手の大腿に組みついた；バルログは絶叫して前のめりに倒れた；両者は“王の噴水”の溜池の深みに沈んでいった。そこで化け物は己の滅びを悟った；エクセリオンも共に鋼の重石の如く沈んだ。こうして“噴水公”は、冷たい水底での激闘の後、死んだ。
ファイブスター物語 第一巻より
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トゥオルはエクセリオンの猛攻により生じた隙を使って立ち上がった。偉業を目の当たりにした彼は、“噴水”家の輝かしいノームへの愛ゆえに泣いたが、宮殿周りの戦いの渦中にいた彼は道を切り開いて駆け寄ることができなかった。軍団司令であるゴスモグの破滅に怯えた敵は混乱の最中にあったため、時宜を得た王は王家の軍勢と共に出陣して楔を打ち込むと再び広場を掌握した。彼らはバルログを40体近く滅ぼす大戦果を挙げた；彼らの偉業はそれだけではなかった。彼らは炎をまき散らす火竜を取り囲むと、噴水に押し込んで殺したのだ。そのため清らかな水は尽き果てた；溜池は蒸気と化して干上がり、天に向けて水柱が立つことは無くなった。そして空に向かって巨大な蒸気の柱が立つと、そこから生じた雲が全土を覆った。
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その後、広場は非常に熱い靄と視界を奪う霧で満たされ、噴水の辿った悲運がもたらす恐怖が皆の心に影を落とした。高家の人々の多くは熱と敵と大蛇と諸々によって戦死していた；しかしながら王は壮健だった。そこでグリンゴルとバンシル *1 の下で会合が開かれた。
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その時、王が口にした：「斯くて、偉大なるゴンドリン、陥落せり。」人々は戦慄した。それはかつての偉大なる予言者アムノンの言葉だったからである。しかしトゥオルが王への慈悲と愛から泣きながら声を荒げて叫んだ。「ゴンドリンはまだ持ち堪えています。そしてウルモはその死を許さぬでしょう！」 彼らはその時、トゥオルは木のそばに、王は階段の上に立っていた。かつて彼らが語らったときトゥオルは“ウルモの託宣場”にいた。トゥルゴンは応えて言った。「悪はウルモが平原に咲かせた花を踏みしだき、火は彼の力を消し去った。見よ！ 我がすべてを捧げた最愛の都にも、我が魂にも希望は残されていない。しかしノルドリの子は永遠に不滅だ」
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そこでゴンドリンの民は武器を打ち鳴らした。多くの者がすぐそばにいたからである。しかしトゥルゴンは言った：「子らよ、宿命と戦うことはできぬ！ 安全に落ち延びる道を探すのだ。もはや時間は少ない：トゥオルがそなたたちを導くだろう」 しかしトゥオルは言い募った：「王はあなた様です」；トゥルゴンは答えた：「私はこれ以上戦わぬ」 彼は王冠を外すとグリンゴルの根元に放り出した。そばにいたガルドルが駆け寄って拾い上げたが、トゥルゴンはそれを受け取らず、無冠のままに宮殿に戻ると近くにある白の塔の頂点に登った。彼は山々に響き渡る角笛のような大声で叫んだ。それは木の周囲に集った者たちだけでなく、広場の霧を包囲する敵にも聞こえた：「ノルドリに偉大なる勝利を！」 これは夜中の出来事だった。オークたちから嘲笑が聞こえた。
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人々は今後の方針について話し合ったが、主に2つの意見に分かれた。多くの者は攻囲を突破することは不可能であり、ましてや平原や丘陵地帯を通り抜けるのも至難の業であるとして、王と共に討ち死にすることが良案であると考えた。しかしトゥオルは、かほどに多くの見目麗しき女性と子供たちが、最後の手段として同族の手にかかるのか、それとも敵の武器にかかるのかはともかくとして、死を迎えるのは良いことではないと考えた。そこで彼は彼が探窟した秘密の通路について打ち明けた。そして彼はトゥルゴンの下に赴くと、意志を曲げて彼らと合流し、遺民を率いて通路を通り抜け、南壁を目指して欲しいと懇願した；しかし彼自身はイドリルとエーレンデルがどうしているのか知りたいという焦燥を感じていた。ゴンドリンが略奪される前に伝令を飛ばし、速やかに退去するよう伝えたかった。諸侯はトゥオルの計画を無鉄砲なものと感じていた - 狭い通路を大集団が通過しなくてはならないからだ - しかしながら、彼らは快く困難に立ち向かうことにした。しかしトゥルゴンは耳を傾けなかった。彼は手遅れになる前に出発するよう命じた。「トゥオルに従うのだ」彼は言った。「そなたが導き、そなたが率いるのだ。しかし私は、トゥルゴンは、愛する都に残り、共に焼かれよう」再び使者が塔に向かい、伝えた：「陛下、あなた様が倒れられたら、ゴンドリンの民はどうすればよいのでしょう？ 我らを導いてください！」しかし彼は言った：「ならぬ！ 私はここに残る」；三度目において彼は彼は言った：「もし私を王と認めるのであれば、議論をするのではなく、我が命に従うがよい」以降、彼らは使者を送り出すことはせず、絶望的な計画に向けて準備を始めた。しかし王家に属する民はあくまでも動かなかった。そして王の塔の周囲を厳重に固めた。「ここに残りましょう」彼らは言った。「トゥルゴン様が動かれぬのであれば、我らもここに留まります」；彼らを翻意させるのは無理な話だった。
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今トゥオルは王に対する敬愛とイドリルや我が子への愛情の間に引き裂かれ、心臓が破裂しそうだった；だが“蛇”どもは広場を蹂躙するため死者や死に行く者を踏み躙って蠢動しており、敵は霧の中で最後の総攻撃に備えて集結しつつあった；決断しなくてはならなかった。大宮殿の広間に響く女性陣の泣き声を聞くうちに、彼の心中にはゴンドリンの民に対する慈悲と哀惜の心が強まった。彼は負傷兵、淑女、母子らを集めると、それらを中心に彼の郎党たちを周囲に配した。彼自身は殿の側面に就いた。彼は南方への撤退戦で可能な限り後衛と共に戦うつもりだった；彼はできる事なら、敵が大軍を追撃に送り出す前に、“壮麗街”を“諸神との場所”に向かおうとした。彼は“水道道”を通って“南の噴水”を抜け、外壁沿いにある自宅に向かうつもりだった；しかし秘密の通路を通過できるかは未知数だった。彼の行動を見張っていた敵は直ちに彼のいた左翼と後方を襲撃した - 東側と北側が撤退を開始した；彼の右翼は“王の広間”に守られていたため、先頭は無事に“壮麗街”に入ることができた。
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その時、巨大な竜たちの凝視が霧の中から接近してきた。彼が一行に走るように指示すると同時に突発的な戦いが始まった；グロルフィンデルが男らしく殿を受け持ったが、“金華”家の郎党が多く斃れた。そうして彼らは“壮麗街”を抜けるとガル・アイニオン、“諸神との場所”にたどり着いた；ここは都の中央部でも標高の高い土地で、非常に開けた場所だった。ここでトゥオルは邪悪に抵抗する者がいないかと見やったが、それはあまりに少なく、彼の希望は潰えかけた；しかしよく見ると、敵は目に見えて浮足立っており、あまりにも奇妙な光景に見えた。トゥオルが“婚礼の場所”に到着すると、見よ！ 目の前にイドリルがいるではないか。彼女の髪は未婚の時のように風になびいていた；彼は驚嘆した。彼女のそばにはヴォロンウェイだけが控えていた。しかしイドリルはトゥオルを見ていなかった。彼女の視線はやや下方に位置する、彼方の王宮に釘付けされていた。やがて皆は足を止めて背後を振り返り、彼女が見つめるものを見て心臓が止まる思いをした；彼らはなぜ敵の関心が薄かったのか、なぜ助かったのかの理由を見た。見よ！ 1匹の竜が宮殿の外階段に巻き付いて白き壁を汚していた；オークの大群が略奪に勤しみ、忘れられていた婦女子を引きずり出し、また戦い続ける男たちを殺していた。グリンゴルは根から倒され、バンシルは黒く汚され、王の塔は包囲されていた。その頂上に王の姿が見えたが、基部は“鉄の蛇”が吐き出す炎に囲まれ、尾が激しく打ち付けられていた。周囲はバルログが包囲していた；そして王家に連なる者たちはとてつもない苦境に立たされており、その苦痛の悲鳴が見守る者たちのところまで響いた。トゥルゴンの広間の略奪と王家の最後の抵抗が敵の気を惹いていたのだ。そのおかげでトゥオルと一行は、いま“諸神との場所”で涙を流すことができたのだった。
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やがてイドリルが口を開いた：「お父様が今まさに塔の頂で滅びを待っている事が私には悲しい；でも、我が君がメルコの前に屈し、二度と我が家に戻らないことがその7倍も悲しいのです！」 - 彼女はその夜に立て続けに起きた心痛のため取り乱しているようだった。
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そこでトゥオルが声を掛けた：「おお！ イドリルよ、私はここだ。私は生きているぞ；今から戻って、そなたの父上をメルコの地獄から連れ出そう！」彼は悲嘆に暮れる妻の姿を目にすると激情し、ひとりで丘を駆け下ろうとした；しかし彼女は嘆きの嵐の中から理性を取り戻し、彼の膝にすがって言った：「我が君！ 我が君！」彼の足が止まった。ようやく彼らは話をすることができたが、大音響と悲鳴が苦痛の場から響いてきた。見ると、ついに竜が基部とそこにいたすべてを押しつぶしたため、炎の中で塔が砕け散って火の海の中に崩れ落ちたのだ。恐るべき崩落音が鳴り響き、ゴンドリンの民の王トゥルゴンは往った。この瞬間、メルコの勝利が確定した。
127
イドリルが重々しく言った：「哀しむべきは、叡智の目が曇った事ですね」；そしてトゥオルが応えた：「哀しむべきは、我等の愛する者の頑迷さだ - 勇猛も欠点となるのだ」。彼は身をかがめると彼女を持ち上げて口付けした。彼にとってはすべてのゴンドリンの民よりも彼女が大切だった；しかし彼女は父を想って泣いた。やがてトゥオルは指揮官たちに向き直ると言った：「そうだ、我らは急がねばならぬ。包囲が閉じぬうちにな」；そして彼らは、トゥルゴンの塔の崩落に歓喜したオークが宮殿の略奪に飽きる前に、可能な限りの速さで進んだ。
128
今や彼らは都の南部に到達した。幾度か略奪者の一隊に遭遇したが、それらはたちまちに逃げ散った；しかし彼らが目にしたのは火と、無慈悲な敵が焼き払った一切合切だった。彼らは赤子を抱える女性や積み上げた家財を伴う者と合流したが、トゥオルはわずかな食糧以外を携えることを禁じた。やがて静寂が訪れると、トゥオルはイドリルが茫然自失の体であったため、ヴォロンウェイに事情を尋ねた；ヴォロンウェイは、彼女は高まる戦いの轟きに心削られながら自宅の扉の前で待ち続けたと告げた；そしてイドリルはトゥオルからの応えが来ないことを悲しんだ。やがて彼女は引き裂かれるような深い悲嘆を感じながら、エーレンデルに強い言葉で命じると、護衛の大半を就けさせて秘密の通路を下らせた。彼女自身は留まると宣言した。彼女は夫君を失った後の人生を望まなかったからだ；そして彼女は集まって来た女性と漂泊者たちをまとめると、急ぎ坑道に送り出し、彼女自身は小戦隊を率いて略奪者たちを討つため出陣した；誰も彼女の帯剣を止めることができる者はいなかった。
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ほどなく小戦隊は手に余る敵軍とぶつかることになり、ヴォロンウェイは諸神の幸運に導かれ彼女を引き離すことに成功したが、小戦隊は全滅し、トゥオルの家は焼かれた；それでも秘密の坑道は見つからなかった。「そのためか」ヴォロンウェイが言った。「奥方は疲労と悲嘆で取り乱すと、恐れていたとおり一目散に都に向かって飛び出されたのです。私にできる事は彼女が炎に飛び込む前に捕まえる事だけでした」。
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そうこう話をしているうちに、彼らは南外壁沿いのトゥオルの家の傍らに到着した。すると見よ！ そこは既に燻ぶる廃墟となっていた；それを見たトゥオルは激怒した。しかし彼方からオークたちの騒音が近寄ってきたので、トゥオルは一行を率いて急いで瓦礫を片付け、秘密の坑道を下る準備を始めた。
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今、ゴンドリンに別れを告げる亡命者たちは階段の入口を悲しみと共に潜った；彼らは丘陵地帯を乗り越えて生き延びることができる希望を持っていなかった。どのようにしたらメルコの手をすり抜けることができるのだろうか？
132
トゥオルは全員が入口を潜れたことを喜び、恐れが和らいだ；実際のところオークの監視を退けてすべての民が通過できたのはヴァラルの授けた幸運のおかげだった。ここで数人が残り、武器を脇に置いてつるはしを掴むと、追いすがる敵を妨害すべく坑道の入口を塞ぐため働いた；やがて人々が渓谷に向かう階段を下るにつれ、都を徘徊する火竜による熱が苦痛になってきた；この付近の探窟深度はさほど深くに達しておらず、やつらとの距離はさほど隔たっていなかったのだ。大地が揺らぎ、巨礫が崩れ落ち、大勢を薙ぎ倒した。坑道にガスが流れてきたため、松明や提灯は消された。ここで彼らは先行していた人々の遺体に足を取られ、トゥオルはこにエーレンデルが含まれていないかと恐れた；それでも彼らは闇と苦痛の中を進んだ。彼らはほぼ2時間、終わりの見えない、壁も脇も掘り崩したままの坑道を出口に向かった。
133
そうして彼らは大きく数を減らしつつも、ついに坑道の出口にたどり着いた。そこはかつて水を湛えた大きな溜池に偽装していたが、現在は密生した茂みと化していた。そこには決して少なくない諸家の民が集まっていた。彼らはイドリルとヴォロンウェイが事前に隠し通路に送り出した者たちで、疲労と悲嘆から静かに涙を流していた。そしてここにもエーレンデルの姿はなかった。そのためトゥオルとイドリルの心は苦悶に満たされた。そこに集う他の者たちも悲嘆に包まれていた。一行のいる平原のただ中からは、彼方に故郷たる煌めく都がある、炎に縁どられたアモン・グワレスの丘がうっすらと見えたからである。火竜が徘徊し、“鉄”の怪物が門を出入りし、バルログやオークが略奪に勤しんでいた。それでもこれは指導者たちにとって幾ばくかの慰めとなった。平原にメルコの民がほとんどいないと予想できたからだ。悪しき者たちはいま都の破壊行為に熱中している。
134
「今のうちだ」ガルドルが言った。「我々は夜明け前に環状山脈にたどり着かねばならないが、時間的余裕がない。夏が近いからな」。しかし異論が唱えられた。少なくない民がトゥオルの主張どおりにクリスソルンに向かうのは愚かだと主張したのだ。「太陽は」彼らは言う。「我々が丘陵地帯に到達する前に昇るだろう。それでは平原のただなかで竜や悪鬼に圧倒されてしまう。それよりはバド・ウスウェン、脱出路に向かおう。そこなら行程は半分だし、我々のように疲れ、我々のように傷ついていても、これ以上はないほど成し遂げる望みがある」
135
Yet Idril spake against this, and persuaded the lords that they trust not to the magic of that way that had aforetime shielded it from discovery: "for what magic stands if Gondolin be fallen?" Nonetheless a large body of men and women sundered from Tuor and fared to Bad Uthwen, and there into the jaws of a monster who by the guile of Melko at Meglin's rede sat at the outer issue that none came through. But the others, led by one Legolas Greenleaf of the house of the Tree, who knew all that plain by day or by dark, and was night-sighted, made much speed over the vale for all their weariness, and halted only after a great march. Then was all the Earth spread with the grey light of that sad dawn which looked no more on the beauty of Gondolin; but the plain was full of mists - and that was a marvel, for no mist or fog came there ever before, and this perchance had to do with the doom of the fountain of the king. Again they rose, and covered by the vapours fared long past dawn in safety, till they were already too far away for any to descry them in those misty airs from the hill or from the ruined walls.
136
Now the Mountains or rather their lowest hills were on that side seven leagues save a mile from Gondolin, and Cristhorn the Cleft of Eagles two leagues of upward going from the beginning of the Mountains, for it was at a great height; wherefore they had yet two leagues and part of a third to traverse amid the spurs and foothills, and they were very weary.~ By now the sun hung well above a saddle in the eastern hills, and she was very red and great; and the mists nigh them were lifted, but the ruins of Gondolin were utterly hidden as in a cloud. Behold then at the clearing of the airs they saw, but a few furlongs off, a knot of men that fled on foot, and these were pursued by a strange cavalry, for on great wolves rode Orcs, as they thought, brandishing spears. Then said Tuor: "Lo! there is Earendel my son; behold, his face shineth as a star in the waste,~ and my men of the Wing are about him, and they are in sore straits." Forthwith he chose fifty of the men that were least weary, and leaving the main company to follow he fared over the plain with that troop as swiftly as they had strength left. Coming now to carry of voice Tuor shouted to the men about Earendel to stand and flee not, for the wolfriders were scattering them and slaying them piecemeal, and the child was upon the shoulders of one Hendor, a house-carle of Idril's, and he seemed like to be left with his burden. Then they stood back to back and Hendor and Earendel amidmost; but Tuor soon came up, though all his troop were breathless.
137
Of the wolfriders there were a score, and of the men that were about Earendel but six living; therefore had Tuor opened his men into a crescent of but one rank, and hoped so to envelop the riders, lest any escaping bring tidings to the main foe and draw ruin upon the exiles. In this he succeeded, so that only two escaped, and therewithal wounded and without their beasts, wherefore were their tidings brought too late to the city.
138
Glad was Earendel to greet Tuor, and Tuor most fain of his child; but said Earendel: "I am thirsty, father, for I have run far - nor had Hendor need to bear me." Thereto his father said nought, having no water, and thinking of the need of all that company that he guided; but Earendel said again: "'Twas good to see Meglin die so, for he would set arms about my mother -- and I liked him not; but I would travel in no tunnels for all Melko's wolfriders." Then Tuor smiled and set him upon his shoulders. Soon after this the main company came up, and Tuor gave Earendel to his mother who was in a great joy; but Earendel would not be borne in her arms, for he said: "Mother Idril, thou art weary, and warriors in mail ride not among the Gondothlim, save it be old Salgant!" and his mother laughed amid her sorrow; but Earendel said: "Nay, where is Salgant?" - for Salgant had told him quaint tales or played drolleries with him at times, and Earendel had much laughter of the old Gnome in those days when he came many a day to the house of Tuor, loving the good wine and fair repast he there received. But none could say where Salgant was, nor can they now. Mayhap he was whelmed by fire upon his bed; yet some have it that he was taken captive to the halls of Melko and made his buffoon - and this is an ill fate for a noble of the good race of the Gnomes. Then was Earendel sad at that, and walked beside his mother in silence.
139
Now came they to the foothills and it was full morning but still grey, and there nigh to the beginning of the upward road folk stretched them and rested in a little dale fringed with trees and with hazel-bushes, and many slept despite their peril, for they were utterly spent. Yet Tuor set a strict watch, and himself slept not. Here they made one meal of scanty food and broken meats; and Earendel quenched his thirst and played beside a little brook. Then said he to his mother: "Mother Idril, I would we had good Ecthelion of the Fountain here to play to me on his flute, or make me willow-whistles! Perchance he has gone on ahead?" But Idril said nay, and told what she had heard of his end. Then said Earendel that he cared not ever to see the streets of Gondolin again, and he wept bitterly; but Tuor said that he would not again see those streets, "for Gondolin is no more".
140
Thereafter nigh to the hour of sundown behind the hills Tuor bade the company arise, and they pressed on by rugged paths. Soon now the grass faded and gave way to mossy stones, and trees fell away, and even the pines and firs grew sparse. About the set of the sun the way so wound behind a shoulder of the hilIs that they might not again look toward Gondolin. There all that company turned, and lo! the plain is clear and smiling in the last light as of old; but afar off as they gazed a great flare shot up against the darkened north - and that was the fall of the last tower of Gondolin, even that which had stood hard by the southern gate, and whose shadow fell oft across the walls of Tuor's house. Then sank the sun, and they saw Gondolin no more.
141
Now the pass of Cristhorn, that is the Eagles' Cleft, is one of dangerous going, and that host had not ventured it by dark, lanternless and without torches, and very weary and cumbered with women and children and sick and stricken men, had it not been for their great fear of Melko's scouts, for it was a great company and might not fare very secretly. Darkness gathered rapidly as they approached that high place, and they must string out into a long and straggling line. Galdor and a band of men spear-armed went ahead, and Legolas was with them, whose eyes were like cats' for the dark, yet could they see further. Thereafter followed the least weary of the women supporting the sick and the wounded that could go on foot. Idril was with these, and Earendel who bore up well, but Tuor was in the midmost behind them with all his men of the Wing, and they bare some who were grievously hurt, and Egalmoth was with him, but he had got a hurt in that sally from the square. Behind again came many women with babes, and girls, and lamed men, yet was the going slow enough for them. At the rearmost went the largest band of men battle-whole, and there was Glorfindel of the golden hair.
142
Thus were they come to Cristhorn, which is an ill place by reason of its height, for this is so great that spring nor summer come ever there, and it is very cold. Indeed while the valley dances in the sun, there all the year snow dwells in those bleak places, and even as they came there the wind howled, coming from the north behind them, and it bit sorely. Snow fell and whirled in wind-eddies and got into their eyes, and this was not good, for there the path is narrow, and of the right or westerly hand a sheer wall rises nigh seven chains from the way, ere it bursts atop into jagged pinnacles where are many eyries. There dwells Thorndor King of Eagles, Lord of the Thornhoth, whom the Eldar named Sorontur. But of the other hand is a fall not right sheer yet dreadly steep, and it has long teeth of rock up-pointing so that one may climb down - or fall maybe - but by no means up. And from that deep is no escape at either end any more than by the sides, and Thorn Sir runs at bottom. He falls therein from the south over a great precipice but with a slender water, for he is a thin stream in those heights, and he issues to the north after flowing but a rocky-mile above ground down a narrow passage that goes into the mountain, and scarce a fish could squeeze through with him.
143
ガルドルと郎党はソルン・シル（Thorn Sir、“鷲の流れ”の意）が奈落に流れ落ちる場所に到達したが、トゥオルの努力にも関わらず他の者は遅れていた。そこで深い亀裂と断崖の間を通る危険な隘路の数マイル手前で待機していると、最初にグロルフィンデルと郎党が到着した。荒涼とした地域を夜の帳が覆った頃、辺りに叫び声が反響した。見るとガルドルの郎党が、レゴラスの鋭き眼からも隠れていた、岩陰に潜む何者かに襲われたのだ。トゥオルたちはメルコの捜索隊と予想した。彼は暗闇が鋭い藪以上のものを隠していると感じた。そこで彼は郎党に命じて女性や負傷者をガルドルの郎党に合流させた。そして危険な隘路での小競り合いが起きた。すべてが悪化していた。落石が起きて負傷者が出た；しかしトゥオルは後方から聞こえる乱闘の音が本当の問題であると感じていた。後方からの伝令を務める“燕”の郎党が、バルログが襲来しグロルフィンデルが負傷したと伝えた。
144
さらに彼は罠を恐れていた。それは既にいくつか見つかっていた；環状丘陵全体はメルコの番人によって監視されていたからだ。しかしゴンドリン奪取に専念したためか警戒は薄く、ここ南部ではそれが顕著であった。それにも関わらず、ハシバミの谷を登りにかかった途端、そのような一隊に遭遇した。付近には部隊がいるようで、クリスソルンの危険な隘路において逃亡者たちを亡き者にしようと集結しつつあった。ガルドルとグロルフィンデルは奇襲を慌てることなく撃退し、大量のオークが奈落へと消えた；しかし落石はゴンドリンの廃墟を脱した彼らの勇気を挫きつつあった。数時間の後、隘路の上に月が昇ると暗所に青白い光が到達し、暗がりが和らいだ；それでも隘路の両側は背よりも高い壁であった。そこにソルンドル、メルコになびかない“鷲族の王”がいた。メルコは鷲たちが飛翔に使う“魔法の言葉”を奪うため、彼の同族を多数捕らえて鋭い岩に縛鎖で繋いでいた（メルコはマンウェイと大空で戦うことを想定していた）；そして彼らは答えなかったため、翼を断たれた。メルコは自身が使う強力な翼を作ろうとしていたが奏効しなかった。
145
山道からの喧騒が彼の高巣にまで響いた時、彼は言った：「なぜ、穢れし丘に住むオークが我が玉座に近づくか；なぜ、忌むべきメルコの子の恐怖に、ノルドリの息子たちは地溝で叫ぶのか？ ソルンホスよ舞い上がれ。鋼の嘴と剣のような鉤爪を見せてやれ！」
146
突然、岩がちの場所をソルンホス、つまり鷲の一族による突風のような羽ばたきが襲った。それらは山道をよじ登っていたオークを打ち、顔や手を引き裂いてソルン・シルの遥か下方の岩に投げつけた。ゴンドリンの民は喜んだ。彼らはその後も鷲を見かけると親愛の情を示す印を送った。イドリルは殊の外喜んだが、エーレンデルはどちらかと言えば父親の白鳥の翼が好きだった。ガルドルの郎党は邪魔されることなく敵を追い散らした。その数は少なく、ソルンホスの襲撃が恐慌を引き起こしたからだ；そうして仲間たちは再び前進したが、グロルフィンデルは後方で戦っていた。ソルン・シルの滝周辺の危険な隘路を半ば通過した頃、殿と戦っていたバルログが、大力を生かして亀裂の縁、隘路の左にある高い岩に跳び乗った。そしてグロルフィンデルの郎党を無視すると、女性や傷病者の隊列に飛び込んで炎の鞭を打ち付けた。グロルフィンデルがその前面に跳んだ。彼の黄金の鎧が月明りを浴びて煌びやかに光った。彼は悪鬼に斬り付けたが、それはグロルフィンデルの背後の巨礫に飛び移った。今、人々の頭上の岩の上では死闘が繰り広げられていた。押しつ押されつ丁々発止する姿を一同は目にし、最終的にグロルフィンデルの郎党が彼の脇を固めるまで続いた。グロルフィンデルの覇気はバルログを一所に留めず、彼の鎧は鞭や鉤爪を受け流した。敵が彼の鉄の兜を激しく打撃した時、彼は化け物の鞭持つ腕を肘から切り飛ばした。バルログは自身に痛みと恐怖に満ちた苦痛を与えたグロルフィンデルに蛇の如く素早く飛び掛かった；それは彼の肩をつかむと引き倒し、両者は険しい岩山の天辺に倒れた。グロルフィンデルは左手で短剣をまさぐると、面前にあるバルログの腹部を刺し貫いた（悪鬼の身長は彼の倍近くあった）；それは金切り声を上げると後ろ向きに岩から転げ落ちたが、被帽に包まれたグロルフィンデルの黄色い髪をつかんだので、両者は共に奈落に落ちた。
炎の転校生 第七巻より
147
これは極めて悲痛な出来事だった。グロルフィンデルは多くの者に心から愛されていたからだ - やがて衝突音がソルン・シルの底から響いた。バルログの断末魔の叫びがオークを惑わせ、それらは殺されるか遥か彼方に逃げ出した。猛き鳥であるソルンドルは、自ら奈落の底に舞い降りると、グロルフィンデルの亡骸を引き上げた；バルログの死骸は置き残され、トゥムラデンに注ぐソルン・シルの流れは一日中黒く濁った。
148
エルダルは今日でも、怒涛の如き悪に対して善戦する姿を見ると「ああ！ まさにグロルフィンデルとバルログだ」と嘆息する。彼らは素晴らしきノルドリを今でも悼んでいる。彼らは愛するがゆえに、新たなる敵が到来する可能性と恐怖にもかかわらず、“鷲の流れ”の隘路の脇にグロルフィンデルを葬る巨大な石塚を築ことを嘆願し、トゥオルは許可を与えた。そしてソルンドルがその地を守った。今日でも、この荒涼とした塚の周囲には不似合いな黄色い花が咲いている。そして“金華”家の郎党は塚を前に涙を流し続けた。
*1:王宮に設えられたラウレリンとテルペリオンを模した実物大模型
ゴンドリンの陥落／The Fall of Gondolin 2a
『没案草稿集その２／The Book of Lost Tales 2』
〈中つ国〉執筆史、第二巻／The History of Middle-earth, Book 2 より
[rakuten:book:13356433:detail]
| 高家 | 訳語 | 表記ブレ | 宗主 |
|---|---|---|---|
| House of the White Wing | “白翼”家 | “翼”家 | トゥオル／Tuor |
| House of the Mole | “鼴”家 | ゴンドバル大公メグリン／Meglin, Prince of Gondobar | |
| House of the Swallow | “燕”家 | ドゥイリン公／Lord Duilin | |
| House of the Heavenly Arch | “天弧”家 | “弧”家、“虹”家 | 族長エガルモス／Chieftain Egalmoth |
| House of the Pillar | “柱”家 | ペンロド／Penlod | |
| House of the Tower of Snow | “雪の塔”家 | ペンロド／Penlod | |
| House of the Tree | “木”家 | ガルドル公／Lord Galdor | |
| House of the Golden Flower | “金華”家 | 首長グロルフィンデル／Chief Glorfindel | |
| House of the Fountain | “噴水”家 | “南の噴水”家 | エクセリオン公／Lord Ecthelion |
| House of the Harp | “竪琴”家 | 指導者サルガント／Leader Salgant | |
| House of the Hammer of Wrath | “怒りの鎚”家 | “鎚”家 | 指導者ログ／Leader Rog |
55
Now came days when Tuor had dwelt among the Gondothlim many years. Long had he known and cherished a love for the king's daughter, and now was his heart full of that love. Great love too had Idril for Tuor, and the strands of her fate were woven with his even from that day when first she gazed upon him from a high window as he stood a way-worn suppliant before the palace of the king. Little cause had Turgon to withstand their love, for he saw in Tuor a kinsman of comfort and great hope. Thus was first wed a child of Men with a daughter of Elfinesse, nor was Tuor the last. Less bliss have many had than they, and their sorrow in the end was great. Yet great was the mirth of those days when Idril and Tuor were wed before the folk in Gar Ainion, the Place of the Gods, nigh to the king's halls. A day of merriment was that wedding to the city of Gondolin, and of the greatest happiness to Tuor and Idril. Thereafter dwelt they in joy in that house upon the walls that looked out south over Tumladin, and this was good to the hearts of all in the city save Meglin alone. Now that Gnome was come of an ancient house, though now were its numbers less than others, but he himself was nephew to the king by his mother the king's sister Isfin; and that tale of Isfin and Eol may not here be told.
56
Now the sign of Meglin was a sable Mole, and he was great among quarrymen and a chief of the delvers after ore; and many of these belonged to his house. Less fair was he than most of this goodly folk, swart and of none too kindly mood, so that he won small love, and whispers there were that he had Orc's blood in his veins, but I know not how this could be true. Now he had bid often with the king for the hand of Idril, yet Turgon finding her very loth had as often said nay, for him seemed Meglin's suit was caused as much by the desire of standing in high power beside the royal throne as by love of that most fair maid. Fair indeed was she arid brave thereto; and the people called her Idril of the Silver Feet" in that she went ever barefoot and bareheaded, king's daughter as she was, save only at pomps of the Ainur; and Meglin gnawed his anger seeing Tuor thrust him out.
57
In these days came to pass the fulfilment of the time of the desire of the Valar and the hope of [the] Eldalie, for in great love Idril bore to Tuor a son and he was called Earendel. Now thereto there are many interpretations both among Elves and Men, but belike it was a name wrought of some secret tongue among the Gondothlim" and that has perished with them from the dwellings of the Earth.
58
Now this babe was of greatest beauty; his skin of a shining white and his eyes of a blue surpassing that of the sky in southern lands - bluer than the sapphires of the raiment of Manwe; and the envy of Meglin was deep at his birth, but the joy of Turgon and all the people very great indeed.
59
Behold now many years have gone since Tuor was lost amid the foothills and deserted by those Noldoli; yet many years too have gone since to Melko's ears came first those strange tidings - faint were they and various in form - of a Man wandering amid the dales of the waters of Sirion. Now Melko was not much afraid of the race of Men in those days of his great power, and for this reason did Ulmo work through one of this kindred for the better deceiving of Melko, seeing that no Valar and scarce any of the Eldar or Noldoli might stir unmarked of his vigilance. Yet nonetheless foreboding smote that ill heart at the tidings, and he got together a mighty army of spies: sons of the Orcs were there with eyes of yellow and green like cats that could pierce all glooms and see through mist or fog or night; snakes that could go everywhither and search all crannies or the deepest pits or the highest peaks, listen to every whisper that ran in the grass or echoed in the hills; wolves there were and ravening dogs and great weasels full of the thirst of blood whose nostrils could take scent moons old through running water, or whose eyes find among shingle footsteps that had passed a lifetime since; owls came and falcons whose keen glance might descry by day or night the fluttering of small birds in all the woods of the world, and the movement of every mouse or vole or rat that crept or dwelt throughout the Earth. All these he summoned to his Hall of Iron, and they came in multitudes. Thence he sent them over the Earth to seek this Man who had escaped from the Land of Shadows, but yet far more curiously and intently to search out the dwelling of the Noldoli that had escaped his thraldom; for these his heart burnt to destroy or to enslave.
60
Now while Tuor dwelt in happiness and in great increase of knowledge and might in Gondolin, these creatures through the years untiring nosed among the stones and rocks, hunted the forests and the heaths, espied the airs and lofty places, tracked all paths about the dales and plains, and neither let nor stayed. From this hunt they brought a wealth of tidings to Melko - indeed among many hidden things that they dragged to light they discovered that Way of Escape whereby Tuor and Voronwe entered aforetime. Nor had they done so save by constraining some of the less stout of the Noldoli with dire threats of torment to join in that great ransacking; for because of the magic about that gate no folk of Melko unaided by the Gnomes could come to it. Yet now they had pried of late far into its tunnels and captured within many of the Noldoli creeping there to flee from thraldom. They had scaled too the Encircling Hills at. certain places and gazed upon the beauty of the city of Gondolin and the strength of Amon Gwareth from afar; but into the plain they could not win for the vigilance of its guardians and the difficulty of those mountains. Indeed the Gondothlim were mighty archers, and bows they made of a marvel of power. Therewith might they shoot an arrow into heaven seven times as far as could the best bowman among Men shoot at a mark upon the ground; and they would have suffered no falcon to hover long over their plain or snake to crawl therein; for they liked not creatures of blood, broodlings of Melko.
61
Now in those days was Earendel one year old when these ill tidings came to that city of the spies of Melko and how they encompassed the vale of Tumladin around. Then Turgon's heart was saddened, remembering the words of Tuor in past years before the palace doors; and he caused the watch and ward to be thrice strengthened at all points, and engines of war to be devised by his artificers and set upon the hill. Poisonous fires and hot liquids, arrows and great rocks, was he prepared to shoot down on any who would assail those gleaming walls; and then he abode as well content as might be, but Tuor's heart was heavier than the king's, for now the words of Ulmo came ever to his mind, and their purport and gravity he understood more deeply than of old; nor did he find any great comfort in Idril, for her heart boded more darkly even than his own.
62
Know then that Idril had a great power of piercing with her thought the darkness of the hearts of Elves and Men, and the glooms of the future thereto - further even than is the common power of the kindreds of the Eldalie; therefore she spake thus on a day to Tuor: "Know, my husband, that my heart misgives me for doubt of Meglin, and I fear that he will bring an ill on this fair realm, though by no means may I see how or when - yet I dread lest all that he knows of our doings and preparations become in some manner known to the Foe, so that he devise a new means of whelming us, against which we have thought of no defence. Lo! I dreamed on a night that Meglin builded a furnace, and coming at us unawares flung therein Earendel our babe, and would after thrust in thee and me; but that for sorrow at the death of our fair child I would not resist."
63
And Tuor answered: "There is reason for thy fear, for neither is my heart good towards Meglin; yet is he the nephew of the king and thine own cousin, nor is there charge against him, and I see nought to do but to abide and watch."
64
But Idril said: "This is my rede thereto: gather thou in deep secret those delvers and quarrymen who by careful trial are found to hold least love for Meglin by reason of the pride and arrogance of his dealings among them. From these thou must choose trusty men to keep watch upon Meglin whenso he fares to the outer hills, yet I counsel thee to set the greater part of those in whose secrecy thou canst confide at a hidden delving, and to devise with their aid - howsoever cautious and slow that labour be - a secret way from thy house here beneath the rocks of this hill unto the vale below. Now this way must not lead toward the Way of Escape, for my heart bids me trust it not, but even to that far distant pass, the Cleft of Eagles in the southern mountains; and the further this delving reach thitherward beneath the plain so much the better would I esteem it -- yet let all this labour be kept dark save from a few."
65
Now there are none such delvers of earth or rock as the Noldoli (and this Melko knows), but in those places is the earth of a great hardness; and Tuor said: "The rocks of the hill of Amon Gwareth are as iron, and only with much travail may they be cloven; yet if this be done in secret then must great time and patience be added; but the stone of the floor of the Vale of Tumladin is as forged steel, nor may it be hewn without the knowledge of the Gondothlim save in moons and years."
66
Idril said then: "Sooth this may be, but such is my rede, and there is yet time to spare." Then Tuor said that he might not see all its purport, "but 'better is any plan than a lack of counsel', and I will do even as thou sayest".
67
Now it so chanced that not long after Meglin went to the hills for the getting of ore, and straying in the mountains alone was taken by some of the Orcs prowling there, and they would do him evil and terrible hurt, knowing him to be a man of the Gondothlim. This was however unknown of Tuor's watchers. But evil came into the heart of Meglin, and he said to his captors: "Know then that I am Meglin son of Eol who had to wife Isfin sister of Turgon king of the Gondothlim." But they said: "What is that to us?" And Meglin answered: "Much is it to you; for if you slay me, be it speedy or slow, ye will lose great tidings concerning the city of Gondolin that your master would rejoice to hear." Then the Orcs stayed their hands, and said they would give him life if the matters he opened to them seemed to merit that; and Meglin told them of all the fashion of that plain and city, of its walls and their height and thickness, and the valour of its gates; of the host of men at arms who now obeyed Turgon he spake, and the countless hoard of weapons gathered for their equipment, of the engines of war and the venomous fires.
68
Then the Orcs were wroth, and having heard these matters were yet for slaying him there and then as one who impudently enlarged the power of his miserable folk to the mockery of the great might and puissance of Melko; but Meglin catching at a straw said: "Think ye not that ye would rather pleasure your master if ye bore to his feet so noble a captive, that he might hear my tidings of himself and judge of their verity?"
69
Now this seemed good to the Orcs, and they returned from the mountains about Gondolin to the Hills of Iron and the dark halls of Melko; thither they haled Meglin with them, and now was he in a sore dread. But when he knelt before the black throne of Melko in terror of the grimness of the shapes about him, of the wolves that sat beneath that chair and of the adders that twined about its legs, Melko bade him speak. Then told he those tidings, and Melko hearkening spake very fair to him, that the insolence of his heart in great measure returned.
70
Now the end of this was that Melko aided by the cunning of Meglin devised a plan for the overthrow of Gondolin. For this Meglin's reward was to be a great captaincy among the Orcs - yet Melko purposed not in his heart to fulfil such a promise - but Tuor and Earendel should Melko burn, and Idril be given to Meglin's arms - and such promises was that evil one fain to redeem. Yet as meed of treachery did Melko threaten Meglin with the torment of the Balrogs. Now these were demons with whips of flame and claws of steel by whom he tormented those of the Noldoli who durst withstand him in anything - and the Eldar have called them Malkarauki. But the rede that Meglin gave to Melko was that not all the host of the Orcs nor the Balrogs in their fierceness might by assault or siege hope ever to overthrow the walls and gates of Gondolin even if they availed to win unto the plain without. Therefore he counselled Melko to devise out of his sorceries a succour for his warriors in their endeavour. From the greatness of his wealth of metals and his powers of fire he bid himmake beasts like snakes and dragons of irresistible might that should overcreep the Encircling Hills and lap that plain and its fair city in flame and death.
71
Then Meglin was bidden fare home lest at his absence men suspect somewhat; but Melko wove about him the spell of bottomless dread, and he had thereafter neither joy nor quiet in his heart. Nonetheless he wore a fair mask of good liking and gaiety, so that men said: "Meglin is softened", and he was held in less disfavour; yet Idril feared him the more. Now Meglin said: "I have laboured much and am minded to rest, and to join in the dance and the song and the merrymakings of the folk", and he went no more quarrying stone or ore in the hills: yet in sooth he sought herein to drown his fear and disquiet. A dread possessed him that Melko was ever at hand, and this came of the spell; and he durst never again wander amid the mines lest he again fall in with the Orcs and be bidden once more to the terrors of the halls of darkness.
72
その年はいつものようにやってきた。イドリルとトゥオルは焦燥に駆られつつ秘密の探窟を進めた；しかし密偵の包囲網が狭まる様子がないことを見て取ったトゥルゴンは安寧の内に暮らした。しかしこの歳月はメルコの成果を結実させた。メルコは座って火を考案し、炎と煙を縛り付けた。ノルドリの奴隷は絶え間なく鉱脈を掘り続け、誰一人としてその場を逃れることができなかった。そしてメルコはもっとも狡猾な鍛冶師と魔術師を召し出し、鉄と炎で、大いなる終焉の日まで決して出現しないだろう怪物の軍勢を生み出した。あるものは複雑に絡みあった流れるような鉄であり、すべての障害物を容易に乗り越え、その内部には曲刀と槍で武装したオークが乗り込んでいた；また青銅や銅で作られたものは燃える火のような魂を持ち、その前に立ちはだかるものを恐怖で圧倒し、熱の息を逃れるものを押しつぶした；最後は全き火の化け物であり、あたかも溶けた鉄の縄であり、鉄であろうと石であろうと水の如く溶かし、何もかも滅ぼした。そしてその上には何百ものバルログが乗った；これらがメルコがゴンドリンに対して用意した最悪の化け物たちだった。
73
Now when the seventh summer had gone since the treason of Meglin, and Earendel was yet of very tender years though a valorous child, Melko withdrew all his spies, for every path and corner of the mountains was now known to him; yet the Gondothlim thought in their unwariness that Melko would no longer seek against them, perceiving their might and the impregnable strength of their dwelling.
74
But Idril fell into a dark mood and the light of her face was clouded, and many wondered thereat; yet Turgon reduced the watch and ward to its ancient numbers, and to somewhat less, and as autumn came and the gathering of fruits was over folk turned with glad hearts to the feasts of winter: but Tuor stood upon the battlements and gazed upon the Encircling Hills.
75
Now behold, Idril stood beside him, and the wind was in her hair, and Tuor thought that she was exceeding beautiful, and stooped to kiss her; but her face was sad, and she said: "Now come the days when thou must make choice," and Tuor knew not what she said. Then drawing him within their halls she said to him how her heart misgave her for fear concerning Earendel her son, and for boding that some great evil was nigh, and that Melko would be at the bottom of it. Then Tuor would comfort her, but might not, and she questioned him concerning the secret delving, and he said how it now led a league into the plain, and at that was her heart somewhat lightened. But still she counselled that the delving be pressed on, and that henceforth should speed weigh more than secrecy, "because now is the time very near". And another rede she gave him, and this he took also, that certain of the bravest and most true among the lords and warriors of the Gondothlim be chosen with care and told of that secret way and its issue. These she counselled him to make into a stout guard and to give them his emblem to wear that they become his folk, and to do thus under pretext of the right and dignity of a great lord, kinsman to the king. "Moreover," said she, "I will get my father's favour to that." In secret too she whispered to folk that if the city came to its last stand or Turgon be slain that they rally about Tuor and her son, and to this they laughed a yea, saying however that Gondolin would stand as long as Taniquetil or the Mountains of Valinor.
76
Yet to Turgon she spoke not openly, nor suffered Tuor to do so, as he desired, despite their love and reverence for him - a great and a noble and a glorious king he was - seeing that he trusted in Meglin and held with blind obstinacy his belief in the impregnable might of the city and that Melko sought no more against it, perceiving no hope therein. Now in this he was ever strengthened by the cunning sayings of Meglin. Behold, the guile of that Gnome was very great, for he wrought much in the dark, so that folk said: "He doth well to bear the sign of a sable mole"; and by reason of the folly of certain of the quarrymen, and yet more by reason of the loose words of certain among his tin to whom word was somewhat unwarily spoken by Tuor, he gathered a knowledge of the secret work and laid against that a plan of his own.
77
その年は冬が深く、この地域としては寒さが厳しかったため、トゥムラデンの平原は霜に覆われ、溜池には氷が張った；それでもアモン・グワレスの噴水は湧き続け、2つの木には花が咲き、人々はメルコが胸に秘めた恐怖の日々が到来するまで陽気に過ごした。
78
厳しい冬が過ぎ、環状丘陵にはかつてないほど深く雪が積もった；しかし驚くような栄光の春が訪れると白いマントの裾は融け、渓谷に水は溢れ、花が咲き乱れた。やがてノスト・ナ・ロシオン、即ち“花々の誕生を祝う祭り”が子供達の歓びと共に来たり過ぎると、ゴンドリンの民の心は良き1年が約されたと高揚した；そしてタルニン・アウスタ、即ち“夏の門”の大祭が迫って来た。知られているように、その夜は真夜中から厳粛な儀式が始まり、タルニン・アウスタの夜明けまで続いた。深夜から夜明けまで誰一人声を発さず、都が夜明けを迎えるとともにいにしえの詩歌を唱和して歓声を上げるのだった。幾多の歳月に渡り、夏の到来は輝ける東壁で歌と音楽に迎えられてきた。そして眠る者なき宵が訪れると、街は銀のランプに満たされ、新緑を纏った並木には宝石を散りばめた灯りが灯され、道々には静かに音楽が流れたが、夜明けまでは誰ひとりとして歌わなかった。
79
太陽が丘陵地帯の向こうに沈むと、民は嬉々として熱望していた祝祭のために盛装した - そして期待を込めて東の方を眺めやった。見よ！ 彼女が去ってすべてが闇に包まれた後、忽然と新たな光が点ると、明るさを増していったのだ。しかもそれは北方の峰々を超えて来たので、驚嘆した人々は外壁や胸壁に殺到した。不思議な光は強くなり、やがて赤みを帯びてきた。そして山々を覆う雪が血の色に染まった時、人々の心には疑いが兆した。メルコの“火の蛇”がゴンドリンに到来したのではないかと。
80
やがて峰で警戒を続けていた者たちが、息をのむような知らせを携えた騎馬伝令を平原に走らせた。彼らは炎の軍勢と竜のような姿を伝え、そして言った：「メルコが我らの上にいる」。美しき都には恐れと哀しみが広がり、大路でも街路でも女性の涙や子供の泣き叫ぶ声が聞こえたが、兵が召集され、広場では彼らの武器がぶつかり鳴った。さて、そこにはゴンドリンの民のすべての高家と家系を示す輝かしい旗印が並んでいた。一番荘厳なのは王家であり、その色は白、金、赤。紋章は月と太陽と緋色のハートだ。その中央に筆頭たるトゥオルがいた。彼の鎧は銀に輝いていた；彼の壮健さは民の中で並び立つ者がいなかった。見よ！ 彼らの兜には白鳥やカモメの翼があしらわれ、彼らの盾には白い翼の紋章が描かれていた。そこにはメグリンも民を引き連れて来ていた。彼らはクロテン革の装具を締め、何の紋章も徽章も帯びておらず、表面をモールスキンで覆った鋼の丸帽を被っていた。彼らはつるはしのような両刃の両手斧で戦った。ゴンドバル大公メグリンが集めた戦士たちは暗い表情としかめっ面をしていた。その時、赤い光が彼らの顔と磨き上げられた従装具を照らした。見よ！ 北の丘陵地帯が燃え上がり、火の河が流れ落ちるようにトゥムラデンの平原に届いた。民はその熱気を感じた。
81
さらに他の高家もいた。“燕”家と“天弧”家の民がいた。これらの民からは優秀な弓師が多数輩出され、外壁の広い場所に配置された。“燕”家の民は兜に羽飾りを付け、白と紺で盛装し、彼らの盾は紫地に黒で鏃が描かれていた。彼らの主君はドゥイリンであり、最も速く走り、跳び、正確に的を射抜く射手だ。そして数えきれない富を持つ“天弧”家の民は色取り取りの衣装で盛装しており、彼らの武具には天が下で炎のような輝きを放つ宝石が嵌められていた。軍勢のすべての盾は天の蒼色であり、紅玉、紫水晶、青玉、翠玉、緑玉髄、黄玉、琥珀の七つの宝石が嵌めこまれ、彼らの兜には大粒の虹色石が飾られていた。エガルモスが彼らの族長であり、星のように輝く水晶を縫い込んだ青いマントを羽織った。彼は曲刀 - 当時、ノルドリで曲刀を使う者はいなかった - を佩いたが、彼が信頼するものは弓であり、軍勢の誰よりも遠くを射た。
82
そこには“柱”家と“雪の塔”家の民もいた。両家は最も丈高きノームであるペンロドが率いていた。さらに“木”家がいた。彼らは大氏族で彼らの衣装は緑色だった。彼らは鉄を巻いた棍棒や投石器で戦った。彼らの主君はガルドルであり、彼はトゥルゴンを除くすべてのゴンドリンの民の中で最も勇敢だった。そして花があしらわれた太陽を描いた盾を持つ“金華”家がいた。彼らの首長はグロルフィンデルで、彼の羽織るマントは金糸が通され、春の野を模した菱形模様に草の黄が縫い取られていた；彼の武具には波形模様をした精巧な金の象嵌が施されていた。
83
それから都の南から来た“噴水”家の民がいた。彼らの主君はエクセリオンであり、彼らは銀と金剛石を好んだ；彼らの佩く剣はとても長く、青白く輝いた。彼らはフルートを奏でながら戦いに赴いた。その後ろに“竪琴”家の軍勢がいた。彼らは勇猛な戦士団だ；しかしながら彼らの指導者サルガントは臆病者であり、メグリンの腰巾着だった。銀の竪琴が彼らの紋章であり、黒衣に銀と金の飾り房をあしらっていた；サルガントは金のみをまとった。彼はゴンドリンの民の息子たちが関わるすべての戦いに従軍していた。彼はがっしりとして短躯だった。
84
最後に控えるのが“怒りの鎚”家の民であり、彼らは最高の鍛冶師と職人で構成されていた。彼らはアイヌルの中でもアウレイを最も崇敬していた。彼らは金槌のような巨大な鎚で戦い、彼らの盾は重かった。彼らは極めて剛腕だからだ。元々彼らはメルコの鉱山を脱出したノルドリで構成されており、そのため悪しき者と配下のバルログを極めて深く憎悪していた。現在彼らの指導者は最強のノームと謳われるログであり、“木”家のガルドルに次いで勇敢とされた。この民の紋章は“火花散る金床”であり、盾には金槌と飛び散る火花が描かれ、彼らは赤金色と黒鉄色を好んだ。その勢力は非常に多く、またその中に弱気な者はひとりもいなかった。彼らは破滅に抗って戦ったすべての家門の中で最も偉大な栄光を勝ち取った；彼らは悪しき運命の末、誰一人として逃れることなく、ログとともに斃れて大地から去った；彼らの多くの熟練の技と技術は永久に失われた。
85
これがゴンドリン11高家の盛装と序列、紋章と徽章であり、トゥオルの近衛隊は“翼”家の民と呼ばれ、第12高家として数えられた。今、族長の顔は厳しく、この命は長くないと感じていた - 外壁近くの彼の家では、鎖帷子で盛装したイドリルがエーレンデルを探していた。その子は寝室を照らす妖しい光を見て泣き出していた；乳母のメレスがむずがる彼に話したメルコの火の物語を思い出して怯えたのだ。しかし彼の母が来て密かに用意していた小さな鎖帷子を着せると、彼は誇りを取り戻して歓喜し、嬉しさに声を上げた。しかしイドリルは泣いていた。彼女は美しい都と素晴らしい我が家を大切にしており、トゥオルと一緒の生活を愛していたからだ；しかし今彼女は破滅の魔手が迫っていることを感じていた。そして彼女は蛇の恐怖の圧倒的な力に対して彼女の計画が失敗するのではないかと恐れていた。
86
真夜中から4時間が経過していた。北の空も東と西の空も赤く染まっていた；“鉄の蛇”はトゥムラデンに達し、火のような何かは丘陵地帯の斜面に達した。付近の警戒者たちは皆バルログに捕らえられ責め苦に遭った。南の“鷲の裂け目”クリスソルンに配置された者だけは無事だった。
87
その時点でトゥルゴン王は評議会を召集した。そこには皇子としてトゥオルとメグリンも加わった；まずドゥイリン、エガルモス、丈高きペンロドが入場し、次にログが、“木”家のガルドル、“黄金”のグロルフィンデル、“歌声”のエクセリオンと共に大またで入場した。離れた場所でサルガントがあまりの事態に震えていた。他の貴顕についても落ち着いてはいるが顔色は悪かった。
88
まず最初にトゥオルが自論を述べた。直ちに全軍にて突撃すべし、と。平原での戦いは光と熱に対して利があるからだ；多数が彼に賛同したが、その突撃に女性や妻、子供らを同行させるのか、あるいは見つからないように少数ずつ多方面に逃すのかという副案が出た；最後の案にトゥオルの心は揺れた。
89
しかしメグリンとサルガントはそれぞれ都を守り、中に横たわる富を守ることを支持した。メグリンは狡猾さから発案した。彼は外面を守るため、この破滅をノルドリが逃れることを恐れていた。また裏切りが発覚して後日復讐されることも恐れていた。サルガントは都を出ることを恐れたためメグリンに同調した。彼は平原で衝突する危険を冒すより堅固な要塞に拠ることを望んだ。
90
そして“鼴”家の宗主はトゥルゴンの弱いところを突いた：「王よ、ご照覧あれ！ ゴンドリンの都には宝石や貴金属、ノームが手ずから作り出した貴重品や様々な富があります。あなた様の諸侯は - 賢明なる勇者諸氏は - それを敵の面前に差し出すのでしょうか。もし平原の戦いで勝利をつかんだとしても、都はバルログに略奪され、莫大な戦利品が強奪されるでしょう」；トゥルゴンは唸った。メグリンは彼がアモン・グワレスの上にそびえる都とその富に対する愛着を熟知していた。再びメグリンは声に火をつけた：「王よ！ あなた様は数え切れないほどの年月をかけて、難攻不落な厚さを持つ外壁と打ち倒すことができない門扉を築きあげたのです；アモン・グワレスの高みの力を捨てて地の利のない深い谷間に出るなど、ましてや貯蔵された無数の武器や鏃という利点を捨て、敵の持つ鋼と火に裸で挑むなど愚の骨頂。何者が大地と環状山脈を踏み砕き、揺るがすことができるというのでしょうか？」
91
そしてサルガントは震えながらも威厳を正して申し出た：「メグリン殿の言やもっともです。王よ、彼の言葉を吟味すべきです」。その後、諸侯は意見を述べた。反対する声は多かったが、王は２人の言葉を受け入れた：すべての民は外壁にて敵を迎え撃つ王命が下された。トゥオルは涙を流しながら王の広間を出ると“翼”家の郎党を集めて家路を急いだ；その時までに光は不気味に大きくなり、息苦しいまでの暑さが強まり、都の街路には黒煙と悪臭が漂うようになっていた。
92
そして今、怪物たちが谷を横切ってやって来た。その照り返しを受けてゴンドリンの白き塔は赤く染まった；最も胆の座った者であっても、都の丘陵を取り巻く火竜、“青銅の蛇”、“鉄の蛇”を見て震え上がった；彼らは矢鱈と矢を放った。やがて歓声が上がった。見よ、火竜は急勾配の斜面を登ることができなかったのだ。斜面には冷たい水が流れ落ち、ガラスのように滑らかだった；火竜がアモン・グワレスから発する流れに飛び込むと、莫大な蒸気が発生した。都は極めて熱くなり、女性は卒倒し、男性は鎧の下に大汗をかいて消耗した。そして都の泉は“王の噴水”を除いていずれも熱されて湯気を発した。
93
メルコの軍団長にして大バルログのゴスモグは一計を案じ、“鉄”のものをすべて集めてとぐろを巻かせて障害への足場とした。彼は北大門の前でそれらを積み重ねさせた；それは見る見るうちに巨大な尖塔となって側防塔や稜堡と同じ高さに達し、凄まじい重量を大門に掛けると轟音と共に押し倒した：それでも周囲の外壁は持ちこたえていた。そこで王の機械装置と投石機が唸りを上げ、投げ矢、巨礫、溶けた金属を無慈悲な獣に叩きつけたが、それらはうつろな打擲音を上げるもほとんど効果が無く、破壊することはできず、炎も流れ落ちた。やがて頂部から中央部あたりまでが大きく開くと、そこから数えきれないほどのオークの軍勢が、憎むべきゴブリンが、破孔から乱入してきた；それらの持つ煌めく偃月刀や照り返す広刃の槍については誰が語るのだろうか？
94
その時ログが力強い雄叫びを上げ、“怒りの鎚”家の人々とガルドルを含む“木”家の郎党が敵に襲い掛かった。彼らの振るう大槌と棍棒の打擲音が環状山脈に鳴り響き、オークは落ち葉のように薙ぎ倒された；そして“燕”家と“弧”家の矢が秋の黒雨のように降り注ぎ、オークとゴンドリンの民の双方が戦塵の混乱に包まれた。戦いは激しかったが、ゴブリンは都の最北端を占領しつつあり、ゴンドリンの民の勇猛さをもってしても徐々に追いやられていった。
95
この時トゥオルは“翼”家の民を率いて街路をかき分けていた。それを乗り切った後、彼は前方にメグリンが先んじていることに気づいた。戦いの喧騒からして都の北門で戦いが始まったことは確実であり、メグリンは彼の計画を完成させる好機と感じていた。彼はトゥオルの“秘密の探窟”について聞き及んでいたが（余りに間近であったためすべてを把握していなかったため）王を含む誰にも他言していなかった。彼はそれが都に最も近い脱出口として使えるのではないかと考えていた。彼の精神は独善に染まっており、ノルドリに対しては悪意しかなかった。彼は既にメルコに対して秘密裏に使者を送り出しており、攻撃が開始された時点で攻囲軍に届いているはずだった；彼はエーレンデルを攻囲の火の中に放り込んだ後、イドリルを捕らえて秘密の通路に彼を案内させ、火と虐殺と恐怖の巷を逃れ去り、彼女を連れてメルコの領土に向かうつもりだった。メグリンが恐れているのはメルコが授けた秘密の証が奪われて計画が失敗することであり、彼はアイヌが彼の安全を保障してくれるものと確信していた。さらに彼はトゥオルがすでに業火に焼かれて死んでいると信じていた。なぜなら“王の広間”に残ったサルガントに彼を足止めするよう依頼していたからだ。彼はその足で戦いに向かったに違いない。だが、しかし！ その時サルガントは死に至る恐怖に捕らわれていた。彼は自宅に戻ると震えながら寝台に潜り込んだ；そのためトゥオルは“翼”家の民と共に自宅に向かえたのだ。
96
トゥオルの勇猛さは彼に戦いの物音に向かうことを求めたが、その前にイドリルとエーレンデルに別れを告げることも求めていた；その後に護衛と共に秘密の通路を落ち延びさせ、彼自身は死の待ち受ける戦いの場に取って返す予定だった：しかしそこでは“鼴”家の民が扉を押さえていた。彼らはメグリンと同様に厳めしい人々だったが、少なくとも都の住民に対して思いやりを持っていた。そして彼らは自由なノルドリであり、主君のようにメルコの呪文の支配下にはいなかったが、メグリンに従おうとも、主君に逆らってイドリルを助けようともしなかった。
97
今やメグリンは残虐な性をむき出しにしてイドリルの髪をつかんで胸壁へと引っ張りだそうとした。エーレンデルを炎の中に投げ落とす瞬間を見せつけるためである；しかし彼女はたったひとりで、さながら美しくか細い雌虎のように戦ったため、彼は子供の扱いに手こずっていた。“翼”家の民が衝突した - その時である！ トゥオルが、遥か彼方のいるオークが身をすくめるような雄叫びを上げた。暴風に吹き飛ばれたかのように、“翼”家の民と“鼴”家の民は道を開けた。これを目にしたメグリンはとっさに短刀を取り出してエーレンデルを刺した；しかし子供が彼の左手に深々と噛みついたため、彼はよろめき、その刺突は弱く、服の下に着けていた鎖帷子に刃を逸らされた；そこにトゥオルが現れた。彼の憤怒の表情は見るも恐ろしいものだった。彼はメグリンの短刀を持った腕をつかむとねじり上げてへし折った。そして彼を引きずり出して胸壁の上に登ると遥か彼方に投げ捨てた。彼の肉体は遠くまで飛び、アモン・グワレスの山腹に3度ぶつかった後に炎に飲まれた；こうしてメグリンの恥ずべき名は、ノルドリの間からもエルダルの間からも消えた。
Hunter×Hunter 第三十五巻より
98
“鼴”家の戦士は“翼”家よりも数が多く、主君に忠実であったため、トゥオルに襲い掛かった。凄まじい応酬があったが、怒れるトゥオルの前に立ち向かえる者はいなかった。彼らは打ち払われるか、薄暗い穴倉に逃げ込むか、あるいは胸壁から投げ落とされた。しかしトゥオルは城門の戦いに戻らなくてはならなかった。戦いの騒音はますます強くなっていた。トゥオルは都のためにまだできる事があると感じていた。彼はイドリルのために警護としてヴォロンウェイと数名の剣士を彼らの意に反して残し、争いの渦中に戻った。
ゴンドリンの陥落／The Fall of Gondolin 1
『没案草稿集その２／The Book of Lost Tales 2』
〈中つ国〉執筆史、第二巻／The History of Middle-earth, Book 2 より
[rakuten:book:13356433:detail]
トゥオルとゴンドリンの遺民たち／Tuor and the Exiles of Gondolin
（エーレンデルの偉大なる物語の始まり／which bringeth in the great tale of Eärendel）
1
Then said Littleheart son of Bronweg: 'Know then that Tuor was a man who dwelt in very ancient days in that land of the North called Dor Lomin or the Land of Shadows, and of the Eldar the Noldoli know it best.
2
Now the folk whence Tuor came wandered the forests and fells and knew not and sang not of the sea; but Tuor dwelt not with them, and lived alone about that lake called Mithrim, now hunting in its woods, now making music beside its shores on his rugged harp of wood and the sinews of bears. Now many hearing of the power of his rough songs came from near and far to hearken to his harping, but Tuor left his singing and departed to lonely places. Here he learnt many strange things and got knowledge of the wandering Noldoli, who taught him much of their speech and lore; but he was not fated to dwell for ever in those woods.
3
Thereafter 'tis said that magic and destiny led him on a day to a cavernous opening down which a hidden river flowed from Mithrim. And Tuor entered that cavern seeking to learn its secret, but the waters of Mithrim drove him forward into the heart of the rock and he might not win back into the light. And this, 'tis said, was the will of Ulmo Lord of Waters at whose prompting the Noldoli had made that hidden way.
4
Then came the Noldoli to Tuor and guided him along dark passages amid the mountains until he came out in the light once more, and saw that the river flowed swiftly in a ravine of great depth with sides unscalable. Now Tuor desired no more to return but went ever forward, and the river led him always toward the west.
5
The sun rose behind his back and set before his face, and where the water foamed among many boulders or fell over falls there were at times rainbows woven across the ravine, but at evening its smooth sides would glow in the setting sun, and for these reasons Tuor called it Golden Cleft or the Gully of the Rainbow Roof, which is in the speech of the Gnomes Glorfalc or Cris Ilbranteloth.
6
Now Tuor journeyed here for three days,' drinking the waters of the secret river and feeding on its fish; and these were of gold and blue and silver and of many wondrous shapes. At length the ravine widened, and ever as it opened its sides became lower and more rough, and the bed of the river more impeded with boulders against which the waters foamed and spouted. Long times would Tuor sit and gaze at the splashing water and listen to its voice, and then he would rise and leap onward from stone to stone singing as he went; or as the stars came out in the narrow strip of heaven above the gully he would raise echoes to answer the fierce twanging of his harp.
7
One day after a great journey of weary going Tuor at deep evening heard a cry, and he might not decide of what creature it came. Now he said: "It is a faycreature", now, "Nay, 'tis but some small beast that waileth among the rocks"; or again it seemed to him that an unknown bird piped with a voice new to his ears and strangely sad - and because he had not heard the voice of any bird in all his wandering down Golden Cleft he was glad of the sound although it was mournful. On the next day at an hour of the morning he heard the same cry above his head, and looking up beheld three great white birds beating back up the gully on strong wing, and uttering cries like to the ones he had heard amid the dusk. Now these were the gulls, the birds of Osse.'
8
In this part of that riverway there were islets of rock amid the currents, and fallen rocks fringed with white sand at the gully-side, so that it was ill-going, and seeking a while Tuor found a spot where he might with labour scale the cliffs at last. Then came a fresh wind against his face, and he said: "This is very good and like the drinking of wine," but he knew not that he was near the confines of the Great Sea.
9
As he went along above the waters that ravine again drew together and the walls towered up, so that he fared on a high cliff-top, and there came a narrow neck, and this was full of noise. Then Tuor looking downward saw the greatest of marvels, for it seemed that a flood of angry water would come up the narrows and flow back against the river to its source, but that water which had come down from distant Mithrim would still press on, and a wall of water rose nigh to the cliff-top, and it was crowned with foam and twisted by the winds. Then the waters of Mithrim were overthrown and the incoming flood swept roaring up the channel and whelmed the rocky islets and churned the white sand - so that Tuor fled and was afraid, who did not know the ways of the sea; but the Ainur put it into his heart to climb from the gully when he did, or had he been whelmed in the incoming tide, and that was a fierce one by reason of a wind from the west. Then Tuor found himself in a rugged country bare of trees, and swept by a wind coming from the set of the sun, and all the shrubs and bushes leaned to the dawn because of that prevalence of that wind. And here for a while he wandered till he came to the black cliffs by the sea and saw the ocean and its waves for the first time, and at that hour the sun sank beyond the rim of Earth far out to sea, and he stood on the cliff-top with outspread arms, and his heart was filled with a longing very great indeed. Now some say that he was the first of Men to reach the Sea and look upon it and know the desire it brings; but I know not if they say well.
10
In those regions he set up his abode, dwelling in a cove sheltered by great sable rocks, whose floor was of white sand, save when the high flood partly overspread it with blue water; nor did foam or froth come there save at times of the direst tempest. There long he sojourned alone and roamed about the shore or fared over the rocks at the ebb, marvelling at the pools and the great weeds, the dripping caverns and the strange sea-fowl that he saw and came to know; but the rise and fall of the water and the voice of the waves was ever to him the greatest wonder and ever did it seem a new and unimaginable thing.
11
Now on the quiet waters of Mithrim over which the voice of the duck or moorhen would carry far he had fared much in a small boat with a prow fashioned like to the neck of a swan, and this he had lost on the day of his finding the hidden river. On the sea he adventured not as yet, though his heart was ever egging him with a strange longing thereto, and on quiet evenings when the sun went, down beyond the edge of the sea it grew to a fierce desire.
12
Timber he had that came down the hidden river; a goodly wood it was, for the Noldoli hewed it in the forests of Dor Lomin and floated it to him of a purpose. But he built not as yet aught save a dwelling in a sheltered place of his cove, which tales among the Eldar since name Falasquil. This by slow labour he adorned with fair carvings of the beasts and trees and flowers and birds that he knew about the waters of Mithrim, and ever among them was the Swan the chief, for Tuor loved this emblem and it became the sign of himself, his kindred and folk thereafter. There he passed a very great while until the loneliness of the empty sea got into his heart, and even Tuor the solitary longed for the voice of Men. Herewith the Ainur' had something to do: for Ulmo loved Tuor.
13
One morning while casting his eye along the shore - and it was then the latest days of summer - Tuor saw three swans flying high and strong from the northward. Now these birds he had not before seen in these regions, and he took them for a sign, and said: "Long has my heart been set on a journey far from here; lo! now at length I will follow these swans." Behold, the swans dropped into the water of his cove and there swimming thrice about rose again and winged slowly south along the coast, and Tuor bearing his harp and spear followed them.
14
'Twas a great day's journey Tuor put behind him that day; and he came ere evening to a region where trees again appeared, and the manner of the land through which he now fared differed greatly from those shores about Falasquil. There had Tuor known mighty cliffs beset with caverns and great spoutholes, and deep-walled coves, but from the cliff-tops a rugged land and flat ran bleakly back to where a blue rim far to the east spake of distant hills. Now however did he see a long and sloping shore and stretches of sand, while the distant hills marched ever nearer to the margin of the sea, and their dark slopes were clad with pine or fir and about their feet sprang birches and ancient oaks. From the feet of the hills fresh torrents rushed down narrow chasms and so found the shores and the salt waves. Now some of these clefts Tuor might not overleap, and often was it ill-going in these places, but still he laboured on, for the swans fared ever before him, now circling suddenly, now speeding forward, but never coming to earth, and the rush of their strong-beating wings encouraged him.
15
'Tis told that in this manner Tuor fared onward for a great number of days, and that winter marched from the north somewhat speedier than he for all his tirelessness. Nevertheless came he without scathe of beast or weather at a time of first spring to a river mouth. Now here was the land less northerly and more kindly than about the issuing of Golden Cleft, and moreover by a trend of the coast was the sea now rather to the south of him than to the west, as he could mark by the sun and stars; but he had kept his ," right hand always to the sea.
16
This river flowed down a goodly channel and on its banks were rich lands: grasses and moist meadow to the one side and tree-grown slopes of the other; its waters met the sea sluggishly and fought not as the waters of Mithrim in the north. Long tongues of land lay islanded in its course covered with reeds and bushy thicket, until further to seaward sandy spits ran out; and these were places beloved by such a multitude of birds as Tuor had nowhere yet encountered. Their piping and wailing and whistling filled the air; and here amid their white wings Tuor lost sight of the three swans, nor saw he them again.
17
Then did Tuor grow for a season weary of the sea, for the buffeting of his travel had been sore. Nor was this without Ulmo's devising, and that night the Noldoli came to him and he arose from sleep. Guided by their blue lanterns he found a way beside the river border, and strode so mightily inland that when dawn filled the sky to his right hand lo! the sea and its voice were far behind him, and the wind came from before him so that its odour was not even in the air. Thus came he soon to that region that has been called Arlisgion "the place of reeds", and this is in those lands that are to the south of Dor Lomin and separated therefrom by the Iron Mountains whose spurs run even to the sea. From those mountains came this river, and of a great clearness and marvellous chill were its waters even at this place. Now this is a river most famous in the histories of Eldar and Noldoli and in all tongues is it named Sirion. Here Tuor rested awhile until driven by desire he arose once ore to journey further and further by many days' marches along the river borders. Full spring had not yet brought summer when he came to a region yet more lovely. Here the song of small birds shrilled about him with a music of loveliness, for there are no birds that sing like the songbirds of the Land of Willows; and to this region of wonder he had now come. Here the river wound in wide curves with low banks through a great plain of the sweetest grass and very long and green; willows of untold age were about its borders, and its wide bosom was strewn with waterlily leaves, whose flowers were not yet in the earliness of the year, but beneath the willows the green swords of the flaglilies were drawn, and sedges stood, and reeds in embattled array. Now there dwelt in these dark places a spirit of whispers, and it whispered to Tuor at dusk and he was loth to depart; and at morn for the glory of the unnumbered buttercups he was yet more loth, and he tarried.
18
Here saw he the first butterflies and was glad of the sight; and it is said that all butterflies and their kindred were born in the valley of the Land of Willows. Then came the summer and the time of moths and the warm evenings, and Tuor wondered at the multitude of flies, at their buzzing and the droning of the beetles and the hum of bees; and to all these things he gave names of his own, and wove the names into new songs on his old harp; and these songs were softer than his singing of old.
19
Then Ulmo grew in dread lest Tuor dwell for ever here and the great things of his design come not to fulfilment. Therefore he feared longer to trust Tuor's guidance to the Noldoli alone, who did service to him in secret, and out of fear of Melko wavered much. Nor were they strong against the magic of that place of willows, for very great was its enchantment. Did not even after the days of Tuor Noldorin and his Eldar come there seeking for Dor Lomin and the hidden river and the caverns of the Gnomes' imprisonment; yet thus nigh to their quest's end were like to abandon it? Indeed sleeping and dancing here, and making fair music of river sounds and the murmur of grass, and weaving rich fabrics of gossamer and the feathers of winged insects, they were whelmed by the goblins sped by Melko from the Hills of Iron and Noldorin made bare escape thence. But these things were not as yet.
20
Behold now Ulmo leapt upon his car before the doorway of his palace below the still waters of the Outer Sea; and his car was drawn by narwhal and sealion and was in fashion like a whale; and amidst the sounding of great conches he sped from Ulmonan. So great was the speed of his going that in days, and not in years without count as might be thought, he reached the mouth of the river. Up this his car might not fare without hurt to its water and its banks; therefore Ulmo, loving all rivers and this one more than most, went thence on foot, robed to the middle in mail like the scales of blue and silver fishes; but his hair was a bluish silver and his beard to his feet was of the same hue, and he bore neither helm nor crown. Beneath his mail fell the skirts of his kirtle of shimmering greens, and of what substance these were woven is not known, but whoso looked into the depths of their subtle colours seemed to behold the faint movements of deep waters shot with the stealthy lights of phosphorescent fish that live in the abyss. Girt was he with a rope of mighty pearls, and he was shod with mighty shoes of stone.
21
Thither he bore too his great instrument of music; and this was of strange design, for it was made of many long twisted shells pierced with holes. Blowing therein and playing with his long fingers he made deep melodies of a magic greater than any other among musicians hath ever compassed on harp or lute, on lyre or pipe, or instruments of the bow. Then coming along the river he sate among the reeds at twilight and played upon his thing of shells; and it was nigh to those places where Tuor tarried. And Tuor hearkened and was,stricken dumb. There he stood knee-deep in the grass and heard no more the hum of insects, nor the murmur of the river borders, and the odour of flowers entered not into his nostrils; but he heard the sound of waves and the wail of sea-birds, and his soul leapt for rocky places and the ledges that reek of fish, for the splash of the diving cormorant and those places where the sea bores into the black cliffs and yells aloud.
22
Then Ulmo arose and spake to him and for dread he came near to death, for the depth of the voice of Ulmo is of the uttermost depth: even as deep as his eyes which are the deepest of all things. And Ulmo said: "O Tuor of the lonely heart, I will not that thou dwell for ever in fair places of birds and flowers; nor would I lead thee through this pleasant land, o but that so it must be. But fare now on thy destined journey and tarry not, for far from hence is thy weird set. Now must thou seek through the lands for the city of the folk called Gondothlim or the dwellers in stone, and the Noldoli shall escort thee thither in secret for fear of the spies of Melko. Words I will set to your mouth there, and there you shall abide awhile. Yet maybe thy life shall turn again to the mighty waters; and of a surety a child shall come of thee than whom no man shall know more of the uttermost deeps, be it of the sea or of the firmament of heaven." Then spake Ulmo also to Tuor some of his design and desire, but thereof Tuor understood little at that time and feared greatly.
23
Then Ulmo was wrapped in a mist as it were of sea air in those inland places, and Tuor, with that music in his ears, would fain return to the regions of the Great Sea; yet remembering his bidding turned and went inland along the river, and so fared till day. Yet he that has heard the conches of Ulmo hears them call him till death, and so did Tuor find.
24
When day came he was weary and slept till it was nigh dusk again, and the Noldoli came to him and guided him. So fared he many days by dusk and dark and slept by day, and because of this it came afterwards that he remembered not over well the paths that he traversed in those times. Now Tuor and his guides held on untiring, and the land became one of rolling hills and the river wound about their feet, and there were many dales of exceeding pleasantness; but here the Noldoli became ill at ease. "These," said they, "are the confines of those regions which Melko infesteth with his Goblins, the people of hate. Far to the north - yet alas not far enough, would they were ten thousand leagues - lie the Mountains of Iron where sits the power and terror of Melko, whose thralls we are. Indeed in this guiding of thee we do in secret from him, and did he know all our purposes the torment of the Balrogs would be ours."
25
Falling then into such fear the Noldoli soon after left him and he fared alone amid the hills, and their going proved ill afterwards, for "Melko has many eyes", 'tis said, and while Tuor fared with the Gnomes they took him twilight ways and by many secret tunnels through the hills. But now he became lost, and climbed often to the tops of knolls and hills scanning the lands about. Yet he might not see signs of any dwelling of folk, and indeed the city of the Gondothlim was not found with ease, seeing that Melko and his spies had not even yet discovered it. 'Tis said nonetheless that at this time those spies got wind thus that the strange foot of Man had been set in those lands, and that for that Melko doubled his craft and watchfulness.
26
Now when the Gnomes out of fear deserted Tuor, one Voronwe or Bronweg followed afar off despite his fear, when chiding availed not to enhearten the others. Now Tuor had fallen into a great weariness and was sitting beside the rushing stream, and the sea-longing was about his heart, and he was minded once more to follow this river back to the wide waters and the roaring waves. But this Voronwe the faithful came up with him again, and standing by his ear said: "O Tuor, think not but that thou shalt again one day see thy desire; arise now, and behold, I will not leave thee. I am not of the road-learned of the Noldoli, being a craftsman and maker of things made by hand of wood and of metal, and I joined not the band of escort till late. Yet of old have I heard whispers and sayings said in secret amid the weariness of thraldom, concerning a city where Noldoli might be free could they find the hidden way thereto; and we twain may without a doubt" find the road to the City of Stone, where is that freedom of the Gondothlim."
27
Know then that the Gondothlim were that kin of the Noldoli who alone escaped Melko's power when at the Battle of Unnumbered Tears he slew and enslaved their folk and wove spells about them and caused them to dwell in the Hells of Iron, faring thence at his will and bidding only.
28
Long time did Tuor and Bronweg" seek for the city of that folk, until after many days they came upon a deep dale amid the hills. Here went the river over a very stony bed with much rush and noise, and it was curtained with a heavy growth of alders; but the walls of the dale were sheer, for they were nigh to some mountains which Voronwe knew not. There in the green wall that Gnome found an opening like a great door with sloping sides, and this was cloaked with thick bushes and long-tangled undergrowth; yet Voronwe's piercing sight might not be deceived. Nonetheless 'tis said that such a magic had its builders set about it (by aid of Ulmo whose power ran in that river even if the dread of Melko fared upon its banks) that none save of the blood of the Noldoli might light on it thus by chance; nor would Tuor have found it ever but for the steadfastness of that Gnome Voronwe." Now the Gondothlim made their abode thus secret out of dread of Melko; yet even so no few of the braver Noldoli would slip down the river Sirion from those mountains, and if many perished so by Melko's evil, many finding this magic passage came at last to the City of Stone and swelled its people.
29
Greatly did Tuor and Voronwe rejoice to find this gate, yet entering they found there a way dark, rough-going, and circuitous; and long time they travelled faltering within its tunnels. It was full of fearsome echoes, and there a countless stepping of feet would come behind them, so that Voronwe became adread, and said: "It is Melko's goblins, the Orcs of the hills." Then would they run, falling over stones in the blackness, till they perceived it was but the deceit of the place. Thus did they come, after it seemed a measureless time of fearful groping, to a place where a far light glimmered, and making for this gleam they came to a gate like that by which they had entered, but in no way overgrown. Then they passed into the sunlight and could for a while see nought, but instantly a great gong sounded and there was a clash of armour, and behold, they were surrounded by warriors in steel.
30
Then they looked up and could see, and lo! they were at the foot of steep hills, and these hills made a great circle wherein lay a wide plain, and set therein, not rightly at the midmost but rather nearer to that place where they stood, was a great hill with a level top, and upon that summit rose a city in the new light of the morning.
31
Then Voronwe spake to the Guard of the Gondothlim, and his speech they comprehended, for it was the sweet tongue of the Gnomes." Then spake Tuor also and questioned where they might be, and who might be the folk in arms who stood about, for he was somewhat in amaze and wondered much at the goodly fashion of their weapons. Then 'twas said to him by one of that company: "We are the guardians of the issue of the Way of Escape. Rejoice that ye have found it, for behold before you the City of Seven Names where all who war with Melko may find hope."
32
Then said Tuor: "What be those names?" And the chief of the Guard made answer: "'Tis said and 'tis sung: 'Gondobar am I called and Gondothlimbar, City of Stone and City of the Dwellers in Stone; Gondolin the Stone of Song and Gwarestrin am I named, the Tower of Guard, Gar Thurion or the Secret Place, for I am hidden from the eyes of Melko; but they who love me most greatly call me Loth, for like a flower am I, even Lothengriol the flower that blooms on the plain.' Yet," said he, "in our daily speech we speak and we name it mostly Gondolin." Then said Voronwe: "Bring us thither, for we fain would enter," and Tuor said that his heart desired much to tread the ways of that fair city.
33
Then said the chief of the Guard that they themselves must abide here, for there were yet many days of their moon of watch to pass, but that Voronwe and Tuor might pass on to Gondolin; and moreover that they would need thereto no guide, for "Lo, it stands fair to see and very clear, and its towers prick the heavens above the Hill of Watch in the midmost plain." Then Tuor and his companion fared over the plain that was of a marvellous level, broken but here and there by boulders round and smooth which lay amid a sward, or by pools in rocky beds. Many fair pathways lay across that plain, and they came after a day's light march to the foot of the Hill of Watch (which is in the tongue of the Noldoli Amon Gwareth). Then did they begin to ascend the winding stairways which climbed up to the city gate; nor might any one reach that city save on foot and espied from the walls. As the westward gate was golden in the last sunlight did they come to the long stair's head, and many eyes gazed" upon them from the battlements and towers.
34
But Tuor looked upon the walls of stone, and the uplifted towers, upon the glistering pinnacles of the town, and he looked upon the stairs of stone and marble, bordered by slender balustrades and cooled by the leap of threadlike waterfalls seeking the plain from the fountains of Amon Gwareth, and he fared as one in some dream of the Gods, for he deemed not such things were seen by men in the visions of their sleep, so great was his amaze at the glory of Gondolin.
35
Even so came they to the gates, Tuor in wonder and Voronwe in great joy that daring much he had both brought Tuor hither in the will of Ulmo and had himself thrown off the yoke of Melko for ever. Though he hated him no wise less, no longer did he dread that Evil One" with a binding terror (and of a sooth that spell which Melko held over the Noldoli was one of bottomless dread, so that he seemed ever nigh them even were they far from the Hells of Iron, and their hearts quaked and they fled not even when they could; and to this Melko trusted often).
36
Now is there a sally from the gates of Gondolin and a throng comes about these twain in wonder, rejoicing that yet another of the Noldoli has fled hither from Melko, and marvelling at the stature and the gaunt limbs of Tuor, his heavy spear barbed with fish bone and his great harp. Rugged was his aspect, and his locks were unkempt, and he was clad in the skins of bears. 'Tis written that in those days the fathers of the fathers of Men were of less stature than Men now are, and the children of Elfinesse of greater growth, yet was Tuor taller than any that stood there. Indeed the Gondothlim were not bent of back as some of their unhappy kin became, labouring without rest at delving and hammering for Melko, but small were they and slender and very lithe. They were swift of foot and surpassing fair; sweet and sad were their mouths, and their eyes had ever a joy within quivering to tears; for in those times the Gnomes were exiles at heart, haunted with a desire for their ancient home that faded not. But fate and unconquerable eagerness after knowledge had driven them into far places, and now were they hemmed by Melko and must make their abiding as fair as they might by labour and by love.
37
How it came ever that among Men the Noldoli have been confused with the Orcs who are Melko's goblins, I know not, unless it be that certain of the Noldoli were twisted to the evil of Melko and mingled among these Orcs, for all that race were bred by Melko of the subterranean heats and slime. Their hearts were of granite and their bodies deformed; foul their faces which smiled not, but their laugh that of the clash of metal, and to nothing were they more fain than to aid in the basest of the purposes of Melko. The greatest hatred was between them and the Noldoli, who named them Glamhoth, or folk of dreadful hate.
38
Behold, the armed guardians of the gate pressed back the thronging folk that gathered about the wanderers, and one among them spake saying: "This is a city of watch and ward, Gondolin on Amon Gwareth, where all may be free who are of true heart, but none may be free to enter unknown. Tell me then your names." But Voronwe named himself Bronweg of the Gnomes, come hither" by the will of Ulmo as guide to this son of Men; and Tuor said: "I am Tuor son of Peleg son of Indor of the house of the Swan of the sons of the Men of the North who live far hence, and I fare hither by the wil1 of Ulmo of the Outer Oceans."
39
Then all who listened grew silent, and his deep and rolling voice held them in amaze, for their own voices were fair as the plash of fountains. Then a saying arose among them: "Lead him before the king."
40
Then did the throng return within the gates and the wanderers with them, and Tuor saw they were of iron and of great height and strength. Now the streets of Gondolin were paved with stone and wide, kerbed with marble, and fair houses and courts amid gardens of bright flowers were set about the ways, and many towers of great slenderness and beauty builded of white marble and carved most marvellously rose to the heaven. Squares there were lit with fountains and the home of birds that sang amid the branches of their aged trees, but of all these the greatest was that place where stood the king's palace, and the tower thereof was the loftiest in the city, and the fountains that played before the doors shot twenty fathoms and seven in the air and fell in a singing rain of crystal: therein did the sun glitter splendidly by day, and the moon most magically shimmered by night. The birds that dwelt there were of the whiteness of snow and their voices sweeter than a lullaby of music.
41
On either side of the doors of the palace were two trees, one that bore blossom of gold and the other of silver, nor did they ever fade, for they were shoots of old from the glorious Trees of Valinor that lit those places before Melko and Gloomweaver withered them: and those trees the Gondothlim named Glingol and Bansil.
42
Then Turgon king of Gondolin robed in white with a belt of gold, and a coronet of garnets was upon his head, stood before his doors and spake from the head of the white stairs that led thereto. "Welcome, O Man of the Land of Shadows. Lo! thy coming was set in our books of wisdom, and it has been written that there would come to pass many great things in the homes of the Gondothlim whenso thou faredst hither."
43
Then spake Tuor, and Ulmo set power in his heart and majesty in his voice. "Behold, 0 father of the City of Stone, I am bidden by him who maketh deep music in the Abyss, and who knoweth the mind of Elves and Men, to say unto thee that the days of Release draw nigh. There have come to the ears of Ulmo whispers of your dwelling and your hill of vigilance against the evil of Melko, and he is glad: but his heart is wroth and the hearts of the Valar are angered who sit in the mountains of Valinor and look upon the world from the peak of Taniquetil, seeing the sorrow of the thraldom of the Noldoli and the wanderings of Men; for Melko ringeth them in the Land of Shadows beyond hills of iron. Therefore have I been brought by a secret way to bid you number your hosts and prepare for battle, for the time is ripe."
44
Then spake Turgon: "That will I not do, though it be the words of Ulmo and all the Valar. I will not adventure this my people against the terror of the Orcs, nor emperil my city against the fire of Melko."
45
Then spake Tuor: "Nay, if thou dost not now dare greatly then will the Orcs dwell for ever and possess in the end most of the mountains of the Earth, and cease not to trouble both Elves and Men, even though by other means the Valar contrive hereafter to release the Noldoli; but if thou trust now to the Valar, though terrible the encounter, then shall the Orcs fall, and Melko's power be minished to a little thing."
46
But Turgon said that he was king of Gondolin and no will should force him against his counsel to emperil the dear labour of long ages gone; but Tuor said, for thus was he bidden by Ulmo who had feared the reluctance of Turgon: "Then am I bidden to say that men of the Gondothlim repair swiftly and secretly down the river Sirion to the sea, and there build them boats and go seek back to Valinor: lo! the paths thereto are forgotten and the highways faded from the world, and the seas and mountains are about it, yet still dwell there the Elves on the hill of Kor and the Gods sit in Valinor, though their mirth is minished for sorrow and fear of Melko, and they hide their land and weave about it inaccessible magic that no evil come to its shores. Yet still might thy messengers win there and turn their hearts that they rise in wrath and smite Melko, and destroy the Hells of Iron that he has wrought beneath the Mountains of Darkness."
47
Then said Turgon: "Every year at the lifting of winter have messengers repaired swiftly and by stealth down the river that is called Sirion to the coasts of the Great Sea, and there builded them boats whereto have swans and gulls been harnessed or the strong wings of the wind, and these have sought back beyond the moon and sun to Valinor; but the paths thereto are forgotten and the highways faded from the world, and the seas and mountains are about it, and they that sit within in mirth reck little of the dread of Melko or the sorrow of the world, but hide their land and weave about it inaccessible magic, that no tidings of evil come ever to their ears. Nay, enough of my people have for years untold gone out to the wide waters never to return, but have perished in the deep places or wander now lost in the shadows that have no paths; and at the coming of next year no more shall fare to the sea, but rather will we trust to ourselves and our city for the warding off of Melko; and thereto have the Valar been of scant help aforetime."
48
Then Tuor's heart was heavy, and Voronwe wept; and Tuor sat by the great fountain of the king and its splashing recalled the music of the waves, and his soul was troubled by the conches of Ulmo and he would return down the waters of Sirion to the sea. But Turgon, who knew that Tuor, mortal as he was, had the favour of the Valar, marking his stout glance and the power of his voice sent to him and bade him dwell in Gondolin and be in his favour, and abide even within the royal halls if he would.
49
Then Tuor, for he was weary, and that place was fair, said yea; and hence cometh the abiding of Tuor in Gondolin. Of all Tuor's deeds among the Gondothlim the tales tell not, but 'tis said that many a time would he have stolen thence, growing weary of the concourses of folk, and thinking of empty forest and fell or hearing afar the sea-music of Ulmo, had not his heart been filled with love for a woman of the Gondothlim, and she was a daughter of the king.
50
Now Tuor learnt many things in those realms taught by Voronwe whom he loved, and who loved him exceeding greatly in return; or else was he instructed by the skilled men of the city and the wise men of the king. Wherefore he became a man far mightier than aforetime and wisdom was in his counsel; and many things became clear to him that were unclear before, and many things known that are still unknown to mortal Men. There he heard concerning that city of Gondolin and how unstaying labour through ages of years had not sufficed to its building and adornment whereat folk' travailed yet; of the delving of that hidden tunnel he heard, which the folk named the Way of Escape, and how there had been divided counsels in that matter, yet pity for the enthralled Noldoli had prevailed in the end to its making; of the guard without ceasing he was told, that was held there in arms and likewise at certain low places in the encircling mountains, and how watchers dwelt ever vigilant on the highest peaks of that range beside builded beacons ready for the fire; for never did that folk cease to look for an onslaught of the Orcs did their stronghold become known.
51
Now however was the guard of the hills maintained rather by custom than necessity, for the Gondothlim had long ago with unimagined toil levelled and cleared and delved all that plain about Amon Gwareth, so that scarce Gnome or bird or beast or snake could approach but was espied from many leagues off, for among the Gondothlim were many whose eyes were keener than the very hawks of Manwe Sulimo Lord of Gods and Elves who dwells upon Taniquetil; and for this reason did they call that vale Tumladin or the valley of smoothness. Now this great work was finished to their mind, and folk were the busier about the quarrying of metals and the forging of all manner of swords and axes, spears and bills, and the fashioning of coats of mail, byrnies and hauberks, greaves and vambraces, helms and shields. Now 'twas said to Tuor that already the whole folk of Gondolin shooting with bows without stay day or night might not expend their hoarded arrows in many years, and that yearly their fear of the Orcs grew the less for this.
52
There learnt Tuor of building with stone, of masonry and the hewing of rock and marble; crafts of weaving and spinning, broidure and painting, did he fathom, and cunning in metals. Musics most delicate he there heard; and in these were they who dwelt in the southern city the most deeply skilled, for there played a profusion of murmuring founts and springs. Many of these subtleties Tuor mastered and learned to entwine with his songs to the wonder and heart's joy of all who heard. Strange stories of the Sun and Moon and Stars, of the manner of the Earth and its elements, and of the depths of heaven, were told to him; and the secret characters of the Elves he learnt, and their speeches and old tongues, and heard tell of Iluvatar, the Lord for Always, who dwelleth beyond the world, of the great music of the Ainur about Iluvatar's feet in the uttermost deeps of time, whence came the making of the world and the manner of it, and all therein and their governance.
53
さて、様々な技に通じ、あらゆる伝承や技術に対する深い造詣を持ち、素晴らしい勇猛さ強靭な心身を備えた彼が留まることは、息子のいない王にとって大いなる慰めとなった；彼はゴンドリンの民に愛された。王は彼の重用する巧みな工匠に、トゥオルに贈る鎧を一式あつらえさせた。それは銀で飾られたノーム鋼で作られていた；彼の兜の両側面には、金属で作られた一対の白鳥の羽が宝石のように飾られており、彼の盾には白鳥の翼が描かれていた；ただ、彼は剣ではなく、ゴンドリンの民の言葉でドラムボルレグと名付けた斧を好んだ。それは一撃で相手を打ち倒し、鎧を引き裂いた。
54
A house was built for him upon the southern walls, for he loved the free airs and liked not the close neighbourhood of other dwellings. There it was his delight often to stand on the battlements at dawn, and folk rejoiced to see the new light catch the wings of his helm - and many murmured and would fain have backed him into battle with the Orcs, seeing that the speeches of those two, Tuor and Turgon, before the palace were known to many; but this matter went not further for reverence of Turgon, and because at this time in Tuor's heart the thought of the words of Ulmo seemed to have grown dim and far off.
チケット・トゥ・パラダイス
若さゆえの過ちで結婚→離婚した夫婦が、一人娘の結婚を機に、かつての結婚が過ちではなかったことを再発見する作品。
まあ、あるあるな展開だが、気持ちよく観られる作品。ジョージ・クルーニーが良い味出してる。
反ユダヤ発言で干された彼が帰ってこられるとはなぁ ( ﾟωﾟ).｡o0(犬歯を削るより割礼の方がキツイのかぁ
