Dark Guard
The Dark Guard, also known as the Outer Guard or the Guard, was a group among the Gondolindrim whose purpose was to guard the Gate of Wood from anyone seeking to enter Gondolin. They were garrisoned in the dark cavern at the start of the Orfalch Echor.
The Dark Guard, also known as the Outer Guard or the Guard, was a group among the Gondolindrim whose purpose was to guard the Gate of Wood from anyone seeking to enter Gondolin. They were garrisoned in the dark cavern at the start of the Orfalch Echor.
History
By the year 116 of the First Age when Gondolin was fully built, the Dark Guard was formed and positioned at the Gate of Wood, though it may have existed in some prior form as early as the year 53 to keep the construction of the city a secret. Elemmakil was appointed to be the captain of the Dark Guard. Like the guards of the other gates, the Dark Guard had a representation as part of the army of soldiers on the high sward overlooking the Vale of Tumladen.
In FA 400, the Dark Guard were approached by Aredhel, who was returning to the city after fleeing from Nan Elmoth with Maeglin, her son. The guards greeted them with joy. Shortly afterwards, however, they were met by Eöl who had creeped in past them "to the Dark Gate" by stealth. After taking him captive and questioning him, Eöl amazed them by claiming to be Aredhel's husband and demanded to be brought to Turgon. As a result, the Dark Guard "sent a swift messenger to the City" where Aredhel confirmed Eöl's words.
On October 19 of the year 495, the Dark Guard were awoken from sleep by the voices of Tuor and Voronwë when they entered the dark cavern. They immediately initiated an interrogation before learning of Tuor's mission from Ulmo. After which, the Dark Guard led them part of the way to the Gate of Stone before Elemmakil sent them back to the Gate of Wood because there was no longer any need of them.
It is untold whether they survived the Fall of Gondolin in FA 510.
In other versions
In The Book of Lost Tales, the Dark Guard were unnamed, being the only guard division of the pass between the only two gates. In that version, Tuor and Voronwë manage to outrun the guards in the dark, but are stunned upon coming out with the sounding of a great gong. They were then "surrounded by warriors in steel" and the guards announced themselves as being "the guardians of the issue of the Way of Escape". They were friendlier to them than they are in the later version.