Marchwardens

Marchwardens (also called Elf-wardens) were Sindar in the army of Thingol assigned to guard the borders of Doriath. Their chief was Mablung of the Heavy Hand. For a period, Túrin Turambar served among them, fighting alongside Beleg Strongbow in the north-marches against Orc incursions.

After the Fell Winter, the Marchwardens encountered Elves from Nargothrond who had survived the disastrous Battle of Tumhalad and sought refuge in Doriath. The wardens led them to Thingol and delivered news from Nargothrond. The mother of Túrin later fled Doriath seeking information about her son, and Mablung with the hardy Marchwardens were tasked to bring her back, unaware that her younger daughter was traveling in disguise with them.

The Watxh Against the Night

The Marchwardens of Gondolin were legendary in the Elder Days. A heroic tome, recounted in linnod-verse, tells of their long wars against Morgoth. The text describes multiple forays from the city into enemy lands, the courage of the Elf-warriors, and the tragic fates many endured—slain or imprisoned in the dungeons of Angband. This account also preserved the tactical knowledge and traditions that informed the Marchwardens of later times. The text concludes abruptly with the fall of Gondolin.

Significant excerpts from The Watch Against the Night include:

• Page 5: This painting, though faded in colour, clearly depicts the grace and power of a Marchwarden on the field of battle.
• Page 7: The writing here appears to have been scribed while the author was watching the Wardens train; it tells much of the tactical skills of the Marchwardens of old.
• Page 13: On this page is a silverpoint portrait of a fair scene: Marchwardens at the gate of their city, fell but fair, cold and yet full of mirth. Such is the changeling nature of a true Warden.
• Page 17: This poem sings of the mightiest and doughtiest of the Marchwardens of Gondolin, of his great deeds and sorrows in his long years in Beleriand.
• Page 21: Sorrowful thoughts come to mind: struggle, strife, and impregnable gloom, as these words are read: 'Edhel erthad. Galadrim. Golodh. Tawarwaith. girith mór uireb.' Would darkness prevail, even if all the sundered Elves would but unite?
• Page 25: This page tells of a young Elf who rashly marched into battle though untrained as a Warden. He was lost, taken by the servants of Morgoth and slaughtered before the eyes of his brethren. They could not aid him, not until it was too late.
• Page 41: This page is blank but for a word at the top: 'Estel'. Sindarin for 'trust'. As the word is spoken aloud with noble intentions in mind, a map appears in silvered lines. The secret layout of Gondolin is revealed.
• Page 44: 'Etherio e teleth...hi bein Gondolin luithio...alna no echain'. These words, though unknown to you, fill your mind with visions of a fair city, but your heart is pricked by a piercing grief, as if something you loved but knew not was about to be lost to you forever.

References

• Tolkien, J.R.R., The Silmarillion
• Tolkien, J.R.R., The Children of Húrin
• Tolkien, J.R.R., The Lord of the Rings