Tuor found a shipwrecked Elf named Voronwë who agreed to guide him to Gondolin. With the help of Ulmo's cloak, the two escaped from orcs and eventually came to Gondolin. They were captured by the guards, who were alarmed to see Voronwë leading a Man to the hidden city. Tuor, however, told the guard that he bore a message to Turgon from the Lord of Waters, so they were led through the Seven Gates of Gondolin. They were brought before Ecthelion, the Warden of the Great Gate. Convinced of their intentions, Ecthelion brought Tuor to the throne of Turgon, were Tuor spoke the councels of Ulmo. It was at that moment when Tuor first beheld Idril Celebrindal, the golden daughter of the King, and fell in love with her. Ulmo told Turgon to foresake the city of Gondolin, for the Doom of Mandos will be fulfilled and the Elven Kingdoms will fall. Turgon, however, was proud and loved the city of Gondolin. Furthermore, Maeglin, a kinsman and trusted advisor to the king, spoke ever against Tuor's words. Maeglin was jealous of Tuor because of his position in the councels of the King, and for the love that Idril had for Tuor. Turgon even agreed to the marriage of Tuor and Idril, and thus passed the second union between Elves and Men. From Idril and Tuor came their son, Ëarendil, or the Half-elven.
Idril was wise and far-seeing, and she predicted that because the concels of Ulmo were not followed, evil would come to Gondolin. Therefore, she prepared a secret way that led out of Gondolin. Maeglin, however, while journeying to nearby mountains without the permission of Turgon, was captured by orcs and taken to Angband. There he betrayed the location of Gondolin, for Morgoth offered him the chance to rule Gondolin and take Idril. Thus came the Fall of Gondolin.
Gondolin was attacked unexpectedly, and the deeds of desperate valour performed was not forgotten. There, Ecthelion slew and was slain by Gothmog, Lord of the Balrogs. Maeglin was also slain by Tuor after he had tried to take Idril and When it became clear that there was no hope left in Gondolin, Idril and Ëarendil. Tuor evacuated the people with the secret path that Idril had devised. Even as they escaped, a Balrog came and attacked. Many would have been lost had it not been for the great deed of bravery that was done by Glorfindel. He fought with the Balrog until both were hurled to their deaths in the abyss.
The escaped people of Gondolin eventually joined those who had escaped from the fall of Doriath, including Elwing, the daughter of Dior (son of Lúthien). Elwing was later wedded to Ëarendil, As old age befell Tuor, his love of the sea grew. He set sail to he west with Idril, and alone of Mortal Men was numbered amoung the Eldar.
Thingol looked upon Nauglamír and the Silmaril, and he decided to merge the greatest works of Elves and Dwarves. The Dwarves labored long in remaking of the Nauglamír with the Silmaril, and they lusted for the beauty of the light. When the Dwarves refused to give Thingol the necklace, and Thingol mocked them with shameful words. The Dwarves, in thier anger, then slew Thingol but did not suceed in taking the necklace. Great was the grief of Melian when she heard of her husband's death, and the Girdle of Melian was withdrawn. Before Melian passed to the Western Sea, she bid that the Silmaril be given to Beren and Lúthien, who now dwelt with the woodland Elves of Ossiriand after they were reborn from the Halls of Mandos as mortals. But before the Silmaril could be delivered, the Dwarves attacked Doriath and suceeded in taking it. Mablung, the Heavy Hand, died there defending the Silmaril. When tidings came of the ruin of Doriath to Beren and the Elves of Ossiriand, Beren arose with many Elves and recaptured Doriath, and reclaimed the Silmaril. When wearing the Silmaril around her neck, Lúthien became a vision of the greatest beauty and glory that has ever been outside the realm of Valinor. Shortly, however, Beren and Lúthien died, and so Beren's son Dior became the King of Doriath.
Dior married Nimloth, kinswoman of Celeborn, and they had Eluréd, Elurín, and Elwing. At the death of Beren and Lúthien, Dior was given the Silmaril. The sons of Fëanor had not forgotten about the Silmaril, or their oath. Because Dior refused to relinquish the jewel, the sons of Fëanor attacked Doriath at unawares and slew Dior. They did suceed in taking the Silmaril, for Elwing, daughter of Dior, escaped and came the haven that the escaped Noldor from Gondolin had established. There, she met Ëarendil, and they married. Through this union came one of the greatest deeds of Men and Elves.