His sword was long, his lance was keen,
his shining helm afar was seen;
the countless stars of heaven's field
were mirrored in his silver shield.
But long ago he rode away,
and where he dwelleth none can say;
for into darkness fell his star
in Mordor where the shadows are.
-J.R.R. Tolkien LOTR: FOTR p. 181
Gariel maegech Gil-galad,
Thôl palan-gennen, ann-vegil;
A giliath arnoediad
Tann thann dîn be genedril.
Dan io-anann os si gwannant
A mas, ú-bedir ithronath;
An gîl dîn na-dúath di-dhant,
vi Mordor, ennas caeda gwath.
translated into Sindarin by Ryszard Derdzinski
Lanta Alcareleno
Alcarelen né aran Eldaron.
Sen i nandaror lirë nimbanen:
i telwa ya ardarya né vanima ar latina
imbë i Oronti ar i ëar.
Macilerya né lenwa, eccorya né laicë,
silala cassarya vahaia cenina;
i únótimë eleni menelo telluma
naltanar turmaryassë telpina.
Nan yalúmë háya lendero,
ar mammen marnero úner polë quetë;
an morniennan elenarya lantanë
Mordoressë yassen i huiner nar.
Gil-galad was the last High King of the Noldor. He was the son of Fingon, The Valiant. Gil-galad means "Star of Radiance." He became the last Noldorian King in Middle Earth after Turgon was slain. Gil-galad ruled the Elven Nations from his home in Mithlond (Grey Havens)the captial city of Lindon. "The last remnant of the sunken continent of Beleriand to remain above the waves, Lindon is a green and pleasant land of the westernmost verge of Middle-earth. Divided by the Gulf of Lhûn into Forlindon (to the north) and Harlindon (to the south), it was Gil-galad's kingdom throughout the Second Age, and home to most of the Noldor remaining in Middle-earth... With the exception of the Havens and the three White Towers, Lindon contains no cities or visible dwellings, but there are many hidden halls and secret retreats, visible only to those who know how to find them...only Elves dwell in Lindon...It is said that no part of Lindon lies outside the sound and smell of the Sea, at least to Elven senses. -LOTR RPG Core Book p. 10.
Gil-galad formed the Last Alliance of Men and Elves during the Second Age of Middle Earth with Elendil, last Lord of Andúnië and Founder of the Númenórean city of Gondor. Gil-galad was slain by Sauron at the Last Alliance.
"A new shadow arises in the East. It is no tyranny of evil Men, as your son believes; but a servant of Morgoth is stiring, and evil things wake again. Each year it gains strength, for most Men are ripe to its purpose. Not far off is the day, I judge, when it will become too great for the Eldar unaided to withstand. Therefore, whenever I behold a tall ship of the Kings of Men, my heart is eased. The memories of the First Age are dim, and all things in Middle-earth grow colder. Let not the ancient friendship of Eldar and Dúnedain wane also. Behold! The darkenss that is to come is filled with hatred for us, but it hates you no less. The Great Sea will not be too wide for its wings, if it suffered to come to full growth. Manwë keep you under the One, and send fair wind to your sails."
-J.R.R. Tolkien Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle Earth p. 209-210
