Golden Gate

The Golden Gate, sixth of the Seven Gates of Gondolin stood near the end of the Orfalch, close to the point where its road issued onto the plains of Tumladen and ran onward to Gondolin itself.

The Fifth and Sixth Gates were together dedicated to the Two Trees of Valinor. The Fifth, the Gate of Silver, was associated with the White Tree Telperion, but the Sixth, the Golden Gate, was devoted to Laurelin the Golden Tree. On the marble wall that held the gate stood a pyramid, and on that pyramid was a likeness of the Tree Laurelin, hung with topaz fruit dangling from golden chains.

The golden theme was carried through to the gate itself, and to its guard. The gate was decorated with golden discs representing the Sun, the last fruit of Laurelin, and the archers who guarded the last of the six ancient gates wore gilded armour, with golden plumes rising from their helmets.