Gelmir

Elf
Gelmir of Nargothrond, brother of Gwindor. Died First Age 473
Gelmir. Alive in First Age 496

Article : "Gelmir", the two elves of the same name, by Irmo-(Valar).
Article: "Gelmir, Brother of Gwindor", by Daeron-(V).

Gelmir

by Irmo-(Valar)
July 14, 2000

(1) Elf of Nargothrond, brother of Gwindor, captured in the Dagor Bragollach, harshly put to death at the start of the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, as a provocation to the defenders at Eithel Sirion and to Gwindor in particular.
 (2) Elf of Angrod, who with Arminas was sent by Cirdan to Nargothrond, warning Orodreth of Ulmo’s prophecy of the coming onslaught.

Reference: Silmarillion
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Gelmir, Brother of Gwindor

by Daeron-(V)
Oct. 1, 2002

 Gelmir was the son of Guilin, and the brother of Gwindor .  Gelmir, Guilin, and Gwindor were all Noble Elves of Nargothrond.

Gelmir's main story was during the Dagor Bragollach.  Being a warrior from Nargothrond, he was with the Nargothrond army at the time.  It is said that the Sons of Finarfin suffered the most for Angrod and Aegnor were slain, along with Bregolas lord of the house of Beor.  There Finrod Felegund himself would have been slain, had Barahir not saved him.

Many other elf lords and princes were slain in that battle but, as Barahir recieved the Ring of Finrod (and becoming the lord of the house of Beor), another warrior was forgotten.  His name was Gelmir, son of Guilin, and he was not mentioned in the losses of the Dagor Bragollach.

Perhaps this was because he had not been slain but taken captive, unknown to other Elf lords including Gwindor.

This may have turned out for the best. Soon Gelmir was brought before the armies of the eldar and the edain in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad.  He was brought blindfolded and the heralds of Angband cried out "We have many more such at home, but you must make haste if you would find them; for we shall deal with them all when we return even so." And with that they mutilated Gelmir's body by hewing his hands and feet off, and finally his head.

This, for me, expressed how completely evil Angband was.  I think it was one of the most emotional moments in the book, especially for what happened after.

For Gwindor, brother of Gelmir, was in the crowd of elves who witnessed Gelmir's mutilation.  In all his wrath, he jumped upon his horse and flew to the main host of Angband, and with him came riders of Nargothrond. The forces of Hithlum, watching Gwindor and his company riding at Angband, followed them into the battle.

And so, the Nirnaeth Arnoediad was started.

Unfortunately Gwindor's company was slain and Gwindor himself was taken captive like his brother and was forced to work in the Mines of Angband.

The tale has a happier ending, for soon Gwindor escaped Angband and was found by Turin Turambar.  There he adventured with him and helped him cope with the death of Beleg.

References:
    The Silmarillion
    "The Shaping of Middle-earth", 4th Vol of the Histories of Middle-earth
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