Ecthelion was a trusted soldier of Gondolin, whom Turgon sent with Glorfindel and Egalmoth to escort Aredhel to the sons of Feanor. He was a captain during the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, where he guarded Turgon’s right flank.
In the bliss and glory of Gondolin he married Neura, sister to Glorfindel, lady of the Golden flower, and soon after his daughter, Nariel, was born. By that time he was already the Warden of the Seventh gate of Gondolin.
In the time of the Fall, he and his house were held in reserve until the battle went ill; then they entered by the playing of flutes. Ecthelion fought side by side with Tuor and the House of the Wing, and althought they slew many goblins, the battle could not be won. They retreated to the King’s square and fought valiantly, but the Enemy was to great. There Tuor would have been slain by Gothmog, leader of Balrogs, if Ecthelion had not aided him. He sent his helmet into the Balrog’s chest, but the beast fell forward into the fountain in the centre of the square, pushing Ecthelion with him. Thus the life of the Lord of the Fountain ended.