House of the Heavenly Arch

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The House of the Heavenly Arch was one of the Twelve Houses of the Gondolindrim in Gondolin, led by Egalmoth. They were a folk of "unnacounted wealth", and were arrayed in many bright colors, for the "heavenly arch" referred to a rainbow. Their arms were set with jewels that flamed in the light over the sky. Every shield of that battalion was of the blue of the heavens and its boss a jewel built of seven gems: rubies, amethysts, sapphires, emeralds, chrysoprase, topas, and amber. An opal of great size was set in each of their helms. They were great swordsmen, but also great archers, and with the House of the Swallow defended the walls of Gondolin during the Fall of Gondolin.