Nandáro was a Noldo of Valinórë, a harpist who preferred a merry life of leisure to one of conflict. Despite his inclination to peace and plenty, he was swayed by Fëanáro’s promises of grandeur and freedom in Endórë, and followed the Host of Arafinwë to the eastern shores of Aman. Having had a dreadful last encounter with his father, who refused to leave with the exiles, Nandáro was hesitant to return to Tirion even after the Doom of Mandos was proclaimed, and he lost his chance to turn back when the Host of Ñolofinwë, to whom he now belonged, embarked across the treacherous Helcaraxë.
That journey was harrowing and traumatizing for all who took it, but especially for Nandáro. He was a naturally plump nér, and lost much of his weight on the Ice, leaving him hungry and weak. In Beleriand he took the name Talagand and set himself to the task of planting and growing food, something he had never before shown interest in, but he was determined to regain his weight and his health with it and wanted to ensure that no one ever went hungry again.
Thus Talagand was easily won over by Turukáno’s promise of safety and abundance in his hidden city of Ondolindë. He was among the first to move to the valley of Tumladen with his followers, mostly farmers and musicians like himself, as construction upon the city began.
In Ondolindë, Talagand became the Lord of the House of the Swallow. While some of his people were mighty warriors, most were glad of the peace and seclusion and devoted themselves to farming and music. Talagand himself grew round once more and became complacent, letting his followers do the work of providing his food while he rededicated himself to his harp above all other things.
Among the folk of the Harp were Lemyaro, a singer and composer who would in time become the father of Lindir the bard of Rivendell, and Valwë, a mighty warrior. Valwë had lost his wife Culdiel in the Battle of the Lammoth, but his son Lindo remained with him. Lindo was a storyteller and artist, and for his sake Valwë chose to join the House of the Harp where Lindo could be among other creative souls.
When the King’s nephew Maeglin came to Gondolin, he appeared aloof and reclusive to many of the Gondolindrim not of his House. Yet none could deny his skill in smithcraft, rivalling even that of Rôg’s House of the Hammer of Wrath, and Talagand grew curious to see if this strange young lord was truly as prideful as folk said. He commissioned Maeglin to craft him a ceremonial weapon, bejeweled and impractical for true combat, and throughout the the process he grew fond of the young, isolated ellon and befriended him, drawing him out to social gatherings and advising him on how to interact with others unlike himself.
Talagand was never very brave, and remained behind with half of his House when the rest of the Gondolindrim marched to the Fifth Battle. He attempted to advise Princess Idril during her time as regent, but she dismissed his counsel, earning Talagand’s resentment.
Much is said of Maeglin’s captivity and betrayal of Gondolin, but it is not commonly known that alone of his peers Talagand approached him after he reappeared and asked after his health. Maeglin was caught in Morgoth’s spell and could not confess his torment, but what he did say deeply unsettled Talagand. He had previously spent much time in the house of Tuor, enjoying the wine and food he received there and playing drolleries for young Eärendil, but after this encounter he became more suspicious of those around him and withdrew to the privacy of his own chambers.
When Morgoth’s armies attacked Gondolin, Talagand’s fears were made manifest and he lost what little courage he may have retained. He was of a mind to flee, but feared the change in Maeglin his friend and instead spoke to convince King Turukáno to remain and defend the city. But when Maeglin, consumed in the madness of Morgoth, ordered him to delay Tuor and his soldiers and misdirect them to the deadliest part of the fray, Talagand grew so frightened that he instead rode to his home and lay aquake in his bed as the battle raged.
His final order to his people was to direct them not to reinforce Glorfindel and his House in the Great Market, but to garrison the Lesser Market where he dwelt. Yet their lord’s clear terror and addled mind seemed off to the folk of the Harp, and under the leadership of Valwë they came to the aid of the House of the Golden Flower at the last. With their wrath they drove the enemy back, but many were slain as dragons roared forth, including Valwë himself. Yet Lindo his son and Lemyaro his friend escaped with a few other folk of the Harp and survived through the end of the First Age; Lindo sailed to Tol Eressëa where he wed the nís Vairilmë and eventually reunited with his parents after their rebirth, while Lemyaro remained in Middle-earth and joined the people of Gil-galad.
Talagand would not have such a fortunate fate. When Gondolin had fallen entirely, the captains of Morgoth discovered him trembling upon his bed and delighted in tormenting him. Discovering that he could perform songs and stories, they delivered him to Morgoth himself, and he became a buffoon for the Dark Vala’s entertainment. His time in the court of Angband was dark and dreadful, leaving him scarred and starved as he had been on the Ice, but when the Host of the Valar came at last to the aid of the Free-peoples of Beleriand he was eventually freed along with many other thralls. Talagand retreated into himself and was taken across the Sea to the Gardens of Lórien, where with many centuries of patience, rest, and love he eventually mastered his trauma and even came to aid others who came seeking similar healing.
