Prophecies and curses,logically, *do* negate the concept of free will.
Regarding the importance of Turgon and Gondolin to Morgoth, re-reading the Fifth Battle chapter in the Sil I would say that not only was it hugely important but that everyone involved was aware of this. It was the whole point of the sacrifice of the men of Dor-lomin. And Huor even prophecises to Turgon, before the Fen of Serech, that "from you and from me a new star shall arise."
I'd also like to bring in a point related to the original title of the thread...
Earlier, somebody talked about Norse myth, and the idea of fighting evil even though it was pointless.But Hurin's battle cry, Aure enteluva, seems to me to be the essence of hope.
But the utterly bleak outcome of the tale of Hurin seems to imply that hope = hubris. Or is the tale intended as a contrast to the hope inherent in the line of Hurin's brother Huor?
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Out went the candle, and we were left darkling
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