SWG Re-Read - "Of Túrin Turambar" Discussion Post

[oloriel.livejournal.com]

Of Túrin Turambar

The Graphics Post has been updated again! New banner by lignota.

Welcome this fortnight's chapter discussion!

Important: This is not a spoiler-free zone. It is hard to discuss any chapter in depth without referring to things that happen in later chapters. Proceed at your own risk! Furthermore, it’s perfectly fine to jump in, even if you haven’t participated in previous discussions. We don’t bite!

Also, you are welcome to comment on old chapter discussions. Although the re-read is moving on, discussions are never closed!


Banner by lignota.

Summary

Rían weds Huor two months before the Nirnaeth Arnoediad. When no news from him come after the battle, she flees into the wild, where the Grey-elves of Mithrim help her. Among them, she gives birth to her son Tuor and leaves him in their care; then she goes to the Hill of the Slain, where she lies down to die.

The wife of Huor's brother Húrin is Morwen. They have a son, Túrin, and a daughter named Lalaith, who dies when she is three years old. After the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, Morwen still lives in Dor-lómin, and although the land is overrun by the Easterlings who oppress the people of Hador, the Easterlings are afraid of Morwen. Nonetheless, she is poor and moreover pregnant again. Her only aid is Aerin, who was taken to wife by Brodda, an Easterling. Fearing that Túrin, now eight years old, will be taken from her and enslaved, Morwen sends him to Doriath. Thingol has by now changed his mind about Men and accepts Túrin into Doriath, fostering him in his own family. Thingol also sends messengers to Morwen, inviting her to Doriath. But Morwen, who has now given birth to a girl named Nienor, refuses to leave the house in which she had dwelt with Húrin. She sends the Dragon-helm as a gift to Túrin.

Túrin grows strong in Doriath, but he is unhappy and worried about his sister and mother. After nine years, the messengers whom Thingol regularly sends to Dor-lómin do not return. Túrin asks Thingol for mail and sword, puts on the Dragon-helm, and joins Beleg Cúthalion in the marches. When he returns to Doriath, he is wild and wayworn. Saeros, a Nando living in Doriath, has long been jealous of Túrin and now taunts him for his wild looks. He overreaches when he insults the women of Hithlum: Túrin is so angry that he takes a heavy drinking-vessel, throws it at Saeros, and injures him.

Angry and insulted, Saeros waylays Túrin the next day. Túrin is stronger, and makes Saeros run through the woods naked. Saeros falls into the chasm of a stream and dies. Others, Mablung among them, arrive to see what happened. Mablung wants Túrin to stand judgement before the King, but Túrin is afraid that he will be held captive and assumes that he is now an outlaw. He passes through the Girdle of Melian and joins a wild group of outlaws in the woods west of Sirion.

However, when Thingol hears the whole story, he decides that Túrin was wronged and pardons him. Beleg happens to be in Menegroth at the time, and Thingol tells him of his grief concerning Túrin. Beleg promises to seek for Túrin and bring him back to Menegroth if he finds him.

Túrin has by now become the captain of the outlaws, naming himself Neithan, the Wronged. Beleg finds the outlaws' camp just when Túrin is gone for a while. The outlaws bind him and torment him, thinking that he is a spy of Thingol. Túrin returns and is shocked by his companions' deeds. He has Beleg released and swears only to attack the servants of Angband from now on.

Beleg tells Túrin that he is pardoned and that Thingol wishes to welcome him in Menegroth again. Doriath could also use Túrin's strength in battle again, as the Orcs have made a road through the Pass of Anach. Túrin is not persuaded, so Beleg parts from him. He tells Thingol of Túrin's refusal. Thingol wonders what else he can do for Túrin, and Beleg asks leave to guard and guide Túrin. Thingol offers him a gift; Beleg asks for a sword because his bow no longer suffices to keep back the Orcs. He receives Anglachel, made from the ore of a meteorite by Eöl. Melian warns that the dark heart of the smith still dwells in the sword, and that it will not serve Beleg for long. Melian also gives Beleg a parcel of lembas. Beleg initially returns to Dimbar and drives back the Orcs; but when winter comes, his companions suddenly miss Beleg and never see him again.

Meanwhile, Túrin has led his outlaws westwards, looking for a safer lair. They come across three dwarves. The dwarves flee, but Túrin's men capture one of them and send an arrow after them. The captured dwarf, named Mîm, begs for his life and offers to take them into his house upon Amon Rûdh. Túrin accepts. When they arrive, they learn that the arrow they sent after the fleeing dwarves hit one of them, Mîm's son Khîm, and killed him. Túrin regrets now that they let that arrow fly, and promises Mîm to pay a ransom of gold for his son if he ever comes to wealth.

The outlaws live in Mîm's cave for a while, and Túrin speaks much with Mîm, learning his lore and the story of his life. One day in winter, when Amon Rûdh is deep covered in snow, Beleg finds Túrin. He heals the sick or hurt of Túrin's company and gives them lembas. He also brings the Dragon-helm, and tries to persuade Túrin to come back to Doriath. Túrin, however, will not be convinced, and instead Beleg stays by his side. They draw many leaderless men to their company, and Túrin names himself Gorthol, the Dread Helm. He wears the Dragon-helm. Thus Morgoth learns that he is Húrin's son.

The outlaws come to love and respect Beleg, but Mîm hates him. When he and his son Ibun are captured by Orcs whole gathering roots, Mîm again offers to take his captors to his house, although he asks that Túrin shall not be slain. The Orcs promise this. Mîm leads them to his house, where they slay Túrin's company in their sleep or on the hill-top of Amon Rûdh. Túrin is caught in a net and lead away. When all is silent, Mîm looks at the fallen, but he finds that one of them still lives: Beleg. Mîm wants to slay him, but Beleg seizes Anglachel from him and drives him away.

Beleg, wounded himself, seeks for Túrin to bury him, but he does not find him. Thus he knows that Túrin was taken alive. Although Beleg has little hope of finding him, he pursues the orcs. On his way, he finds a sleeping elf who has escaped from Angband. It is Gwindor, son of Guilin. Gwindor has seen the Orcs who took Túrin, but he tries to dissuade Beleg from following them. But Beleg insists that he must try to help Túrin, and eventually, Gwindor comes with him.They reach the Orc-camp in a storm, when the Orcs have feasted within sight of Thangorodrim. In the darkness, Beleg shoots the wolf-sentinels around the encampment. Then Beleg and Gwindor cut the bonds that tie Túrin to a tree and carry him away from the Orcs. In a thicket, Beleg uses Anglachel to cut Túrin's bonds, but the blade slips and pricks Túrin's foot. Túrin wakes, believes that the Orcs are tormenting him again, wrests Anglachel from Beleg's hands and kills Beleg. A bolt of lightning then lets him see what he has done. The Orcs wake, and Gwindor tries to warn Túrin against the danger, but Túrin sits by Beleg's body and reacts to nothing. Fortunately, the Orcs believe that Túrin must have run far away and that the rain washed away all traces, so they do not attempt to find him again but return to Morgoth empty-handed.

In the morning, Gwindor rouses Túrin and helps him to bury Beleg. They place Beleg's bow in his grave, but take Anglachel and the lembas along. Túrin learns from Gwindor that Morgoth has laid a curse on Húrin and all his kin. Gwindor leads Túrin to Nargothrond, where Túrin names himself Agaerwen son of Úmarth (The Bloodstained, son of Illfate) and is accepted for Gwindor's sake.

Anglachel has become blunt and dull after drinking Beleg's blood, but it is reforged by the smiths of Nargothrond, and Túrin names it Gurthang. He becomes known as Mormegil, the Black Sword, as a defender of Nargothrond. Finduilas, who loved Gwindor before he was a captive in Angband, now falls in love with Túrin. Túrin does not realise it, but Gwindor does. He tells Finduilas that she is free to love whom she wants, but warns her against mortals in general and this mortal in particular, telling her Túrin's true identity. Túrin is angry because he had hoped to escape his fate by changing his name. However, Orodreth honours him well and listens to his counsel. Túrin does not approve of the stealth and secrecy of the warriors of Nargothrond, preferring open warfare. By his counsel, Orodreth has a great bridge built over the river Narog. Thus Nargothrond is revealed to Morgoth. Thingol also hears about the deeds of Mormegil, but is unaware that this is Túrin.

Morwen and Nienor now brave the journey to Doriath. They are welcomed in Thingol's halls but grieve because Túrin is no longer there.

Two Elves arrive in Nargothrond with words from Ulmo, who advises Orodreth to tear down the bridge; but Orodreth hearkens to Túrin, who insists that the bridge must stand. Soon afterwards, Brethil is taken by Morgoth, who then sends his force against Nargothrond. His host is greater than anybody knew, and among them is Glaurung, now grown tall and terrible. Orodreth is killed and Gwindor is lethally wounded. Túrin bears him out of the fray. Before he dies, Gwindor advises Túrin to run to Nargothrond and rescue Finduilas, who alone can protect Túrin from his doom. Túrin obeys and arrives in Nargothrond just as the Orcs plunder it. None can stop him as he hews his way towards the surviving captives, but Glaurung comes forth and locks Túrin in his gaze. He lists all of Túrin's ill-fated deeds, and lies that his mother and sister live destitute in Dor-lómin. Meanwhile, the Orcs parade their prisoners past Túrin. Finduilas cries out to him, but he cannot move. Glaurung only releases him when all are gone. Túrin attacks Glaurung, but Glaurung does not kill him, instead advising him to save his sister and mother. Although the cries of Finduilas echo in Túrin's ears, he obeys the words of the dragon and makes for Dor-lómin. Glaurung drives the Orcs out, casts down the bridge, gathers all the treasure of Nargothrond, and makes himself comfortable.

Túrin comes to Dor-lómin and finds that Morwen and Nienor are gone. He demands to know where they are from Brodda. Aerin explains that they have gone to Doriath to find Túrin, who now realises that Glaurung has lied to him. In his rage, he kills Brodda and his guests and flees. He decides not to go to Doriath, but to seek Finduilas after all. The trails have gone cold, but Túrin finds woodmen of Brethil beset by Orcs and rescues them. The woodmen happen to know Finduilas' fate: When they tried to waylay the Orcs-host, the Orcs killed all their prisoners and pinned Finduilas to a tree with a spear. The woodmen have buried her in a mound called the Haudh-en-Elleth. At Túrin's request, the woodmen lead him there. He falls in a swoon, but the woodmen have recognised him as Mormegil by his sword, and take him to their hidden home. Their leader, Brandir son of Handir, has forebodings of dread when he sees Túrin, but he nonetheless takes him into his house. Túrin is healed and names himself Turambar, Master of Fate. He puts his black sword aside and fights rather with bow and spear.

News about the sack of Nargothrond, including the Mormegil's true identity, reach Doriath. Against Melian's counsel, Morwen travels forth alone to find Túrin. Mablung and some others are sent to reach her and guard her. Nienor disguises herself as one of them and rides along. They reach Morwen. Glaurung is aware of their presence. When Mablung and some of his men sneak to Nargothrond, Glaurung comes forth and blinds them with his vapours. Morwen's and Nienor's guards try to take them to safety, but the dragon-stench drives their horses mad. Nienor manages to climb Amon Ethir, where she wants to wait for Mablung, but she runs right into Glaurung, who places a spell of forgetfulness upon her. Then he leaves her alone. Mablung finds Nienor and leads her away, deaf and blind. Three of Mablung's companions find them. They try to return to Doriath, but are assailed by an Orc-band. Nienor wakes, recovers sight and hearing, and flees in terror. The Elves succeed in slaying the Orcs, but cannot find Nienor. She flees until she is exhausted. When she wakes, she moves on. At last she reaches Brethil and falls down upon the Haudh-en-Elleth. There she is found by Túrin and the woodmen. They take her to their houses. She cannot tell them anything, so Túrin gives her a new name: Níniel, tear-maiden. The women of Brethil heal her and teach her to speak. Brandir falls in love with her, but she is in love with Turambar. He asks her to marry him, but she says no, although she does not know why. Brandir, trying to protect her from something he does not himself comprehend, tells her that Turambar is in fact Túrin son of Húrin. The name means nothing to her, but a shadow falls upon her. Nonetheless, after three years Turambar asks for her hand again, and this time she accepts but makes him promise that he will not go forth to war unless their own houses are assailed.

Glaurung sends Orcs against Brethil. Dorlas blames Túrin for not defending the people who have taken him in, so Túrin takes up Gurthang and gathers warriors around him. Glaurung learns that the Mormegil is in Brethil. He comes out of Nargothrond. By and by it becomes clear to the people of Brethil that Glaurung is not returning to Angband, but will attack their land. Túrin advises them not to attack him openly and offers to take on the dragon himself. Dorlas is the only one who wants to accompany him. When he upbraids Brandir for not doing his duty, Brandor's kinsman Hunthor offers to come in his stead. Túrin says farewell to Níniel, who is now pregnant. She will not stay behind, but follows Túrin and his two companions. Many come with her. Brandir also tries to follow, but falls behind because he is lame.

When Túrin and his two companions reach the shores of the river Teiglin, Túrin decides that Glaurung must cross this river and that the best way of stopping him is to climb into the ravine and stab him from below. Dorlas does not dare to cross Teiglin and stays behind in shame. Hunthor and Túrin make it across the river and hide, but when Glaurung begins to make his way across the gorge, Hunthor is killed by a falling rock. Alone, Túrin climbs up the cliff and thrusts Gurthang into Glaurung's belly. Glaurung dies, spitting fire and thrashing everything around him. Túrin goes to get Gurthang and mocks the dragon. Glaurung gives him a look of such venom that Túrin falls into a swoon.

Níniel hears Glaurung's death-cries and falls again to oblivion. Brandir tries to lead her into safety, but she returns to her senses and declares that all she wants is to find her beloved. She finds him indeed, but believes that he is dead. Glaurung wakes for a last time, and reveals to her that she is Túrin's sister, pregnant from her brother. Níniel casts herself into the waterfall of Cabed-en-Aras.

Brandir has heard what Glaurung said. He returns to his people and tells them that Túrin is dead, Glaurung is dead, and Níniel is also dead. He also says what Glaurung told Níniel about having found and loved her brother. Túrin wakes and returns to them and asks for Níniel. They tell him what Brandir said. Túrin kills Brandir and flees. By chance, he meets Mablung. Mablung warns him about the dragon. Túrin announces that he has killed Glaurung and asks for news of his kin from Doriath. Mablung has to tell him how Morwen and Nienor were lost. Túrin realises that Brandir has spoken the truth. He sends Mablung away, goes to the Cabad-en-Aras, and casts himself into onto Gurthang. Mablung and his company of Elves, and the Men of Brethil, find him dead beside the dragon. Glaurung is burned and Túrin is buried. Níniel's name is put on his tombstone although nobody knows where the river carried her body.


Our Favorite Quotes

~ “Túrin grew fair and strong in Doriath, but he was marked with sorrow. For nine years he dwelt in Thingol's halls, and during that time his grief grew less; for messengers went at times to Hithlum, and returning they brought better tidings of Morwen and Nienor. But there came a day when the messengers did not return out of the north, and Thingol would send no more.”

~ “'I grieve, Cúthalion; for I took Húrin's son as my son, and so he shall remain, unless Húrin himself should return out of the shadows to claim his own. I would not have any say that Túrin was driven forth unjustly into the wild, and gladly would I welcome him back; for I loved him well.'”

~ “Then Beleg chose Anglachel; and that was a sword of great worth, and it was so named because it was made of iron that fell from heaven as a blazing star; it would cleave all earth-delved iron.”

~ “'There is malice in this sword. The dark heart of the smith still dwells in it. It will not love the hand it serves; nor will it abide with you long.'”

~ “On the next day they set out thither, following Mîm to Amon Rûdh. Now that hill stood upon the edge of the moolands that rose between the vales of Sirion and Narog, and high above the stony heath it reared its crown; but its steep grey head was bare, save for the red seregon that mantled the stone. And as the men of Túrin's band drew near, the sun westering broke through the clouds, and fell upon the crown; and the seregon was all in flower. Then one among them said: 'There is blood on the hill-top.'”

~ “Who knows now the counsels of Morgoth? Who can measure the reach of his thought, who had been Melkor, mighty among the Ainur of the Great Song, and sat now, a dark lord upon a dark throne in the North, weighning in his malice all the tidings that came to him, and perceiving more of the deeds and puposes of his enemies than even the wisest of them feared, save only Melian the Queen? To her often the thought of Morgoth reached out, and there was foiled.”

~ “But Beleg would not abandon Túrin, and despairing himself he aroused hope again in Gwindor's heart; and together they went on, following the Orcs until they came out of the forest on the high slopes that ran down to the barren dunes of Anfauglith.”

~ “A great storm rode up out of the west, and lightning glittered on the Shadowy Mountains far away, as Beleg and Gwindor crept towards the dell.”

~ “Beleg drew his sword Anglachel, and with it he cut the fetters that bound Túrin; but fate was that day more strong, for the blade slipped as he cut the shackles, and Túrin's foot was pricked.”

~ “But as [Túrin] stood, finding himself free, and ready to sell his life dearly against imagined foes, there came a great flash of lightning above them; and in its light he looked down on Beleg's face. Then Túrin stood stonestill and silent, staring on that dreadful death, knowing what he had done; and so terrible was his face, lit by the lightning that flickered all about them, that Gwindor cowered down upon the ground and dared not raise his eyes.”

~ “Then a wind arose, and great rains fell, and torrents swept down from the hights of Taur-nu-Fuin; and though Gwindor cried out to Túrin, warning him of their utmost peril, he made no answer, but sat unmoving and unweeping in the tempest beside the body of Beleg Cúthalion.”

~ “'Hear the words of the Lord of Waters!' said they to the King. 'Thus he spoke to Círdan the Shipwright: “The Evil of the North has defiled the springs of Sirion, and my power withdraws from the wingers of the flowing waters. But a worse thing is yet to come forth. Say therefore to the Lord of Nargothrond: Shut the doors of the fortress and go not abroad. Cast the stones of your pride into the loud river, that the creeping evil may not find the gate.'”

~ “Then Gwindor said to Túrin: 'Let bearing pay for bearing! But ill-fated was mine, and vain is thine; for my body is marred beyond healing, and I must leave Middle-earth. And though I love thee, son of Húrin, yet I rue the day that I took thee from the Orcs. But for thy prowess and thy pride, still I should have love and life, and Nargothrond should yet stand a while. Now if thou love me, leave me! Haste thee to Nargothrond, and save Finduilas. And this last I say to thee: she alone stands between thee and thy doom. If thou fail her, it shall not fail to find thee. Farewell!'”

~ “Then Turambar summoned all his will and courage and climbed the cliff alone, and came beneath the dragon. Then he drew Gurthang, and with all the might of his arm, and of his hate, he thrust it into the soft belly of the Worm, even up to the hilts. But when Glaurung felt his death-pang, he screamed, and in his dreadful throe he heaved up his bulk and hurled it across the chasm, and there lay lashing and coiling in his agony. And he set all in a blaze about him, and beat all to ruin, until at last his fires died, and he lay still.”

~ “Hail, Worm of Morgoth! Well met again! Die now and the darkness have thee! Thus is Túrin son of Húrin avenged.”

~ “And from the blade rang a cold voice in answer: 'Yea, I will drink thy blood gladly, that so I may forget the blood of Beleg my master, and the blood of Brandir slain unjustly. I will slay thee swiftly.”

~ “And when all was done, the Elves sang a lament for the Children of Húrin, and a great grey stone was set upon the mound, and thereon was carven in runes of Doriath:
TÚRIN TURAMBAR DAGNIR GLAURUNGA
and beneath they wrote also:
NIENOR NÍNIEL
But she was not there, nor was it ever known whither the cold waters of Teiglin had taken her.”


Alternate Versions

~ The basic storyline can be traced back to the very first draft, “Turambar and the Foalókë”. However, this version is a lot shorter. Túrin's time with the outlaws as well as the House of Ransom plot are completely absent (although a dwarf named Mîm makes a later appearance after Húrin's release). Túrin only becomes Beleg's comrade-in-arms after he has killed Orgof (later Saeros), who dies from the impact after Túrin has thrown the golden drinking-vessel at him. Tinwelint (Thingol) pardons the absent Túrin and appeases Orgof's kin, who demanded retribution; however, he doesn't know where Túrin has gone. He might have learned in time, because Túrin and Beleg win fame and further companions by and by, but then a great Orc-band attacks them. All but Túrin and Beleg are killed; Túrin is taken alive, while Beleg manages to escape, though wounded. (1)

~ Flinding (later Gwindor) is almost killed by Túrin after Beleg has died, but he manages to jump back and cries out in the Gnomish tongue, which gives Túrin pause. The cover of Flinding's Fëanorian lamp slips, revealing Beleg's death. There is no storm and no lightning. (1)

~ The Elven maiden from Nargothrond who falls in love with Túrin is not in any way related to Orodreth in this early version. Failivrin appears to be her only name, and her father is called Galweg. The black sword is forged for Túrin in Nargothrond, where Túrin has given his real name, and been accepted because of the brave deeds of his father. Túrin names it Gurtholfin, the Wand of Death. (1)

~ Flinding/Gwindor survives the first onslaught and helps Túrin to carry Orodreth from the fray; however, Orodreth soon dies. Túrin and Flinding run to Galweg's home, where Failivrin mourns the death of her father. They are attacked by Orcs. Flinding takes an arrow to his eye. Túrin is rescued from the Orcs by the arrival of Glorund (Glaurung). Túrin names himself Turambar during his conversation with the dragon. Failivrin is taken away as a prisoner; we never learn of her fate. The Haudh-en-Elleth element is completely absent from this version. (1)

~ In “Turambar and the Foalókë”, nothing suggests that Brodda is of a different ethnic group than Morwen (here named Mavwin, or Mavoinë by the Elves). In fact, Mavwin has entrusted Brodda with the keeping of her house and herd after she and Nienóri have left the region. However, Brodda acts like it all belongs to him properly, having marked Mavwin's beasts with his own brand and letting her house fall to ruin. Túrin reproaches him at his table, cuts off his head and kills another man of his mother's kin. Airin, Brodda's wife, comes in and stands court over Túrin. She can appease those who demand Túrin's death, but decides that he is banished and that he will inherit nothing that belonged to his mother. Incidentally, before Mavwin left she actually had meant to leave her daughter Nienóri behind, but Nienóri insisted on coming along, no matter how hard the road. (1)

~ When Mavwin decides to accompany Tinwelint's men to see the dragon and find out what became of Túrin, Nienóri comes along openly. Mavwin and Nienóri both speak with Glorund, who tells them that the name of Túrin has forever faded from the earth. They take it to mean that Túrin is dead. Both women fall under the dragon's spell and never find each other again. (1)

~ Among the woodmen, Nienóri lives in the house of Bethos, a man who has married a Noldorin woman. Their oldest son is Tamar Lamefoot. Bethos later dies in a foray, and Turambar is chosen as the new chieftain of the woodmen – explicitly not only for his deeds, but also for his descendance of Úrin (Húrin). He marries Níniel, and they become “as a king and queen”. They grow rich and enjoy a time of peace, although Níniel at times feels a dark chill in her heart. (1)

~ When Turambar leaves to try and fight Glorund, Níniel asks to accompany him. He agrees. On the journey, Níniel suddenly weeps and asks Turambar not to tempt fate, but rather to flee far away with her. Naturally, Turambar will not be convinced. Six men agree to go with Turambar to take on the dragon. Níniel upbraids the others for being cowards. She climbs upon a hill to see what happens. All others withdraw – except for Tamar, who has girt himself with a sword and wants to protect her. Turambar's six companions have come along into the chasm, but do not dare to climb up again. They flee before the dragon and before Turambar's wrath. (1)

~ When Turambar kills Tamar, he tells him to dine in Mandos with Glorund. It takes no encounter with Mablung to make Turambar realise that Tamar spoke the truth after all: He knows it in his heart. He comes to the head of the Silver Bowl where Níniel cast herself into the water, and all the grass and flowers have withered and the leaves are falling from the trees although it is still summer. Gurtholfin agrees to see if Turambar's blood is not as sweet as that of all the others it has killed. (1)

~ Túrin's mother becomes Morwin in “Túrin Son of Húrin & Glorund the Dragon” and finally Morwen in the second version of The Children of Húrin (5). She not only wants to stay in Dor-lómin because she doesn't want to leave the house she shared with Húrin, but also because she is proud and would rather live poor among mortals than as an alms-guest among Elves. Here, she first sends the Dragon-helm as an heirloom to Túrin. (2)

~ In the poem, Túrin and Beleg first meet when Túrin and two servants are on the road to Doriath. There appears to be some sort of mystery surrounding Beleg, named “the son of wilderness who wist no sire”. The idea that Túrin became Beleg's comrade-in-arms on the borders of Doriath while still a youth first appears. (2)

After the death of Orgof (Saeros) – still from the vessel thrown in his face – Túrin now becomes leader of a company of outlaws. Beleg comes across them by accident, not knowing that Túrin left Doriath. He is captured and bound, though Túrin has him released when he returns from the woods. Beleg joins the outlaws but turns them from indiscriminate robbers into decent folk who only attack the servants of Morgoth. He makes them swear an oath that is likened to the oath of the sons of Fëanor. All this displeases a man named Blodrin son of Bor, who was kidnapped and raised by Dwarves and above all cares for treasure. He strikes a deal with a group of Orcs, but he doesn't get to enjoy the wealth he was promised in turn for betraying Túrin and Beleg: He gets stuck to a tree by an Orc-arrow through his throat. (3)

~ After the attack on the outlaws, Beleg is too weak to help himself, but he is fortunately found by Thingol's warriors, who take him back to Doriath. He learns about the fate of Húrin and Túrin both from Flinding. Beleg does not shoot the wolf-guards; he and Flinding simply creep into the camp. They carry Túrin out of the Orc-camp because none of their blades can cut his bonds. Beleg cuts his own hand on his most precious arrow, Dailir. He sings a magic song about the sharpest things on earth in order to make his sword sharp enough to free Túrin and swirls it around three times. Flickering blue light appears at the edges of the blade. It is now so sharp that Beleg does not even notice when he cuts Túrin's foot, until Túrin wakes and kills him. Túrin awakens the Orcs with his cries of anger and (later) grief, but he and Flinding are rescued by the timely arrival of the storm. (3)

~ In the poem, Túrin remains morose and keeps looking for Beleg until he has a dream in which Beleg tells him that there is no point in searching for his body, which has rotted away. His spirit, however, is “in the halls of the Moon o'er the hills of the sea”. Túrin wakes from that dream with new courage, and finally agrees to accompany Flinding to Nargothrond. As has been noted before, in this version Nargothrond has been built after the Battle of Unnumbered Tears by Celegorm and Curufin, who have however long left. Failivrin has become Orodreth's daughter, and makes the King welcome Flinding and Túrin instead of imprisoning them. Túrin comes to live in the house of Flinding and Fuilin, his father. (4)

~ The poem ends with Failivrin falling in love with Túrin, and Túrin rebuking her out of respect for Flinding. (4) A second attempt to work on this poem breaks off after Túrin's service on the borders of Doriath with Beleg, presumably just before Túrin is provoked into killing Orgof/ Saeros. (5)

~ Tolkien changed his mind about Túrin's outer appearance while working on “The Lay of the Children of Húrin”. Originally, Túrin was supposed to be blond and stout like his father; now he is described as tall and dark-haired like his mother. (4, Notes)

~ The versions presented in “The Earliest 'Silmarillion'” and “The Quenta” are pretty much identical, although the latter is somewhat more elaborate. Orgof is still killed by the vessel thrown in his face; the House of Ransom element is still absent, and the outlaws are instead betrayed by one of their own, Blodrin. However, these tales introduce the idea that aside from two aged servants and the women and children, most Men in Hithlum are those who were faithless in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad. Brodda is now explicitly a stranger to the land. Túrin is healed from his grief over having killed Beleg not by a dream, but by the waters of Ivrin. (6, 7) More importantly, “The Quenta” first mentions Finduilas' sorry end, pierced by Orc spears. It also explicitly states that Túrin's uttermost fate truly would not have befallen him if he had managed to save Finduilas. Also, Tamar son of Bethos is now re-named Brandir son of Handir. (7)

~ “The Earliest 'Silmarillion'” first suggests that the death of the dragon lifted the spell from Morwen as well, and that she came and read the stone put upon Túrin's mound. (6)

~ “The Earliest Annals of Beleriand” note that Túrin was born in the winter of 165 “with sad omens” – before Húrin was ever captured or cursed. Other than that, the relevant annals contain no new ideas, but sum up the various events as told in the older versions. (8)

~ The “Later Annals of Beleriand” has several significant changes. Among these are Nargothrond being explicitly brought to Morgoth’s attention by Túrin’s open warfare and the first appearance of the name Tum-halad. (9)

~ The version in the “Quenta Silmarillion” depends greatly on the Lay, and it does not make up any material in the published Silmarillion. It does, however, play a role (sometimes verbatim) in the Narn. Orgof is still killed by the thrown cup, and this is the ending of the chapter. (10) Tolkien later rejected §34-40 as part of the post-LotR revisions and expansions, but those edits were merely part of the larger work on the tale. This is also the ending of the Silmarillion narrative, save for the Conclusion written in 1937 (which does not touch upon this tale). (11)

~ While the first part of "The Grey Annals" follows from the “Quenta,” there are some differences. Among other first occurrences is that Túrin took another name (Iarwaeth, to become Agarwaen) upon his arrival in Nargothrond, as well as Flinding becoming Gwindor. Furthermore, Túrin is stated to have no choice about who to rescue, being under Glaurung’s will. (12) Starting from §287, the text in “The Grey Annals” is the source of the material in The Silmarillion. Furthermore, the GA is merely a summary of the Narn. (12, §287 ff)

~ The “Narn i Hîn Húrin”(properly “Narn i Chîn Húrin”) is a greatly expanded version of this tale. Given that it is, page-wise, nearly four times as long as the chapter in The Silmarillion, it's difficult to give a full account of the differences between them. Orgof has now become Saeros, complete with the injury by cup and followed by his death in the woods. This latter event is witnessed by Nellas, an Elf-maiden who was a childhood friend of Túrin's, who watched him from afar and was able to provide the conclusive evidence that Saeros' death was not murder, leading to Túrin's pardon. Here is also the appearence in full of Mím the Dwarf, the House of Ransom, and the betrayal. The story of Túrin's rescue of the men of Brethil first occurs, along with them figuring out his identity fairly immediately. Morwen's departure alone and thus Mablung's riding after her is also new, as is his finding of Nienor and many of the elements surrounding her flight. Túrin's companions on the quest to slay Glaurung now number two, and one of them remains behind out of fear. Gurthang nows breaks after Túrin's death. Furthermore, there are more new characters (Sador Labadal among them) and much more dialogue. (13)

~ The in-universe versions of this story are written by Dírhaval, a Man who lives in the Havens of Sirion and collects all the information he could from all the sources he finds who dealt with of the House of Hador. It is only due to his effort that Húrin’s family’s full tale is known. He dies in the Third Kinslaying. (14)

~ The material in The Children of Húrin is mainly based on the “Narn”, with additional material from The Silmarillion and “The Lay of the Children of Húrin”. One element that cannot be found in any of the previously published material is that Gwindor has lost his left hand in his escape from Angband. (15)


Food for Thought

~ Do you think that Morgoth truly has the power to curse “Húrin's seed”, or is it simply Túrin's pride and stubbornness that lead to all the unfortunate events in his life?

~ In your opinion, why is Túrin so convinced that he can escape his fate if he changes his name?

~ Tolkien kept on adding further episodes to the original storyline (Túrin's time with Beleg; Túrin among the outlaws; Mîm the Dwarf...). Do you think they all add to the depth of the story, or would less have been more?

~ Do you think that Mîm and his betrayal were introduced because an outlaw betraying his fellows (for whatever reason) would have been too much like Gorlim's betrayal in “The Lay of Leithian”?

~ Isn't it ironic that just when the other Elven lords have grown more mistrustful of Men, Thingol not only accepts Túrin into Doriath but takes him into his own family?

~ There are a lot of “if only...” points in this story at which things could have taken a turn for the better (e.g., “If only Beleg had not cut Túrin's foot”; “If only Túrin had tried to rescue Finduilas first”; “If only Níniel had never learned the truth”). Do any of these AU ideas tempt you to explore them further, or do you feel that the story has to run the course Tolkien has chosen?

~ Why did the Sindar not recognize the Petty-Dwarves as sapient beings?

~ Why did the people of Nargothrond decide to trust in Túrin’s policy of open warfare rather than the secrecy which served them so well? Why does Orodreth listen to Túrin's counsel, considering that he is not only an outsider, but also a mortal?

~ Do you believe that Túrin really could have been protected from his doom if he had saved Finduilas?

~ Túrin seems to think that dragons go to Mandos, too. Do you agree?


Works Cited

(1) The Book of Lost Tales 2. “Turambar and the Foalókë”.
(2) The Lays of Beleriand. “The Lay of the Children of Húrin”, Túrin Son of Húrin and Glórund the Dragon: Túrin's Fostering.
(3) The Lays of Beleriand. “The Lay of the Children of Húrin”, Túrin Son of Húrin and Glórund the Dragon: Beleg.
(4) The Lays of Beleriand. “The Lay of the Children of Húrin”, Túrin Son of Húrin and Glórund the Dragon: Failivrin & Notes on the Texts of the section 'Failivrin'.
(5) The Lays of Beleriand. “The Lay of the Children of Húrin”, The Second Version of The Children of Húrin.
(6) The Shaping of Middle-earth. “The Earliest 'Silmarillion'”, 12 and 13.
(7) The Shaping of Middle-earth. “The Quenta”, 12 and 13.
(8) The Shaping of Middle-earth. “The Earliest Annals of Beleriand”, Annal 165.
(9) The Lost Road, The Later Annals of Beleriand, Annals 272-299
(10) The Lost Road, Quenta Silmarillion, 17 Of Túrin Turamarth or Túrin the Hapless, §24-40
(11) The War of the Jewels, The Last Chapters
(12) The War of the Jewels, The Grey Annals, §251-349 and especially §287 ff
(13) Unfinished Tales, Part One: The First Age, “Narn i Hîn Húrin”
(14) The War of the Jewels, Part Three: The Wanderings of Húrin and other writings not forming part of the Quenta Silmarillion, “Aelfwine and Dírhaval”
(15) The Children of Húrin. Preface and IX: The Death of Beleg.


Please note: We don't know everything and it's perfectly possible that we missed something. These summaries and questions are by no means supposed to be complete and exhaustive. If you have looked further into this particular topic or would like to discuss something that we've overlooked, please share it!

Also, please don't be afraid to talk amongst yourselves. We don't want this to be an echo chamber or for us to be lecturing to you. We want this to be a discussion among the community as a whole - everybody's got something to contribute!

Finally, don't forget to rec your favorite fanworks related to this chapter in the Fanworks Rec Post.

“Of the Ruin of Doriath” is due October 19.