Turgon, Húrin, and Huor

With Morgoth's victory in Dagor Bragollach Hador's folk (the People of Marach) were shut in Hithlum and Bëor's house was nearly wiped out. With Orcs holding key passages into Beleriand the fighting finally found the People of Haleth in the woods of Brethil. They defended the their beloved woods well. Halmir sent word to Thingol the Orcs had invaded the land for Brethil lay on the boundaries of Doriath. He responded by sending out his chief marchwarden (one of my favorite characters) Beleg Strongbow. Beleg's elves and Halmir's men handily defeated the Orcs. The People of Haleth continued their watch of the borders allowing Nargothrond to muster its strength.

Húrin and Huor, of the house of Marach, were dwelling with Halidir of the Haladin (Folk of Haleth) at this time. "In the days before Dagor Bragollach those two houses of the Edain were joined at a great feast, when Galdor and Glóredhel the children of Hador Goldenhead were wedded to Hareth and Haldir children of Halmir lord of the Haladin" (p. 158, The Silmarillion). Húrin and Huor went to battle with the Orcs being only 16 and 13 at the time. The brothers were cut off in the fighting and if not for the powers of Ulmo in the water of Sirion they would have been captured by Orcs. The brothers were lost and Thorondor saw them and sent eagles to rescue them. The eagles carried Hurin and Huor to the hidden city of Gondolin in the Encircling Mountains.

Turgon received them well being warned in dreams from Ulmo that woe was coming and help also from the house of Hador. They stayed in Gondolin for nearly a year learning Elven lore along with some purposes of the King. For Turgon loved them and wished them to stay in Gondolin out of love and not because it was the law of the land. Hurin and Huor wished to return to their people because their days were short. They did not know the road to Gondolin because in mercy their eyes were veiled with the eagles brought them. Turgon relented insisting only that they leave the same way they came so they could not come back.

Maeglin told Húrin, "'The King's grace is greater than you know, and the law is become less stern aforetime; or else no choice would be give you but to abide here to your life's end'" (p. 159, The Silmarillion). Maeglin did not love the brothers in the least given their favor with Turgon. Húrin assured Maeglin (unaware of his malice I think) that they would not betray the King's grace. So they left by way of eagle and their kin were overjoyed at their return knowing only that they had been cut off in fighting a year earlier.

Many questions were raised as the brothers returned to Dor-Lómin in good (if not better) health and clothed with fine clothes and weapons. Their father Galdor questioned where they had been in the past year to which Húrin replied, "'Be content that we have returned; for only under an oath of silence was this permitted'" (p. 159, The Silmarillion). Still many guessed their fate and their strange tale found the ears of Morgoth.

I like the idea of the brothers receiving the King's grace and vowing not to betray it. I wish I was as steadfast with King Jesus' grace. I can easily betray or abuse it. And Húrin, we shall see, will face bitter consequences for not betraying that grace. Whereas in my life the consequences come from betraying that grace.

Middle-earth timeline: First Age 458-459
Today's reading comes from: The Silmarillion, pages 157-159
Relevant map: Beleriand