Three days had past since Túrin and Orleg went scouting and the outlaws grew restless. Suddenly Beleg appeared among them asking for a friend, Niethan as the outlaws called him. Andróg knew Beleg was the menace that followed them which they could not escape. He ordered the men to bind Beleg to a tree and they interrogated him. Beleg would only respond that he was friend of Niethan and brought good tidings for him alone. Andróg advocated to kill Beleg for he coveted his bow but Algund spoke against this act knowing their captain would be angry upon his return. Andróg ordered no food or drink be given Beleg and for two days he was bound to the tree. By then most wanted to kill Beleg and leave. They gathered around him and Ulrad brought forth a brand from the fire to torture the Elf.
At that moment Túrin returned and recognized his friend. At first he was angry at his men but realized he had never stayed their hands when they killed a stranger and he himself had spoken poorly of the Elves of Doriath. He did rebuke the company for torturing Beleg--for never before had they done so. And Túrin wondered aloud how fruitless their lives had been living only for themselves. To which Andróg said, "'But whom shall we serve, if not ourselves?'" (p. 114, The Children of Húrin). Túrin vowed that he would never raise a hand against Men or Elves again; he would only fight the servants of Morgoth. Beleg spoke up and told Túrin that Thingol had pardoned him and wished his return to Menegroth. Beleg asked Túrin to go back with him. Túrin thought all night about his message. Beleg did not mention that Andróg was the chief instigator of his torture.
In the morning Túrin confirmed that Mablung had not spoken against him. And Beleg wondered why Túrin had not spoken of Saeros' attack to Mablung; he also told of the testimony of Nellas which ultimately swayed the king's judgement. Túrin answered that pride took his heart when he saw the look in Mablung's eyes. And that same pride would keep him from going back to Thingol at this time. Interestingly, Túrin did not remember Nellas and inquired about her. Beleg told of their history and ended with: "'...there are other griefs in Middle-earth than yours, and wounds made by no weapon. Indeed I begin to think that Elves and Men should not meet or meddle'" (p. 117, The Children of Húrin). Reflecting on Nellas' story before Thingol and what Beleg just said: I'm thinking that Nellas loved Túrin as Lúthien loved Beren yet he was too wrapped up in his own world to notice.
Túrin asked Beleg to stay with him and at first he said yes which brought great joy to him. Beleg asked Turin to go to Dimbar on the far reaches of the North-watches of Doriath. But Túrin refused to go back instead wishing to go to Amon Rûdh. Each bid the other to find them at the respective location and they said farewell, perhaps for the last time. Beleg returned to Menegroth and told Thingol and Melian of his reuniting with his friend. Thingol's heart was heavy but he would still not renounce Túrin has his foster-son. Melian than bestowed a great gift upon Beleg for his long search: lembas, the waybread of the Elves. It was customary that the keeping and giving of this food was for the Queen alone (Galadriel long dwelt with Melian and carried on this custom on by giving the Fellowship lembas bread to aid their journey to Mordor). And she hoped this would help Beleg in the wild and those to whom he would choose to share it.
"In nothing did Melian show greater favour to Túrin than this gift; for the Eldar never before allowed men to use this waybread, and seldom did so again" (p. 120, The Children of Húrin). Beleg went back to the north-marches long enough to help still the fighting and then he slipped away quietly, never to return again. Beleg Strongbow is one of my favorite Tolkien characters. I like his steadfast friendship with Túrin. It is inspiring. A theme I picked up in this reading involved living for yourself versus living for others. In a "have it your way" world and living in a society that celebrates individualism living for others can be challenging. But I think that is the way Jesus would have me live this life.
Middle-earth timeline: First Age, 485-486
Today's reading comes from: The Children of Húrin, pages 111-120
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