The Children of Húrin

Today was my first extended reading in The Children of Hurin. This book was released in 2007, 34 years after J.R.R. Tolkien's death. His son Christopher painstakingly pieced this story together with fragments his father had left behind. Often Tolkien's work is bleak. It's a meta-theme from what I can see. Hope verses despair. Tolkien's characters suffer which perhaps makes them so accessible. The Children of Hurin in and of itself paints a tale of intense suffering as much as any story throughout Middle-earth mythology. Even though this is not a feel good story deeds of great renown and events of great importance to Middle-earth take place. This is a hard read but we are only in the beginning...

Rumors of Beren and Lúthien have reached the ears of Men as well. Some say they still lived and had returned from the Dead. Maedhros' call for aid rose hopes all around. But the wisest were ever wary of some new woe issued by Morgoth. And so it came to pass. In the fall of that year an evil wind came from the North after known as the Evil Breath. Many became sick and died; the most being the children of Men. In that year Túrin son of Húrin was five years old and his sister Urwen, known as Lalaith (laughter), was three. Lalaith was the apple of everyone's eye. Túrin was quiet and solemn and always seemed older than he was. Túrin was slow to forget injustice and quick to pity. He was in mood like his mother, Morwen, and enjoyed her plain speech. Húrin, his father, made him uneasy-being gone in the service Fingon's folk often.

The Evil Breath came to Dor-lómin and both of Húrin's children became ill. When Túrin regained strength he asked for Lalaith. Morwen told him there was no longer laughter in the house for Urwen had died. Morwen grieved in silence and offered no comfort to Túrin. Húrin meanwhile weeped openly crying out toward the North: "'Marrer of Middle-earth, would that I might see you face-to-face, and mar you as my Lord Fingolfin did!'" (p. 40, The Children of Hurin). Túrin spoke of his grief to only Sador a household servant of Húrin. Sador was a woodsman who became lame in an accident. Túrin called him Labadal which means Hopafoot; but this name was given in pity not mockery. Many conversations between the two took place as Túrin began to understand his sister would not come back for Men died swiftly and Elves did not. Sador proved to be a wise friend.

On occasion Túrin would steal wood or tools if he thought Sador might use them. Sador responded, "'Give with a free hand, but give only your own'" (p. 41, The Children of Hurin). Sador carved figures for Túrin but what the child most loved were his stories. Sador spoke of Bragollach and the battles that took place. He told of defense of Ethel Sirion where Galdor, Túrin's grandfather, was killed and Húrin took up leadership of the troops and drove the Orcs away. Sador had seen enough bloodshed and received leave to return to the woods. "'And there I got my hurt; for a man that flies from his fear may find that he has only taken a short cut to meet it"(p. 42, The Children of Hurin). In the course of their conversations Túrin longed to be with the Elves and join their fight against Morgoth.

I like the little bits of wisdom sprinkled into the conversations between Sador and Túrin. At the right moment, in a time of grief and uncertainty, this older man builds into young boy. It's not to say Húrin was intentionally neglecting his son, for he was called into service of the war and grieving the loss of his other child. I make note of it more because it's a great example of how far a listening ear, kind words, and a willingness to care can go.

Middle-earth: First Age, 469

Today's reading comes From: The Children of Hurin, pages 37-44