The Happenings of Tuor

The tale now turns to Tuor, Túrin's cousin, the son of Huor. He has been fostered by Elves for sixteen years. Annael was the leader of the Elves that fostered Tuor and they had settled in the caves of Androth living a hard life since the Battle of Unnumbered Tears. Being 16 Tuor longed for revenge against Morgoth for the death of his father and destruction of his people (not all that different than Túrin). Alas, Annael forbid his going off to war thinking his fate would take him other places. Rather Annael bid Tuor to go south with him along a hidden road built by Turgon.

That name stirred Tuor's heart. He inquired about Turgon and Annael said, "'He is son of Fingolfin...and is now accounted High King of the Noldor, since the fall of Fingon. For he lives yet, most feared of the foes of Morgoth, and he escaped him in the ruin of the Nirnaeth, when Húrin of Dor-lómin and Huor your father held the passes of Sirion behind him'" (p. 18, Unfinished Tales). Tuor resolved the find this Turgon.

Annael informed Tuor that Turgon's City was hidden but if he should find anyone who might know the way he must go with the Elves. Their destination was the Havens and Círdan's folk;  perhaps there Tuor might find wanderers of Turgon's people. So it came to pass that Anneael, Tuor, and the other Elves started the journey. But Morgoth's forces were everywhere and they were soon waylaid by Orcs and Easterlings.

The Elves were scattered near and far. "But Tuor's heart was kindled with the fire of battle, and he would not flee, but boy as he was he wielded the axe as his father before him, and for long he stood his ground and slew many that assailed him; but at the last he was overwhelmed and taken captive and led before Lorgan the Easterling'" (p. 19, Unfinished Tales). Seeing Tuor's strength Lorgan found him fit for thralldom. But Lorgan treated Tuor harshly knowing he was kin of the former lords. Tuor learned wisdom and bore the injustice in silence so that that eventually Lorgan treated him better in the fact that he was not starved.

I love how Tolkien writes of Tuor's battle. It was like this with Huor and Húrin as well. There is a nobility about these men: they will stand up for justice and good no matter the cost. I read this and my heart is stirred. I wonder where is that nobility in my own heart? How has that been lost in our culture? How can I gain it back and pass it on to my own son?

Middle-earth timeline: First Age, circa 488

Today's reading comes from: Unfinished Tales, pages