A tale is told, after encountering Morwen, how Húrin spent some time in Brethil. After his wife's death his anger was stoked and he wished revenge on all who brought ill on his kin. His first target were the Folk of Haleth in Brethil. For he assumed they had left Morwen to starve to death in the land. Before he could make his way into the forest he fell in a swoon overcome by weariness, grief, and hunger. It was then that a group of border wardens found him. The rightly guessed that he was Húrin Thalion released from Angband but were undecided as to what to do with him. One man, Avranc (son of Dorlas) wanted to kill him on the spot to please the new chieftain. Manthor, a wise older man who was grandmother was sister to Húrin's grandmother, forbid it.
Húrin was awakened, but hearing some of the men's dark words in a dream-like state and being upset about Morwen's death, reacted harshly toward the men. This angered Avranc further. Manthor treated Húrin with honor and led him to Hardang the new chieftain of the folk in Brethil. Avranc, against Manthor's orders, had ran ahead and spoke to Hardang about Húrin's coming and harsh reaction to the men of Brethil. This displeased Hardang and he did not treat Húrin well despote Manthor's pleas. Eventually he offered the old man a stool to sit on which Húrin promptly threw at Hardang splitting open his head. Hardang had Húrin thrown in prison.
Thus begins a fascinating chain of events that details the laws and customs of the Folk of Haleth. Húrin was brought before a moot to determine whether or not he should be put to death. Manthor, according to customs, was Húrin's one appointed friend to help defend him. And a good choice that was for he proved well versed in the laws. Many came to the moot armed so that they would be ready in case Morgoth's forces attacked the borders and help was needed. Manthor's first win for Húrin was to remove Hardang from the judgement seat since it was he that held the grievance against Húrin. This made Hardang look bad and embarrassed he called his friend Avranc to sit in the seat. This angered many at the moot for Avranc was young and not well liked.
Avranc detailed the offenses of Húrin and called for his death. Húrin did not answer. As Avranc was about to pronounce judgement Manthor spoke cunningly which turned the whole trial around. He pointed out how the very treatment of Húrin was against traditional customs of the land, how Húrin was drugged to prevent his readiness for trial, and that Húrin was kin of the Folk of Haleth. The moot petitioned that Húrin be released from his bonds and some even asked him for pardon. Once released Húrin began to speak. It was his turn to accuse. He described how Morwen was left to starve and freeze in the land by the orders of Hardang. This turned the moot entirely against Hardang who turned and ran all but proving his guilt.
Avranc and those loyal to Hardang stopped anyone from pursuing the chieftain. Others also stood in the way, not out of loyalty to Hardang but to his title as chieftain. Others were angry and calling for Manthor to be chief. Being armed fighting broke out. Manthor could not put down the uprising. And as Avranc fled he shot wildly at Manthor. Hardang, Avranc, and some others barricaded themselves in a hall. More intense fighting took place and more were killed. Finally those after Hardang were able to place kindling wood around the hall and threatened to burn it down if they did not surrender. Again Manthor tried to reason with all. Again Avranc shot at him this time barely missing him. But he promised not to miss again.
Nightfall came and the hall was burned. Manthor was horriefied but Húrin was not displeased. At the last moment Avranc and Hardang fled. Avranc escaped but Hardang was mortally wounded. He was brought before Manthor and Húrin. He accused Manthor of trying to usurp his high seat and found no pity from Húrin although he died before saying his last words. Manthor knew what he would say. He explained to Húrin that he had spoke an unwitting lie against Hardang. That it was likely that Morwen had not ventured further into Brethil than the grave of Túrin because of her grief. No one from Brethil would go to that land thinking it a place of evil and dread because of what befell there. Still Húrin seemed unmoved but asked that some might accompany him to there.
The next day Húrin, Manthor, a few men, and more women went to the Standing Stone. (It is told they buried Morwen which is slightly different than has already been told). On their way back they saw a red glow, it seemed more fighting and burning was taking place in Brethil as if a civil war was breaking out. As Manthor sought to return an arrow struck him from the woods. Avranc had made good on his promise and fled into the woods. In his dying breath Manthor conceded the shadow of Morgoth that followed Húrin had indeed awoken his desire for lordship over the people of Brethil. As they bore his body away Húrin was left alone to ponder his next move. This would be the second evil of Húrin's release. As the Folk of Haleth were ever after ruled by lesser men. There is still more evil to come.
Middle-earth timeline: First Age, 501
Today's reading comes from: The War of the Jewels, pages 274-297
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