Morgoth turned his attention toward the Forest of Brethil. There the last of the Three Houses of Men who fought against Morgoth remained. At first Orcs, in greater numbers than ever, assailed the woods. Túrin wished to go but Niënor stayed his hand holding him to his oath of not going to war. Dorlas led defenders to fight but they were defeated and returning wounded he begged Túrin to aid them. Led by the Blacksword the Orcs were routed and scared. Glaurung was wrathful but waited the winter out before attacking.
Meanwhile Niënor rejoiced in the glory of her husband but Túrin was pensive. "'The die is cast. Now comes the test, in which shall my boast shall be made good, or fail utterly'" (p. 223, The Children of Húrin). He ordered scouts to travel far and gather news. All listened to him as if he were Lord of Brethil and not Brandir. Spring came with no news of the enemy and all were hopeful. Niënor was with child but for some reason she was not joyful. Then came the tidings. Glaurung himself had left Nargothrond and was headed towards Brethil. Burning everything along his path heading right for the River Tieglin.
Túrin had a plan and the men took comfort in his courage. For the Tieglin flowed within deep ravines and therein lied his hope. Sending out three scouts he gathered the Men of Brethil. He said he only needed a few men to aid him while the others should prepare to defend the women and flee should they fail. All were disheartened. But Túrin went on to tell of how Azaghal had pricked the Great Worm. Túrin held a thorn (his sword) sharper and longer than the Dwarf Lord's knife. Now the people were strengthened. Túrin asked who would seek the belly of the Dragon with him (for this was the only spot on the beast vulnerable to hurt).
Dorlas immediately volunteered and in so doing spoke out against the counsels of Brandir and challenging someone from that line to take the place of their lame leader. Brandir, who had been sitting in the high-seat, became bitter. Hunthor, one of Brandir's kin, volunteered to go and rebuked Dorlas for his harsh words. Túrin declared three would be enough and turning to Brandir he said, "'But lord, I do not scorn you. See! We must go in great haste, and our task will need strong limbs. I deem that your place is with your people. For you are wise, and are a healer; and it may be that there will be great need of wisdom and healing ere long'" (p. 228, The Children of Húrin).
Brandir became more bitter and begrudgingly allowed Hunthor to go but warned him against the shadow that hung upon Túrin. Niënor begged Túrin not to go, but rather flee with her and hide away. But for the kindness of the Men of Brethil who took them in and with the knowledge that no safe lands could they easily reach Túrin refused. "Then Níniel ceased to weep and fell silent, but her kiss was cold as they parted" (p. 228, The Children of Húrin). Off the three went reaching the scouts who reported the Glaurung had reached the edge of Tieglin. Túrin noted that the beast had stopped by Haudh-en-Elleth and wondered should Finduilas again come between he and his doom.
Túrin explained the plan to Dorlas and Hunthor. He anticipated that Glaurung would try to jump from one side to the other over the great ravine of the Tieglin River. The men should be waiting for this ready to strike the belly of the enemy as it passed overhead. Dorlas' heart sank immediately for this was a perilous plan. The ravine walls were nearly 40 feet in height and the raging river difficult to cross in daylight let alone night as was the plan. But has the sun was setting the three companions moved silently toward the dragon.
Meanwhile Niënor was silent. Brandir tried to comfort her and reminded her he had counseled her to wait on marriage. But she felt whether married or not, with child or not, she would not have taken this parting from Túrin any differently. She decided she could wait no longer and would go forth to the river. Brandir's heart turned inside of him but he could not convince her otherwise. Arising she called out to all that if her lord failed all hope was lost and she was going forth to see what would befall. The wives of Dorlas and Hunthor went to her side. Many other men and women followed knowing not the peril they were heading toward. Reaching the scouts they grew fearful and watched the pass anxiously while Niënor shuddered.
Brandir was anguished finally calling out to those who remained, "'Behold how I am scorned, and all my counsel disdained! Choose you another to lead you: for here I renounce both lordship and people. Let Turambar be your lord in name, since already he has taken all my authority. Let none seek of me ever again either counsel or healing!'" (p. 233, The Children of Húrin). All he had left was love for Niënor and taking his crutch and a short sword he went after her thinking maybe he could protect her from danger if things went ill.
Middle-earth timeline: First Age, 498-499
Today's reading comes from: The Children of Húrin, page 221-233
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