Niënor continued to run, tearing off her clothes in her flight, and finally in utter exhaustion she fell asleep. Awaking the next morning all was new to her for her past was darkness save a vague fear that sent her hiding at the slightest noise. Being hungry and cold with no knowledge of how to find food or shelter she crossed the Tieglin River and fell asleep on a green mound. And so it was she slept on Haudh-en-Elleth where Finduilas was buried.
Túrin meanwhile was leading some Men of Brethil back from a foray. He was startled to find a woman on the grave for it seemed to him a wraith of Finduilas. They clothed her and gave her what food she they had; but no words would she speak. And when asked anything she would cry. Túrin named Niënor Níniel, Maid of Tears. They led her back to their home. She became sick with fever and Brandir put forth all his skills to heal her. During her sickness all noted she never spoke a word and would only stop moaning when Túrin was near.
As spring came into full bloom her darkness passed and the women began teaching her language. She spent much time with Brandir for she loved to learn about living plants and trees and he had much knowledge in these things. Brandir loved her. "But to Turambar her heart was given, and only at his coming would she smile, and only when he spoke gaily would she laugh" (p. 217, The Children of Húrin). One evening together Níniel (Niënor) asked Turambar (Túrin) about his past and all he would reveal was that he too fled from darkness but had overcome it.
Túrin was perplexed for it seemed to him something he'd long sought had come to him and finding her on Haudh-en-Elleth was perhaps a sign to him. Another year passed by and Túrin asked for Níniel's hand in marriage. Brandir's heart was sick and he advised Níniel to delay and as always she asked her wise brother, as she referred to him, why. "'Lame brother, rather, unloved and unlovely. And I scarce no why. Yet there lies a shadow on this man, and I am afraid'" (p. 219, The Children of Húrin). I think it's important to note that, while there is some jealousy in Brandir, he knew from the moment he met Túrin, that evil went with him.
But Níniel thought Turambar worthy of love and knew him to be a great warrior as Dorlas had said. This displeased Brandir for he knew Dorlas was always advocating war rather than secrecy. So Brandir revealed to Níniel Turambar's true identity and a shadow passed over her. She told Turambar she must wait. And ill-pleased was Túrin when he found out this was because of the counsel of Brandir.
Another year passed and Turambar gave Níniel and ultimatum for their marriage: "'We have waited, and now I will wait no longer. Do as your heart bids you, Níniel most dear, but see: this choice before me. I will go back to war in the wild; or I will wed you, and go never to war again -- save only to defend you, if some evil assails our home'" (p. 220, The Children of Húrin) This pleased Níniel and midsummer, 498 First Age, they were married. Happy they were but Brandir's heart only grew more troubled.
Ok, let's get the obvious out of the way--Túrin just married his sister. While Tolkien describes some atrocities in Middle-earth none compare to this. But before we pass judgement (and aren't we too quick to do so?) remember that Túrin has never laid eyes on Niënor. His mother sent him to Doriath before she was born. Also, Niënor is under the spell of Glaurung and has no recollection of her past. Yes the name of Túrin caused a shadow to come over her but it was brief and she knew not why. No, the atrocity of this situation lies squarely on the twisted evil of Morgoth. His curse on Húrin's children is coming to fruition in ways unimaginable to the reader when it was first spoke. Yes, Brandir loved Niënor but his troubled heart is compelled by more than that. He knows a shadow exists that he just can't quite but his finger on what is going on. A time will come soon enough when all will wish he did.
Middle-earth timeline: First Age, 497-498
Today's reading comes from: The Children of Húrin, pages 213-220
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