In that moment, as dusk settled, Tuor heard voices and beheld two Elves crossing the stream and making their way up the bank. He called to them and they drew their swords but he did not flee. Seeing he did not draw on them and that he spoke in Elven tongue they introduced themselves: Gelmir and Arminas, of Finarfin's folk. And they recognized him as a kin of Hador and Húrin by his looks. Tuor than revealed his identity and it was as they guessed.
He recounted his journey of the stream and how hope was lost as it ran under the mountain. He then asked if they knew where the Gate of the Noldor was. At this the Elves laughed and revealed they had just passed the Gate. They offered to lead Tuor under the mountain for a ways but they could not dwell long for they had urgent news to deliver elsewhere. They encouraged Tuor to not fear the darkness for they could tell his fate would lead him far from there.
Together they waded back into the stream and under the stone archway into the mountain. Gelmir brought forth a Fëanorian lamp to produce light for the travelers. Tuor was amazed to see steps had been hewn beside the river; but without light he would not have found it. They led him to a point where he would be safe on his own and bid farewell. Tuor asked first if they knew of Turgon. "Then the Elves looked at him in amazement. 'That is a matter which concerns the Noldor rather than the sons of Men,' said Arminas. 'What know you of Turgon?'" (p. 22, Unfinished Tales).
Tuor said his heart was stirred at the very mentioning of the name and intended to find him. The Elves said they did not know where to find Turgon but could not reveal that even if they did. "But Gelmir said: 'Yet I have heard that your House has the favour of the Lord of Waters. And if his counsels lead you to Turgon, then surely shall you come to him, withersoever you turn'" (p. 22, Unfinished Tales). At this the Elves left, noting their meeting was not by chance, and Tuor summed up his courage to move forward in utter darkness. He found the way easy and moved quickly.
He came out in a deep ravine with sheer sides and the river rushing beside him. There he rested well with no fear for Ulmo had control of those waters. For three days Tuor journeyed by the ravine drinking the river's water and being refreshed. At night he picked up his harp again and sang and soon all about him his music and voice rang forth across the hills . "For though he knew it not, Tuor was now come to the Echoing Mountains of Lammoth about the Firth of Drengist. There long ago Feanor had landed from the sea..." (p. 23, Unfinished Tales).
As the music died down Tuor heard a new sound. The next morning it continued and looking up he saw three great white birds, the great gulls loved by the Teleri, circling above him. He climbed the cliff to better see the birds and he was immediately refreshed by the air he breathed from the Great Sea. Following the birds he heard a great noise below him. Looking down a great wave crashed into the ravine, changing the course of the river, and raising the water fast and furious. "Thus Tuor was saved by the call of the sea-birds from death in the rising tide; and that was very great because of the season of the year and the high wind from the sea" (p. 24, Unfinished Tales).
The fury of the waves left Tuor unsettled and he turned southward away from the ravine. He entered Nevrast where Turgon himself had dwelt long ago. And there he came to the very brink of Middle-earth and beheld the Great Sea. "And at that hour the sun went down beyond the rim of the world, as a mighty fire; and Tuor stood alone upon the cliff with outspread arms, and a great yearning filled his heart. It was said that he was the first of Men to reach the Great Sea, and that none, save the Eldar, have ever felt more deeply the longing that it brings" (p. 24-25, Unfinished Tales).
This story reeks of providence. Clearly Ulmo is watching out and planning the steps for Tuor. Stirring his heart to leave, providing the stream to follow, arranging the meeting with Arminas and Gelmir, saving his life by the call of the gulls, and leading Tuor to Nevrast Turgon's old home. In direct contrast we see Túrin who steps are constantly harassed by the curse of Morgoth. Providence is easy to see when looking from the outside in. Much of the time in my life it's easy to question providence. I say I believe the God of the Bible is all-powerful, all-knowing, and so forth. But when I can't clearly see His purposes for events in my life I can question everything. It's easy to chalk up a friend stopping by for lunch or some other event as just chance and not realize God may very well be up to something. I don't have a bird's eye view on my own life like when I read about Tuor's. God grant me faith to know and trust Your providence.
Middle-earth timeline: First Age, 495, Winter/Spring
Today's reading comes from: Unfinished Tales, pages 20-25
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