Túrin awoke from his swoon as Glaurung died and wondered who bandaged his wounded hand. He praised his sword, Gurthang, for the defeat of the dragon and sought to find Niënor, his beloved, and the healing of Brandir. He came upon the people of Brethil who frightened at his image but then accused Brandir of lying about Túrin's fate. Túrin assumed Brandir had bandage his wound and rebuked the people for speaking evil against their lord. He then asked for Niënor but none would answer or look at him.
Finally Brandir told of her death yet Dorlas' wife was still convinced he was lying because he had told of the good tidings of Túrin's death. Túrin turned on Brandir mocking him and saying how he knew Brandir disliked him because he gained Níniel's love. Brandir not only confirmed her death but revealed why: she was Túrin's sister. Túrin was bitterly angry and would not believe it. Brandir told him what Glaurung had said to Niënor before her death and Túrin was murderously enraged. But Brandir did not shrink back although death was near: "'All that has chanced is a long tale to tell, and I am weary of you. But you slander me, son of Húrin. Did Glaurung slander you? If you slay me, then all shall see that he did not. Yet I do not fear to die, for then I will go to seek Níniel whom I loved, and perhaps I may find her again beyond the Sea'" (p. 252, The Children of Húrin). Túrin killed Brandir.
Túrin ran off toward the ravine knowing the impending doom on him was close to overtaking him. All he could think was to return to Doriath and seek his sister and mother for the last concrete news he had of them they were safe there. Túrin then espied twelve hunters approaching one of whom he knew well, Mablung. The Elf revealed he was on a mission to find Túrin but had been slowed by the dragon and all the Elves were amazed to hear that Túrin had killed the fell beast.
Túrin then asked for news of his kin and when Mablung said they were no longer in Doriath Túrin's heart stood still. Mablung told how they had gone into the wild to seek for Túrin and were attacked by Glaurung. He told how Niënor had a spirit of dumbness laid on her and fled. Túrin then gave a completely wrong description of her to the Elves hoping against hope the story was not true. But when Mablung accurately described her appearance Túrin knew his doom was complete. He cursed Doriath and Mablung's mission and sped away to the spot where Niënor jumped off the cliff.
Not wishing to defile the waters that claimed his sister he drew his sword asking if it would take his life. "And the blade rang a cold voice in answer: 'Yes, I will drink your blood, that I may forget the blood of Beleg my master, and the blood of Brandir slain unjustly. I will slay you swiftly'" (p. 256, The Children of Húrin). Túrin cast himself on the blade ending his life. And the Elves and Men of Brethil came upon the scene of the dead dragon and body of Túrin. They wept and the Elves learned why Túrin had killed himself. Mablung said: "'I also have been meshed in the doom of the Children of Húrin, and thus with words have slain one that I loved'" (p. 256-57, The Children of Húrin) for it was he who confirmed the fate of Niënor.
A grave was made for Turin and stone was placed on it with an inscription in Elvish: Túrin Turambar Dagnir Glaurunga.
Middle-earth timeline: First Age, 499
Today's reading comes from: The Children of Húrin, pages 248-257
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