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of the aged among mortal Men; because of his torments and his labours; but Finduilas daughter of Orodreth the King
knew him and weled him; for she had loved him before the Nirnaeth; and so greatly did Gwindor love her beauty
that he named her Faelivrin; which is the gleam of the sun on the pools of Ivrin。 For Gwindor's sake Túrin was admitted
with him into Nargothrond; and he dwelt there in honour。 But when Gwindor would tell his name; Túrin checked him;
saying: 'I am Agarwaen the son of úmarth (which is the Bloodstained; son of Ill…fate); a hunter in the woods'; and the
Elves of Nargothrond questioned him no more。
In the time that followed Túrin grew high in favour with Orodreth; and well…nigh all hearts were turned to him in
Nargothrond。 For he was young; and only now reached his full manhood; and he was in truth the son of Morwen
Eledhwen to look upon: dark…haired and pale…skinned; with grey eyes; and his face more beautiful than any other among
mortal Men; in the Elder Days。 His speech and bearing were that of the ancient kingdom of Doriath; and even among the
Elves he might be taken for one from the great houses of the Noldor; therefore many called him Adanedhel; the Elf…Man。
The sword Anglachel was forged anew for him by cunning smiths of Nargothrond; and though ever black its edges shone
with pale fire; and he named it Gurthang; Iron of Death。 So great was his prowess and skill in warfare on the confines of
the Guarded Plain that he himself became known as Mormegil; the Black Sword; and the Elves said: 'The Mormegil
cannot be slain; save by mischance; or an evil arrow from afar。' Therefore they gave him dwarf…mail; to guard him; and
in a grim mood he found also in the armouries a dwarf…mask all gilded; and he put it on before battle; and his enemies
fled before his face。
Then the heart of Finduilas was turned from Gwindor and against her will her love was given to Túrin; but Túrin
did not perceive what had befallen。 And being torn in heart Finduilas became sorrowful; and she grew wan and silent。
But Gwindor sat in dark thought; and on a time he spoke to Finduilas; saying: 'Daughter of the house of Finarfin; let no
grief lie between us; for though Morgoth has laid my life in ruin; you still I love。 Go whither love leads you; yet beware!
It is not fitting that the Elder Children of Ilúvatar should wed with the Younger; nor is it wise; for they are brief; and
soon pass; to leave us in widowhood while the world lasts。 Neither will fate suffer it; unless it be once or twice only; for
some high cause of doom that we do not perceive。 But this Man is not Beren。 A doom indeed lies on him; as seeing eyes
may well read in him; but a dark doom。 Enter not into it! And if you will; your love shall betray you to bitterness and
death。 For hearken to me! Though he be indeed agarwaen son of úmarth; his right name is Túrin son of Húrin; whom
Morgoth holds in Angband; and whose kin he has cursed。 Doubt not the power of Morgoth Bauglir! Is it not written in
me?'
Then Finduilas sat long in thought; but at the last she said only: 'Túrin son of Húrin loves me not; nor will。'
Now when Túrin learnt from Finduilas of what had passed; he was wrathful; and he said to Gwindor: 'In love I
hold you for rescue and safe…keeping。 But now you have done ill to me; friend; to betray my right name; and call my
doom upon me; from which I would lie hid。'
But Gwindor answered: 'The doom lies in yourself; not in your name。'
When it became known to Orodreth that the Mormegil was in truth the son of Húrin Thalion he gave him great
honour; and Túrin became mighty among the people of Nargothrond。 But he had no liking for their manner of warfare;
of ambush and stealth and secret arrow; and he yearned for brave strokes and battle in the open; and his counsels
weighed with the King ever the longer the more。 In those days the Elves of Nargothrond forsook their secrecy and went
openly to battle; and great store of weapons were made; and by the counsel of Túrin the Noldor built a mighty bridge
over the Narog from the Doors of Felagund; for the swifter passage of their arms。 Then the servants of Angband were
driven out of all the land between Narog and Sirion eastward; and westward to the Nenning and the desolate Falas; and
though Gwindor spoke ever against Túrin in the council of the King; holding it an ill policy; he fell into dishonour and
none heeded him; for his strength was small and he was no longer forward in arms。 Thus Nargothrond was revealed to
the wrath and hatred of Morgoth; but still at Túrin's prayer his true name was not spoken; and though the fame of his
deeds came into Doriath and to the ears of Thingol; rumour spoke only of the Black Sword of Nargothrond。
***
In that time of respite and hope; when because of the deeds of the Mormegil the power of Morgoth was stemmed
west of Sirion; Morwen fled at last from Dor…lómin with Nienor her daughter; and adventured the long journey to
Thingol's halls。 There new grief awaited her; for she found Túrin gone; and to Doriath there had e no tidings since
the Dragon…helm had vanished from the lands west of Sirion; but Morwen remained in Doriath with Nienor as guests of
Thingol and Melian; and were treated with honour。
Now it came to pass; when four hundred and ninety…five years had passed since the rising of the Moon; in the
spring of the year; there came to Nargothrond two Elves; named Gelmir and Arminas; they were of Angrod's people; but
since the Dagor Bragollach they dwelt in the south with Círdan the Shipwright。 From their far journeys they brought
tidings of a great mustering of Orcs and evil creatures under the eaves of Ered Wethrin and in the Pass of Sirion; and
they told also that Ulmo had e to Círdan; giving warning that great peril drew nigh to Nargothrond。
'Hear the words of the Lord of Waters!' said they to the King。 'Thus he spoke to Círdan the Shipwright: 'The Evil
of the North has defiled the springs of Sirion; and my power withdraws from the fingers of the flowing waters。 But a
worse thing is yet to e forth。 Say therefore to the Lord of Nargothrond: Shut the doors of the fortress and go not
abroad。 Cast the stones of your pride into the loud river; that the creeping evil may not find the gate。〃'
Orodreth was troubled by the dark words of the messengers; but Túrin would by no means hearken to these
counsels; and least of all would he suffer the great bridge to be cast down; for he was bee proud and stern; and
would order all things as he wished。
Soon afterwards Handir Lord of Brethil was slain; for the Orcs invaded his land; and Handir gave them battle; but
the Men of Brethil were worsted; and driven back into their woods。 And in the autumn of the year; biding his hour;
Morgoth loosed upon the people of Narog the great host that he had long prepared; and Glaurung the úrulóki passed
over Anfauglith; and came thence into the north vales of Sirion and there did great evil。 Under the shadows of Ered
Wethrin he defiled the Eithel Ivrin; and thence he passed into the realm of Nargothrond; and burned the Talath Dirnen;
the Guarded Plain; between Narog and Teiglin。
Then the warriors of Nargothrond went forth; and tall and terrible on that day looked Túrin; and the heart of the
host was upheld; as he rode on the right hand of Orodreth。 But greater far was the host of Morgoth than any scouts had
told; and none but Túrin defended by his dwarf…mask could withstand the approach of Glaurung; and the Elves were
driven back and pressed by the Orcs into the field of Tumhalad; between Ginglith and Narog; and there they were
penned。 On that day all the pride and host of Nargothrond withered away; and Orodreth was slain in the forefront of the
battle; and Gwindor son of Guilin was wounded to the death。 But Túrin came to his aid; and all fled before him; and he
bore Gwindor out of the rout; and escaping into a wood there laid him on the grass。
Then Gwindor said to Túrin: 'Let bearing pay for bearing! But ill…fated was mine; and vain is thine; for my body
is marred beyond healing; and I must leave Middle…earth。 And though I love thee; son of Húrin; yet I rue the day that I
took thee from the Orcs。 But for thy prowess and thy pride; still I should have love and life; and Nargothrond should yet
stand a while。' Now if thou love me; leave me! Haste thee to Nargothrond; and save Finduilas。 And this last I say to thee:
she alone stands between thee and thy doom。 If thou fail her; it shall not fail to find thee。 Farewell!'
Then Túrin sped back to Nargothrond; mustering such of the rout as he met with on the way; and the leaves fell
from the trees in a great wind as they went; for the autumn was passing to a dire winter。 But the host of the Orcs and
Glaurung the Dragon were there before him; and they came suddenly; ere those that were left on guard were aware of
what had befallen on the field of Tumhalad。 In that day the bridge over Narog proved an evil; for it was great and
mightily made and could not swiftly be destroyed; and the enemy came readily over the deep river; and Gla