Page 23 (1/2)

The Silmarillon JRR Tolkien 75180K 2023-09-02

Of the Ruin of Doriath So ended the tale of Turin Turaoth did not sleep nor rest fros with the house of Hador were not yet ended Against theh Hurin was under his eye, and Morandered distraught in the wild

Unhappy was the lot of Hurin; for all that Morgoth knew of the working of his led with the truth, and aught that was good was hidden or distorted In all ways Morgoth sought ol and Melian had done, for he hated theed the ti hined that in this he was moved by pity as for an enemy utterly defeated But he lied, for his purpose was that Hurin should still further his hatred for Elves and Men, ere he died

Then little though he trusted the words of Morgoth, knowing indeed that he ithout pity, Hurin took his freedorief, eone since the death of Turin his son For twenty-eight years he had been captive in Angband, and he was grown gri, but he walked unbowed, bearing a great black staff; and he was girt with a sword Thus he passed into Hithlus that there was a great riding of captains and black soldiers of Angband over the sands of Anfauglith, and with theh honour Therefore they did not lay hands on Hurin, but let him walk at will in those lands; in which they ise, for the re frooth

Thus his freedom did but increase the bitterness of Hurin&039;s heart; and he departed from the land of Hithlum and went up into the mountains Thence he descried far off ariain to the hidden realm of Gondolin He went down therefore frooth watched all his steps; and crossing over the Brithiach he passed into Dimbar, and came to the dark feet of the Echoriath All the land was cold and desolate, and he looked about hireat fall of stones beneath a sheer rock-wall; and he knew not that this was all that was now left to see of the old Way of Escape: the Dry River was blocked, and the arched gate was buried Then Hurin looked up to the grey sky, thinking that he o in his youth; but he saw only the shadows blown fro about the inaccessible peaks, and he heard only the wind hissing over the stones

But the watch of the great eagles was now redoubled, and they ht; and straightway Thorondor hion But Turgon said: &039;Does Morgoth sleep? You were mistaken&039;

&039;Not so,&039; said Thorondor &039;If the Eagles of Manont to err thus, then long ago, lord, your hiding would have been in vain&039;

&039;Then your words bode ill,&039; said Turgon; &039;for they can bear but oneEven Hurin Thalion has surrendered to the will of Morgoth My heart is shut&039;

But when Thorondor was gone, Turgon sat long in thought, and he was troubled, re the deeds of Hurin of Dor-loles to seek for Hurin, and to bring hiht to Gondolin But it was too late, and they never saw hiht or in shadow

For Hurin stood in despair before the silent cliffs of the Echoriath, and the westering sun, piercing the clouds, stained his white hair with red Then he cried aloud in the wilderness, heedless of any ears, and he cursed the pitiless land; and standing at last upon a high rock he looked towards Gondolin and called in a great voice: &039;Turgon, Turgon, reon, will you not hear in your hidden halls?&039; But there was no sound save the wind in the dry grasses &039;Even so they hissed in Serech at the sunset,&039; he said; and as he spoke the sun went behind the Mountains of Shadow, and a darkness fell about him, and the wind ceased, and there was silence in the waste

Yet there were ears that heard the words that Hurin spoke, and report of all caoth son dwelt, though because of the eagles no spy of his could yet co Mountains This was the first evil that the freedom of Hurin achieved

As darkness fell Hurin sturief But in his sleep he heard the voice of Morwen la, and often she spoke his name; and it seemed to him that her voice ca of day he arose, and went back to the Brithiach; and passing along the eaves of Brethil he caht-sentinels saw hiht that they saw a ghost out of some ancient battle-mound that walked with darkness about it; and therefore Hurin was not stayed, and he ca, and saw the tall stone standing near the brink of Cabed Naeramarth

But Hurin did not look at the stone, for he kneas written there; and his eyes had seen that he was not alone Sitting in the shadow of the stone there was a woman, bent over her knees; and as Hurin stood there silent she cast back her tattered hood and lifted her face Grey she was and old, but suddenly her eyes looked into his, and he knew her; for though they ild and full of fear, that light still gleao had earned for her the name Eledhwen, proudest and most beautiful of mortal women in the days of old

&039;You co&039;

&039;It was a dark road I have come as I could,&039; he answered

&039;But you are too late,&039; said Morwen &039;They are lost&039;

&039;I know it,&039; he said &039;But you are not&039;

But Morwen said: &039;Alo with the sun Now little time is left: if you know, tell me! How did she find him?&039;

But Hurin did not answer, and they sat beside the stone, and did not speak again; and when the sun went down Morwen sighed and clasped his hand, and was still; and Hurin knew that she had died He looked down at her in the twilight and it seerief and cruel hardship were smoothed away &039;She was not conquered,&039; he said; and he closed her eyes, and sat unht dren The waters of Cabed Naera, and felt nothing, for his heart was stone within him But there came a chill wind that drove sharp rain into his face; and he was roused, and anger rose in hi reason, so that all his desire was to seek vengeance for his wrongs and for the wrongs of his kin, accusing in his anguish all those who ever had dealings with therave for Morwen above Cabed Naeramarth on the west side of the stone; and upon it he cut these words: Here lies also Morwen Eledhwen

It is told that a seer and harp-player of Brethil na that the Stone of the Hapless should not be defiled by Morgoth nor ever thron, not though the sea should drown all the land; as after indeed befell, and still Tol Morwen stands alone in the water beyond the new coasts that were made in the days of the wrath of the Valar But Hurin does not lie there, for his doom drove him on, and the Shadow still followed hilin and passed southwards down the ancient road that led to Nargothrond; and he saw far off to the eastward the lonely height of Ath he cae of the wild river upon the fallen stones of the bridge, as Mablung of Doriath had ventured it before hi upon his staff

Here itMiothrond, and crept within the ruined halls; and he took possession of the theh to despoil hi and his very memory But now one had come, and stood upon the threshold; and Mim came forth, and demanded to know his purpose But Hurin said: &039;Who are you, that would hinder und?&039;