Túrin Leaves Dor-lómin

Life became hard for the people of Hador and in Dor-lómin. The Easterlings left the old in the wild to die, forced the young into slavery, and took women and possessions for themselves. Turin was nine years old and Morwen was with child and no news of Húrin's fate reached their ears. The Easterlings feared the Lady of Dor-lómin thinking her a witch who was in league with the Elves. This alone saved Túrin from a life of slavery or a quick death, being Heir of the House of Hador, as the Easterlings were not bold enough to go to Morwen's home and he was hid. A few household servants, including Sador, remained with Morwen but things fell into disrepair and they would have starved if not for Aerin.

Aerin was kinswoman of Húrin and Brodda, of the Easterlings, had forced her to become his wife. He had taken all the valuables and cattle of Húrin's land yet Aerin sent food and other aid secretly to Morwen. Morwen, being a proud woman, only took the aid for her son and unborn child and the rationalization that it really was theirs anyway. At length Morwen decided Túrin must leave Dor-lómin. At best he would be a thrall of Brodda so she resolved to send Túrin to Doriath. But being far into pregnancy she could not also make the hard journey "...and the first strand of the fate of Turin was woven" (p. 70, The Children of Húrin).

By late autumn plans were made for Turin to go. He was sad not understanding why his father had not returned nor why his mother would not make the trip with him. Morwen spoke plainly: "'And since you are my son and the days are grim, I will not speak softly: you may die on that road'" (p. 71, The Children of Húrin). Sador wished to give the Elf-blade back to Turin but he would not accept it; "'A man does not take back his gifts" (p. 73, The Children of Húrin). Gethron and Grithnir, old but valiant men, travelled with Túrin. After Túrin's departure a daughter was born to Morwen whom she named Nienor (Mourning). The road was perilous and winter set in. Reaching Doriath Turin and his guides were lost in the Girdle of Melian and they were near death; "...but not so light was Turin's doom" (p. 75, The Children of Húrin).

There, lost and without food, Beleg the Strongbow found them. He was filled with pity at their story and took an immediate liking to Túrin. Beleg led them to King Thingol and Queen Melian in Menegroth where only one mortal man, Beren, had ever been before. Thingol greeted them warmly and took Túrin upon his knee signifying Túrin would be his foster-son; an act never done from Elves to Men. Thingol did this on account of the renown of Húrin the Steadfast, mightiest of Men, and Beren, Morwen's kinsmen.

There was much conversation in the pages I read today. And some rich dialogue. I'll pull out some of my favorite quotes and comment on the thoughts they inspired:

• "'If you wish to be a man, when you come to a man's age, you will do as I bid, bravely'" (p. 71, The Children of Húrin). Thus Morwen spoke to Turin when she was explaining his need to leave Dor-lómin. It seems that Tolkien realizes that just because one reaches a "man's age" that doesn't make him a man. What insight. I feel like in our culture today there is very little idea about what it means to be a man or when one even reaches that point. Is it 18? When I can be drafted? Is it when I graduate college? When I become a husband? Or a father? And how does one go about learning to be a man? I've have wrestled seriously with this question for a long while. For I have reached a "man's age" but am I a man? 
• Túrin asked Sador what a thrall was: "'A man who was a man but is treated like a beast. Fed only to be kept alive, kept alive only to toil, toiling only for fear of pain and death'" (p. 73, The Children of Húrin). This definition stirred my heart. What an injustice for anyone to be treated in such a way and yet this happens to this very day in the form of human trafficking and other heinous acts. I'm glad there are organizations in my area doing something. I need to check my heart and see how I need to act.
• "'Labadal does not want you to go; but Sador servant of Húrin will be happier when Húrin's son is out of the reach of the Easterlings'" (p. 74, The Children of Húrin). Sador says this when he learns from Túrin Morwen's plan. This is just incredibly tender. Labadal you may remember is Túrin's special name for Sador. Here the older mentor is saying how much he values his relationship with the boy and yet as a servant to the house he recognizes what is best for all even if that makes his heart hurt.

Middle-earth timeline: First Age, 472

Today's reading comes from: The Children of Húrin, pages 66-77