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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 Glaurung came
in full fire against the Doors of Felagund; and overthrew them; and passed within。
And even as Túrin came up the dreadful sack of Nargothrond was well nigh achieved。 The Orcs had slain or
driven off all that remained in arms; and were even then ransacking the great halls and chambers; plundering and
destroying; but those of the women and maidens that were not burned or slain they had herded on the terraces before the
doors; as slaves to be taken into Morgoth's thraldom。 Upon this ruin and woe Túrin came; and none could withstand him;
or would not; though he struck down all before him; and passed over the bridge; and hewed his way towards the
captives。
And now he stood alone; for the few that followed him had fled。 But in that moment Glaurung issued from the
gaping doors; and lay behind; between Túrin and the bridge。 Then suddenly he spoke; by the evil spirit that was in him;
saying: 'Hail; son of Húrin。 Well met!'
Then Túrin sprang about; and strode against him; and the edges of Gurthang shone as with flame; but Glaurung
withheld his blast; and opened wide his serpent…eyes and gazed upon Túrin。 Without fear Túrin looked into them as he
raised up the sword; and straightway he fell under the binding spell of the lidless eyes of the dragon; and was halted
moveless。 Then for a long time he stood as one graven of stone; and they two were alone; silent before the doors of
Nargothrond。 But Glaurung spoke again; taunting Túrin; and he said: 'Evil have been all thy ways; son of Húrin。
Thankless fosterling; outlaw; slayer of thy friend; thief of love; usurper of Nargothrond; captain foolhardy; and deserter
of thy kin。 As thralls thy mother and thy sister live in Dor…lómin; in misery and want。 Thou art arrayed as a prince; but
they go in rags; and for thee they yearn; but thou carest not for that。 Glad may thy father be to learn that he hath such a
son; as learn he shall。' And Túrin being under the spell of Glaurung hearkened to his words; and he saw himself as in