Húrin
The Steadfast.
Húrin the steadfast.
Born in F.A.year 441. Died in ? ( Later than 501, probably around 503 )
Brother to Huor.
Wedded to Morwen.
Father to Túrin, Nienor and Lalaith.
1 Age.
Húrin was the youngest son of Galdor and Hareth.
In F.A.458 dwelt Húrin and his brother, as the custom was among northern men, with the people of Haleth and they both went to battle against the Orcs but being with a company that was cut off they were pursued to Brithiach. There a mist arose for the power of Ulmo was still strong in Sirion and Húrin and Huor escaped into Dimbar where two eagles sent by Thorondor took them and brought them to the secret valley Tumladen and Gondolin. In Gondolin they were welcomed by Turgon for Ulmo had counseled him to deal kindly with the House of Hador from where great help should come in time of need. Húrin and Huor learned much of the counsels and purposes of Turgon in that year but they both desired to return to their kin and share in the wars for they were mortal men and their time was short compared to the Elves and Turgon yielded to their prayers though he was grieved. And as they came they departed for Thorondor once again at the asking of Turgon sent eagles to bring Húrin and Huor to Dor-Lòmin. But before they parted they swore an oath to never reveal the realm of Turgon.
In F.A.462 Morgoth resolved to send forces against Hithlum and the assault was bitter, but it was repelled from the passes of Ered Wethrin and the fortress of Eithel Sirion. Húrin`s father Galdor who held the fortress on behalf of Fingon was slain but Húrin; young but mighty in heart and strength defeated the Orcs and drove them with loss from the walls into the sands of Anfauglith.
F.A.464. Wedded to Morwen, the daughter of Baragund, in spring this year. Late in the year was born their first child and son Túrin.
F.A.465 - 469. Lalaith, their first daughter, was born between these years. But she died 3 years old caused by a pestilens borne upon an evil wind out of Angband.
F.A.472. Húrin departed upon Arroch, his horse, from Morwen and Túrin and rode to Eithel Sirion. In the Battle of Unnumbered Tears he fought beside Huor and the sons of Hador and at last he alone was standing alive cutting Orcs with his two-handed axe, but he was taking alive and brought before Morgoth who by promises and torture tried to persuade him to tell of the hidden city Gondolin and Turgon but Húrin kept his oath and revealed nothing to Morgoth and in his wrath Morgoth chained him to a stone chair at the highest peak of Thangorodrim and cursed him and his heir and all his family, and in this chair Húrin should see with the eyes of Morgoth the curse be fulfilled.
F.A.473. This year was born the daughter Nienor though Húrin never saw her alive save in the twisted visions brought to him from Morgoth. For all that Morgoth knew of the working of his malice Húrin knew also; but lies were mingled with the truth, and all that was good was hidden or distorted.
F.A.500 Húrin was released, 59 years old, just to find it had become the way Morgoth had predicted. When he was released he was escorted to Hithlum where the people of Lorgan and everyone else left him alone and did not want to know of him. Húrin knew his release was not of pity but was to further Morgoth`s evil, but he who sees through the eyes of Morgoth, willing or unwilling, sees all things crooked and a shadow was still over Húrin.
F.A.501. But seven outlaws commanded by Asgon joined him to the borders of Brethil where Húrin left them to seek Turgon and Gondolin. Yet this was in vain, Turgon had shut his realm and heart. He returned and walked into Brethil to see the grave of his son and found Morwen at the Talbor. When she died, he in anger and despair, turned to Amon Obel to revenge her, his son and daughter and he brought destruction and civil war to that place and finally he brought the end of the Haladins to the family of Haldad. After he left Brethil he found Asgon again and some of those people who would not follow Avranc, the new Haladin in Brethil, joined Húrin.
F.A.502. With this band of men he now continued to Nargothrond, killed Mîm and brought the Nauglamír and treasure of Glaurung to Thingol and Melian in Doriath and in that he brought the doom upon Doriath.
There is no further tale of Húrin`s wanderings but it is told he finally cast himself in the Ocean.
Related links.: Image.: Hurin Thalion. Battles.: Battle of Unnumbered Tears. Rebellion of Brethil. Encyc.: Hurin.