Sador

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Sador
Adan
Catherine Chmiel - Turin and Labadal.jpg
Biographical Information
Other namesLabadal (S, "hopafoot"), Onefoot, Sadog
PositionWood-man, servant
LanguageSindarin
Birthc. F.A. 430[source?]
DeathF.A. 495 (aged c. 65)
Dor-lómin
Physical Description
GenderMale
GalleryImages of Sador
"Give with a free hand, but give only your own."
Sador, The Children of Húrin

Sador was a carpenter and servant of the Húrin, and the childhood friend of Húrin's son Túrin.

Description

Sador was a "house-man in the service of Húrin" who had been a woodman and somehow had accidentally severed his right foot off. The remaining part of his leg had shrunken from lack of use. One of Sador's talents was wood-working. (UT 78)

History

Sador worked in the outbuildings, fixing things around the house which were usually of little importance. Túrin would often help Sador by fetching materials Sador might need to spare him from walking. Sador would tell Túrin to return the gifts and taught him he shouldn't steal even if it is to give. (UT, 79) Sador enjoyed Túrin's company and would often carve for him figures of men and beasts, however Túrin enjoyed most the stories Sador told him.

Sador, before he became disabled, fought in the Dagor Bragollach. He came too late to the battle field however, and was only able to bring back the fallen Hador. He was then stationed at Eithel Sirion. He was there when Húrin took command. (UT, 79)

"a man that flies from his fear may find that he has only taken a short cut to meet it."
― Sador, on fleeing battle only to lose his leg by accident.

On Túrin's birthday, his father gave him an Elven knife of great worth. Túrin pitied Sador and decided to give the gift to him. Sador accepted the gift as it would be rude not to, but he knew he would be unable to repay Túrin for such a gift. (UT, 84)

Túrin's mother, Morwen, did not care for Sador and called him "self-maimed by his own want of skill, and he is slow with his tasks, for he spends much time on trifles unbidden." (UT, 85) With this knife Sador set to carve a great throne for the hall of Húrin.

After Túrin departed, Sador remained in the house of Morwen, though he wished he may have joined the battle to die a valiant death. Upon Túrin's return from Nargothrond, Sador joined in the rebellion against the Easterlings who had taken over the land. He was then wounded and perished.

Etymology

sador is a Sindarin word which translates to "steadfast, trusty, loyal".[1]

Names

Sador had several names including:

  • Labadal - Translates to "hopafoot", given to Sador by Túrin
  • Onefoot - A title for Sador referring to his lack of a right foot (UT, p. 136)
  • Sadog - Early version of Sador written by Tolkien, possibly just a typo.

Quotes

"So most men teach, and few men learn."
― Sador to Túrin

[2]

See also

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, "Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings", in Parma Eldalamberon XVII (edited by Christopher Gilson), p. 183
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Narn i Chîn Húrin: The Tale of the Children of Húrin, p. 75