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'''The Land of Bow and Helm''' is the eighth chapter of [[The Children of Húrin]].
'''The Land of Bow and Helm''' is the eighth chapter of ''[[The Children of Húrin]]''.


==Synopsis==
==Synopsis==
The coming of [[Beleg]] to [[Bar-en-Danwedh]] and the return of the [[Dragon-helm of Dor-lómin|Dragon-helm]] to [[Túrin]] brought about a change in both the fortunes and focus of the men of [[Amon Rudh]]. As a host they seemed in their forays with the marauding companies of [[orcs]] that came down the [[Sirion]] and they spread fear and dread. So did Túrin’s whereabouts come to the knowledge of [[Morgoth]], and the enemy set his devices in motion to capture Túrin; for he was patient in his malice as he had been with his father, [[Húrin]], and put forward his forces only to test Túrin’s mettle and give him false confidence.
The coming of [[Beleg]] to [[Bar-en-Danwedh]] and the return of the [[Dragon-helm of Dor-lómin|Dragon-helm]] to [[Túrin]] brought about a change in both the fortunes and focus of the men of [[Amon Rûdh]]. As a host they seemed in their forays with the marauding companies of [[orcs]] that came down the [[Sirion]] and they spread fear and dread. So did Túrin’s whereabouts come to the knowledge of [[Morgoth]], and the enemy set his devices in motion to capture Túrin; for he was patient in his malice as he had been with his father, [[Húrin]], and put forward his forces only to test Túrin’s mettle and give him false confidence.


On a time, the valour of Beleg’s bow and the Dragon-helm brought forth those dispossessed men who were drawn to wage war with the enemy, and the force of men grew so that there were many camps about the woods of Amon Rudh. [[Dor-Cúarthol]] Túrin called his domain in pride, and himself [[Gorthol]], The Dread Helm; but Beleg was wary of the doom ahead and counselled caution but to this Túrin took little heed for he had confidence in his own will.
On a time, the valour of Beleg’s bow and the Dragon-helm brought forth those dispossessed men who were drawn to wage war with the enemy, and the force of men grew so that there were many camps about the woods of Amon Rûdh. [[Dor-Cúarthol]] Túrin called his domain in pride, and himself [[Gorthol]], The Dread Helm; but Beleg was wary of the doom ahead and counselled caution but to this Túrin took little heed for he had confidence in his own will.


It was at this time that [[Mîm|Mîm’s]] curse of [[Andróg]] came to fruition: he once again took up a bow and was poisoned by an orc arrow; but the power of Beleg healed him of the wound. This went ill with Mîm, who already had a hatred of all things [[elf|elven]] and so he chose to betray Túrin’s men. Mîm passed to a company of orcs and revealed to them the stronghold of Bar-en-Danwedh and led a force to its doors.
It was at this time that [[Mîm|Mîm’s]] curse of [[Andróg]] came to fruition: he once again took up a bow and was poisoned by an orc arrow; but the power of Beleg healed him of the wound. This went ill with Mîm, who already had a hatred of all things [[Elves|elven]] and so he chose to betray Túrin’s men. Mîm passed to a company of orcs and revealed to them the stronghold of Bar-en-Danwedh and led a force to its doors.


There the outlaws were bested but Andróg revealed to Túrin the secret stair to the summit of the hill and there there was a final stand. Against a stone all but Túrin and Beleg were slain and Andróg was wounded mortally by an orc shaft. Beleg was pinned on the summit while Túrin was taken alive as prisoner – for so were Morgoth’s commands.
There the [[Gaurwaith|outlaws]] were bested but Andróg revealed to Túrin the secret stair to the summit of the hill and there there was a final stand. Against a stone all but Túrin and Beleg were slain and Andróg was wounded mortally by an orc shaft. Beleg was pinned on the summit while Túrin was taken alive as prisoner – for so were Morgoth’s commands.


When all was passed, Mîm came to torment Beleg in that high place, but Andróg crept forth and thrust a sword at the [[Petty-dwarf]] who leapt from the heights in fear. In his final agony, Andróg released Beleg; then he died.
When all was passed, Mîm came to torment Beleg in that high place, but Andróg crept forth and thrust a sword at the [[Petty-dwarf]] who leapt from the heights in fear. In his final agony, Andróg released Beleg; then he died.


==Analysis==
[[Category:The Children of Húrin chapters|Land of Bow and Helm]]
This chapter seems to be a turning point in the fortunes of Túrin. The hand of Morgoth plays a direct blow against him and he becomes a real focus of his malice.
 
'''An important aspect of the tale is Beleg’s intervention.''' He arrives with the Helm of Hador with the intent of saving Túrin; but the power of the Dragon-helm of Dor-lómin and Morgoth’s designs to heighten Túrin’s self-confidence result in an arrogance. But in fact it is not this overconfidence which is Túrin’s downfall – it is ''Beleg’s presence and power in the camp'' – for Mîm despises him. He hates him as he is an elf, for his healing of Andróg, and for his friendship of Túrin who he had become close to. So does the seed of Mîm’s hatred from the previous chapter flower in his betrayal of the company.
 
As Mîm  becomes the traitor, Andróg redeems himself; probably through the contribution of Beleg and his healing of the outlaw from the orc arrow. The stair which he kept secret becomes the saving escape of the outlaws and Andróg saves Beleg’s life by frightening Mîm from the summit of Amon Rudh before he himself dies.
 
One important point in this chapter is Morgoth’s ''doubt'' about his power over Túrin’s fate; it seems that there are ways Túrin might escape the curse of his family:
* Túrin may become a power in his own right and so outmatch his doom.
* If he is hidden from Morgoth’s power or vision then Túrin is outside of Morgoth’s influence; the only places where this might be are Doriath and possibly Gondolin.
 
This raises the question of how much of Túrin’s misfortune up to this point is based on the ill-will of Morgoth; for it might seem that Morgoth cannot have influenced events within Doriath or during the period up until the Dragon-helm comes to his knowledge in this chapter.

Revision as of 15:53, 28 November 2014

The Children of Húrin chapters
  1. The Childhood of Túrin
  2. The Battle of Unnumbered Tears
  3. The Words of Húrin and Morgoth
  4. The Departure of Túrin
  5. Túrin in Doriath
  6. Túrin among the Outlaws
  7. Of Mîm the Dwarf
  8. The Land of Bow and Helm
  9. The Death of Beleg
  10. Túrin in Nargothrond
  11. The Fall of Nargothrond
  12. The Return of Túrin to Dor-lómin
  13. The Coming of Túrin into Brethil
  14. The Journey of Morwen and Niënor
  15. Niënor in Brethil
  16. The Coming of Glaurung
  17. The Death of Glaurung
  18. The Death of Túrin

The Land of Bow and Helm is the eighth chapter of The Children of Húrin.

Synopsis

The coming of Beleg to Bar-en-Danwedh and the return of the Dragon-helm to Túrin brought about a change in both the fortunes and focus of the men of Amon Rûdh. As a host they seemed in their forays with the marauding companies of orcs that came down the Sirion and they spread fear and dread. So did Túrin’s whereabouts come to the knowledge of Morgoth, and the enemy set his devices in motion to capture Túrin; for he was patient in his malice as he had been with his father, Húrin, and put forward his forces only to test Túrin’s mettle and give him false confidence.

On a time, the valour of Beleg’s bow and the Dragon-helm brought forth those dispossessed men who were drawn to wage war with the enemy, and the force of men grew so that there were many camps about the woods of Amon Rûdh. Dor-Cúarthol Túrin called his domain in pride, and himself Gorthol, The Dread Helm; but Beleg was wary of the doom ahead and counselled caution but to this Túrin took little heed for he had confidence in his own will.

It was at this time that Mîm’s curse of Andróg came to fruition: he once again took up a bow and was poisoned by an orc arrow; but the power of Beleg healed him of the wound. This went ill with Mîm, who already had a hatred of all things elven and so he chose to betray Túrin’s men. Mîm passed to a company of orcs and revealed to them the stronghold of Bar-en-Danwedh and led a force to its doors.

There the outlaws were bested but Andróg revealed to Túrin the secret stair to the summit of the hill and there there was a final stand. Against a stone all but Túrin and Beleg were slain and Andróg was wounded mortally by an orc shaft. Beleg was pinned on the summit while Túrin was taken alive as prisoner – for so were Morgoth’s commands.

When all was passed, Mîm came to torment Beleg in that high place, but Andróg crept forth and thrust a sword at the Petty-dwarf who leapt from the heights in fear. In his final agony, Andróg released Beleg; then he died.

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