 | |
| Ford | |
| Crossings of Taeglin | |
|---|---|
| General Information | |
| Location | Brethil |
| Type | Ford |
The Crossings of Taeglin was the point in the middle course of the river Taeglin where it was crossed by the road running south from Tol Sirion to Nargothrond.[1][2] It was located on the southwestern border of the Forest of Brethil.[3] A path running west out of the forest connected it to the settlement of Ephel Brandir.[4]
Towards the end of the First Age, the Crossings provided a crucial route between the gathering forces of Morgoth to its north and the realm of Nargothrond to its south. It was especially notable during the time Túrin Turambar spent in Brethil and as the location of Haudh-en-Elleth, the burial mound of Finduilas.
The Crossings of Taeglin was also the most well-known location of the Drúedain's watch-stone statues, each depicting a large Drúadan squatting over a dead Orc.[5]
History
The Haladin travelled westward in search of a new home until they came to the Forest of Brethil, which at that time was claimed by King Thingol. Thanks to Finrod Felagund's negotiations on their behalf, Thingol agreed to grant Brethil to Haleth and her people on the condition that they guard the Crossings of Taeglin.[6]
Overly open tactics deployed from Nargothrond by Túrin and the Elves revealed its location to Morgoth. In F.A. 495, messengers came to the city and warned that Orcs were gathering in the Pass of Sirion.[7] The Crossings of Taeglin were situated at a pivotal center point on the road south from the Pass, separating the region from Nargothrond.[1] Shortly after the messengers left the city, Orcs invaded Brethil in order to secure the Crossings for their southward advance. The Men of Brethil fought against the invasion, but Handir Lord of Brethil was slain and the defeated Men retreated into the forest. The Orcs, now in control of the Crossings, continued strengthening their forces in the Pass of Sirion.[8]
The forces of Morgoth were unleashed from the north and Nargothrond fell. Many Elves of the fallen city were rounded up by the Orcs to be slaves of Angband, including Finduilas daughter of the slain King Orodreth and close friend of Túrin. On their way to Angband, the Orcs were stopped at the Crossings of Taeglin where they were attacked by Men of Brehtil. However, the Orcs killed their captives before they could be rescued and the Men found Finduilas pinned to a tree. A month later, Túrin, who had been searching for Finduilas, learned about her death from Dorlas and the other Men of Brethil. They brought him to the mound next to the Crossings where her body was buried, which they named Haudh-en-Elleth, and he fell to the ground in despair. Then Túrin stayed with the Men in Brethil and prevented Orcs from using the Crossings while he guarded the mound of Finduilas. During this time, the Orcs learned to fear the Crossings of Taeglin and refused to draw near.[9]
Nienor, in search of shelter after losing her memory from a spell of Glaurung, entered the Forest of Brethil over the Crossings of Taeglin. Meanwhile, Túrin came to the Crossings to look for Orcs and found her collapsed on Haudh-en-Elleth. Three years later,[10] Túrin went out to find and kill Glaurung. Nienor became fearful and went after him. When she approached the Crossings and saw Haudh-en-Elleth, a feeling of dread came over her and she ran along the river until coming to the bodies of both Glaurung and Túrin. Finally released from Glaurung’s spell and wrongly believing that Túrin had died, she cast herself into the river over the Cabed-en-Aras.[7]
Madness came over Túrin when he learned what had happened and he went to the mound of Finduilas, crying for her counsel. It was then that Mablung with a company of Elves of Doriath came over the Crossing of Taeglin and found him there. However, Túrin ran from them before throwing himself on his sword.[7]
After the deaths of Nienor and Túrin, their father Húrin was released from Morgoth’s captivity. He eventually came to the Crossings of Taeglin and found the memorial stone for his children at the place where they died. Morwen his wife was there waiting for him. They spoke one last time before she died and he made a grave for her near the grave of their children. Then he left over the Crossings, wandering towards the ruins of Nargothrond.[11]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Map of Beleriand and the Lands to the North"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Children of Húrin, "List of Names"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Index of Names"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Children of Húrin, "The Coming of Glaurung"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Drúedain"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Coming of Men into the West"
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Túrin Turambar"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Children of Húrin, "The Fall of Nargothrond"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Children of Húrin, "The Coming of Túrin into Brethil"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part One. The Grey Annals": §315, 322
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Ruin of Doriath"