Chapter Twenty-two: Of the Ruin of Doriath

The Deaths of Morwen and Húrin

Morwen wandered alone and distraught in the wild. After 28 years, Morgoth feigned to pity Húrin and so released him. He wandered, unwelcome with his own kin, and sought out Gondolin without realizing that the servants of Morgoth were watching him. Thorondor saw Húrin and brought word to Turgon, but Turgon would not allow him into Gondolin at first. After a while, his heart changed, but it was too late because Húrin was gone by then.

Húrin had called towards Gondolin in desperation, and the servants of Morgoth heard him. “This was the first evil that the freedom of Húrin achieved.”

Húrin found Morwen at the tomb of Túrin and Nienor, and she died in the evening and he buried her.

Húrin went to Nargothrond, where he killed Mîm the dwarf and took the Nauglamír. Húrin went to Doriath and gave the Nauglamír to Thingol. At first, Húrin was wrathful, thinking his family was wronged by Thingol, but Melian spoke to him, and the lies of Morgoth were understood. Húrin then cast himself into the western sea.

The Death of Thingol

Thingol had the idea to have the Nauglamír remade to hold the Silmaril. After the dwarves completed this task, they refused to return it to Thingol. Thingol lashed out against the dwarves, and they ended up killing him. The dwarves were pursued, and the Nauglamír was brought to Melian. The Dwarves of Nogrod sought vengeance against Doriath.

After this, Melian's power was diminished, and Doriath lay open to its enemies. And she knew that the doom of Doriath was coming near. After this, Melian disappeared and returned to Lórien.

The Nauglamír

The dwarves passed into Menegroth where they met the elves in battle; the dwarves were victorious and reclaimed the Nauglamír.

In Tol Galen, Dior was wed to Nimloth, and they had three children: Eluréd, Elurîn, and Elwing. In battle, Beren killed the Lord of Nogrod and gave the Nauglamír to Lúthien. After this, Dior — Thingol’s heir — brought his family to live in Doriath.

At last, Beren and Lúthien died, and the Nauglamír was brought to Dior in Doriath.

Dior refused to give the Silmaril to the sons of Fëanor, re-awakening their oath. Celegorm attacked Doriath, killing Dior and Nimloth, and left their two young sons in the forest to die. However, they did not retrieve the Silmaril as Elwing had escaped to the mouth of the River Sirion with it.

Key Quote

"Then the lust of the Dwarves was kindled to rage by the words of the King; and they rose up about him, and laid hands on him, and slew him as he stood. So died in the deep places of Menegroth Elwë Singollo, King of Doriath, who alone of all the Children of Ilúvatar was joined with one of the Ainur; and he who, alone of the Forsaken Elves, had seen the light of the Trees of Valinor, with his last sight gazed upon the Silmaril."