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'''Túrin among the Outlaws''' is the sixth chapter of [[The Children of Húrin]].
'''Túrin among the Outlaws''' is the sixth chapter of ''[[The Children of Húrin]]''.


==Synopsis==
==Synopsis==
[[Túrin]] departed from [[Doriath]] thinking he was an outlaw, and so came to the woods of [[Teiglin]] near [[Brethil]] where he was ambushed by a band of outcasts – exiles of the [[House of Hador]] called the [[Gaurwaith]] or Wolf-men. Feeling a comradeship with these [[men]] he joined their ranks under the leadership of [[Forweg]], raiding the lands about and calling himself [[Neithan]], the Wronged.
[[Túrin]] departed from [[Doriath]] thinking he was an outlaw, and so came to the woods of [[Teiglin]] near [[Brethil]] where he was ambushed by a band of outcasts – exiles of the [[House of Hador]] called the [[Gaurwaith]] or Wolf-men. Feeling a comradeship with these [[men]] he joined their ranks under the leadership of [[Forweg]], raiding the lands about and calling himself [[Neithan]], the Wronged.
[[File:Alan Lee - Túrin is Surrounded by the Outlaws.jpg|left|250px|thumb|''Túrin is surrounded by the Outlaws'' by [[Alan Lee]]]]
That spring Forweg and his friend [[Andróg]] were off to raid a farmstead and Túrin was alone in the wood. To Túrin's shock, a woman sprang screaming into the clearing where he now stood – and in a stroke Túrin hewed the man who was hunting her, only to find it was Forweg. Andróg rushed forth through the thicket but halted in disbelief to see his friend and leader dead and blooded; Túrin, enraged, asked why they hunted this woman, but Andróg laughed, ''"Outlaws know no law but their needs."'' But Túrin could not agree and gave the woman her freedom.


That spring Forweg and his friend [[Androg]] were off to raid a farmstead and Túrin was alone in the wood. To Túrin’s shock, a woman sprang screaming into the clearing where he now stood – and in a stroke Túrin hewed the man who was hunting her, only to find it was Forweg. Androg rushed forth through the thicket but halted in disbelief to see his friend and leader dead and blooded; Túrin, enraged, asked why they hunted this woman, but Androg laughed, ''“Outlaws know no law but their needs.”'' But Túrin could not agree and gave the woman her freedom.
On their return to the outlaw's camp, Túrin challenged all the men for the leadership of the band but none dared measure their skill with Túrin's own and so he became their chief, taking them south.


On their return to the outlaw’s camp, Túrin challenged all the men for the leadership of the band but none dared measure their skill with Túrin’s own and so he became their chief, taking them south.
[[Thingol]], the [[Elves|Elven]] King of Doriath, had set [[Beleg]] the task to discover his friend Túrin when Túrin had left the elven domain, but a weary year had passed before Beleg heard tell of a tall and lordly man who had rescued a girl from the clutches of the outlawed Gaurwaith. In following Túrin he was ever a step behind, for Túrin had learned the wood-craft of Beleg well and the trail was well hidden.


It was the [[Elf]] [[Beleg|Beleg’s]] task to discover his friend Túrin but a weary year had passed before he heard tell of a tall and lordly man who had rescued a girl from the clutches of the Gaurwaith or outlawed Wolf-men. But in following Túrin he was ever a step behind, for Túrin had learned the wood-craft of Beleg well and the trail was well hidden.
It was now that [[Morgoth|Morgoth's]] power was ever spreading southward, and his [[Orcs]] were crossing the [[Brithiach]] and searching out the lands. Such a band came near the camp of Túrin who were hid in a cave, and as he and [[Orleg]] scouted their force, they were discovered and hunted westward toward the wilds of [[Nargothrond]]. There Orleg was slain but Túrin escaped and it was a long road to return to the outlaw's cavern.
[[Image:Alan Lee - Lembas.jpg|thumb|''Lembas'' by [[Alan Lee]]]]
When he returned, there he found Beleg tied roughly to a tree, for the elf's task was accomplished and he had discovered the Gaurwaith's cave. But they had taken him forcefully to await Túrin's judgement, not believing Beleg's tale of friendship with their leader, Neithan. Now Túrin was glad to see his friend, but he would not return to Doriath even with the news of his pardon, for he was over proud.


It was now that [[Morgoth|Morgoth’s]] power was ever spreading southward, and his [[Orcs]] were crossing the [[Brithiach]] and searching out the lands. Such a band came near the camp of Túrin who were hid in a cave, and as he and [[Orleg]] scouted their force, they were discovered and hunted westward toward the wilds of [[Nargothrond]]. There Orleg was slain but Túrin escaped and it was a long road to return to the outlaw’s cavern.
So, heavy-hearted, Beleg returned to [[Menegroth]] with tidings of Túrin, and there [[Melian]] was kind in her words and gifted Beleg a leaf-wrapped parcel of [[lembas]], the Elven Waybread that she granted he might give any as a gift of the Queen of Doriath.
 
When he returned, there he found Beleg tied roughly to a tree, for the elf’s task was accomplished and he had discovered the Gaurwaith’s cave. But they had taken him forcefully to await Túrin’s judgement, not believing Beleg’s tale of friendship with their leader, Neithan. Now Túrin was glad to see his friend, but he would not return to Doriath even with the news of his pardon, for he was over proud.
 
So, heavy-hearted, Beleg returned to [[Menegroth]] with tidings of Túrin, and there [[Melian]] was kind in her words and gifted Beleg a leaf-wrapped parcel of [[lembas]], the Elven Waybread that she granted he might give any as a gift of the [[Queen of Doriath]].
 
==Analysis==
Túrin’s life with the outlaws shows us a fresh and unnerving perspective to his character. The Gaurwaith were a lawless band of men who were rebels, murderers and deserters - that Túrin felt at home amongst these men illustrates a wild and destructive streak to his personality. His capacity for violence is demonstrated by his murder of the outlaw at their first meeting. Was his hand forced by the act of the ambush?
 
Afterward, as a member of the Wolf-men, he continued to raid with them and only rose above their lawlessness when he did not agree with the taking of women against their will.
 
It was a group of violent men who respected violent ends but they feared Túrin’s skill and would not test themselves against his expertise. So he led them and showed his intent at being a leader of men and not simply a man to be led or pardoned by others. This is emphasised when Beleg offers Túrin a return to Doriath but he will not go – his pride makes him feel pardoned by his own arbitration; he no longer needs the judgement of Thingol.
 
Beleg is an interesting character. He searches out the lands of Beleriand for over a year to find his friend and bring him pardon; but when he locates Túrin he finds him amongst outlaws. Beleg does not agree with Túrin’s choices or his life amongst such men – indeed he is embarrassed to tell of his rough handling by the Wolf-men to Thingol for fear of telling him of Turin’s ways or seeming ways. He has remained unchanged but Túrin has changed.
 
Is the ‘way of life’ that Túrin demonstrates in this chapter made through his guilt? Is his feeling of inactivity and helplessness to support his mother and sister in Dor-lómin showing itself in a self-destructive pressure? Or is Morgoth twisting Túrin's actions through ill-chance and ill-luck?

Revision as of 10:47, 20 April 2020

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

Túrin among the Outlaws is the sixth chapter of The Children of Húrin.

Synopsis

Túrin departed from Doriath thinking he was an outlaw, and so came to the woods of Teiglin near Brethil where he was ambushed by a band of outcasts – exiles of the House of Hador called the Gaurwaith or Wolf-men. Feeling a comradeship with these men he joined their ranks under the leadership of Forweg, raiding the lands about and calling himself Neithan, the Wronged.

Túrin is surrounded by the Outlaws by Alan Lee

That spring Forweg and his friend Andróg were off to raid a farmstead and Túrin was alone in the wood. To Túrin's shock, a woman sprang screaming into the clearing where he now stood – and in a stroke Túrin hewed the man who was hunting her, only to find it was Forweg. Andróg rushed forth through the thicket but halted in disbelief to see his friend and leader dead and blooded; Túrin, enraged, asked why they hunted this woman, but Andróg laughed, "Outlaws know no law but their needs." But Túrin could not agree and gave the woman her freedom.

On their return to the outlaw's camp, Túrin challenged all the men for the leadership of the band but none dared measure their skill with Túrin's own and so he became their chief, taking them south.

Thingol, the Elven King of Doriath, had set Beleg the task to discover his friend Túrin when Túrin had left the elven domain, but a weary year had passed before Beleg heard tell of a tall and lordly man who had rescued a girl from the clutches of the outlawed Gaurwaith. In following Túrin he was ever a step behind, for Túrin had learned the wood-craft of Beleg well and the trail was well hidden.

It was now that Morgoth's power was ever spreading southward, and his Orcs were crossing the Brithiach and searching out the lands. Such a band came near the camp of Túrin who were hid in a cave, and as he and Orleg scouted their force, they were discovered and hunted westward toward the wilds of Nargothrond. There Orleg was slain but Túrin escaped and it was a long road to return to the outlaw's cavern.

Lembas by Alan Lee

When he returned, there he found Beleg tied roughly to a tree, for the elf's task was accomplished and he had discovered the Gaurwaith's cave. But they had taken him forcefully to await Túrin's judgement, not believing Beleg's tale of friendship with their leader, Neithan. Now Túrin was glad to see his friend, but he would not return to Doriath even with the news of his pardon, for he was over proud.

So, heavy-hearted, Beleg returned to Menegroth with tidings of Túrin, and there Melian was kind in her words and gifted Beleg a leaf-wrapped parcel of lembas, the Elven Waybread that she granted he might give any as a gift of the Queen of Doriath.