Morwen
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Morwen (F.A. c.470–501) is a fictional character from J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium. Morwen is referred to as incredibly beautiful, only surpassed by the Elf Lúthien Tinúviel. Her name is Sindarin for Dark Maiden, but because of her beauty she was often called Eledhwen (Elfsheen).[1] Morwen was darkhaired and spoke little, traits she passed on to her children.
She was a daughter of Baragund of the House of Bëor, and she married Húrin of the House of Marach in F.A. 462. They had three children: Túrin (F.A. 464), Urwen (often called Lalaith (laughter), F.A. 466) and later Nienor (F.A. 473). Urwen died in F.A. 469, much to the grief of her brother.
After the Nirnaeth Arnoediad broke out in 473 Húrin was captured by Morgoth, and Hithlum was invaded by Easterlings. Morwen, pregnant with Nienor, resisted the new Easterling lords that took over Húrin's land, and she sent Túrin away to Doriath and the court of King Thingol to safe him from a life of servitude. None of the Easterlings dared take Morwen's home for they believed she was a witch and in league with Elves, although in fact she had no such power. In 494, when Nienor was eleven, Morwen went to Doriath looking for Túrin, followed in secret by her daughter. This journey was made possible because of the Mormegil, who had cleared the roads. At the time Morwen was not aware this was really Túrin, who had fled Doriath. After finding out Túrin was no longer in Doriath and might have died in the fall of Nargothrond. mother and daughter went out to look for Túrin. They were trapped by Glaurung, who put a spell of amnesia on Nienor, and Morwen disappeared into the wilderness for many years.
After the tragic deaths of Túrin and Nienor in F.A. 501, and the slaying of Glaurung, Morwen reappeared in Brethil at Túrin and Nienor's grave. There she was found by a recently released and broken Húrin. Morwen died shortly after. It was her apparent death through neglect that set Húrin against the people of Brethil, and which led to their destruction.[2]
[edit] Quotations
| “ | Húrin wedded Morwen, the daughter of Baragund son of Bregolas of the House of Beor; and she was thus of close kin to Beren One-hand. Morwen was dark-haired and tall, and for the light of her glance and the beauty of her face men called her Eledhwen, the elven-fair; but she was somewhat stern of mood and proud. The sorrows of the House of Beor saddened her heart; for she came as an exile... | ” |
Morwen to Túrin:
| “ | (...)Urwen is dead, and laughter is stilled in this house... but you live, son of Morwen; and so does the enemy who has done this to us. | ” |
[edit] Notes and references
Morwen mostly appears in the Narn i Chîn Húrin.
