Saeros
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Saeros (?-482) is a fictional character of J. R. R. Tolkien's universe of Middle-earth. Little is known of him except from the account of his dealings with Túrin Turambar. One of the few Elves of Middle-earth to be portrayed in a negative light, he is recorded to have been very arrogant.
Saeros was one of the Laiquendi who fled to the safety of Doriath after the First Battle of Beleriand. Over the next five centuries, he became a high councillor of Elu Thingol, King of Doriath.
In the year 482, on the twelfth anniversary of his departure from his mother and home, Túrin returned to the king's halls from warfare on the marches of the realm. Weary, hungry, and saddened by the anniversary, Túrin sat in an unoccupied seat at the king's table, the seat of Saeros. Soon, Saeros appeared and was greatly offended by this "usurpation" of his place. Sullenly taking a seat opposite from Túrin, he insulted Túrin's appearance and mother. At this, Túrin cast a great goblet at him, which appeared to injure him severely. Horrified, Túrin fled the hall immediately.
The next day, Saeros ambushed Túrin as he was walking in the woods. Despite the advantage of surprise, Saeros was unable to kill Túrin immediately, and he was disarmed and stripped naked by Túrin in the resulting fight. At this, Túrin forced him at sword-point to flee. Not understanding that Túrin did not intend to harm him farther, Saeros ran quickly and carelessly at a river crossing and fell to his death. Seeing this, and expecting to be judged guilty of murder, Túrin fled the realm forever, despite the pleas of Mablung for him to stay.
In a trial in absentia conducted some time afterward, the elf-maiden Nellas led Thingol to judge Túrin not guilty by speaking of the ambush (which she witnessed) and stating that Túrin did not intend to kill Saeros.
