The Lays of Beleriand Read Online Free

contempt away;
    said: '0 son of Hurin, here shalt sojourn
    in my cavernous court for thy kindred's sake.
    Nor as slave or servant, but a second king's son thou shalt dwell in dear love, till thou deem'st it time to remember thy mother Morwin's loneliness.
    Thou wisdom shalt win unwist of Men
    and weapons shalt wield as the warrior Elves, and Thalion's son no thrall shall be.'
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    There tarried the twain that had tended the child, till their limbs were lightened and they longed to fare through dread and danger to their dear lady.
    But Gumlin was gone in greater years
    than Halog, and hoped not to home again.
    Then sickness took him, and he stayed by Turin, while Halog hardened his heart to go.
    An Elfin escort to his aid was given
    and magics of Melian, and a meed of gold.
    In his mouth a message to Morwin was set,
    words of the king's will, how her wish was granted; how Thingol called her to the Thousand Caves
    to fare unfearing with his folk again,
    there to sojourn in solace, till her son be grown; for Hurin the hero was held in mind,
    and no might had Morgoth where Melian dwelt.
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    Of the errand of the Elves and that other Halog the tale tells not, save in time they came
    to the threshold of Morwin, and Thingol's message was said where she sate in her solitary hall.
    But she dared not do as was dearly bidden,
    for Nienor her nestling was not yet weaned.
    More, the pride of her people, princes of Men, had suffered her send her son to Thingol
    when despair sped her, but to spend her days
    as alms-guest of others, even Elfin kings,
    it liked her little; and there lived e'en now a hope in her heart that Hurin would come,
    and the dwelling was dear where he dwelt of old.
    At night she would listen for a knock at the doors, or a footstep falling that she fondly knew;
    so she fared not forth, and her fate was woven.
    Yet the thanes of Thingol she thanked nobly,
    and her shame she showed not, how shorn of glory to reward their wending she had wealth too scant; but gave them in gift her golden things
    that last lingered, and they led away
    a helm of Hurin that was hewn in war
    when he battled with Beren his brother-in-arms against ogres and Orcs and evil foemen;
    'twas o'erwritten with runes by wrights of old.
    She bade Thingol receive it and think of her.
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    Thus Halog her henchman came home, but the Elves, the thanes of Thingol, thrust through the woods, and the message of Morwin in a month's journey, so quick their coming, to the king was said.
    Then was Melian moved to ruth,
    and courteously received the king her gift,
    who deeply delved had dungeons filled
    with Elfin armouries of ancient gear,
    but he handled the helm as his hoard were scant; said: 'High were the head that upheld this thing with that token crowned of the towering dragon that Thalion Erithamrod thrice-renowned
    oft bore into battle with baleful foes.'
    Then a thought was thrust into Thingol's heart, and Turin he called and told when come

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    that Morwin his mother a mighty thing
    had sent to her son, his sire's heirloom,
    a helm that hammers had hardened of old,
    whose makers had mingled a magic therein
    that its worth was a wonder and its wearer safe, guarded from glaive or gleaming axe --
    'Lo! Hurin's helm hoard thou till manhood
    bids thee battle; then bravely don it',
    and Turin touched it, but took it not,
    too weak to wield that weight as yet,
    and his mind mourned for Morwin's answer,
    and the first of his sorrows o'erfilled his soul.
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    Thus came it to pass in the court of Thingol
    that Turin tarried for twelve long years
    with Gumlin his guardian, who guided him thither when but seven summers their sorrows had laid on the son of Thalion. For the seven first
    his lot was lightened, since he learnt at whiles from faring folk what befell in Hithlum,
    and tidings were told by trusty Elves,
    how Morwin his mother was more at ease;
    and they named Nienor that now was growing
    to the sweet