As a humble storyteller of Middle-earth’s grand tapestry, I find myself awestruck by the tales of the mortal heroes who walked amongst the immortals, their lives intertwining with destiny itself. Among these heroic figures stands Tuor, a man of great valor and wisdom, whose journey echoes the epic saga of Beren before him.
Contains spoilers for “The Rings of Power” Season 2, Episode 5
As “The Rings of Power” Season 2 reaches its halfway mark, Sauron, portrayed by Charlie Vickers, is found in Eregion, masquerading as Annatar. He’s deeply involved in the production of the Rings of Power, working alongside Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards) and their associates. (In August, we managed to pry some insights about the ring-making process from the actors, and it’s proving quite intriguing.)
In the heart of my gaming world by Episode 5, the Three Elven Rings and Seven Dwarven Rings have been forged, yet the Nine for Mortal Men and the One to Rule Them All remain. As Annatar subtly pressures Celebrimbor to craft rings for Men, I, as an Elven crafter, firmly resist, emphasizing the vulnerability of Men to such immense power. However, Annatar counters with a reminder, “Men may falter, but in the face of darkness, there are always those who rise, like Ëarendil, Tuor, Beren, son of Barahir.” Inspired by this list, Annatar suggests we seek out Men who embody wisdom, nobility, and purity of heart, from Númenor to Rhûn. He proposes they should be nine in number, hailing from the most powerful mortal realms.
It’s clear that this man is admirable. He seems to be striving to mend the wounds of the world, isn’t he? The question arises, who are these exceptional individuals that Annatar mentions in his discourse? Are Ëarendil, Tuor, and Beren figures from J.R.R. Tolkien’s mythos? Are they virtuous? Do their deeds stand out in the annals of Middle-earth history? The answers are indeed affirmative across the board. These are three of the most prominent, honorable, and notably radiant mortal heroes from the First Age of Middle-earth (just before the Second Age, the era depicted in the series). Shall we delve deeper into this trio, if you will?
Beren, son of Barahir
In the expansive world created by J.R.R. Tolkien, Beren, son of Barahir stands out as a prominent figure. A whole chapter in “The Silmarillion” is devoted to the captivating narrative of human man Beren and elven-maiar (essentially angelic) princess Lúthien. Tolkien held a profound personal connection with this heartrending and heroic love story, which mirrored his own relationship with his wife. The characters’ names were even immortalized on the tombstones of the real-life English couple.
Regarding his exceptional bravery, Beren is a longtime hero, known for battling Morgoth’s minions since childhood as an outlaw. His life takes a turn when he encounters and falls in love with Lúthien. Together, they embark on a perilous journey to retrieve one of the sacred jewels, the Silmarils, from Morgoth’s possession. Beren’s odyssey is marked by death and revival more than once. Throughout his life, he serves as a beacon of hope in the struggle against Morgoth, becoming a symbolic figure during some of Middle-earth’s bleakest periods. Notably, Beren and Lúthien have a child named Dior, who gives birth to Elwing – a name you should remember.
Tuor, son of Huor
Coming next is Tuor, son of Huor, who is known for being one of the heartwarming tales in J.R.R. Tolkien’s mythos. Before maturing into a free man, Tuor is enslaved and must later break free from Morgoth’s subordinates. He then navigates the wilderness until he crosses paths with Ulmo, one of the divine beings (akin to Neptune or Poseidon) in Tolkien’s cosmology.
In simpler terms, Ulmo directs Tuor towards the concealed Elven metropolis of Gondolin, where he alerts them about their upcoming disaster. Despite his ominous predictions, they accept him and treat him as one of their own. Later, Gondolin is found and devastated, with Tuor guiding the escapees to safety. Additionally, Glorfindel, a valiant Elven hero, lends a hand (and sword) in slaying a Balrog during this critical time.
In the city of Gondolin, Tuor develops feelings for an Elven princess named Idril. This romantic connection between mortal and immortal beings is another significant instance in Tolkien’s tales. Their relationship results in a son known as Ëarendil, who later becomes well-known and easily recognized throughout the annals of Middle-earth lore; let me delve into his story shortly.
Eventually, Tuor becomes weary and old, and he, along with Idril, embark on a journey to sail towards the West, an act that’s unusual for mortals. Don’t fret though; according to legends, things work out well for Tuor. “The Silmarillion” relates that Tuor was considered one of the ancient race among men and joined the Noldor, whom he admired deeply. His story differs from that of regular men. Now, we’re approaching a section where Tuor’s and Beren’s descendants intersect – an encounter that ultimately saves Middle-earth.
Ëarendil the Mariner
In their own right, Beren and Tuor are both impressive heroes, but it’s when their descendants join forces that the true display of heroism unfolds. Tuor’s son, Ëarendil, and Beren’s granddaughter, Elwing, form a bond, get married, and embark on their journey during the bleakest times of the First Age. Morgoth, the powerful antagonist, holds dominion over most of Middle-earth, except for a small Elvish sanctuary located on the northwestern watery borders (in an area called Beleriand, which eventually submerges beneath the waves).
In the face of worsening circumstances, Ëarendil chooses to challenge the darkness plaguing the world not through physical combat but by sailing. This half-elven, half-human hero constructs a vessel and, accompanied by his spouse, embarks on a journey that mirrors his father’s journey into the West. Unlike a retirement, Ëarendil petitions the Valar for assistance in overthrowing Morgoth. The divine guardians grant him aid but instead of allowing him to return, they affix a radiant Silmaril jewel upon his brow and propel him and his ship through the cosmos as a symbol of hope for both Elves and Men. It is in this celestial role that Ëarendil descends to engage in the War of Wrath (the battle marking the end of the First Age, where Morgoth’s power is vanquished). In the heat of this conflict, the valiant half-elven hero demonstrates his courage by slaying Ancalagon the Black, the most formidable dragon ever known.
To wrap up, it’s worth mentioning that Eärendil’s descendants are Elrond and Elros. While Elrond is well-known for being the most renowned scholar in Middle-earth and playing a crucial role in Sauron’s eventual defeat, his brother is equally significant. He established the island nation of Númenor, which ultimately gave rise to the kingdoms of Gondor and Arnor. Notably, these kings are direct ancestors of Aragorn, tying all three characters from Annatar’s list of notable mortal heroes to his own demise in “The Lord of the Rings,” thousands of years later. In the series, at least, Annatar uses them as a pretext to create the Nine Rings for Mortal Men.
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2024-09-13 16:30