Niënor in Brethil

Niënor in Brethil is the fifteenth chapter in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Children of Húrin.

Synopsis

After fleeing from the Orcs, she did not stop almost all throughout the entire night. While running, she tore off her clothes and garments, leaving her naked; and in that way she ran for some time. Then, fainting from exhaustion, she slept, and woke in the morning without any of her memories. She then ran until she hit the river Taeglin and drank. She then crossed the river, and lay down on a grassy knoll, which happened to be the grave of Finduilas.

It was upon that time that a group of woodsmen, led by Túrin, her brother, chanced upon her. Seeing her nakedness, he cast his cloak about her. He then asked if she remembered her name and her kin, but she did not know and began to weep. Then, needing something to call her by, he named her Níniel, or Maiden of Tears. He then brought her back to his home in Brethil.

On her journey she caught a fever, and only when Túrin was near did she sleep without moaning. After the fever, she forgot all speech, and so they had to relearn her in her grammar. Brandir then grew to love her and went wandering in gardens with her; but her heat was given to only Túrin. After Níniel was fully recovered from her dark fever, Túrin asked her to marry him, unknowing that she was his sister. Níniel was glad, but when Brandir heard it, his heart felt sick, and so he counseled her to wait, and wait she did. After waiting until spring, Túrin asked his sister once more for her hand, promising to never go to war again, unless it be to defend his home. She then thus agreed, and soon they were married at midsummer.