The "XII Bëorings" were a group of Men that followed Barahir who roamed Dorthonion after the Dagor Bragollach in FA 455, defying the will of Morgoth and Gorthaur.[1]
History[]
After saving the life of Finrod Felagund in the Dagor Bragollach, Barahir refused to surrender or submit to the forces of the enemy and returned to Dorthonion. There, from a camp set up near the hidden lake of Tarn Aeluin, he and his men lived as outlaws. Barahir and his "XII Bëorings" harried those who would seek to undo all that was good in Dorthonion. The "XII Bëorings" consisted of Barahir's son Beren, his nephews Baragund the elder and Belegund the younger, and nine other outlaw members.
However, after many years of hardship, the number of the outlaw members began to dwindle; some grew disillusioned with their precarious situation, among them Gorlim the Unhappy. For Gorlim longed for his wife Eilinel, who was found to be missing after his return from the Dagor Bragollach. Taken captive after a raid by the enemy, Gorlim's nerve failed and he revealed the location of the outlaw band to Sauron in exchange for the return of his wife, whom he was told lived. But Sauron tricked Gorlim, for his wife was killed; and he killed Gorlim as well, saying he could join her in death. Thus, the location of the hideout was revealed to the enemy and all were slain, save for Beren, Barahir's son, who was away gathering resources.[2][3]
Background[]
It is untold why Tolkien used the name "XII Bëorings". The name might be shorthand for the twelve Bëorings, or it might be a "translation" of an in-universe name of an unknown language, or it might just be an out of universe identifying term. Regardless, it is the only term that Tolkien gave that identifies the outlaws that followed Barahir, though it is unknown why Tolkien used a Roman numeral in this name.
Translations[]
| Foreign Language | Translated name |
| Azerbaijani | Barahirın Quldurlar |
| Croatian | Barahirovi Odmetnici |
| Czech | Barahirova Psanci |
| Finnish | Barahirin rosvot |
| Georgian | ბარჰირის ბანდიტები |
| German | Barahirs Bande |
| Italian | Fuorilegge di Barahir |
| Norwegian | Barahirs Fredløse |
| Russian | Двенадцать Беорингов |
| Spanish | Forajidos de Barahir |
| Turkish | Barahir'un Haydutlar |
References[]
- ↑ The History of Middle-earth, Vol. III: The Lays of Beleriand, IV: "The Lay of Leithian Recommenced", pgs. 335, 348, 351
- ↑ The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter XIX: "Of Beren and Lúthien"
- ↑ The History of Middle-earth, Vol. III, The Lays of Beleriand, Ch. III, "The Lay of Leithian", "The Lay of Leithian Recommenced", Canto II
| Barahir's XII Bëorings | |
|---|---|
| Beren • Gildor • Belegund • Baragund • Gorlim • Urthel • Dagnir • Ragnor • Radhruin • Dairuin • Arthad • Hathaldir | |