Brandir
| Brandir | |
|---|---|
| Tolkien's legendarium character | |
| Aliases | the Lame |
| Race | Men |
| Gender | male |
| Book(s) |
The Children of Húrin, The Silmarillion, The War of the Jewels |
Brandir is a fictional character from J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium. He was a Chieftain of the Folk of Haleth in the First Age. Brandir was the son of Handir of Brethil and was descended from the Houses of Haleth and Hador through his grandparents Haldir and Glóredhel. He was also related to the House of Bëor through his mother (see note below).
He was lame since a misadventure in childhood; he was no man of war and "gentle in mood, loving wood rather than metal, and the knowledge of things that grow in earth rather than other lore". His father died in a battle with Orcs when they invaded Brethil in the year of the Sack of Nargothrond. The Folk of Haleth were driven into their woods, and dwelt mainly within a stockade upon Obel Halad. Brandir was then elected a Chieftain, though many would have preferred his second cousin Hardang; and Brandir's hopes were to "preserve his people by silence and secrecy" rather than by open war.
When Túrin Turambar was brought unconscious to Amon Obel, Brandir prophesied that he will be "the last bane of their people", but still tended him with care. Later Brandir also accepted Níniel, whom he secretly fell in love with; but she called him brother, for Níniel's heart was given to Turambar, and soon they were wedded.
Yet after a time great forces of Orcs began to assail Brethil, and Túrin was asked to lead the forces to battle, and destroyed the enemies utterly. Soon he began to order things as he would, and few men gave heed to Brandir. The borders were once again cleared, but Turambar was revealed to Glaurung the Dragon. When the news were heard of the coming of Glaurung and Túrin chose companions to attempt to kill him, Dorlas scorned Brandir for being unable to join, but was rebuked by Brandir's cousin Hunthor (brother of Manthor), who went in his stead. However, after Níniel likewise disdained his counsel, Brandir in anger renounced his chieftainship and broke his staff. Brandir then followed Níniel to Nen Girith, trying to comfort her, but she fled to Cabed-en-Aras. There he overheard Glaurung's revelation to her that she was Nienor, Túrin's sister, and saw her casting herself into the chasm over the river Taeglin. Brandir was the last man to look down into its darkness, and he went away, for "though he hated now his life, he could not there take the death that he desired". On his way back to Nen Girith he encountered Dorlas who stayed behind in fear while Hunthor and Túrin pursued Glaurung. When Brandir accused Dorlas of bringing no news of Túrin and thus contributing to Nienor's death, Dorlas in shame and anger attacked Brandir, but Brandir drew his sword and slew him - the only blood that Brandir had ever spilled.
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