hunting in the lands and fearing no pursuit as they came northward； and not even in the dreadful woods of Taur…nu…Fuin
did he swerve from the trail； for the skill of Beleg was greater than any that have been in Middle…earth。 But as he passed
by night through that evil land he came upon one lying asleep at the foot of a great dead tree； and Beleg staying his steps
beside the sleeper saw that it was an Elf。 Then he spoke to him； and gave him lembas； and asked him what fate had
brought him to that terrible place； and he named himself Gwindor； son of Guilin。
Grieving Beleg looked upon him； for Gwindor was now but a bent and fearful shadow of his former shape and
mood； when in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad that lord of Nargothrond rode with rash courage to the very doors of Angband；
and there was taken。 For few of the Noldor whom Morgoth captured were put to death； because of their skill in forging
and in mining for metals and gems； and Gwindor was not slain； but put to labour in the mines of the North。 By secret
tunnels known only to themselves the mining Elves might sometimes escape； and thus it came to pass that Beleg found
him； spent and bewildered in the mazes of Taur…nu…Fuin。'
And Gwindor told him that as he lay and lurked among the trees he saw a great pany of Orcs passing
northwards； and wolves went with them； and among them was a Man； whose hands were chained； and they drove him
onward with whips。 'Very tall he was'； said Gwindor； 'as tall as are the Men from the misty hills of Hithlum。' Then Beleg
told him of his own errand in Taur…nu…Fuin； and Gwindor sought to dissuade him from his quest； saying that he would
but join Túrin in the anguish that awaited him。 But Beleg would not abandon Túrin； and despairing himself he aroused
hope again in Gwindor's heart； and together they went on； following the Orcs until they came out of the forest on the
high slopes that ran down to the barren dunes of Anfauglith。 There within sight of the peaks of Thangorodrim the Orcs
made their encampment in a bare dell as the light of day was failing； and setting wolf…sentinels all about they fell to
carousing。 A great storm rode up out of the west； and lightning glittered on the Shadowy Mountains far away； as Beleg
and Gwindor crept towards the dell。
When all in the camp were sleeping Beleg took his bow； and in the darkness shot the wolf…sentinels； one by one
and silently。 Then in great peril they entered in； and they found Túrin fettered hand and foot and tied to a withered tree；
and all about him knives that had been cast at him were embedded in the trunk； and he was senseless in a sleep of great
weariness。 But Beleg and Gwindor cut the bonds that held him； and lifting him they carried him out of the dell； yet they
could bear him no further than to a thicket of thorn…trees a little way above。 There they laid him down； and now the
storm drew very near。 Beleg drew his sword Anglachel； and with it he cut the fetters that bound Túrin； but fate was that
day more strong； for the blade slipped as he cut the shackles； and Túrin's foot was pricked。 Then he was aroused into a
sudden wakefulness of rage and fear； and seeing one bending over him with naked blade he leapt up with a great cry；
believing that Orcs were e again to torment him； and grappling with him in the darkness he seized Anglachel； and
slew Beleg Cúthalion thinking him a foe。
But as he stood； finding himself free； and ready to sell his life dearly against imagined foes； there came a great
flash of lightning above them； and in its light he looked down on Beleg's face。 Then Túrin stood stone…still and silent；
staring on that dreadful death； knowing what he had done； and so terrible was his face； lit by the lightning that flickered
all about them； that Gwindor cowered down upon the ground and dared not raise his eyes。'
But now in the dell beneath the Orcs were aroused； and all the camp was in a tumult； for they feared the thunder
that came out of the west； believing that it was sent against them by the great Enemies beyond the Sea。 Then a wind
arose； and great rains fell； and torrents swept down from the heights of Taur…nu…Fuin； and though Gwindor cried out to
Túrin； warning him of their utmost peril； he made no answer； but sat unmoving and unweeping in the tempest beside the
body of Beleg Cúthalion。
When morning came the storm was passed away eastward over Lothlann； and the sun of autumn rose hot and
bright； but believing that Túrin would have fled far away from that place and all trace of his flight be washed away； the
Orcs departed in haste without longer search； and far off Gwindor saw them marching away over the steaming sands of
Anfauglith。 Thus it came to pass that they returned to Morgoth empty…handed； and left behind them the son of Húrin；
who sat crazed and unwitting on the slopes of Taur…nu…Fuin； bearing a burden heavier than their bonds。
Then Gwindor roused Túrin to aid him in the burial of Beleg； and he rose as one that walked in sleep； and
together they laid Beleg in a shallow grave； and placed beside him Belthronding his great bow； that was made of black
yew…wood。 But the dread sword Anglachel Gwindor took； saying that it were better that it should take vengeance on the
servants of Morgoth than lie useless in the earth； and he took also the lembas of Melian to strengthen them in the wild。
Thus ended Beleg Strongbow； truest of friends； greatest in skill of all that harboured in the woods of Beleriand in
the Elder Days； at the hand of him whom he most loved； and that grief was graven on the face of Túrin and never faded。
But courage and strength were renewed in the Elf of Nargothrond； and departing from Taur…nu…Fuin he led Túrin far
away。 Never once as they wandered together on long and grievous paths did Túrin speak； and he walked as one without
wish or purpose； while the year waned and winter drew on over the northern lands。 But Gwindor was ever beside him to
guard him and guide him； and thus they passed westward over Sirion and came at length to Eithel Ivrin； the springs
whence Narog rose beneath the Mountains of Shadow。 There Gwindor spoke to Túrin； saying： 'Awake； Túrin son of
Húrin Thalion！ On Ivrin's lake is endless laughter。 She is fed from crystal fountains unfailing； and guarded from
defilement by Ulmo； Lord of Waters； who wrought her beauty in ancient days。' Then Túrin knelt and drank from that
water； and suddenly he cast himself down； and his tears were unloosed at last； and he was healed of his madness。
There he made a song for Beleg； and he named it Laer Cú Beleg； the Song of the Great Bow； singing it aloud
heedless of peril。 And Gwindor gave the sword Anglachel into his hands； and Túrin knew that it was heavy and strong
and had great power； but its blade was black and dull and its edges blunt。 Then Gwindor said： 'This is a strange blade；
and unlike any that I have seen in Middle…earth。 It mourns for Beleg even as you do。 But be forted； for I return to
Nargothrond of the house of Finarfin； and you shall e with me； and be healed and renewed。'
'Who are you？' said Túrin。
'A wan