A member of the band of outlaws known as the Gaurwaith, or Wolf-men, which Túrin led for a while. When a large raiding-party of Orcs passed through the lands south of Brethil, Túrin selected Orleg as his companion, and set out to spy on the raiders. The two scouts discovered a force of Orcs far greater than they could hope to defeat, but they in turn were discovered and fled westward, guiding the Orcs away from their companions. Túrin eventually escaped, but Orleg was shot down by Orc-arrows, and so met his end.
Notes
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Orleg's name is not explained, and indeed it is not immediately apparent whether it comes from Elvish or some undentified Mannish language. If we assume an Elvish source, then or- would commonly means 'high' or 'above'. The ending -leg is more problematic, but perhaps relates to lhaeg, 'sharp' or 'pointed' (as in Dramborleg, 'Thudder-Sharp', the name of Tuor's Axe). On this theory, the whole name Orleg might mean something like 'high point' or 'pinnacle', but the suggestions here are highly speculative, and it may be that the name carries no significant meaning at all.
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- Updated 7 November 2023
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