The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Used of Túrin before the Sack of Nargothrond in I 495
Race
Division
Culture
Family
Settlements
Nargothrond on the river Narog
Meaning
A translation of Elvish Thurin, given by Finduilas, who suspected Túrin of concealing a secret past
Other names

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 4 June 2024
  • This entry is complete

The Secret

A name given to Túrin by Finduilas

"And I do not think that Agarwaen is your true name, nor is it fit for you, Adanedhel. I call you Thurin, the Secret."
Words of Finduilas to Túrin
Unfinished Tales Part One, II
Narn i Hîn Húrin

When Túrin was led by Gwindor to Nargothrond, he sought to conceal his identity and elude the curse of Morgoth that pursued him. He therefore claimed to be a simple hunter, naming himself Agarwaen or 'Bloodstained'. Nonetheless, though he was a Man, Túrin had been raised among the Sindar of Doriath, and the Elves of Nargothrond perceived this in his noble bearing, naming him Adanedhel the 'Elf-Man'.

Though most of those in Nargothrond were content to accept him as Agarwaen, one of them was not. This was Finduilas the daughter of King Orodreth, who chose a new name for him, calling him 'the Secret' because she perceived that he was hiding his past. Túrin started when he heard this, because in Elvish that name was Thurin, all too close to his true identity.

Though Túrin was determined to keep his origins a secret, eventually Gwindor revealed them, and it became known within Nargothrond that Túrin was the son and heir of Húrin Thalion. Nonetheless he concealed his true name from his enemies, and when he went into battle he wore a Dwarf-mask to hide his face. Outside Nargothrond, then, he was known only as the 'Black Sword'. Before Túrin's time, Nargothrond itself had remained secret and hidden from Morgoth's eyes, but Túrin began to lead its people into open war against the Orcs. Though Túrin wished to remain 'the Secret', then, his martial prowess revealed Nargothrond to the Dark Lord, and set events in motion that would bring about its doom.


See also...

Thurin

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 4 June 2024
  • This entry is complete

For acknowledgements and references, see the Disclaimer & Bibliography page.

Original content © copyright Mark Fisher 2021, 2024. All rights reserved. For conditions of reuse, see the Site FAQ.

Website services kindly sponsored by Discus from Axiom Software Ltd.
Discus identifies 27 distinct roles within a team, based on members' individual DISC profiles.
The Encyclopedia of Arda
The Encyclopedia of Arda
Menu
Homepage Search Latest Entries and Updates Random Entry