61 pages 2 hours read

J. R. R. Tolkien

The Children of Húrin

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2007

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Chapters 11-14Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 11 Summary: “The Fall of Nargothrond”

Five years later, two elves named Gelmir and Arminas arrive at Nargothrond to seek an audience with Orodreth. They warn him of a bad omen concerning the imminent fall of Nargothrond and advise him to destroy the bridge into the city that Túrin has had built. They also claim to be seeking the city of Gondolin, which they believe will survive longest in the war against Morgoth. Túrin is skeptical of the messengers, and after Arminas criticizes his counsel, the two Elves. Orodreth is worried about the omen, but Túrin advises him against tearing down the bridge, and he agrees.

The Orcs gain a foothold in Nargothrond’s neighboring regions after killing the Lord of Brethil. Morgoth sends the Dragon Glaurung and armies of Orcs into Nargothrond, where they face Orodreth, Túrin, and the Elf armies. Orodreth and Gwindor are killed on the field of battle, but before he dies, Gwindor begs Túrin to save Finduilas, warning that she is the only thing that stands between Túrin and his own destruction. Túrin rushes back to the city to rescue Finduilas but is too late to stop Morgoth’s armies from breaching the city gates.