Act I, Part XV: Of Andir and Tinnurion
When the rider returned, he was accompanied by an elf of Doriath named Andir who had known Tinnurion long ere he followed Eöl into Nan Elmoth. They had never shared in the telling of tales or the singing of songs, and little indeed did they share at all, save kinship. But the coming of Andir was to Tinnurion a means to escape his fate at the hands of the Men of Brethil, that much he knew.
The Men of Brethil brought Andir before their prisoner and they asked him whether he knew him, and to this he said:
'Nay, I do not know him.'
And the eyes of the Men of Brethil lit up and evil thoughts came to their minds for the lies the black elf had told, but then Andir continued:
'But I once did. Aeglirion we called him, and for all his silent pondering and secretive ways, tall and noble he once were and many knew his name. But now few do, and fewer still love him, for the light and wisdom of the Eldar has left him. A bent and timid form of his former self.'
Tinnurion kept a stern look upon his face, not betraying his thoughts. But Andir had a curious mind and thus he turned to him and said:
'The marchwardens saw you passing by the north-marches some years passed. You seemed hard-pressed and greatly troubled. I ever wondered what had befallen you.'
And Tinnurion looked at him with dark eyes.
'You speak true, Andir son of Arothur. Once I was Aeglirion of Doriath until I went to Nan Elmoth and became Tinnurion. Now I am but a wandering Elf, bereft of any belonging.'
But Andir was no fool, and he guessed that Tinnurion was a thrall escaped, and had suffered greatly at the hands of Morgoth and pity came over him.
'I would have you come with me to Doriath, where your days of wandering may end. For in my heart I sense that a shadow has fallen over you, but that dread may yet be lifted.'
Then the Men of Brethil spoke:
'A dreadful life indeed for the robber of the grave of Túrin Turambar. But shall he go unpunished? Surely the law of Doriath does not allow it?'
And Andir said:
'It does not. But what did they steal?'
'Nothing yet.'
'Indeed. The earth of the mound lies untouched and the stone unmoved. Whatever he sought to steal, it seems pity stayed his hand. Perhaps you ought to do the same, if Elven law concerns you so.'
At this he looked at the Men of Brethil with a lordly glare and they turned silent. But many among them were aggrieved. Andir then turned to Tinnurion.
‘But I do wonder, what is it that you sought to steal? Túrin was not buried with many things of great worth. Indeed, even his famed sword lies broken in the earth.’
Tinnurion looked at Andir with eyes betraying his intent, for this was the first he had heard that the sword lay broken. Realising that Andir knew, he answered:
‘Indeed little of worth it may seem to you, as it lies rusting beneath the earth, but to us this is the black sword of Nan Elmoth, an heirloom of Eöl’s house, vassal by right to King Thingol. And in it lies something of himself.’
Andir need not long ponder the words of Tinnurion. For he knew well that the sword Anglachel had been payment for their leave to dwell in Nan Elmoth. And also did he know that Thingol gifted it to Beleg Strongbow from who it came to Túrin. Therefore he said to Tinnurion:
‘The sword you once knew as Anglachel was gifted to Beleg Strongbow by King Thingol for his service in the searching for the very man that lies buried here at the crossing of Teiglin. And the sword, I hear, had been reforged and named anew. But Túrin’s life was bound to the sword until he cast himself upon it and the sword broke. That is how the tale is told.’
‘Yet it was I who tended the fire from which it sprung. I was there when the sword was forged, and I knew he who forged it. Little do we still possess to remember him, but the shards of his sword still carry his token, and I would not see it turn to rust if I can help it.'
And this was the first Andir heard of Eöl's presumed death, and though he had never taken a liking to the Dark Elf, he felt sorry for Tinnurion and therefore he said:
‘If you spreak true, then I am much aggrieved. But the mound stands and the sword lies buried, and nothing I sense will ever undo it. Not even greater powers than you or I.’
And in his heart Tinnurion knew his words held truth. But now he was much displeased with himself. But Andir was not, for he saw that his words had moved Tinnurion and had brought him to wisdom. Thus he said to the Men of Brethil to release him and his companions from their bonds and he guided them by safe paths into Doriath.
But with the rising sun his guilt faded and Tinnurion’s darkened mood returned to him and when Andir beckoned him to go with him to Menegroth, Tinnurion refused bitterly. He and his companions left the Girdle of Melian out of Doriath and made for the forest of Nan Elmoth to seek shelter from the sun. And as Andir saw Tinnurion leave, he whispered to himself:
‘Fare ye well, old friend. May the Valar have mercy upon you.'
Thus ended the friendship of Tinnurion and Andir.
