Chronology of major events in Nienor's life

Synopsis of her life story

Nienor, Tolkien's most tragic character, was born in Dor-lómin during the FirstAge, in the year of Nirnaeth Arnoediad. Her parents were Húrin Thalion, Lord of the House of Hador, Third House of the Edain, and Morwen Eledhwen of the House of Bëor, First House of the Edain. She had a sister, Lalaith who died before Nienor was born, and a brother, Túrin, who was sent to Doriath before her birth. Her name means Mourning.

She spent her childhood in Dor-lómin, and when she was 20, as the road had become safer due to the Mormegil's exploits in Nargothrond, she went with her mother to Doriath with the hope to find her brother Túrin. But he had left Doriath a long time before and, under the name of Mormegil, defended Nargothrond.

After the fall of Nargothrond under the assaults of Glaurung, a rumour was heard that Mormegil was Túrin. Morwen wished to be sure about it and see if he was still alive. Therefore, escorted by Mablung and a few elves from Doriath, she went to Nargothrond, not knowing that Nienor had followed them. But Glaurung felt their presence and, diving into the Narog, he caused a cloud of foul vapour. The horses panicked, Mablung and his troop were lost in the fog. Morwen disappeared and Nienor was thrown to the ground but was not wounded. She reached Amon Ethir where she stared straight into the eyes of Glaurung. Using his power, he laid a spell of utter darkness and forgetfulness upon her.

She could remember nothing that had ever befallen her, nor her own name, nor the name of any other thing; and for many days she could neither hear, nor see, nor stir by her own will. Then Glaurung left her standing alone upon Amon Ethir, and went back to Nargothrond.

That's where Turambar and the men of Brethil found her. But she could not remember her name, so Turambar named her Níniel, Tear Maiden.

Getting back to Ephel Brandir on the next day, they came to Dimrost, where the Celebros fall towards Teiglin. A great shuddering came upon Níniel, wherefore afterwards the river was called Nen Girith, the Shuddering Water. She was sick of a fever and Brandir healed her and fell in love with her. But her heart was given to Turambar.

After three years had passed, Turambar married Níniel and in spring, Níniel conceived. At the same time rumours came at Ephel Brandir regarding the arrival of Glaurung.

Turambar made a daring plan to kill the dragon. He killed Glaurung in Cabed-en-Aras, but his hand was spat with the burning blood of the dragon and their eyes met: Túrin fell into a dark swoon.

Níniel, could wait no more. She went to search Turambar, followed by Brandir. Seeing him laying on the ground, she thought him dead. She tended his wounds and cried.

Glaurung stirred then for the last time ere he died and told her all the truth:

Hail Nienor, daughter of Húrin. We meet again ere the end. I give thee joy that thou hast found thy brother at last. And now thou shalt know him: a stabber in the dark, treacherous to foes, faithless to friends, and a curse unto his kin, Túrin son of Húrin! But the worst of all his deeds thou shalt feel in thyself.

Then Glaurung died, and the veil of his malice was taken from her, and she remembered all the days of her life. Looking down upon Túrin she cried:

"- Farewell, O twice beloved! A Túrin Turambar turun ambartanen: master of doom by doom mastered! O happy to be dead!"

Then Brandir who had heard all, standing stricken upon the edge of ruin, hastened towards her but she ran from him distraught with horror and anguish, and coming to the brink of Cabed-en-Aras she cast herself over, and was lost in the wild water.

And thereafter no man looked again upon Cabed-en-Aras, nor would any beast or bird come there, nor any tree grow; and it was named Cabed Naeramarth, the Leap of the Dreadful Doom.

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But when he asked her concerning her name and her kin and her missadventure, then she became troubled as a child that perceives that something is demanded but cannot understand what it may be; and she wept. Therefore Turambar said: 'Do not be troubled. The tale shall wait. But I will give you a name, and I will call you Níniel, Tear-maiden.' Then Glaurung died, and the veil of his malice was taken from her, and she remembered all the days of her life. Looking down upon Túrin she cried: 'Farewell, O twice beloved! A Túrin Turambar turun ambartanen: master of doom by doom mastered! O happy to be dead!' Then Brandir who had heard all, standing stricken upon the edge of ruin, hastened towards her; but she ran from him distraught with horror and anguish, and coming to the brink of Cabed-en-Aras she cast herself over, and was lost in the wild water.' The Silmarillion - Of Túrin Turambar