10 great female characters from The Lord of the Rings

Niënor of Hithlum

Let’s dip back into The Silmarillion one last time before the end, and spin you another epic tale of family, tragedy and horror. And really, this is one for the books, so strap in.

Okay: Niënor, a human woman, was the sister of Túrin Turambar, who lived during the First Age of Middle-earth. Niënor did not know her brother, because when she was born he was off in Doriath, learning from the elves and eager to fight Morgoth’s forces. Morgoth, as it happened, had cursed Túrin’s entire family on account of Túrin’s father Húrin (the names are confusing, I know) being a huge thorn in the Dark Lord’s side. Remember that; it’ll be important later.

Eventually, Niënor and her mother Morwen left their home in search of Túrin, and predictably ran into trouble. Niënor had the terrible luck to encounter Glaurung, the father of dragons, who had tangled with Túrin before. Playing the long game, Glaurung used his powers to render Niënor an amnesiac. After some horrific fleeing during which her clothes are torn to shreds, Niënor is eventually found by Túrin, who has no idea she’s his sister. Nor does she know he’s her brother. Do you see where this is going? If you do, I’m sorry.

Niënor and Túrin eventually get married and she becomes pregnant. But Glaurung comes back, and while Túrin is able to slay the dragon, Glaurung’s last act is to restore Niënor’s memories. Horrified that she’d married her brother and was carrying his child, she flings herself into a river and dies. When Túrin finds out what happened, he does some more stupid stuff and also kills himself. Morgoth’s curse is fulfilled.

Or is it? The question with this story is whether all the misfortune suffered by Túrin’s family is a result of the curse of because of Túrin’s own arrogance. Either way, pretty much everyone in this tale is a tragic figure, Niënor most of all.