Places in Middle-earth
Haudh-en-Elleth
Type: Other Constructions
Region: Beleriand & North
Meaning: Mound of the Elf-maid
Other Names the mound of Finduilas
Location: The burial mound of Finduilas and the other captives from the Sack of Nargothrond, between the River Teiglin and the Forest of Brethil, near the Crossings of Teiglin.
Description:
[Túrin] said that he had an errand yet unachieved, to seek Finduilas, Orodreth's daughter of Nargothrond. Then Dorlas, the leader of those woodmen, told the grievous tidings of her death. For the Men of Brethil had waylaid at the Crossings of Teiglin the Orc-host that led the captives of Nargothrond, hoping to rescue them; but the Orcs had at once cruelly slain their prisoners, and Finduilas they pinned to a tree with a spear. So she died, saying at the last: 'Tell the Mormegil that Finduilas is here.' Therefore they had laid her in a mound near that place, and named it Haudh-en-Elleth, the Mound of the Elf-maid.
The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Ch 21, Of Túrin Turambar
[Túrin] would not wholly leave deeds of war; for he could not endure that the Orcs should come to the Crossings of Teiglin or draw nigh to Haudh-en-Elleth, and he made that a place of dread for them, so that they shunned it.
The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Ch 21, Of Túrin Turambar
But coming at last to the Crossings of Teiglin [Nienor] passed over, seeking the shelter of the great trees of Brethil, for she was afraid, and it seemed to her that the darkness was overtaking her again from which she had fled.
But it was a great storm of thunder that came up from the south, and in terror she cast herself down upon the mound of Haudh-en-Elleth, stopping her ears from the thunder; but the rain smote her and drenched her, and she lay like a wild beast that is dying. There Turambar found her, as he came to the Crossings of Teiglin, having heard rumour of Orcs that roamed near; and seeing in a flare of lightning the body as it seemed of a slain maiden lying upon the mound of Finduilas he was stricken to the heart.
The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Ch 21, Of Túrin Turambar
But after a while [Túrin's] madness left him, and he came to Haudh-en-Elleth, and there sat, and pondered all his deeds. And he cried upon Finduilas to bring him counsel....
The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Ch 21, Of Túrin Turambar
Contributors: Elena Tiriel 19Sep08
