Unfinished Tales of Numenor and Middle-earth Study Guide

This tale starts with the birth of Tour. His mother, Rian, is the wife of Huor. During the Great War, she chooses to live with her husband's people of the House of Hador. Unable to deal with the wait, Rian flees to face her pain alone. She never would have survived on her own, but by luck she is found wandering in the woods by the Grey-elves. The elves take her into their fold, and she is able to live with them until she gives birth to her son, Tuor. Rian then expresses her desire to search once more for her husband Huor. Annael, the only elf to return from the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, tells her that Huor fell next to his brother Hador in the great battle. His body now lies with those of the other slain upon the field. Rian makes her way alone to Haudh-en-Ndegin and lies down to die. (read more)