The main part of this article relates to the last versions of Middle-earth's history, and as such may controvert parts of The Silmarillion. See Middle-earth canon for a discussion. This subject's portrayal in earlier or alternative versions is discussed in the other versions of the legendarium section.

Gorlim was one of the companions of Barahir and his band of outlaws in Dorthonion.

HistoryEdit

In the Tale of Beren and Lúthien in The Silmarillion it is described how Barahir, last lord of the Men of Ladros in Dorthonion, remained as an outlaw in his own land after it was lost to the Dark Lords Morgoth and Sauron in the Dagor Bragollach (Battle of Sudden Flame).

Barahir had twelve companions, one of these Gorlim, son of Angrim, but all their kin were scattered or killed. As Barahir and companions were camping at a secret hide-out in southern Ladros, Gorlim went out hunting near the area where he once lived, when he suddenly saw his old house standing as it long had, and through the window he saw his presumably dead wife, Eilinel. He came out of hiding to go to her, when he was captured by Orcs from the Fortresses of Lord Sauron and Lord Morgoth.

Gorlim was brought before Sauron, who in return for revealing where Barahir and his company were hidden would be reunited with his wife that he loved and missed so much, but it was a trick since his wife was already dead. Gorlim accepted the offer and Barahir and his company were betrayed and then Sauron revealed that Gorlim had seen but a spectre devised by him, but that he would keep his word. He had left Gorlim, who was slashed to death by the orcs, thus "reuniting with his wife".

After Sauron's Orc-warriors had slain all of Barahir's remaining men but for his son Beren, who was out hunting Orcs, Gorlim appeared as a spectre before Beren, and confessed what he had done, giving Beren a chance to reclaim the Ring of Barahir, heirloom of his house, and escape alive.

Gorlim is referred to as Gorlim the Unhappy in the tale.

Other versions of the legendariumEdit

In an earlier version of the Lay of Leithian, it was Morgoth himself that tricked Gorlim into betraying Barahir and his company, not his lieutenant Sauron.

ReferencesEdit

• The Silmarillion: Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin pg. 155
• The Silmarillion: Of Beren and Lúthien pgs. 162-63
• The Complete Guide to Middle-earth

External linkEdit

• Gorlim at Tolkien Gateway