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Mablung (right) fighting with Beleg in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad by Wouter Florusse (WF74).

Mablung

Biographical information

Other names

The Heavy Hand

Titles

Captain and Marchwarden of Doriath

Date of birth

Unknown, perhaps during the Years of the Trees during Noontide of Valinor

Year ascended to the throne

Date of death

FA 502

Realms ruled

Spouse

Unknown, possibly none

Weapon

Sword, knife, spear, bow

Physical description

Race

Elves

Culture

Sindar (Elves of Doriath)

Gender

Male

Height

Hair color

Eye color

Peter Jackson's Film Trilogy

Actor

Voice

Character

Mablung is also the name of one of Faramir's rangers in The Two Towers and The Return of the King. see: Mablung the Ranger.

Mablung also known as Mablung of the Heavy Hand (d. FA 502) was a Sindarin elf who served in the army of King Elu Thingol of Doriath, as a captain and marchwarden.

HistoryEdit

Mablung along with Daeron came to the Mereth Aderthad bearing gifts and friendship from Doriath. He also served in Menegroth in some unknown position of command. Together with Beleg Cúthalion he was one of the great captains of the Sindar, and he was part of the Hunting of the Wolf together with Beren, who married Lúthien. Mablung and his friend Beleg were the only Elves of Doriath to fight with the Union of Maedhros in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad (Battle of Unnumbered Tears), as King Thingol would have nothing to do with the war.

Mablung was present when Túrin fought with Saeros over his taunting and restrained Túrin wrath to avoid a brawl in the King's hall. Mablung then attempted to stop Saeros from taking his threats to far and warned him of Túrin's strength, should he attempt to fight him. Aware that a fight had broken out between the two, Mablung was present at the final play in the drama and tried stop things from ending badly. It was to no avail Saeros ran despairingly in fear and fell off a brink where a stream ran into the Esgalduin, and struck his head on a rock and died. Later, Mablung was present before Thingol's throne where he accounted for everything that had gone on between Saeros and Túrin, and later accounts of Túrin’s choice to leave Doriath.

Mablung became captain of the guard of Doriath after Beleg left to seek Túrin. When Morwen Eledhwen, who dwelt in Doriath at the time, learned of the fall of Nargothrond and that her son Túrin might be there, she wished to seek him out. Mablung was assigned by Thingol to guard her on their way. Unknown to both Mablung and Morwen until too late, Nienor daughter of Morwen, had joined them. Mablung was unable to prevent them both from being ensnared in the traps of Glaurung, the dragon of Morgoth. Mablung hid from Glaurung and then searched the sacked Nargothrond, finding no sign of Túrin. Glaurung when returning mocked Mablung, saving his life, and informing him that he had now lost also Morwen and Nienor.

Nienor was found again by Mablung, but he later lost her again when she, her mind wiped by Glaurung, fled from Mablung during an orc attack. Defeated Mablung returned to Doriath, but he spent years afterwards searching for Morwen and Nienor.

Mablung went to Brethil when he learned Glaurung was there, and there met Túrin. By admitting Nienor was lost he caused Túrin to realize that Níniel his wife had actually been his sister Nienor and Túrin killed himself.

Mablung was the last person to whom Melian spoke before departing Middle-Earth. She warned him about Thingol's Silmaril and to send word to Beren and Lúthien. Soon after Mablung was killed before the doors of the treasury during the Sack of Menegroth by the Dwarves of Nogrod.

EtymologyEdit

His name means Heavy Hand. It was probably not his real name but an epessë (honorary title), but his real name is unknown.

ReferencesEdit

• The Silmarillion
• The Children of Húrin: Túrin in Doriath pgs. 88-95
• The Complete Guide to Middle-earth

External linkEdit

• Mablung at Tolkien Gateway