Upon first reading the above list of Kings I really had no idea which way to vote, but after reading the other posts and pondering some sections of the Silmarillion, I’m going for that eternal crowd pleaser …Turgon. I think I would struggle to defend the reputation of this much-maligned Elf better than
Kuru already has. I would only add that given the ever darkening situation in Beleriand I never thought his actions were anything other than understandable.
In (attempted) defence of what
Lalaith has claimed to be Turgons ingratitude with regards to the way he treated Húrin after his ‘release’ from Morgoth, Turgon was faced with an incredible dilemma:
His friend and ally Húrin had been imprisoned and placed directly under Morgoths dark power for 28 years, when he suddenly appeared in the vicinity of Gondolins secret old Way of Escape, shouting and cursing with the creatures of Morgoth watching on. Now given Turgons first hand experience and knowledge of Morgoths unquenchable capacity for evil, he rightly suspected the Bauglirs will behind Húrins reappearance, and acted as a ruler should - by placing the welfare and security of his people before that of his old friend. However, even with his great responsibilities as High King, he could not abide by his own – and arguably correct - decision and outright abandon their friendship, as we see in the
Silm. that:
Quote:
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Turgon sat long in thought, and was troubled, remembering the deeds of Húrin of Dor-lómin; and he opened his heart, and sent to the eagles to seek for Húrin, and to bring him if they might to Gondolin. But it was too late.
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