Turin the Forgetful

[Morwen]

In Children of Hurin we are told that Nellas, an Elf of Doriath, is a childhood friend and tutor of Turin. Later, Beleg tells Turin that Nellas' account of the Turin/Saeros altercation is the basis for Thingol pardoning Turin. Now Turin hears this story but can't seem to remember who Nellas is. I find this strange - because this was someone that he once walked with hand in hand and who taught him to speak Sindarin after the manner of the Elves of Doriath. So I wonder what I'm missing. I can understand that he outgrew his friendship with Nellas (who seems a bit on the Tra-la-lally side). But how can he have forgotten who she was?

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

I curse you Morwen!

Ever since I read that part in Children of Hurin I have been thinking about making a thread about this, I just had not figured out how exactly I would present the question.

Actually it has been something that has annoyed me ever since reading the UT.

In genneral it has pussled me what the function of Nellas is in the story of Turin, other than telling the truth about the slaying of Saeros.

[Morwen]

I was beginning to think I was the only one puzzled by Turin's amnesia.

So why do you think Turin acted in such an odd manner?

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

I am sorry I cannot tell you. . .because I do not know.

It seems to me as if Tolkien is trying to make a point about Turin that I simply cannot see, also I am wondering about how Nellas is feeling about all of this.

She clearly likes Turin a lot. . . but how much?

I am sorry that I can answer no questions for you, but only ask more.

[Inziladun]

It's good to bump an old thread now and then, especially since I'm curious about this also.

It seems from the Narn I Hîn Húrin in UT that he just got busy with other things, and Nellas' memory was covered by other interests.

.....so that as Túrin's boyhood passed and he turned his thoughts to the deeds of men, he saw her less and less often, and at last called for her no more.

I wonder, too, if the teenage Túrin winced inside when he thought of how he'd walked through the woods with an Elf-maiden, spending time talking of "unmanly" things. I can see Túrin, proud as he was, making a conscious effort to forget those years if he thought them unprofitable and, in hindsight, embarrassing.

[Galadriel55]

Maybe when Turin was a teen he thought that he should be worrying about more important matters than girls, and later on he did his best to forget her because he felt guilty about his treatment to her. I mean, he didn't say goodbye or anything.