Labadal and Túrin by Dreamflower
Periantari · 20 January 2024 · Chapter 3: Labadal and Túrin: Pity
I agree that his fate could've changed if there was someone who was actually there for him and he didn't have to show that he was so strong all the time and be that prideful. But that pride did come from his mother MOrwen who took the first wrong step of just sending Turin away- the whole family should've departed together to Doriath and things might've turned out differently.
Periantari · 20 January 2024 · Chapter 2: Labadal and Túrin: Grief
heartbreaking
Moonhaven · 24 February 2022 · Chapter 5: Labadal and Túrin: Farewell
This almost brought me to tears. The entire 'The Children of Hurin' tale is heartbreaking, but Turin's childhood always moves me the most. Beautifully written!
Periantari · 19 February 2011 · Chapter 5: Labadal and Túrin: Farewell
A foreboding comes over me: his child's heart will break, and of the shards will grow a heart of stone and pride. He is his mother's son. I love how this is phrased and i really like Labadal's wise thoughts about how Turin's heart will ultimately become.
periantari · 19 February 2011 · Chapter 3: Labadal and Túrin: Pity
How powerful. i love how you can say so much with so little words. This angst and pity resonates with me. Good job.
Virtuella · 17 February 2011 · Chapter 5: Labadal and Túrin: Farewell
Haunting!
Ellynn · 15 February 2011 · Chapter 5: Labadal and Túrin: Farewell
The fate of Hurin's family is one of the saddest among all tales from first age, in my opinion, and Morgoth's curse against them is among his most evil deeds. :( Sad, lovely drabble series. ;)
Author's reply
I agree. It truly was a curse in every sense. I am glad you enjoyed it. It was my very first time to venture into the First Age, so I was a bit trepidatious.
Larner · 14 February 2011 · Chapter 5: Labadal and Túrin: Farewell
And he foresees truly. No wonder he grieves for Turin, as young as he is.
Author's reply
Indeed. The poor child had so much potential for greatness beyond his deeds as a warrior, but all of that was squashed and ruined before it ever really had a chance to bloom.
Elfique · 14 February 2011 · Chapter 4: Labadal and Túrin: Gifts
What an interesting concept, I'm very glad you've explored it here as I love these little drabbles so far. They make a great insight!
Author's reply
Thank you! I have one more yet to go. I have enjoyed exploring these two. I am hoping perhaps it might inspire someone more knowledgeable than I about the First Age to a fuller treatment of this friendship!
Larner · 14 February 2011 · Chapter 4: Labadal and Túrin: Gifts
Alas that such friendship gifts should each be needfully returned, and yet that last one should prove in many ways the saddest, even though it might be given as the child saw fit.
Author's reply
Well, of course, Turin is still young enough to not quite get the distinction between "mine and thine". He sees something that he thinks his friend will like and wants him to have it. And yes, the knife was a very sad gift.
Larner · 14 February 2011 · Chapter 3: Labadal and Túrin: Pity
I strongly suspect Labadal is right--being seen to be born to high destiny sets one apart, and often denies that which delights the spirit.
Author's reply
Yes. And when one is set apart so very young, it can bring its own sort of pain and loneliness.
Larner · 14 February 2011 · Chapter 2: Labadal and Túrin: Grief
And their mutual grief drags them apart rather than bringing them together. And the little boy begins to see himself standing more alone than with others. I feel for Labadal.
Author's reply
Yes, because Morwen is the sort to hold all her feelings close to herself and will not share her grief, and Hurin, being a man of action, considers revenge the only outlet for his own grief. And so little Turin is left to find consolation where he can. But at least he does have one person he can turn to, whether others consider it suitable or not.
Larner · 14 February 2011 · Chapter 1: Labadal and Túrin: Names
And the child sees the man and acknowledges the disability, but honors that which is beyond what others probably see as disfigurement.
Author's reply
Exactly. A child's judgement is marred by few preconceptions. Sador is kind and he is interesting. To a young child that's all that really matters.
Virtuella · 11 February 2011 · Chapter 4: Labadal and Túrin: Gifts
Turin, of course, is too small to understand how an overly generous gift humbles the recipient...
Author's reply
He is, of course. And at his age, a gift of a shiny pebble or a gift of an expensive tool would carry equal value. If it is pretty and he likes it, it would make a good present.
Darkover · 11 February 2011 · Chapter 4: Labadal and Túrin: Gifts
Dear Dreamflower: This was sweet, and a good break from the previous chapters, as they were rather sad. Of course, I should get used to that, as Turin's whole life was sad, but this chapter was a nice change of pace. I look forward to more chapters: thank you. Sincerely, Darkover
Author's reply
Thank you! I only have one more, which I hope to post sometime today when I get home from work! I'm very glad you've been enjoying these. I really wish that others would also explore this one bright spot in Turin's story!
Virtuella · 10 February 2011 · Chapter 3: Labadal and Túrin: Pity
A few days ago, I saw The King's Speech at the cinema, and this reads almost liek a commentary. "His father’s duty, his mother’s hardness, that is what noble blood has brought him." Indeed. Who'd be noble, if they could avoid it, eh?
Author's reply
I haven't seen that yet, though I've heard good things about it. I believe if Hurin's duty had not taken him away from his son, he could have been a good and loving father-- I especially liked that he refused to rebuke the child when he showed generosity to Sador. But of course, that he had to go away was the whole point on which the story turned. Morwen? Her I do not understand at all. She is hard and cold to her child, and yet she wants to protect him. I suppose she loved him, but she never showed him any warmth at all, and did everything she could to squash his own natural warmth and generosity.
Virtuella · 10 February 2011 · Chapter 2: Labadal and Túrin: Grief
"In my own rough arms I hold him" A very poetic line, that. This is haunting in its simplicity.
Author's reply
Thank you very much. I am trying to keep in mind that Labadal is a simple man, which is, perhaps, why he is capable of comforting poor little Turin.
Virtuella · 10 February 2011 · Chapter 1: Labadal and Túrin: Names
I like the mood this sets, the flowing rhythm. The present tense works very well here.
Author's reply
Thank you. I did find that Labadal's voice seemed to want to be in present tense, and as that's rare for me, and it's drabbles, I went with it.
Ellynn · 10 February 2011 · Chapter 2: Labadal and Túrin: Grief
Oh, this is so heart-breaking. :( Beautiful drabble.
Author's reply
It's such a heart-breaking story. I think, if it were not for this little glimpse of Turin's childhood, I would not care nearly so much for the rest of his story, for as he grows older and harder, it's easy to see not only why, but the tragedy of this sweet child losing his innocence so young.
Darkover · 9 February 2011 · Chapter 3: Labadal and Túrin: Pity
Dear Dreamflower: Each chapter is brief, but packed with emotion! You are doing a fine job in completing your stated objective--namely, exploring why a crippled servant would be the closest friend of a noble child. I look forward to the next chapter. Thank you for writing and developing this interesting story. Sincerely, Darkover
Author's reply
Thank you very much. I have two more of these left to hone and post. I still would like to see someone more comfortable with the First Age setting to tackle a fuller telling of this relationship. But I hope these drabbles convey the essence of what *I* see between them, and will perhaps inspire someone else.
Raksha The Demon · 9 February 2011 · Chapter 3: Labadal and Túrin: Pity
Poor Turin; Labadal might well be right. The kid seems born to sorrow; and his destiny will be great but tragic. And that's not even thinking about the rest of the family. Sob. Good job.
Author's reply
I know. Poor baby. It makes me wish that Labadal had been able to go with him when he was sent away-- perhaps having at least one loving person in his life might have helped.
Raksha The Demon · 9 February 2011 · Chapter 2: Labadal and Túrin: Grief
I don't remember your writing Silm stories before; but you should do it more often. This series is lovely and sad; and sheds some light on the evolution of poor Turin. That family almost seems doomed from the start.
Author's reply
I never have. This is my very first one, and it is the only time I've had any urge to do so, but there is just something about Child Turin that captures my attention. That family almost seems doomed from the start. They do, don't they? Interesting that much of this part of the story is BEFORE Hurin is captured and cursed by the Enemy...
Darkover · 8 February 2011 · Chapter 1: Labadal and Túrin: Names
Dear Dreamflower: This is an intriguing idea for a fic, and Labadal's "voice" in the first chapter sounds convincing to me. I look forward to the next chapter, and I eagerly await seeing what you will do with this. Sincerely, Darkover
Author's reply
Thank you very much! My normal oeuvre is Third Age and hobbits. This is my first venture into the territory of the First Age, so it is encouraging to hear that I have the voice right. Every since I first read CoH, I'd been thoroughly taked by this particular section of the story, the only tiny bit of love and brightness in child Turin's life is this lowly servant. I had asked some people for stories about them before, but finally decided if I wanted any, I'd have to write some myself.