#belegund

I wonder if Tolkien was inspired to create this tragic character upon witnessing the grief of young WWI widows.

"The Silmarillion" - J.R.R. Tolkien

          Baragund and Belegund were the sons of Bregolas of Ladros. When their father fell in the Dagor Bragollach, they remained in Dorthonion to fight the Enemy alongside their uncle Barahir, though they sent away their own young families to safer lands. Their elder sister, Beleth, guarded over their children along the perilous journey, as both Baragund’s wife and Belegund’s husband perished in battle before they could escape.           In happier times, Baragund had wed Reniel, the youngest daughter of a large family who secretly resisted the role of “gentle maiden” that was expected of her. Baragund discovered the fierceness that lay within her and encouraged her to learn the sword, coaching her into becoming a fearsome warrior. Reniel took the name Angren, the Grinning Maw, for she rushed into battle against orcs with wild laughter and delight in the freedom she had achieved for herself. Angren passed her stubborn independence and firm will onto her only child, Morwen. Angren fought valiantly to her death, refusing to abandon her husband and homeland, and was slain in a burst of dragonfire.           Belegund was similar to his brother in many ways, but he chose a very different partner for his life. He married Redoron, a kind and practical fisherman who bore him two children, Rían and Orlin. Rían adored her elder cousin Morwen, who enjoyed having someone to order around, and as they grew they became fast friends just like their fathers. Little Orlin was only a year old when the Sudden Flame descended upon the place of his birth, and was raised mostly by Rían and his aunt Beleth, never truly knowing his fathers. Redoron was no warrior, but he held the rearguard of his fleeing people, and was killed by an orc just before they crossed the Mountains of Shadow into the relative safety of Hithlum.           Even as Baragund and Belegund joined Barahir’s band of outlaws, their children settled into a new home in Dor-lómin, welcomed and sheltered by the House of Hador. Indeed, both their daughters would wed lords of that House, bearing sons whose great deeds would shape the fate of Arda. But Orlin, the son of Belegund, grew into a shy young man who never claimed the leadership that could have passed to him after the destruction of the rest of his family; only when he saw his home conquered a second time in the aftermath of the Nírnaeth did he harden his resolve and nurse a secret anger against the Incomers who ruled over him in cruelty. Upon the return of Morwen’s son Túrin to Dor-lómin, threatening violence against any who would stand in his way, Orlin stepped forth to confront his cousin’s child, but Túrin struck him down in blind rage without any regard for their long-forgotten kinship.

Beleth was the first child and only daughter of Bregolas. She had two younger brothers called Baragund and Belegund. She is only mentioned in a footnote of the Unfinished Tales as the ancestor of Erendis.

She had to cling on that comforting thought in order to continue living. She had to find hope, even though this world was so dark and dangerous. She had to stay alive and be strong for Morwen, her beloved cousin. They wouldalways be close to each other, no matter what. At this thought, Rian fell asleep, but she did not dream any dreams that night. Her sleep was strangely peaceful, as if oblivion was the gift bestowed on her.

          Barahir, Lord of conquered Ladros, refused to give up on the lands of his fathers even after the Enemy drove the House of Bëor from Dorthonion. Sending his wife to lead the remnant of their people to safety, he gathered about him twelve stalwart companions in a band of outlaws, hiding out near Tarn Aeluin and assailing the servants of Morgoth however they could.           Leading the band was Barahir, and at his side was Beren his son, valiant and strong though he was young. With him also were his nephews Baragund and Belegund, sons of his fallen brother Bregolas, whose own young families had escaped to Dor-lómin.           Gorlim was the most fierce and desperate of all their band, for he had lost everything to the war, and sought to regain what he could against hope and rationality. Chiefest of his losses was Eilinel, his wife, and his longing for her would spell his doom in the end.           Gildor was swiftest of all the outlaws, a runner and a scout, and his tongue was quick and clever also, bringing brief levity to their grim existence with his jests. The lone woman among their band was Urthel, a tough mountain-dweller who had slain a small dragon amid the Sudden Flame. The cousins Dagnir and Ragnor had been left for dead on the battlefield with matching side wounds, but through their own grit and grim resolve they stumbled away and returned to war determined to avenge themselves upon their enemies.           Radhruin and Dairuin were brothers, fleet of foot and dark of mind. In their youth they had loved the clear waters and blue skies of their homeland, and to see Dorthonion so defiled stirred a rage within them they could not quell. It was Radhruin who sought out Barahir’s band of outlaws, and Dairuin whose fury and passion for the land convinced Barahir to accept them into his company.           Arthad was a solitary man before the war, living alone in a wood that burned to the ground amid the Flame. As he escaped he discovered Hathaldir, the youngest of the band even after Beren, who had for months been hiding in his cabin and stealing his food. There was no time for Arthad to be angry with Hathaldir as they both escaped, and by the time they encountered Barahir and his outlaws they had each saved the other’s life many times and a strange bond of friendship had grown between them.           The deeds of these warriors were rumored across Beleriand, bringing hope to the war-wearied and fury to the heart of Morgoth. The Dark King ordered his lieutenant Gorthaur to find them and destroy them, and with great treachery Gorthaur ensnared unhappy Gorlim, torturing him and promising freedom with his wife should he betray his companions. At last Gorlim broke and revealed the location of the outlaws’ camp, and for his betrayal he received only death, for his wife had long since met her end.           Thus the servants of Gorthaur found their way to the outlaws, and set upon them in surprise, slaying them all to the last man—save for Beren, son of Barahir, who was away on an errand. Greatly would Gorthaur and Morgoth rue his survival, for in Beren lay their ultimate Dooms, and he would not rest until his father was avenged.

          Bregolas was the third child and eldest son of Bregor, and the third Lord of Ladros. He ruled the House of Bëor in the last years of the Long Peace, in a time where his liege-lords Angrod and Aegnor were the only defenders of Beleriand who worried that the Siege of Angband may break. As a result, their vassal Bregolas was more prepared than many others when the Sudden Flame descended upon Dorthonion, and arranged for his younger brother Barahir to remain in reserve while he himself marched to war alongside the elves. This grim foresight proved fortuitous, for Bregolas was indeed slain in that first battle, leaving the leadership of his people to Barahir.           Ever at Bregolas’ side was his spouse Rónil, a fearsome warrior who fought like the lion for which they were named. Though both Bregolas and Rónil perished in the Dagor Bragollach, their three children survived, each vowing to carry on the legacy of their parents. The brothers Baragund and Belegund remained in Ladros fighting the Enemy alongside their uncle Barahir, while their elder sister Beleth escaped with her wife Narweth to Dor-lómin, protecting her brothers’ offspring and her own unborn child. Thanks to Beleth, her nieces Morwen and Rían survived the breaking of the Siege; her own line would extend to Númenor, where her descendant Beregar fathered Erendis, the wife of Tar-Aldarion.