So I was thinking this out, you know, do I have any headcanons that involve secrets, maybe I have a headcanon about something that’s canonically a secret, what’s canonically a secret, no I don’t really want to talk about Maeglin’s betrayal today – and BAM. Thunderbolt.

Okay, so: Gorlim got snagged by Sauron because he was frequently sneaking away to visit his house. Now, leaving aside that they had to catch him and torture him to find Barahir because apparently he was too good for them to be able to just follow him back to camp (!!!)… is it really possible that NO ONE EVER NOTICED?

I mean, it’s understandable that not everyone would – they’re under a lot of stress, there are a whole bunch of other things to worry about, probably everybody is exhausted and just wants to sleep when they get the chance instead of running role-call… but not one out of twelve?

But if someone realized he was slipping away and didn’t know why, I imagine they’d be concerned enough to tell Barahir. And if they did know why – well, the emotional reasons for revisiting your house and hoping to see your wife are understandable, but it’s definitely a bad tactical decision.

So obviously if someone realized where he was going all the time, they’d have to be either emotionally compromised by over-empathizing with Gorlim (easy when everyone’s lost family) – or too young and/or inexperienced to realize how much he was putting them in jeopardy.

Which is why my money’s on Hatholdir.

He’s called ‘the Young’ – and considering that this is during a series of battles that had thirteen-year-olds fighting, I’m willing to bet that he is, in fact, young. Even if we default to putting him at the same age as Eorl, also ‘the Young’, he’d be about sixteen. That’s… well, it’s exactly the right age to have that kind of blind spot.

And to think that the right way to help Gorlim is to cover for him, not report what he’s doing to Barahir.

 (And there's your perfect explanation for why no one else ever noticed - when they did, there was Hatholdir with a handy explanation, thinking he was helping.)

I don’t think Gorlim really knew – he was too wrapped up in his own personal misery to be really aware of what was going on with other people beyond the obvious or to question why no one ever looked askance at his absences. But Hatholdir is a kid, and he’s been forced out of his home, so he if anyone would understand someone being unable to give it up. And he doesn’t have the experience and perspective to really think about the fact that Gorlim’s putting everyone in danger, and he’s right at that age where getting someone in trouble is usually considered the worst breach of loyalty, even if they’re hurting themselves and need help.

And then they all died.