Gorlim
Member of Barahir's outlaw band deceived into telling Sauron the whereabouts of his companions. Gorlim's father's name was Angrim. Gorlim had wife named Eilinel whom he adored with a passion. The couple lived on a large property with fields and forest in the highlands of Dorthonion.
In 455 of the First Age, Gorlim fought against the forces of Morgoth in the Battle of Sudden Flame. He survived the battle, but when he returned home he found his house ruined and his wife gone. He was unsure if his beloved wife had died or had been kidnapped.
Morgoth tried to force Barahir out of Dorthonion, but he refused to leave. He took refuge with a small company of men in a cave at the shore of Tarn Aeluin. Gorlim was among these companions.
Though Barahir wished that his group of outlaws would not part company with him in fear of Morgoth learning of their whereabouts, Gorlim made secret trips to his ruined home in the highlands of Dorthonion to see if his beloved wife had returned. In 460, Gorlim saw a phantom image of Eilinel at the ruins of his home, and this phantom said that Gorlim had forsaken her. The phantom was not really Eilinel but rather a deceiving image created by Morgoth's servant Sauron. In autumn of 460, Gorlim was captured by Sauron's servants.
Sauron's servants tortured Gorlim when he would not tell them where Barahir's outlaw band was hiding. Then Sauron devised an evil plan to deceive Gorlim into telling them the information they needed to know.
Sauron promised Gorlim that if he told the whereabouts of Barahir's outlaw band, he would be reunited with his beloved wife Eilinel. Though hesitant at first, Gorlim could not resist an opportunity to see Eilinel again. He then told Sauron what he wanted to know. Sauron then informed him that Eilinel was in fact dead, and to reunite them he killed Gorlim.
Sauron then sent his servants to slay Barahir and his company. All were slain except for Barahir's son Beren who was out on an errand at the time.
In 455 of the First Age, Gorlim fought against the forces of Morgoth in the Battle of Sudden Flame. He survived the battle, but when he returned home he found his house ruined and his wife gone. He was unsure if his beloved wife had died or had been kidnapped.
Morgoth tried to force Barahir out of Dorthonion, but he refused to leave. He took refuge with a small company of men in a cave at the shore of Tarn Aeluin. Gorlim was among these companions.
Though Barahir wished that his group of outlaws would not part company with him in fear of Morgoth learning of their whereabouts, Gorlim made secret trips to his ruined home in the highlands of Dorthonion to see if his beloved wife had returned. In 460, Gorlim saw a phantom image of Eilinel at the ruins of his home, and this phantom said that Gorlim had forsaken her. The phantom was not really Eilinel but rather a deceiving image created by Morgoth's servant Sauron. In autumn of 460, Gorlim was captured by Sauron's servants.
Sauron's servants tortured Gorlim when he would not tell them where Barahir's outlaw band was hiding. Then Sauron devised an evil plan to deceive Gorlim into telling them the information they needed to know.
Sauron promised Gorlim that if he told the whereabouts of Barahir's outlaw band, he would be reunited with his beloved wife Eilinel. Though hesitant at first, Gorlim could not resist an opportunity to see Eilinel again. He then told Sauron what he wanted to know. Sauron then informed him that Eilinel was in fact dead, and to reunite them he killed Gorlim.
Sauron then sent his servants to slay Barahir and his company. All were slain except for Barahir's son Beren who was out on an errand at the time.
Names & Meanings
The meaning of the name Gorlim is not known. He was called Gorlim the Unhappy because of his misfortune.
References
The Silmarillion: "Of the Ruin of Beleriand," page 155; "Of Beren and Luthien," pages 162-64
The History of Middle-earth, Volume XI, The War of the Jewels: "The Grey Annals," pages 56 and 59; "The Later Quenta Silmarillion," page 183
The History of Middle-earth, Volume XI, The War of the Jewels: "The Grey Annals," pages 56 and 59; "The Later Quenta Silmarillion," page 183
All Pages Copyright © 2010, The Middle-Earth Encyclopedia