Of Beren and Lъthien
Among the tales of sorrow and of ruin that come down to us from the darkness of those days there are yet some in which amid weeping there is joy and under the shadow of death light that endures. And of these histories most fair still in the ears of the Elves is the tale of Beren and Lъthien. Of their lives was made the Lay of Leithian, Release from Bondage1, which is the longest save one of the songs concerning the world of old; but here is told in fewer words and without song.
It has been told that Barahir would not for sake Dorthonion, and there Morgoth pursued him to his death, until at last there remained to him only twelve companions. Now the forest of Dorthonion rose southward into mountainous moors3; and in the east of those highlands there lay a lake, Tarn4 Aeluin, with wild heaths about it, and all that land was pathless and untamed, for even in the days of the Long Peace none had dwelt there. But the waters of Tarn Aeluin were held in reverence5, for they were clear and blue by day and by night were a mirror for the stars; and it was said that Melian herself had hollowed that water in the days of old. Thither7 Barahir and his outlaws8 withdrew, and there made their lair10, and Morgoth could not discover it. But the rumour11 of the deeds of Barahir and his companions went far and wide; and Morgoth commanded Sauron to find them and destroy them.
Now among the companions of Barahir was Gorlim son of Angrim. His wife was named Eilinel, and their love was great, ere evil befell. But Gorlim returning from the war upon the marches found his house plundered13 and forsaken14, and his wife gone; whether slain15 or taken he knew not. Then he fled to Barahir, and of companions his he was the most fierce and desperate; but doubt gnawed16 his heart, thinking that perhaps Eilinel was not dead. At times he would depart alone and secretly, and visit his house that stood amid the fields and woods he had once possessed18; and this became known to the servants of Morgoth.
On a time of autumn he came in the dusk of evening, and drawing near he saw as he thought a light at the window; and coming warily19 he looked within. There he saw Eilinel, and her face was worn with grief and hunger, and it seemed to him that he heard her voice lamenting21 that he had forsaken her. But even as he cried aloud the light was blown out in the wind; wolves howled, and on his shoulders he felt suddenly the heavy hands of Sauron's hunters. Thus Gorlim was ensnared; and taking him to their camp they tormented24, seeking to learn the hidings of Barahir and all his ways. But nothing would Gorlim tell. Then they promised him that he should be released and restored to Eilinel, if he would yield; and being at last worn with pain, and yearning26 for his wife, he faltered27. Then straightaway they brought him into the dreadful presence of Sauron; and Sauron said: 'I hear now that thou wouldst barter29 with me. What is thy price?'
And Gorlim answered that he should find Eilinel again, and with her be set free; for he thought Eilinel also had been made captive.
Than Sauron smiled, saying: 'That is a small price for so great a treachery. So shall it surely be. Say on!'
Now Gorlim would have drawn30 back, but daunted31 by the eyes of Sauron he told at last all that he would know. Then Sauron laughed; and he mocked Gorlim, and revealed to him that he had only seen a phantom33 devised by wizardry to entrap34 him; for Eilinel was dead. 'Nonetheless I will grant thy prayer,' said Sauron; 'and thou shalt go to Eilinel, and be set free of my service.' Then he put him cruelly to death.
In this way the hiding of Barahir was revealed, and Morgoth drew his net about it; and the Orcs coming in the still hours before dawn surprised the men of Dorthonion and slew35 them all, save one. For Beren son of Barahir had been sent by his father on a perilous37 errand to spy upon the ways of the Enemy, and he was far afield when the lair was taken. But as he slept benighted38 in the forest he dreamed that carrion39-birds sat thick as leaves upon bare trees beside a mere40, and blood dripped from their beaks41.
Then Beren was aware in his dream of a form that came to him across the water, and it was a wraith43 of Gorlim; and it spoke44 to him declaring his treachery and death, and bade him make haste to warn his father. Then Beren awoke, and sped through the night, and came back to the lair of the outlaws on the second morning. But as he drew near the carrion-birds rose from the ground and sat in the alder-trees beside Tarn Aeluin, and croaked45 in mockery.
There Beren buried his fathers bones, and raised a cairn of boulders46 above him, and swore upon it an oath of vengeance47. First there for he pursued the Orcs that had slain his father and his kinsmen48, and he found their camp by night at Rivil's Well above the Fen49 of Serech, and because of his wood craft he came near to their fire unseen. There their captain made boast of his deeds, and he held up the hand of Barahir that he had cut off as a token for Sauron that their mission was fulfilled; and the ring of Felagund was on that hand. Then Beren sprang from behind rock, and slew captain, and taking the hand and the ring he escaped, being defended by fate for the Orcs were dismayed, and their arrows wild.
Thereafter for four years more Beren wandered still upon Dorthonion, a solitary50 outlaw9; but he became the friend of birds and beasts, and they aided him, and did not betray him, and from that time forth51 he ate no flesh nor slew any living thing that was not in the service of Morgoth. He did not fear death, but only captivity52, and being bold and desperate he escaped both death and bonds; and the deeds of lonely daring that he achieved were noised abroad throughout Beleriand, and the tail of them came even into Doriath. At length Morgoth set a price upon his head no less than the price upon the head of Fingon, High King of the Noldor; but the Orcs fled rather at the rumour of his approach than sought him out. Therefore and army was sent against him under the command of Sauron; and Sauron brought werewolves, fell beasts inhabited by dreadful spirits that he had imprisoned54 in their bodies.
All that land was now become filled with evil, and all clean things were departing from it; and Beren was pressed so hard that at last he was forced to flee from Dorthonion. In time of winter and snow he forsook55 the land and grave of his father, and climbing into the high land of Doriath. There it was put into his heart that he would go down into the Hidden Kingdom, where no mortal foot had trodden. Terrible was his southward journey. Sheer were the precipices56 of Ered Gorgoroth, and beneath their feet were shadows that were laid before the rising of the Moon. Beyond lay the wilderness58 of Dungortheb, where the sorcery of Sauron and the power of Melian came together, and horror and madness walked. There spiders of the fell race of Ungoliant abode59, spinning their unseen webs in which all living things were snared23; and monsters wandered there that were born in the long dark before the Sun, hunting silently with many eyes. No food for Elves or Men was there in that haunted land, but death only. That journey is not accounted least among the great deeds of Beren, but he spoke of it to no one after, lest the horror return into his mind; and none know how he found a way, and so came by paths that no Man nor Elf else ever dared to tread to the borders of Doriath. And he passed through the mazes60 that Melian wove about the kingdom of Thingol, even as she had foretold61; for a great doom62 lay upon him.
It is told in the Lay of Leithian that Beren came stumbling into Doriath grey and bowed as with many years of woe63, so great had been the torment25 of the road. But wandering in the summer in the woods of Neldoreth he came upon Lъthien, daughter of Thingol and Melian, at a time of evening under moonrise, as she danced upon the unfading grass in the glades64 beside Esgalduin. Then all memory of his pain departed from him, and he fell into an enchantment65; for Lъthien was the most beautiful of all the Children of Ilъvatar. Blue was her raiment as the unclouded heaven, but her eyes were grey as the starlit evening; her mantle66 was sewn with golden flowers, but her hair was dark as the shadows of twilight67. As the light upon the leaves of trees, as the voice of clear waters, as the stars above the mists of the world, such was her glory and her loveliness; and in her face was a shining light.
But she vanished from his sight; and he became dumb, as one that is bound under a spell, and he strayed long in the woods, wild and wary68 as a beast, seeking for her. In his heart he called her Tinъviel, that signifies Nightingale, daughter of twilight, in the Grey-elven tongue, for he knew no other name for her. And he saw her afar as leaves in the winds of autumn, and in winter as a star upon a hill, but a chain was upon his limbs.
There came a time near dawn on the eve of spring, and Lъthien danced upon a green hill; and suddenly she began to sing. Keen, heart-piercing was her song as the song of the lark69 that rises from the gates of night and pours its voice among the dying stars, seeing the sun behind the walls of the world; and the song of Lъthien released the behind the walls of the world; and the song of Lъthien released the bonds of winter, and the frozen waters spoke, and flowers sprang from the cold earth where her feet had passed.
Then the spell of silence fell from Beren, and he called to her, crying Tinъviel; and the woods echoed the name. Then she halted in wonder, and fled no more, and Beren came to her. But as she looked on him, doom fell upon her, and she loved him; yet she slipped from his arms and vanished from his sight even as the day was breaking. Then Beren lay upon the ground in a swoon, as one slain at once by bliss70 and grief; and he fell into a sleep as it were into an abyss of shadow, and waking he was cold as stone, and his heart barren and forsaken. And wandering in mind he groped as one that is stricken with sudden blindness, and seeks with hands to grasp the vanished light. Thus he began the payment of anguish71 for the fate that was laid on him; and in his fate Lъthien was caught, and being immortal72 she shared in his mortality, and being free received his chain; and her anguish was greater than any other of the Eldaliл has known.
Beyond his hope she returned to him where he sat in darkness, and long ago in the Hidden Kingdom she laid her hand in his. Thereafter often she came to him, and they went in secret through the woods together from spring to summer; and no others of the Children of Ilъvatar have had joy so great, though the time was brief.
But Daeron the minstrel also loved Lъthien, and he espied73 her meetings with Beren, and betrayed them to Thingol. Then the King was filled with anger, for Lъthien he loved above all things, setting her above all the princes of the Elves; whereas mortal Men he did not even take into his service. Therefore he spoke in grief and amazement74 to Lъthien; but she would reveal nothing, until he swore an oath to her that he would neither slay75 Beren nor imprison53 him. But he sent his servants to lay hands on him and lead him to Menegroth as a malefactor76; and Lъthien forestalling77 them led Beren herself before the throne of Thingol, as if he were an honoured guest.
Then Thingol looked upon Beren in scorn and anger; but Melian was silent. 'Who are you', said the King, 'that come hither as a thief, and unbidden dare to approach my throne?'
But Beren being filled with dread28, for the splendour of Menegroth and the majesty78 of Thingol were very great, answered nothing. Therefore Lъthien spoke, and said: 'He is Beren son of Barahir, lord of Men, mighty79 foe80 of Morgoth, the tale of whose deeds is become a song even among the Elves.'
'Let Beren speak!' said Thingol. 'What would you here, unhappy mortal, and for what cause have you left your own land to enter this, which is forbidden to such as you? Can you show reason why my power should not be laid on you in heavy punishment for you insolence81 and folly82?'
Then Beren looking up beheld83 the eyes of Lъthien, and his glance went also to the face of Melian and it seemed to him that words were put into his mouth. Fear left him, and the pride of the eldest84 house of Men returned to him; and he said: 'My fate, O King, led me hither, through perils85 such as few even of the Elves would dare. And here I have found what I sought not indeed, but finding I would possess for ever. For it is above all gold and silver, and beyond all jewels. Neither rock, nor steel, nor the fires of Morgoth, nor all the powers of the Elf-kingdoms, shall keep from me the treasure that I desire. For Lъthien your daughter is the fairest of all the Children of the World.'
Then silence fell upon the hall, for those that stood there were astounded86 and afraid, and they thought that Beren would be slain. But Thingol spoke slowly, saying: 'Death you have earned with these words; and death you should find suddenly, had I not sworn an oath in haste; of which I repent87, baseborn mortal, who in the realm of Morgoth has learnt to creep in secret as his spies and thralls89.'
Then Beren answered: 'Death you can give me earned or unearned; but the names I will not take from you of baseborn, nor spy, nor thrall88. By the ring of Felagund, that he gave to Barahir my father on the battle field of the North, my house has not earned such names from any Elf, be he king or no.'
His words were proud, and all eyes looked upon the ring; for he held it now aloft, and the green jewels gleamed there that the Noldor had devised in Valinor. For this ring was like to twin serpents, whose eyes were emeralds, and their heads met beneath a crown of golden flowers, that the one upheld and the other devoured90; that was the badge of Finarfin and his house; Then Melian leaned to Thingol's side, and in whispered counsel bade him forgo91 his wrath92. 'For not by you,' she said, 'shall Beren be slain; and far and free does his fate led him in the end, yet it is wound with yours. Take heed93!'
But Thingol looked in silence upon Lъthien; and he thought in his heart: 'Unhappy Men, children of little lords and brief kings, shall such as these lay hands on you, and yet live?' Then breaking the silence he said: 'I see the ring, son of Barahir, and I perceive that you are proud, and deem yourself mighty. But a father's deeds, even had his service been rendered to me, avail not to win the daughter of Thingol and Melian. See now! I too desire a treasure that is withheld94. For rock and steel and the fires of Morgoth keep the jewel that I would possess against all the powers of the Elf-kingdoms. Yet I hear you say that bonds such as these do not daunt32 you. Go your way therefore! Bring to me in your hand a Silmaril from Morgoth's crown; and then, if she will, Lъthien may set her hand in yours. Then you shall have my jewel; and though the fate of Arda lie within the Silmarils, yet you shall hold me generous.'
Thus he wrought95 the doom of Doriath, and was ensnared within the curse of Mandos. And those that heard these words perceived that Thingol would save his oath, and yet send Beren to his death; for they know that not all the power of the Noldor, before the Siege was broken, had availed even to see from afar the shining Silmarils of Fлanor. For they were set in the Iron Crown, and treasured in Angband above all wealth; and Balrogs were about them, and countless96 swords, and strong bars, and unassailable walls, and the dark majesty of Morgoth.
But Beren laughed. 'For little price,' he said, 'do Elven-kings sell their daughters: for gems98, and things made by craft. But if this be your will, Thingol, I will perform it. And when we meet again my hand shall hold a Silmaril from the Iron Crown; for you have not looked the last upon Beren son of Barahir.' Then he looked in the eyes of Melian, who spoke not; and he bade farewell to Lъthien Tinъviel, and bowing before Thingol and Melian he put aside the guards about him, and departed from Menegroth alone.
Then at last Melian spoke, and she said to Thingol: 'O King, you have devised cunning counsel. But if my eyes have not lost their sight, it is ill for you, whether Beren fail in his errand, or achieve it. For you have doom either your daughter, or yourself. And now is Doriath drawn within the fate of a mightier99 realm.' But Thingol answered: 'I sell not to Elves or Men those whom I love and cherish above all treasure. And if there were hope or fear that Beren should come ever back alive to Menegroth, he should not have looked again upon the light of heaven, though I had sworn it.'
But Lъthien was silent, and from that hour she sang not again in Doriath. A brooding silence fell upon the woods, and the shadows lengthened100 in the kingdom of Thingol.
It is told in the Lay of Leithian that Beren passed through Doriath unhindered, and came at length to the region of the Twilight Meres101, and the Fens102 of Sirion; and leaving Thingol's land he climbed the hills above the Falls of Sirion, where the river plunged103 underground with great noise. Thence he looked westward104, and through the mist and rains that lay upon those hills he saw Talath Dirnen, the Guarded Plain, stretching between Sirion and Narog; and beyond he descried105 afar the highlands of Taur-en-Faroth that rose above Nargothrond. And being destitute106, without hope or counsel, he turned his feet thither.
Upon all that plain the Elves of Nargothrond kept unceasing watch; and every hill upon its borders was crowned with hidden towers, and through all its woods and fields archers107 ranged secretly and with great craft. Their arrows were sure and deadly, and nothing crept there against their will. Therefore, ere Beren had come far upon his road, they were aware of him, and his death was nigh. But knowing his danger he held ever aloft the ring of Felagund; and though he saw no living thing, because of the stealth of the hunters, he felt that he was watched, and cried often aloud: 'I am Beren son of Barahir, friend of Felagund. Take me to the King!' Therefore the hunters slew him not, but assembling they waylaid108 him, and commanded him to halt. But seeing the ring they bowed before him, though he was in evil plight109, wild and wayworn; and they led hi northward110 and westward, going by night lest their paths should be revealed. For at that time there was no ford111 or bridge over the torrent112 of Narog before the gates of Nargothrond; but further to the north, where Ginglith joined Narog, the flood was less, and crossing there and turning again southward the Elves led Beren under the light of the moon to the dark gates of their hidden halls.
Thus Beren came before King Finrod Felagund; and Felagund knew him, needing no ring to remind him of the kin17 of Bлor and of Barahir. Behind closed doors they sat, and Beren told of the death of Barahir, and of all that had befallen hi in Doriath; and he wept, recalling Lъthien and their joy together. But Felagund heard his tale in wonder and disquiet113; and he knew that the oath he had sworn was come upon him for his death, as long before he had foretold to Galadriel. He spoke then to Beren in heaviness of heart. 'It is plain that Thingol desires your death; but it seems that this doom goes beyond his purpose, and that the Oath of Fлanor is again at work. For the Silmarils are cursed with an oath of hatred114, and he that even names them in desire moves a great power from slumber115; and the sons of Fлanor would lay all the Elf-kingdoms in ruin rather than suffer any other than themselves to win or possess a Silmaril, for the Oath drives them. And now Celegorm and Curufin are dwelling116 in my halls; and though I, Finarfin's son, am King, they have won a strong power in the realm, and lead many of their own people. They have shown friendship to me in every need, but I fear that they will show neither love nor mercy to you, if your quest be told. Yet my own oath holds; and thus we are all ensnared.'
Then King Felagund spoke before his people, recalling the deeds of Barahir, and his vow117 and he declared that it was laid upon him to aid the son of Barahir in his need, and he sought the help of his chieftains. Then Celegorm arose amid the throng118, and drawing his sword he cried: 'Be he friend or foe, whether demon119 of Morgoth, of Elf, or child of Men, or any other living thing in Arda, neither law, nor love, nor league of hell, nor might of the Valar, nor any power of wizardry, shall defend him from the pursuing hate of Fлanor's sons, if he take or find a Silmaril and keep it. For the Silmarils we alone claim, until the world ends.'
Many other words he spoke, as potent120 as were long before in Tirion the words of his father that first inflamed121 the Noldor to rebellion. And after Celegorm Curufin spoke, more softly but with no less power, conjuring122 in the minds of the Elves a vision of war and the ruin of Nargothrond. So great a fear did he set in their hearts that never after until the time of Tъrin would any Elf of that realm go into open battle; but with stealth and ambush123, with wizardry and venomed125 dart126, they pursued all strangers, forgetting the bonds of kinship. Thus they fell from the valour and freedom of the Elves of old, and their land was darkened.
And now they murmured that Finarfin's son was not as a Vala to command them, and they turned their faces from him. But the curse of Mandos came upon the brothers, and dark thoughts arose in their hearts, thinking to send forth Felagund alone to his death, and to usurp127, it might be, the throne of Nargothrond; for they were of the eldest line of the princes of the Noldor.
And Felagund seeing that he was forsaken took from his head the silver crown of Nargothrond and cast it at his feet, saying: 'Your oaths of faith to me you may break, but I must hold my bond. Yet if there be any on whom the shadow of out curse has not yet fallen, I should find at least a few to follow me, and should not go hence as a beggar that is thrust from the gates.' There were ten that stood by him; and the chief of them, who was named Edrahil, stooping lifted the crown and asked that it be given to a steward128 until Felagund's return. 'for you remain my king, and theirs,' he said, 'whatever betide.'
Then Felagund gave the crown of Nargothrond to Orodreth his brother to govern in his stead; and Celegorm and Curufin said nothing, but they smiled and went from the halls.
On an evening of autumn Felagund and Beren set out from Nargothrond with their ten companions; and they journeyed beside Narog to his source in the Falls of Ivrin. Beneath the Shadowy Mountains they came upon a company of Orcs, and slew them all in their camp by night; and they took their gear and their weapons. By the arts of Felagund their own forms and faces were changed into the likeness129 of Orcs; and thus disguised they came far upon their northward road, and ventured into the western pass, between Ered Wethrin and the highlands of Taur-nu-Fuin. But Sauron in his tower was ware42 of them, and doubt took him; for they went in haste, and stayed not to report their deeds, as was commanded to all the servants of Morgoth that passed that way. Therefore he sent to waylay130 them, and bring them before him.
Thus befell the contest of Sauron and Felagund which is renowned131. For Felagund strove with Sauron in songs of power, ad the power of the King was very great; but Sauron had the mastery, as is told in the Lay of Leithian:
He chanted a song of wizardry,
Of piercing, opening, of treachery,
Revealing, uncovering, betraying.
Then sudden Felagund there swaying,
Sang in a song of staying,
Resisting, battling against power,
Of secrets kept, strength like a tower,
And trust unbroken, freedom, escape;
Of changing and shifting shape,
Of snares132 eluded133, broken traps,
The prison opening, the chain that snaps.
Backwards134 and forwards swayed their song.
Reeling foundering135, as ever more strong
The chanting swelled136, Felagund fought,
And all the magic and might he brought
Of Elvenesse into his words.
Softly in the gloom they heard the birds
Singing afar in Nargothrond,
The sighting of the Sea beyond,
Beyond the western world, on sand,
On sand of pearls on Elvenland.
Then in the doom gathered; darkness growing
In Valinor, the red blood flowing
Beside the Sea, where the Noldor slew
The Foamriders, and stealing drew
Their white ships with their white sails
From lamplit havens137. The wind wails138,
The wolf howls. The ravens139 flee.
The ice mutters in the mouths of the Sea.
The captives sad in Angband mourn.
Thunder rumbles140, the fires burn-
And Finrod fell before the throne.
Then Sauron stripped from the their disguise, and they stood before him naked and afraid. But though their kinds were revealed, Sauron could not discover their names or their purposes.
He cast them therefore into a deep pit, dark and silent, and threatened to slay them cruel, unless one would betray the truth to him. From time to time they saw two eyes kindled141 in the dark, and a werewolf devoured one of the companions; but none betrayed their lord.
***
In the time when Sauron cast Beren into the pit a weight of horror came upon Lъthien's heart; and going to Melian for counsel she learned that Beren lay in the dungeons142 of Tol-in-Gaurhoth without hope of rescue. Then Lъthien, perceiving that no help would come from any other on earth, resolved to fly from Doriath and come herself to him; but she sought the aid of Daeron, and he betrayed her purpose because he would not deprive Lъthien of the lights of heaven, lest she fail and fade, and yet would restrain her, he caused a house to be built from which she should not escape. Not far from the gates of Menegroth stood the greatest of all the trees in the Forest of Neldoreth; and that was a beech143-forest and the northern half of the kingdom. This mighty beech was named Hнrilorn, and it had three trunks, equal in girth, smooth in rind, and exceeding tall; no branches grew from them for a great height above the ground. Far aloft between the shafts144 of Hнrilorn a wooden house was built, and there Lъthien was made to dwell; and ladders were taken away and guarded, save only when the servants of Thingol wrought her such things as she needed.
It is told in the Lay of Leithian how she escaped from the house in Hнrilorn; for she put forth her arts of enchantment, and caused her hair to grow to great length, and of it she wove a dark robe that wrapped her beauty like a shadow, and it was laden145 with a spell of sleep. Of the strands146 that remained she twined a rope, and she let it down from her window; and as the end swayed above the guards that sat beneath the house they fell into a deep slumber. Then Lъthien climbed from her prison, and shrouded147 in her shadowy cloak she escaped from all eyes, and vanished out of Doriath.
It chanced that Celegorm and Curufin went on a hunt through the Guarded Plain; and this they did because Sauron, being filled with suspicion, sent forth many wolves into the Elf-lands. Therefore they took their hounds and rode forth; and they thought that ere they returned they might also hear tidings concerning King Felagund. Now the chief of the wolf hounds that followed Celegorm was named Huan. He was not born in Middle-earth, but came from the Blessed Realm; for Oromл had given him to Celegorm long ago in Valinor, and there he had followed the horn of his master, before evil came. Huan followed Celegorm into exile, and was faithful; and thus he too came under the doom of woe set upon the Noldor, and it was decreed that he should meet death, but not until he encountered the mightiest148 wolf that would ever walk the world.
Huan it was that found Lъthien flying like a shadow surprised by the daylight under the trees, when Celegorm and Curufin rested a while near to the western eaves of Doriath; for nothing could escape the sight and scent149 of Huan, nor could any enchantment stay him, and he slept not, neither by night nor day. He brought her to Celegorm, and Lъthien, learning that he was a prince of the Noldor and a foe of Morgoth, was glad; and she declared herself, casting aside her cloak. So great was her sudden beauty revealed beneath the sun that Celegorm became enamoured of her; but he spoke her fair, and promised that she would find help in her need, if she returned with him now to Nargothrond. By no sign did he reveal that he knew already of Beren and the quest, of which she told, nor that it was a matter which touched him near.
Thus they broke off the hunt and returned to Nargothrond, and Lъthien was betrayed; for they held her fast, and took away her cloak, and she was not permitted to pass the gates or to speak with any save the brothers, Celegorm and Curufin. For now, believing that Beren and Felagund were prisoners beyond hope of aid, they purposed to let the King perish, and to keep Lъthien , and force Thingol to give her the mightiest of princes of the Noldor. And they did not purpose to seek the Silmarils by craft or war, or to suffer any others to do so, until they had all the might of the Elf-kingdoms under their hands. Orodreth had no power to withstand them, for they swayed the hearts of the people of Nargothrond; and Celegorm sent messengers to Thingol urging his suit.
But Huan the hound was true of heart, and the love of Lъthien had fallen upon him in the first hour of their meeting; and he grieved at her captivity. Therefore he came often to her chamber150; and at night he lay before her door, for he felt that evil had come to Nargothrond. Lъthien spoke often to Huan in her loneliness, telling of Beren, who was the friend of all birds and beasts that did not serve Morgoth; ad Huan understood all that was said. For he comprehended the speech of all things with voice; but it was permitted to him thrice only ere his death to speak with words.
Now Huan devised a plan for the aid of Lъthien; and coming at a time of night he brought her cloak, and for the first time he spoke, giving her counsel. Then he led her by secret ways out of Nargothrond, and they fled north together; and he humbled151 his pride and suffered her to ride upon him in the fashion of a steed, even as the Orcs did at times upon great wolves. Thus they made great speed, for Huan was swift and tireless.
In the pits of Sauron Beren and Felagund lay, and all their companions were now dead; but Sauron purposed to keep Felagund to the last, for he perceived that he was a Noldo of great might and wisdom, and he deemed that in him lay the secret of their errand. But when the wolf came for Beren, Felagund put forth all his power, and burst his bonds; and he wrestled152 with the werewolf, and slew it with his hands and teeth; yet he himself was wounded to the death. Then he spoke to Beren, saying: 'I go now to my long rest in the timeless halls beyond the seas and the Mountains of Aman. It will be long ere I am seen among the Noldor again; and it may be that we shall not meet a second time in death or life, for the fates of our kindreds are apart. Farewell!' He died then in the dark, in Tol-in-Gaurhoth, whose great tower he himself had built. Thus King Finrod Felagund, fairest and most beloved of the house of Finwл, redeemed153 his oath; but Beren mourned beside him in despair.
In that hour Lъthien came, and standing154 upon the bridge that led to Sauron's isle155 she sang a song that no walls of stone could hinder. Beren heard, and he thought that he dreamed; for the stars shone above him, and in the trees nightingales were singing. And in answer he sang a song of challenge that he had made in praise of the Seven Stars, the Sickle156 of the Valar that Varda hung above the North as a sign for the fall of Morgoth. Then all strength left him and he fell down into darkness.
But Lъthien heard his answering voice, and she sang then a song of greater power. The wolves howled, and the isle trembled. Sauron stood in the high tower, wrapped in his black thought ;but he smiled hearing her voice, for he knew that it was the daughter of Melian. The fame of the beauty of Lъthien and the wonder of her song had long gone forth from Doriath; and he thought to make her captive and hand her over to the power of Morgoth, for his reward would be great. Therefore he sent a wolf to the bridge. But Huan slew it silently. Still Sauron sent others one by one; and one by one Huan took them by the throat and slew them. Then Sauron sent Draugluin, a dread beast, old in evil lord and sire of the werewolves of Angband. His might was great; and the battle of Huan and Draugluin was long and fierce. Yet at length Draugluin escaped, and fleeing back into the tower he died before Sauron's feet; and as he died he told his master: 'Huan is there!' Now Sauron knew well, as did all in that land, the fate that was decreed for the hound of Valinor, and it came into his thought that he himself would accomplish it. Therefore he took upon himself the form of a werewolf, and made himself the mightiest that had yet walked the world; and he came forth to win the passage of the bridge.
So great was the horror of his approach that Huan leaped aside. Then Sauron sprang upon Lъthien; and she swooned before the menace of the fell spirit in his eyes and the foul157 vapour of his breath. But even as he came, falling she cast a fold of her dark cloak before his eyes; and he stumbled, for a fleeting158 drowsiness159 came upon him. Then Huan sprang. There befell the battle of Huan and Wolf-Sauron, and howls and baying echoed in the hills, and the watchers on the walls of Ered Wethrin across the valley heard it afar and were dismayed.
But no wizardry nor spell, neither fang160 nor venom124, nor devil's art nor beast-strength , could overthrow161 Huan without forsaking162 his body utterly163. Ere his foul spirit left its dark house, Lъthien came to him, ghost be sent quaking back to Morgoth; and she said: 'There everlastingly164 thy naked self shall endure the torment of his scorn, pierced by his eyes, unless thou yield to me the mastery of thy tower.'
Then Sauron yielded himself, and Lъthien took the mastery of the isle and all that was there; and Huan released him. And immediately he took the form of a vampire165, great as a dark cloud across the moon, and he fled, dripping blood from his throat upon the trees, and came to Tar-nu-Fuin, and dwelt there, filling it with horror.
Then Lъthien stood upon the bridge, and declare her power: and the spell was loosed that bound stone to stone, and the gates were thrown down, and the walls opened, and the pits laid bare; and many thralls and captives came forth in wonder and dismay, shielding their eyes against the pale moon light, for they had lain long in the darkness of Sauron. But Beren came not. Therefore Huan and Lъthien sought him in the isle; and Lъthien found him mourning by Felagund. So deep was his anguish that he lay still, and did not hear her feet. Then thinking him already dead she put her arms about him and fell into a dark forgetfulness. But Beren coming back to the light out of the pits of despair lifted her up, and they looked again upon one another; and the day rising over the dark hills shone upon them.
They buried the body of Felagund upon the hill-top of his own isle, and it was clean again; and the green grave of Finrod Finarfin's son, fairest of all the princes of the Elves, remained inviolate166, until the land was changed and broken, and foundered167 under destroying seas. But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.
Now Beren and Lъthien Tinъviel went free again and together walked through the woods renewing for a time their joy; and though winter came it hurt them not, for flowers lingered where Lъthien went, and the birds sang beneath the snow clad hills. But Huan being faithful went back to Celegorm his master; yet their love was less than before.
There was tumult168 in Nargothrond. For thither now returned many Elves that had been prisoners in the isle of Sauron; and a clamour arose that no words of Celegorm could still. They lamented169 bitterly the fall of Felagund their king, saying that a maiden170 had dared that which the sons of Fлanor had not dared to do; but many perceived that it was treachery rather than fear that had guided Celegorm and Curufin. There fore2 the hearts of the people of Nargothrond were released from their dominion171, and turned again to the house of Finarfin; and they obeyed Orodreth. But he would not suffer them to slay the brothers, as some desired, for the spilling of kindred blood by kin would bind172 the cures of Mandos more closely upon them all. Yet neither bread nor rest would he grant to Celegorm and Curufin within his realm, and he swore that there should be little love between Nargothrond and the sons of Fлanor there after.
'Let it be so!' said Celegorm, and there was a light of menace in his eyes; but Curufin smiled. Ten they took horse and rode away like fire, to find if they might their kindred in the east. But none would go with them, not even those that were of their own people; for all perceived that the curse lay heavily upon the brothers, and that evil followed them. In that time Celebrimbor the son of Curufin repudiated173 the deeds of his father, and remained in Nargothrond; yet Huan followed still the horse of Celegorm his master.
Northward they rode, for they intended in their haste to pass through Dimbar, and along the north marches or Doriath, seeking the swiftest road to Him ring, where Maedhros their brother dwelt; and still they might hope with speed to traverse it, since it lay close to Doriath's borders, shunning174 Nan Dungortheb and the distant menace of the Mountains of Terror.
Now it is told that Beren and Lъthien came in their wandering into the Forests of Brethil, and drew near at last to the borders of Doriath. Then Beren took thought of his vow; and against his heart he resolved, when Lъthien was come again within the safety of her own land, to set forth once more. But she was not willing to be parted form him again, saying: 'You must choose, Beren, between these two: to relinquish175 the quest and your oath and seek a life of wandering upon the face of the earth; or to hold to your word and challenge the power of darkness upon its throne. But on either road I shall go with you, and our doom shall be alike.'
Even as they spoke together of these things, walking without heed of aught else, Celegorm and Curufin rode up, hastening through the forest; and the brothers espied them and knew them for afar. Then Celegorm turned his horse, and spurred it upon Beren, purposing to ride him down; but Curufin swerving176 stooped and lifted Lъthien to his saddle, for he was a strong and cunning horseman. Then Beren sprang from before Celegorm full upon the speeding horse of Curufin that had passed hi; and the Leap of Beren is renowned among that had passed him; and the Leap of Beren is renowned among Men and Elves. He took Curufin by the throat from behind, and hurled177 him backward, and they fell to the ground together. The horse reared and fell, but Lъthien was flung aside, and lay upon the grass.
Then Beren throttled178 Curufin; but death was near him, for Celegorm rode upon him with a spear. in that hour Huan forsook the service or Celegorm, and sprang up[on him, so that his horse swerved179 aside, and would not approach Beren because of the terror of the great hound. Celegorm cursed both hound and horse, but Huan was unmoved. Then Lъthien rising forbade the slaying180 of Curufin; but Beren despoiled181 him of his gear and weapons, and took his knife, sheathless by his side; iron it would cleave182 as if it were green wood. Then Beren lifting Curufin flung him from him, and bade him walk now back to his noble kinsfolk, who might teach him to turn his valour to worthier183 use. 'Your horse,' he said, 'I keep for the service of Lъthien, and it may be accounted happy to be free of such a master.'
Then Curufin cursed Beren under cloud and sky. 'Go hence,' he said, 'unto a swift and bitter death.' Celegorm took him beside him on his horse, and the brothers made then as if to ride away; and Beren turned away and took no heed of their words. But Curufin, being filled with shame and malice184, took the bow of Celegorm and shot back as they went; and the arrow was aimed at Lъthien. Huan leaping caught it in his mouth; but Curufin shot again, and Beren sprang before Lъthien, and the dart smote185 him in the breast.
It is told that Huan pursued the sons of Fлanor, and they fled in fear; and returning he brought to Lъthien a herb out of the forest. With that leaf he staunched Beren's wound, and by her arts and by her love she healed him; and thus at last they returned to Doriath. There Beren, being torn between his oath and his love, and knowing Lъthien to be now safe, arose one morning before the sun, and committed her to the care of Huan; then in great anguish he departed while she yet slept upon the grass.
He rode northward again with all speed to the Pass of Sirion, and coming to the skirts of Taur-nu-Fuin he looked out across the waste of Anfauglith and saw afar the peaks of Thangorodrim. There he dismissed the horse of Curufin, and bade it leave now dread and servitude and run free upon the green grass in the lands of Sirion. Then being now alone and upon the threshold of the final peril36 he made the Song of Parting, in praise of Lъthien and the lights of heaven; for he believed that he must now say farewell to both love and light. Of that song these words were part:
Farewell sweet earth and northern sky,
for ever blest, since here did lie
and here with lissom186 limbs did run
beneath the Moon, beneath the Sun,
Lъthien Tinъviel
more fair than mortal tongue can tell.
Though all to ruin fell the world
and were dissolved and backward hurled
unmade into the old abyss,
yet were its making good, for this-
the dusk, the dawn, the earth, the sea-
that Lъthien for a time should be.
And he sang aloud, caring not what ear should overhear him, for he was desperate and looked for no escape.
But Lъthien heard his song, and she sang in answer, as she came through the woods unlooked for. For Huan, consenting once more to be her steed, had borne her swiftly hard upon Beren's trail. Long he had pondered in his heart what counsel he could devise for the lightning of the peril of these two whom he loved. He turned aside therefore at Sauron's isle, as they ran northward again, and he took thence the ghastly wolf-hame of Draugluin, and the bat-fell of? ThurIngwлthil. She was the messenger of Sauron, and was wont187 to fly in vampire's form to Angband; and her greatfingered wings were barbed at each joint's end with and iron claw. Clad in these dreadful garments Huan and Lъthien ran through Taur-nu-Fuin, and all things fled before them.
Beren seeing their approach was dismayed; and he wondered, for he had heard the voice of Tinъviel, and he thought it now a phantom for his ensnaring. But they halted and cast aside their disguise, and Lъthien ran towards him. Thus Beren and Lъthien met again between the desert and the wood. For a while he was silent and was glad; but after a space he strove once more to dissuade188 Lъthien from her journey.
'Thrice now I curse my oath to Thingol,' he said, 'and I would that he had slain me in Menegroth, rather than I should bring you under the shadow of Morgoth.'
Then for the second time Huan spoke with words; and he counselled Beren, saying: 'From the shadow of death you can no longer save Lъthien, for by her love she is now subject to it. You can turn from your fate and lead her into exile, seeking peace in vain while your life lasts. But if you will not deny your doom, then either Lъthien, being forsaken, must assuredly die alone, or she must with you challenge the fate that lies before you--hopeless, yet not certain. Further counsel I cannot give, nor may I go further on your road. But my heart forebodes that what you find at the Gate I shall myself see. All else is dark to me; yet it may be that our three paths lead back to Doriath, and we may meet before the end.'
Then Beren perceived that Lъthien could not be divided from the doom that lay upon them both, and he sought no longer to dissuade her. By the counsel of Huan and the arts of Lъthien he was arrayed now in the hame of Draugluin, and she in the winged fell of ThurIngwлthil. Beren became in all things like a werewolf to look upon, save that in his eyes there shone a spirit grim indeed but clean; and horror was in his glance as he saw upon his flank a bat-like creature clinging with creased189 wings. Then howling under the moon he leaped down the hill, and the bat wheeled and flittered above him.
They passed through all perils, until they came with the dust of their long and weary road upon them to the drear dale that lay before the Gate of Angband. Black chasms190 opened beside the road, whence forms as of writhing191 serpents issued. On either hand the cliffs stood as embattled walls, and upon them sat carrion fowl192 crying with fell voices. Before them was the impregnable Gate, an arch wide and dark at the foot of the mountain; above it reared a thousand feet of precipice57.
There dismay took them, for at the gate was a guard of whom no tidings had yet gone forth. Rumour of he knew not what designs abroad among the princes of the Elves had come to Morgoth, and ever down the aisles193 of the forest was heard the baying of Huan, the great hound of war, whom long ago the Valar unleashed194. Then Morgoth recalled the doom of Huan, and he chose one from among the whelps of the race of Draugluin; and he fed him with his own hand upon living flesh, and put his power upon him. Swiftly the wolf grew, until he could creep into no den22, but lay huge and hungry before the feet of Morgoth. There the fire and anguish of hell entered into him, and he became filled with a devouring195 spirit, tormented, terrible, and strong. Carcharoth, the Red Maw, he is named in the tales of those days, and Anfauglir, the Jaws196 of Thirst. And Morgoth set him to lie unsleeping before the doors of Angband, lest Huan come.
Now Carcharoth espied them from afar, and he was filled with doubt; for news had long been brought to Angband that Draugluin was dead. Therefore when they approached he denied them entry, and bade them stand; and he drew near with menace, scenting197 something strange in the air about them. But suddenly some power, descended198 from of old from divine race, possessed Lъthien, and casting back her foul raiment she stood forth, small before the might of Carcharoth, but radiant and terrible. Lifting up her hand she commanded him to sleep, saying: 'O woe-begotten spirit, fall now into dark oblivion, and forget for a while the dreadful doom of life.' And Carcharoth was felled, as though lightning had smitten199 him.
Then Beren and Lъthien went through the Gate, and down the labyrinthine200 stairs; and together wrought the greatest deed that has been dared by Elves or Men. For they came to the seat of Morgoth in his nethermost201 hall that was upheld by horror, lit by fire, and filled with weapons of death and torment. There Beren slunk in wolf's form beneath his throne; but Lъthien was stripped of her disguise by the will of Morgoth, and he bent202 his gaze upon her. She was not daunted by his eyes; and she named her own name, and offered her service to sing before him, after the manner of a minstrel. Then Morgoth looking upon her beauty conceived in his thought an evil lust203, and a design more dark than any that had yet come into his heart since he fled from Valinor. Thus he was beguiled204 by his own malice, for he watched her, leaving her free for awhile, and taking secret pleasure in his thought. Then suddenly she eluded his sight, and out of the shadows began a song of such surpassing loveliness, and of such blinding power, that he listened perforce; and a blindness came upon him, as his eyes roamed to and fro, seeking her.
All his court were cast down in slumber, and all the fires faded and were quenched205; but the Silmarils in the crown on Morgoth's head blazed forth suddenly with a radiance of white flame; and the burden of that crown and of the jewels bowed down his head, as though the world were set upon it, laden with a weight of care, of fear, and of desire, that even the will of Morgoth could not support. Then Lъthien catching206 up her winged robe sprang into the air, and her voice came dropping down like rain into pools, profound and dark. She cast her cloak before his eyes, and set upon him a dream, dark as the outer Void where once he walked alone.
Suddenly he fell, as a hill sliding in avalanche207, and hurled like thunder from his throne lay prone208 upon the floors of hell. The iron crown rolled echoing from his head. All things were still.
As a dead beast Beren lay upon the ground; but Lъthien touching209 him with her hand aroused him, and he cast aside the wolf-hame. Then he drew forth the knife Angrist; and from the iron claws that held it he cut a Silmaril.
As he closed it in his hand, the radiance welled through his living flesh, and his hand became as a shining lamp; but the jewel suffered his touch and hurt him not. It came then into Beren's mind that he would go beyond his vow, and bear out of Angband all three of the Jewels of Fлanor; but such was not the doom of the Silmarils. The knife Angrist snapped, and a shard210 of the blade flying smote the cheek of Morgoth. He groaned211 and stirred, and all the host of Angband moved in sleep.
Then terror fell upon Beren and Lъthien, and they fled, heedless and without disguise, desiring only to see the light once more. They were neither hindered nor pursued, but the Gate was held against their going out; for Carcharoth had arisen from sleep, and stood now in wrath upon the threshold of Angband. Before they were aware of him, he saw them, and sprang upon them as they ran.
Lъthien was spent, and she had not time nor strength to quell212 the wolf. But Beren strode forth before her, and in his right hand he held aloft the Silmaril. Carcharoth halted, and for a moment was afraid. 'Get you gone, and fly!' cried Beren; 'for here is afire that shall consume you, and all evil things.' And he thrust the Silmaril before the eyes of the wolf.
But Carcharoth looked upon that holy jewel and was not daunted, and the devouring spirit within him awoke to sudden fire; and gaping213 he took suddenly the hand within his jaws, and he bit it off at the wrist. Then swiftly all his inwards were filled with a flame of anguish, and the Silmaril seared his accursed flesh. Howling he led before them, and the walls of the valley of the Gate echoes with the clamour of his torment. So terrible did he become in his madness that all the creatures of Morgoth that abode in that valley, or were upon any of the roads that led thither, fled far away' for he slew all living things that stood in his path, and burst from the North with ruin upon the world. Of all the terrors that came ever into Beleriand ere Angband's fall the madness of Carcharoth was the most dreadful; for the power of the Silmaril was hidden within him.
Now Beren lay in a swoon within the perilous Gate, and death drew nigh him for there was venom on the fangs214 of the wolf. Lъthien with her lips drew out the venom, and she put forth her failing power to staunch the hideous215 wound. But behind her in the depths of Angband the rumour grew of great wrath aroused. The host of Morgoth were awakened216.
Thus the quest of the Silmaril was like to have ended in ruin and despair; but in that hour above the wall of the valley three mighty birds appeared, flying northward with wings swifter than the wind. Among all birds and beasts the wandering and need of Beren had been noised, and Huan himself had bidden all things watch, that they might bring him aid. High above the realm of Morgoth Thorondor and his vassals217 soared, and seeing now the madness of the Wolf and Beren's fall they came swiftly down, even as the powers of Angband were released from the toils218 of sleep.
Then they lifted up Lъthien and Beren from the earth, and bore them aloft into the clouds. Below them suddenly thunder rolled, lightnings leaped upward, and the mountains quaked. Fire and smoke belched219 forth from Thangorodrim, and flaming bolts were hurled far abroad, falling ruinous upon the lands; and the Noldor in Hithlum trembled. But Thorondor took his way far above the earth, seeking the high roads of heaven, where the sun daylong shines unveiled and the moon walks amid the cloudless stars. Thus they passed swiftly over Dor-nu-Fauglith, and over Taur-nu-Fuin, and came above the hidden valley of Tumladen. No cloud nor mist lay there, and looking down Lъthien saw far below, as a white light starting from a green jewel, the radiance of Gondolin the fair where Turgon dwelt. But she wept, for she thought that Beren would surely die, he spoke no word, nor opened his eyes, and knew thereafter nothing of his flight. And at the last the eagles set them down upon the borders of Doriath; and they were come to that same dell whence Beren had stolen in despair and left Lъthien asleep.
There the eagles laid her at Beren's side and returned to the peaks of Crissaegrim and their high eyries; but Huan came to her, and together they tended Beren, even as before when she healed him of the wound that Curufin gave to him. But this wound was fell and poisonous. Long Beren lay, and his spirit wandered upon the dark borders of death, knowing every an anguish that pursued him from dream to dream. Then suddenly, when her hope was almost spent, he woke again, and looked up, seeing leaves against the sky; and he heard beneath the leaves singing soft and slow beside him Lъthien Tinъviel. And it was spring again.
Thereafter Beren was named Erchamion, which is the One-handed; and suffering was graven in his face. But at last he was drawn back to life by the love of Lъthien, and he arose, and together they walked in the woods once more. And they did not hasten from that place, for it seemed fair to them. Lъthien indeed was willing to wander in the wild without returning, forgetting house and people and all the glory of the Elf-kingdoms, and for a time Beren was content; but he could not for long forget his oath to return to Menegroth, nor would he withhold220 Lъthien from Thingol for ever. For he held by the law of Men, deeming it perilous to set at naught221 the will of the father, save at the last need; and is seemed also to him unfit that one so royal and fair as Lъthien should live always in the woods, as the rude hunters among Men, without home or honour or the fair things which are the delight of the queens of the Eldaliл. Therefore after a while he persuaded her, and their footsteps forsook the houseless lands; and he passed into Doriath, leading Lъthien home. So their doom willed it.
Upon Doriath evil days had fallen. Grief and silence had come upon all its people when Lъthien was lost. Long they had sought for her in vain. And it is told that in that time Daeron the minstrel of Thingol strayed from the land, and was seen no more. He it was that made music for the dance and song of Lъthien, before Beren came to Doriath; and he had loved her, and set all his thought of her in his music. He became the greatest of all the minstrels of the Elves east of the Sea, named even before Maglor son of Fлanor. But seeking for Lъthien in despair he wandered upon strange paths, and passing over the mountains he came into the East of Middle-earth, where for many ages he made lament20 beside dark waters for Lъthien, daughter of Thingol, most beautiful of all living things.
In that time Thingol turned to Melian; but now she withheld her counsel from him, saying that the doom that he had devised must work to its appointed end, and that he must wait now upon time. But Thingol learned that Lъthien had journeyed far from Doriath, for messages came secretly from Celegorm, as has been told, saying that Felagund was dead, and Beren was dead, but Lъthien was in Nargothrond, and that Celegorm would wed6 her. Then Thingol was wrathful, and he sent forth spies, thinking to make war upon Nargothrond; and thus he learned that Lъthien was again fled, and that Celegorm and Curufin were driven from Nargothrond. Then his counsel was in doubt, for he had not the strength to assail97 the seven sons of Fлanor; but he sent messengers to Himring to summon their aid in seeking for Lъthien, since Celegorm had not sent her to the house of her father, nor had he kept her safely.
But in the north of his realm his messengers met with a peril sudden and unlooked for: the onslaught of Carcharoth, the Wolf of Angband. In his madness he had run ravening222 from the north, and passing at length over Taur-nu-Fuin upon its eastern side he came down from the sources of Esgalduin like a destroying fire. Nothing hindered him, and the might of Melian upon the borders of the land stayed him not; for fate drove him, and the power of the Silmaril that he bore to his torment. Thus he burst into the inviolate woods of Doriath, and all fled away in fear. Alone of the messengers Mablung, chief captain of the King, escaped, and he brought the dread tidings to Thingol.
Even in that dark hour Beren and Lъthien returned, hastening from the west, and the news of their coming went before them like a sound of music borne by the wind into dark houses where men sit sorrowful. They came at last to the gates of Menegroth, and a great host followed them. Then Beren led Lъthien before the throne of Thingol her father; and he looked in wonder upon Beren, whom he had thought dead; but he loved him not, because of the woes223 that he had brought upon Doriath. But Beren knelt before him, and said: 'I return according to my word. I am come now to claim my own.'
And Thingol answered: 'What of your quest, and of your vow?'
But Beren said: 'It is fulfilled. Even now a Silmaril is in my hand.'
Then Thingol said: 'Show it to me!'
And Beren put forth his left hand, slowly opening its fingers; but it was empty. Then he held up his right arm; and from that hour he named himself Camlost, the Empty-handed.
Then Thingol's mood was softened224; and Beren sat before his throne upon the left, and Lъthien upon the right, and they told all the tale of the Quest, while all there listened and were filled with amazement. And it seemed to Thingol that this Man was unlike all other mortal Men, and among the great in Arda, and the love of Lъthien a thing new and strange; and he perceived that their doom might not be withstood by any power of the world. Therefore at the last he yielded his will, and Beren took the hand of Lъthien before the throne of her father.
But now a shadow fell upon the joy of Doriath at the return of Lъthien the fair; for learning of the cause of the madness of Carcharoth the people grew the more afraid, perceiving that his danger was fraught225 with dreadful power because of the holy jewel, and hardly might be overthrown226. And Beren, hearing of the onslaught of the Wolf, understood that the Quest was not yet fulfilled.
Therefore, since daily Carcharoth drew nearer to Menegroth, they prepared the Hunting of the Wolf; of all pursuits of beasts whereof tales tell the most perilous. To that chase went Huan the Hound of Valinor, and Mablung of the Heavy Hand, and Beleg Strongbow, and Beren Erchamion, and Thingol King of Doriath. They rode forth in the morning and passed over the River Esgalduin; but Lъthien remained behind at the gates of Menegroth. A dark shadow fell upon her and it seemed to her that the sun had sickened and turned black.
The hunters turned east and north, and following the course of the river they came at last upon Carcharoth the Wolf in a dark valley, down the northern side whereof Esgalduin fell in a torrent over steep falls. At the foot of the falls Carcharoth drank to ease his consuming thirst, and he howled, and thus they were aware of him, But he, espying227 their approach, rushed not suddenly to attack them. It may be that the devil's cunning of his heart awoke, being for a moment eased of his pain by the sweet waters of Esgalduin; and even as they rode towards him he slunk aside into a deep brake, and there lay hid. But they set a guard about all that place, and waited, and the shadows grew long in the forest.
Beren stood beside Thingol, and suddenly they were aware that Huan had left their side. Then a great baying awoke in the thicket228; for Huan becoming impatient and desiring to look upon this wolf had gone in alone to dislodge him. But Carcharoth avoided him, and bursting form the thorns leaped suddenly upon Thingol. Swiftly Beren strode before him with a spear, but Carcharoth swept it aside and felled him, biting at his breast. In that moment Huan leaped from the thicket upon the back of the Wolf, and they fell together fighting bitterly; and no battle of wolf and hound has been like to it, for in the baying of Huan was heard the voice of the horns of Oromл and the wrath of the Valar, but in the howls of Carcharoth was the hate of Morgoth and malice crueller than teeth of steel; and the rocks were rent by their clamour and fell from on high and choked the falls of Esgalduin. There they fought to the death; but Thingol gave no heed, for he knelt by Beren, seeing that he was sorely hurt.
Huan in that hour slew Carcharoth; but there in the woven woods of Doriath his own doom long spoken was fulfilled, and he was wounded mortally, and the venom of Morgoth entered into him. Then he came, and falling beside Beren spoke for the third time with words; and he bade Beren farewell before he died. Beren spoke not, but laid his hand upon the head of the hound, and so they parted.
Mablung and Beleg came hastening to the King's aid, but when they looked upon what was done they cast aside their spears and wept. Then Mablung took a knife and ripped up the belly229 of the Wolf; and within he was well nigh all consumed as with a fire, but the hand of Beren that held the jewel was yet incorrupt. But when Mablung reached forth to touch it, the hand was no more, and the Silmaril lay there unveiled, and the light of it filled the shadows of the forest all about hem12. Then quickly and in fear Mablung took it and set it in Beren's living hand; and Beren was aroused by the touch of the Silmaril, and held it aloft, and bade Thingol receive it. 'Now is the Quest achieved,' he said, 'and my doom full-wrought'; and he spoke no more.
They bore back Beren Camlost son of Barahir upon a bier of branches with Huan the wolfhound at his side; and night fell ere they returned to Menegroth. At the feet of Hнrilorn the great beech Lъthien met them walking slow, and some bore torches beside the bier. There she set her arms about Beren, and kissed him bidding him await her beyond the Western Sea; and he looked upon her eyes ere the spirit left him. But the starlight was quenched and darkness had fallen even upon Lъthien Tinъviel. Thus ended the Quest of the Silmaril; but the Lay of Leithian, Release form Bondage does not end.
For the spirit of Beren at her bidding tarried in the halls of Mandos, unwilling230 to leave the world, until Lъthien came to say her last farewell upon the dim shores of the Outer Sea, whence Men that die set out never to return. But the spirit of Lъthien fell down into darkness, and at the last it fled, and her body lay like a flower that is suddenly cut off and lies for a while unwithered on the grass.
Then a winter, as it were the hoar age of mortal Men, fell upon Thingol. But Lъthien came to the halls of Mandos, where are the appointed places of the Eldaliл, beyond the mansions231 of the West upon the confines of the world. There those that wait sit in the shadow of their thought. But her beauty was more than their beauty, and her sorrow deeper than their sorrows; and she knelt before Mandos and sang to him.
The song of Lъthien before Mandos was the song most fair that ever in words was woven, and the song most sorrowful that ever the world shall ever hear. Unchanged, imperishable, it is sung still in Valinor beyond the hearing of the world, and the listening the Valar grieved. For Lъthien wove two themes of words, of the sorrow of the Eldar and the grief of Men, of the Two Kindreds that were made by Ilъvatar to dwell in Arda, the Kingdom of Earth amid the innumerable stars. And as she knelt before him her tears fell upon his feet like rain upon stones; and Mandos was moved to pity, who never before was so
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1
bondage
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| n.奴役，束缚 | |
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fore
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| adv.在前面；adj.先前的；在前部的；n.前部 | |
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moors
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| v.停泊，系泊（船只）( moor的第三人称单数 ) | |
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tarn
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| n.山中的小湖或小潭 | |
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reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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wed
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| v.娶，嫁，与…结婚 | |
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thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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outlaws
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| 歹徒，亡命之徒( outlaw的名词复数 )； 逃犯 | |
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outlaw
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| n.歹徒，亡命之徒；vt.宣布…为不合法 | |
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lair
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| n.野兽的巢穴；躲藏处 | |
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rumour
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| n.谣言，谣传，传闻 | |
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hem
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| n.贴边，镶边；vt.缝贴边；(in)包围，限制 | |
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plundered
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| 掠夺，抢劫( plunder的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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Forsaken
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| adj. 被遗忘的, 被抛弃的 动词forsake的过去分词 | |
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slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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gnawed
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| 咬( gnaw的过去式和过去分词 )； （长时间） 折磨某人； （使）苦恼； （长时间）危害某事物 | |
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kin
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| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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warily
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| adv.留心地 | |
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lament
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| n.悲叹，悔恨，恸哭；v.哀悼，悔恨，悲叹 | |
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lamenting
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| adj.悲伤的，悲哀的v.（为…）哀悼，痛哭，悲伤( lament的现在分词 ) | |
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den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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snared
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| v.用罗网捕捉，诱陷，陷害( snare的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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tormented
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| 饱受折磨的 | |
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torment
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| n.折磨；令人痛苦的东西(人)；vt.折磨；纠缠 | |
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yearning
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| a.渴望的；向往的；怀念的 | |
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faltered
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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barter
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| n.物物交换，以货易货，实物交易 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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daunted
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| 使（某人）气馁，威吓( daunt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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daunt
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| vt.使胆怯，使气馁 | |
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phantom
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| n.幻影，虚位，幽灵；adj.错觉的，幻影的，幽灵的 | |
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entrap
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| v.以网或陷阱捕捉，使陷入圈套 | |
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slew
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| v.（使）旋转；n.大量，许多 | |
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peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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benighted
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| adj.蒙昧的 | |
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carrion
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| n.腐肉 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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beaks
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| n.鸟嘴( beak的名词复数 )；鹰钩嘴；尖鼻子；掌权者 | |
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ware
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| n.(常用复数)商品，货物 | |
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wraith
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| n.幽灵；骨瘦如柴的人 | |
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44
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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croaked
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| v.呱呱地叫( croak的过去式和过去分词 )；用粗的声音说 | |
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46
boulders
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| n.卵石( boulder的名词复数 )；巨砾；（受水或天气侵蚀而成的）巨石；漂砾 | |
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vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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kinsmen
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| n.家属，亲属( kinsman的名词复数 ) | |
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fen
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| n.沼泽，沼池 | |
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50
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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51
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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52
captivity
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| n.囚禁；被俘；束缚 | |
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53
imprison
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| vt.监禁，关押，限制，束缚 | |
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imprisoned
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| 下狱，监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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forsook
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| forsake的过去式 | |
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56
precipices
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| n.悬崖，峭壁( precipice的名词复数 ) | |
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precipice
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| n.悬崖，危急的处境 | |
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58
wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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mazes
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| 迷宫( maze的名词复数 )； 纷繁复杂的规则； 复杂难懂的细节； 迷宫图 | |
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foretold
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| v.预言，预示( foretell的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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doom
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| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
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woe
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| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
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glades
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| n.林中空地( glade的名词复数 ) | |
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enchantment
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| n.迷惑，妖术，魅力 | |
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mantle
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| n.斗篷，覆罩之物，罩子；v.罩住，覆盖，脸红 | |
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twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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wary
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| adj.谨慎的，机警的，小心的 | |
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lark
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| n.云雀，百灵鸟；n.嬉戏，玩笑；vi.嬉戏 | |
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bliss
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| n.狂喜，福佑，天赐的福 | |
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anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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immortal
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| adj.不朽的；永生的，不死的；神的 | |
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espied
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| v.看到( espy的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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75
slay
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| v.杀死，宰杀，杀戮 | |
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malefactor
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| n.罪犯 | |
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77
forestalling
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| v.先发制人，预先阻止( forestall的现在分词 ) | |
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majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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81
insolence
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| n.傲慢；无礼；厚颜；傲慢的态度 | |
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folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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83
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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eldest
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| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
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85
perils
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| 极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境） | |
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astounded
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| v.使震惊(astound的过去式和过去分词)；愕然；愕；惊讶 | |
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repent
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| v.悔悟，悔改，忏悔，后悔 | |
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thrall
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| n.奴隶；奴隶制 | |
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thralls
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| n.奴隶( thrall的名词复数 )；奴役；奴隶制；奴隶般受支配的人 | |
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devoured
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| 吞没( devour的过去式和过去分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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forgo
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| v.放弃，抛弃 | |
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wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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withheld
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| withhold过去式及过去分词 | |
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wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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countless
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| adj.无数的，多得不计其数的 | |
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assail
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| v.猛烈攻击，抨击，痛斥 | |
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gems
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| growth； economy； management； and customer satisfaction 增长 | |
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mightier
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| adj. 强有力的，强大的，巨大的 adv. 很，极其 | |
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lengthened
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| （时间或空间）延长，伸长( lengthen的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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meres
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| abbr.matrix of environmental residuals for energy systems 能源系统环境残留矩阵 | |
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102
fens
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| n.（尤指英格兰东部的）沼泽地带( fen的名词复数 ) | |
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103
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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104
westward
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| n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西 | |
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descried
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| adj.被注意到的，被发现的，被看到的 | |
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destitute
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| adj.缺乏的；穷困的 | |
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archers
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| n.弓箭手，射箭运动员( archer的名词复数 ) | |
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waylaid
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| v.拦截，拦路( waylay的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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plight
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| n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定 | |
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northward
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| adv.向北；n.北方的地区 | |
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Ford
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| n.浅滩，水浅可涉处；v.涉水，涉过 | |
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112
torrent
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| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
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113
disquiet
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| n.担心，焦虑 | |
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114
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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115
slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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116
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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117
vow
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| n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓 | |
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118
throng
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| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
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119
demon
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| n.魔鬼，恶魔 | |
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120
potent
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| adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的 | |
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121
inflamed
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| adj.发炎的，红肿的v.（使）变红，发怒，过热( inflame的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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122
conjuring
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| n.魔术 | |
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123
ambush
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| n.埋伏(地点)；伏兵；v.埋伏；伏击 | |
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124
venom
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| n.毒液，恶毒，痛恨 | |
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125
venomed
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| adj.恶毒的，含有恶意的 | |
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126
dart
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| v.猛冲，投掷；n.飞镖，猛冲 | |
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127
usurp
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| vt.篡夺，霸占；vi.篡位 | |
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128
steward
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| n.乘务员，服务员；看管人；膳食管理员 | |
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129
likeness
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| n.相像，相似（之处） | |
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130
waylay
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| v.埋伏，伏击 | |
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131
renowned
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| adj.著名的，有名望的，声誉鹊起的 | |
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132
snares
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| n.陷阱( snare的名词复数 )；圈套；诱人遭受失败（丢脸、损失等）的东西；诱惑物v.用罗网捕捉，诱陷，陷害( snare的第三人称单数 ) | |
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133
eluded
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| v.（尤指机敏地）避开( elude的过去式和过去分词 )；逃避；躲避；使达不到 | |
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134
backwards
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| adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地 | |
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135
foundering
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| v.创始人( founder的现在分词 ) | |
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136
swelled
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| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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137
havens
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| n.港口，安全地方( haven的名词复数 )v.港口，安全地方( haven的第三人称单数 ) | |
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138
wails
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| 痛哭，哭声( wail的名词复数 ) | |
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139
ravens
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| n.低质煤；渡鸦( raven的名词复数 ) | |
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140
rumbles
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| 隆隆声，辘辘声( rumble的名词复数 ) | |
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141
kindled
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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142
dungeons
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| n.地牢( dungeon的名词复数 ) | |
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143
beech
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| n.山毛榉；adj.山毛榉的 | |
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144
shafts
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| n.轴( shaft的名词复数 )；（箭、高尔夫球棒等的）杆；通风井；一阵（疼痛、害怕等） | |
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145
laden
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| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
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146
strands
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| n.（线、绳、金属线、毛发等的）股( strand的名词复数 )；缕；海洋、湖或河的)岸；（观点、计划、故事等的）部份v.使滞留，使搁浅( strand的第三人称单数 ) | |
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147
shrouded
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| v.隐瞒( shroud的过去式和过去分词 )；保密 | |
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148
mightiest
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| adj.趾高气扬( mighty的最高级 )；巨大的；强有力的；浩瀚的 | |
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149
scent
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| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
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150
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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151
humbled
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| adj. 卑下的，谦逊的，粗陋的 vt. 使 ... 卑下，贬低 | |
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152
wrestled
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| v.（与某人）搏斗( wrestle的过去式和过去分词 )；扭成一团；扭打；（与…）摔跤 | |
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153
redeemed
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| adj. 可赎回的，可救赎的 动词redeem的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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154
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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155
isle
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| n.小岛，岛 | |
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156
sickle
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| n.镰刀 | |
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157
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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158
fleeting
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| adj.短暂的，飞逝的 | |
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159
drowsiness
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| n.睡意；嗜睡 | |
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160
fang
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| n.尖牙，犬牙 | |
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161
overthrow
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| v.推翻，打倒，颠覆；n.推翻，瓦解，颠覆 | |
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162
forsaking
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| 放弃( forsake的现在分词 )； 弃绝； 抛弃； 摒弃 | |
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163
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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164
everlastingly
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| 永久地，持久地 | |
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165
vampire
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| n.吸血鬼 | |
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166
inviolate
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| adj.未亵渎的，未受侵犯的 | |
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167
foundered
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| v.创始人( founder的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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168
tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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169
lamented
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| adj.被哀悼的，令人遗憾的v.（为…）哀悼，痛哭，悲伤( lament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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170
maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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171
dominion
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| n.统治，管辖，支配权；领土，版图 | |
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172
bind
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| vt.捆，包扎；装订；约束；使凝固；vi.变硬 | |
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173
repudiated
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| v.（正式地）否认( repudiate的过去式和过去分词 )；拒绝接受；拒绝与…往来；拒不履行（法律义务） | |
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174
shunning
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| v.避开，回避，避免( shun的现在分词 ) | |
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175
relinquish
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| v.放弃，撤回，让与，放手 | |
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176
swerving
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| v.（使）改变方向，改变目的( swerve的现在分词 ) | |
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177
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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178
throttled
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| v.扼杀( throttle的过去式和过去分词 )；勒死；使窒息；压制 | |
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179
swerved
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| v.（使）改变方向，改变目的( swerve的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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180
slaying
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| 杀戮。 | |
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181
despoiled
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| v.掠夺，抢劫( despoil的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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182
cleave
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| v．(clave；cleaved)粘着，粘住；坚持；依恋 | |
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183
worthier
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| 应得某事物( worthy的比较级 )； 值得做某事； 可尊敬的； 有（某人或事物）的典型特征 | |
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184
malice
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| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
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185
smote
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| v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去式 ) | |
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186
lissom
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| adj.柔软的，轻快而优雅的 | |
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187
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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188
dissuade
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| v.劝阻，阻止 | |
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189
creased
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| （使…）起折痕，弄皱( crease的过去式和过去分词 )； （皮肤）皱起，使起皱纹； 皱皱巴巴 | |
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190
chasms
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| 裂缝( chasm的名词复数 )； 裂口； 分歧； 差别 | |
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191
writhing
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| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的现在分词 ) | |
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192
fowl
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| n.家禽，鸡，禽肉 | |
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193
aisles
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| n. (席位间的)通道, 侧廊 | |
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194
unleashed
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| v.把（感情、力量等）释放出来，发泄( unleash的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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195
devouring
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| 吞没( devour的现在分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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196
jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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197
scenting
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| vt.闻到（scent的现在分词形式） | |
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198
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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199
smitten
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| 猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去分词 ) | |
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200
labyrinthine
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| adj.如迷宫的；复杂的 | |
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201
nethermost
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| adj.最下面的 | |
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202
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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203
lust
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| n.性(淫)欲；渴(欲)望；vi.对…有强烈的欲望 | |
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204
beguiled
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| v.欺骗( beguile的过去式和过去分词 )；使陶醉；使高兴；消磨（时间等） | |
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205
quenched
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| 解（渴）( quench的过去式和过去分词 )； 终止（某事物）； （用水）扑灭（火焰等）； 将（热物体）放入水中急速冷却 | |
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206
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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207
avalanche
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| n.雪崩，大量涌来 | |
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208
prone
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| adj.(to)易于…的，很可能…的；俯卧的 | |
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209
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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210
shard
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| n.（陶瓷器、瓦等的）破片，碎片 | |
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211
groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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212
quell
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| v.压制，平息，减轻 | |
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213
gaping
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| adj.口的；张口的；敞口的；多洞穴的v.目瞪口呆地凝视( gape的现在分词 )；张开，张大 | |
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214
fangs
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| n.（尤指狗和狼的）长而尖的牙( fang的名词复数 )；（蛇的）毒牙；罐座 | |
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215
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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216
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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217
vassals
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| n.奴仆( vassal的名词复数 )；（封建时代）诸侯；从属者；下属 | |
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218
toils
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| 网 | |
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219
belched
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| v.打嗝( belch的过去式和过去分词 )；喷出，吐出；打（嗝）；嗳（气） | |
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220
withhold
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| v.拒绝，不给；使停止，阻挡 | |
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221
naught
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| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
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222
ravening
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| a.贪婪而饥饿的 | |
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223
woes
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| 困境( woe的名词复数 )； 悲伤； 我好苦哇； 某人就要倒霉 | |
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224
softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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225
fraught
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| adj.充满…的，伴有(危险等)的；忧虑的 | |
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226
overthrown
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| adj. 打翻的，推倒的，倾覆的 动词overthrow的过去分词 | |
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227
espying
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| v.看到( espy的现在分词 ) | |
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228
thicket
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| n.灌木丛，树林 | |
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229
belly
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| n.肚子，腹部；(像肚子一样)鼓起的部分，膛 | |
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230
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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231
mansions
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| n.宅第，公馆，大厦( mansion的名词复数 ) | |
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