Beren and Lúthien

The tale turns back to Beren, son of Barahir, of the House of Bëor. He is the lone outlaw after his father's death and wandered four in the woods of Dorthonion. He has befriended all the animals and killed no living thing save the servants of Morgoth. He did not fear death, only capture and imprisonment. Morgoth put on his head equal to that of Fingon, now High King of the Noldor. Sauron sent an army into the woods to find him. Werewolves are included in the hunt. Here is Tolkien's description: "...fell beasts inhabited by dreadful spirits that he had imprisoned in their bodies" (The Simarillion, p. 164). Sauron is quite the sorcerer now and I get the idea that he possessed these wolves with demon spirits if you will.

Beren was forced to leave his home country. He traveled through Ered Gorgoroth. That land, known as the Mountains of Terror, where the deadly combination of the sorcery of Sauron, the Girdle of Melian, and the offspring of Ungoliant dwelled. For Beren to make it through alive was a great feat indeed. He made his way through the mazes of Melian, just as she foretold. He espied Lúthien, daughter of Thingol and Melian, in the woods. The Lay of Leithian tells of their lives and is a great song of the old days. Though it happened toward the end of the First Age it was still remembered at the end of the Third Age, Peter Jackson paid homage to the complex history of Middle-earth in this scene of the extended Fellowship of the Ring. Beren was overcome by her beauty she being the most beautiful of all the Children of Illúvatar. Eventually he called out to her and she loved him: "...in his fate Lúthien was caught, and being immortal she shared in his mortality, and being free received his chain..." (p. 165-166, The Silmarillion). 

For a brief time they wandered the woods together in great joy. But Daeron, a minstrel in Thingol's service, who loved Lúthien found them and told the King who was greatly angered. Thingol questioned his daughter who would not speak until he promised not to kill or imprison Beren. Then she led him before the King. An intense dialogue takes place with Beren finally revealing his intentions: "'Neither rock, nor steel, nor the fires of Morgoth, nor the powers of the Elf-kingdoms, shall keep me from the treasure that I desire. For Lúthien your daughter is the fairest of all the Children of the World'" (p. 166, The Silmarillion). Thingol responded in anger and insult implying Beren would be dead for such words had he not made a hasty promise to his daughter.

Beren said he would accept death but not insult, holding aloft the Ring of Barahir, which his father had earned in service to Finrod. "For this ring was like twin serpants, whose eyes were emeralds, and their heads met beneath a crown of golden flowers, that the one upheld and the other devoured; that was the badge of Finarfin's house" (p. 167, The Silmarillion). Another insight into the depth of history of Middle-earth. This very ring would be passed down through the ages to the kings of men. Here is a screenshot from Fellowship of the Ring, Aragorn wearing the Ring of Barahir. I love the detail Peter Jackson put into his movies.

Thingol looked on in silence thinking about his daughter, "'Unhappy Men, children of little lords and brief kings, shall such as these lay hands on you, and yet live?'" (p. 167, The Silmarillion). Apparently Thingol did not think about the similarity of meeting his wife Melian? After all she was Maiar and he of Elf-kind. He answered Beren, "'I too desire a treasure witheld. 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 daunt you. Go your way therefore! Bring to me in your hand a Silmaril from Morgoth's crown; and then, if she will, Lúthien may set her hand in yours'" (p. 167, The Silmarillion).

Wow. Thingol has got himself quite a plan. He already promised he can't put Beren to death. But why not send him to certain death by seeking an unclaimable bride-price? To retrieve a Silmaril from the crown of Morgoth? Beren was undaunted: "'For little price do Elven-kings sell their daughters: for gems, 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'" (p. 168, The Silmarillion). And he began his journey for the love of Lúthien. Love is a powerful motivator. Melian being wise with foresight said to Thingol: "'...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 doomed either your daughter or yourself. And now is Doriath drawn within the fate of a mighter realm'" (p. 168, The Silmarillion). Thingol saw no chance of Beren's return but failed to see that he had become ensnared in the Doom of Mandos by seeking a Silmaril. Lúthien no longer wandered the woods or sang.

Middle-earth timeline: First Age, 464
Today's reading comes from: The Silmarillion, page 164-168