Lay of Leithian: Canto Fourteen

Canto fourteen is the last piece of the Lay of Leithian and it ends rather abruptly. It clearly is not the end of the story but Tolkien would go no further in his writing of of the poetic version. (There were plot outlines and a few snippets of stanzas but nothing substantial). O that he would have finished it.

While I admit poetry is not my preferred form of writing I have really enjoyed pouring through the Lay of Leithian and even with some 4200+ rhyming lines I find it more epic and moving than sing-song child's play. I'll end with the very last lines as Beren bravely defends his love from Carcharoth, now awakened from his enchanted sleep:

"Too swift for thought his onset came,

too swift for any spell to tame;

and Beren desperate then aside

thrust Lúthien, and forth did stride

unarmed, defenceless to defend

Tinúviel to the end.

With left he caught at hairy throat,

with right hand at the eyes he smote--

his right, from which the radiance welled

of the holy Silmaril he held.

As gleam of swords in fire there flashed

the fangs of Carcharoth, and crashed

together like a trap, that tore

the hand about the wrist, and shore

through brittle bone and sinew nesh,

devouring the frail mortal flesh;

and in that cruel mouth unclean

engulfed the jewel's holy sheen"

(p. 307-308, The Lays of Beleriand).

Bravery bravery's sake in the face of impossible odds. Honor defined by keeping your word against impossible odds (Lúthien even suggest that she and Beren should run away together; but he had made a vow to Thingol). Love that is staunch, unfailing, and sacrificial. Beren and Lúthien.

Lay of Leithian: Canto Thirteen

We are almost to the end of The Lay of Leithian as Beren and Lúthien make their way to the very throne room of Morgoth. A hideous place inhabited by Balrogs, Orcs, Wolves, and other beasts. But most intimidating of all, most lethal of all, was the Dark Lord himself. Almost instantly Morgoth recognized the two new arrivals were not what they seemed though his attention was riveted on the flittering bat. Morgoth exposed Lúthien for who she was and found himself in the presence of the fairest form in Middle-earth whom he had long desired. (There are several curious references in the Lay which recount Morgoth sending out a party of Orcs, led by Boldog, to find her when rumors circulated she was abroad). And though we will never know exactly what his intentions were Canto Thirteen gives us a glimpse of his thoughts:

"'And here of need thou shalt remain

now, Lúthien, in joy or pain--

or pain, the fitting doom for all,

for rebel, thief, and upstart thrall.

Why should ye not in our fate share

of woe and travail? Or should I spare

to slender limb and body frail

breaking torment? Of what avail

here dost thou deem thy babbling song

and foolish laughter? Minstrels strong

are at my call. Yet I will give

a respite brief, a while to live,

a little while, though purchased dear,

to Lúthien the fair and clear, 

a pretty toy for idle hour.

In slothful gardens many a flower

like the the amorous gods are used

honey-sweet to kiss, and cast then bruised,

their fragrance loosing, under feet.

But here we seldom find such sweet

amid our labours long and hard, 

from godlike-idleness debarred.

And who would not taste the honey-sweet

lying to lips, or crush with feet

the soft cool tissue of pale flowers,

eating like gods the dragging hours?

A! curse the Gods! O hunger dire,

O blinding thirst's unending fire!

One moment shall ye cease, and slake

your sting with morsel I here take!'"

(p. 299-300, The Lays of Beleriand). 

And with brazen hand he reached for her but she evaded him saying she first had a song for him. As she flitted and sang around the room all became drowsy and dropped into deep sleep. Last to fall was Morgoth himself who could not resist Lúthien's arts. His crown, with Silmarils three, rolled on the floor as he drifted into enchanted sleep. Spent from using all her magics Lúthien woke Beren who had snuck toward the throne and he cut one Silmaril from the throne. He tried for a second but his knife broke and struck Morgoth who groaned but did not wake. In fear they left that hideous place with the jewel Thingol had requested.

Lay of Leithian: Canto Twelve

I love how Tolkien interweaves his "history" into every story. This is the Lay of Leithian; the tale of Beren and Lúthien. And yet Canto Twelve opens years earlier and recounts the fight between the Elvish High King Fingolfin and Morgoth. True, Beren and Lúthien would need to cross the pitted plains where the two fought and Tolkien uses that little piece for another rousing battle in this poem. This poetry is epic. And so fun to read.

My focus, however, is Carcharoth, the Red Maw. Morgoth's great demon-wolf bred with one purpose in mind: the destruction of Huan. The Hound of Valinor's demise was prophesied to come about by the greatest wolf to roam Middle-earth. Dragluin, the father of wolves, who's hide Beren wields, failed. Thú, in his pride, took wolf form to gain glory by defeating Huan and only escaped by giving up his fortress to Lúthien. But Carcharoth is another story. It is he that Beren and Lúthien meet at the gates of Angband. It is he that stands in their way of the quest. And he is an intimidating being:

"Then Morgoth of Huan's fate bethought

long-rumoured, and in dark he wrought.

Fierce hunger-haunted packs he had

that in wolvish form and flesh were clad,

but demon spirits dire did hold;

and ever wild their voices rolled

in cave and mountain where they housed

and endless snarling echoes roused.

From those a whelp he chose and fed

with his own hand on bodies dead,

of fairest flesh of Elves and Men,

til huge he grew and in his den

no more could creep, but by the chair

of Morgoth's self would lie and glare,

nor suffer Balrog, Orc, nor beast

to touch him. Many a ghastly feast

he held beneath that awful throne,

rending flesh and gnawing bone.

There deep enchantment on him fell,

the anguish and the power of hell;

more great and terrible he became

with fire-red eyes and jaws aflame,

with breath like vapours of the grave, 

than any beast of wood or cave,

than any beast of earth or hell

that ever in any time befell,

surpassing all his race and kin,

the ghastly tribe of Draugluin"

(p, 288-289, The Lays of Beleriand).

Carcharoth would suffer no Balrog to touch him? Are you kidding me? The shadow and flame that took Gandalf on the bridge of Khazad-dum wouldn't mess with this wolf? Wow. In The Silmarillion you get the idea that Carcharoth is one bad dude--but this takes him to a whole other level. If you are not a dog person I am sorry. Let the nightmares begin.

Lay of Leithian: Canto Eleven

Just as Beren is ready to forsake his life and march into the Morgoth's evil lands Huan and Lúthien find him. She will not leave her man; though he has long tried to dissuade her from following him knowing the evil paths he will tread. Lúthien's devotion outmatches her physical beauty. Huan gives counsel a second time which they heed. Lúthien uses her Elvish arts to disguise herself and Beren and wolf and bat messengers of Thû. I cannot remember the use of so much magical powers by Elves in any other story of Tolkien's. I wonder why it's so prominent here. Alas; I move one. Her arts are keen (as they should be; being the daughter of Melian):

"Swift as the wolvish coat he wore, 

Beren lay slavering on the floor,

redtongued and hungry; but there lies

a pain and longing in his eyes,

a look of horror as he sees

a batlike form crawl to its knees

and drag its creased and creaking wings.

Then howling under moon he springs

fourfooted, swift, from stone to stone, 

from hill to plain - but not alone; 

a dark shape down the slope doth skim, 

and wheeling flitters over him" 

(p. 280, The Lays of Beleriand).

Lay of Leithian: Canto Ten

Canto ten follows Beren and Lúthien following his dramatic rescue. They wander a while together, basking in love, with their trusty companion Huan. Eventually they find their way to the outskirts of Doriath but not before being intercepted by Celegorm and Curifun. The brothers were unceremoniously run out of Nargothrand after captives return from Thú's isle telling how a maiden dared what they would not: to rescue Beren and Felagund.

The brothers bore down on the lovers with the intent of killing Beren and kidnapping Lúthien. They were foiled by the bravery of Beren and Huan. But an arrow shot in retreat smote Beren in the chest as he bravely protected Lúthien. Lúthien and Huan are able to save him despite the grievous wound and the Canto ends with Beren leaving Lúthien asleep in Huan's care taking up his quest for the Silmaril.

Alas, my quote from the Lay has nothing to do with the action. Rather I was moved at the very beginning in a stanza that reflects on Felagund:

"The isle in Sirion they left behind;

but there on hill-top might one find

a green grave, a stone set, 

and there lie white bones yet

of Felagund, on Finrod's son -

unless that land is changed and gone,

of foundered in unfathomed seas,

while Felagund laughs beneath the trees

in Valinor, and comes no more

to this grey world of tears and war"

(p. 260, The Lays of Beleriand).

I love the picture of Felagund laughing in the blessed land no longer burdened by a world of tears and war. Reminds of Heaven where God will wipe away every tear and the burdens of this world will fade away. Come, Lord Jesus, I want to be laughing beneath the trees.

Lay of Leithian: Canto Nine

We view the great rescue of Beren by Lúthien and Huan in canto nine. First Felagund sacrifices his life (only he and Beren remain of the 12 who left Nargothrond) to save Beren from the jaws of a wolf. As Beren chants fighting songs over his dead body Lúthien and Haun arrive and she begins to sing back. This causes Thú to dispatch his wolves, Draugluin included, included. Each was slain by Huan. Lastly Thû took wolf shape thinking in his pride he would kill Huan but the hound of Valinor was not to meet his end this day. Capturing Thû in a death vice Lúthien demanded the key to his fortress:

"'O demon dark, O phantom vile

of foulness wrought, of lies and guile, 

here shalt thou die, thy spirit roam

quaking back to thy master's home

his scorn and fury to endure;

thee he will in the bowels immure

of groaning earth, and in a hole 

everlastingly thy naked soul

shall wail and gibber--this shall be,

unless the keys thou render me

of the black fortress, and the spell

that bindeth stone to stone thou tell,

and speak the words of opening.'"

(p. 253-254, The Lays of Beleriand)

Thû gave up the spells and Lúthien cast down the walls enabling her to reunite with Beren, her love, when all hope seemed to be gone. 

As an aside, in the midst of the walls coming down it is told that Thû took bat form and flew to Taur-na-Fuin, the forest of Deadly Nightshade, to build a stronghold there. This is a connection to The Hobbit which Professor Tolkien would have been writing in approximately the same time frame as The Lay of Leithian. How deliberate the connection cannot be said as Tolkien often borrowed from himself when writing his stories. But Taur-na-Fuin bears a striking resemblance to Mirkwood as does the evil wizard Thû to the Necromancer (later Sauron). It can be seen that Mr. Baggins of Bag End may have walked to the brink of the Eldar Days along his way to the edge of the Wild. 

Lay of Leithian: Canto Eight

I love the beginning of the eighth canto as it introduces us to the Hound of Valinor: Huan. It's a brief, cool, look at his whelp beginning to his coming to Celegorm, one of Fëanor's sons. The canto weaves it's way to present time as the brothers Celegorm and Curufin under the guise of hunting Thû's wolves come across Lúthien (it is Huan who finds her). The brothers were hoping to win news of Felagund's plight (why else would Thû's wolves be abroad) and found much more. Quickly the crafty brothers devise a way they might use Lúthien to fulfill their desires (in more ways than one). Lúthien accepts the brothers "help" but not with out suspicion. Of course, Huan is a whelp no longer and senses something is up:

"To Nargothrond they with them bore

Lúthien, whose heart misgave her sore.

Delay she feared; each moment pressed

upon her spirit, yet she guessed

they rode not swiftly as they might.

Ahead leaped Huan day and night,

and ever looking back his thought

was troubled. What his master sought,

and why he rode not like the fire,

why Curufin looked with hot desire

on Lúthien, he pondered deep,

and felt some evil shadow creep

of ancient curse o'er Elfinesse.

His heart was torn for the distress

of Beren bold, and Lúthien dear,

and Felagund who knew no fear."

(p. 241, The Lays of Beleriand)

After detaining Lúthien (in hopes to gain the kingdom of Nargothrond and force Thingol to give his daughter to Curufin) Huan sides with the Elf maiden. Speaking for the first time (of three only) to plan and aid in Lúthien's escape. 

Lay of Leithian: Canto Seven

Another very intense Canto is found in number seven. Beren, Felagund, and ten other Elven warriors are making the treacherous journey to Angband. Along the way they come across a band of 30 Orcs and quickly ambush them and leaving none alive. And what happens next I do not recall in the published Silmarillion. Felagund uses his powers to disguise he and his comrades as Orcs.

"Then Felagund a spell did sing

of changing and of shifting shape;

their ears grew hideous, and agape

their mouths did start, and like a fang

each tooth became, as slow he sang.

Their Gnomish raiment then they hid, 

and one by one behind him slid, 

behind a foul and goblin thing

that once was elven-fair and king"

(p. 226, The Lays of Beleriand). 

Continuing their journey they are stopped by the suspicious Thû, lord of the werewolves of the Wizard's Isle. Thû is most definitely Sauron at this point. He summons this odd band of Orcs and questions them for news finding them to know things they should not and not know things they should. Thû happens to mention Lúthien and how his master Morgoth desires her. Thû is perplexed that these Orcs did not laugh at Morgoth's desire to defile that fair Elven maid; and one of the twelve looked particularly angered. This begins a magical showdown between Thû and Felagund singing songs of revelation and concealment; but Thû proves stronger revealing the true forms of the twelve and imprisoning them to feed his wolves form time to time. Canto seven was very action packed to say the least. 

Lay of Leithian: Canto Six

Canto six jumps back chronologically. We find Beren on his journey before his imprisonment making his way through the guarded realm of Nargothrond. Only the ring of Barahir saves him from instant death from the guards of that secret league. But seeing who he was the Elves took Beren to King Felagund who heard his plight.

"This Fegund in wonder heard, 

and heavily spake at last this word:

'It seems that Thingol doth desire

thy death. The everlasting fire

of those enchanted jewels all know

is cursed with an oath of endless woe,

and Fëanor's sons alone by right

are lords and masters of their light.

He cannot hope within his hoard

to keep this gem, nor is he lord

of all the folk of Elfinesse.

And yet thou saist for nothing less

can thy return to Doriath

be purchased? Many a dreadful path

in sooth there lies before thy feet--

and after Morgoth, still a fleet

untiring hate, as I know well,

would hunt thee from heaven unto hell.

Fëanor's sons would, if they could, 

slay thee or ever thou reached his wood

or laid in Thingol's lap that fire, 

or gained at least they sweet desire.

Lo! Celegorm and Curufin

here dwell this very realm within,

and even though I, Finrod's son, 

am king, a mighty power have won

many of their own folk lead. 

Friendship to me in every need

they yet have shown, but much I fear

that to Beren son of Barahir

mercy or love they will not show

if once thy dreadful quest they know.'"

(p. 215-216, The Lays of Beleriand).

Indeed, Felagund was spot on. Once he announced to his people Beren's request and his plan to aid Barahir's son Celegorm and Curufin (sons of Fëanor) turned the people against the king. Felagund turned over his crown to his brother (Orodreth) and left with significantly less help than should have been. 

Lay of Leithian: Canto Five

In the next stage of The Lay of Lethian Lúthien goes to her mother Melian to ask of news of Beren who has been long away. Melian reveals he is imprisoned by the Lord of Wolves. Lúthein resolves to rescue her love and asks her friend Dairon to help. He vows to protect her but she misunderstands--as Dairon went directly to Thingol betraying Lúthien's trust to warn the King of her plans. Thingol is distraught and has a house built in a large tree where Lúthien is taken. The ladders are removed and there is no way down.

There Lúthien stays but her thoughts are ever with Beren and she simply cannot leave him in danger. She devises a plan and coyly asks for several items from her wardens (Dairon included) to begin creating a magical escape (being the daughter of Melian the Maia she understood magics better than most). We will pick up the poem as she is singing her magical song:

"...And all the names of things

tallest and longest on earth she sings:

the locks of the Longbeard dwarves; the tail

of Draugluin the werewolf pale;

the body of Glómund the great snake;

the vast upsoaring peaks that quake

above the fires in Angband's gloom;

the chain Angainor that ere Doom

for Morgoth shall by Gods be wrought

of steel and torment. Names she sought,

and sang of Glend the sword of Nan;

of Gilim the giant of Eruman;

and last and longest named she then

the endless hair of Uinen,

the Lady of the Sea, that lies

through all the waters under skies"

(p. 205, The Lays of Beleriand).

Essentially, Lúthien sings a song of growth and sleep (I didn't quote that part) over her hair and it grows  super long. She is able to weave it into a ladder, of sorts, and swing it down from her tree house putting the guards to sleep and allowing her to climb down and escape. A very good plan by Lúthien, indeed. 

We can see in this small quotation some characters that remain in the published works (names may be slightly altered): Draugluin and Glómund. But we are also introduced to a couple of giants--Nan and Gilim--who appear no where else. I would like some Middle-earth stories featuring giants please (although it could be argued that that's exactly what the Ents are)!

Lay of Leithian: Canto Four

Well, I've taken a little blogging hiatus for a family vacation and recovery (it was super fun but non-stop). Canto number four is simply amazing. It picks up just after Beren and Lúthien's first meeting (with Beren quite distraught that she is gone) and ends with Beren leaving Thingol's hall vowing to bring back a Silmaril form Morgoth's crown to win Lúthien's hand in marriage. Such a little price for so fair a maiden says the Man. Thingol feels quite confident he has seen the last of this troublemaker.

Everything in between is intense. The back and forth between Thingol and Beren, Dairon's reveal of Beren's  presence in Doriath, Lúthien's love for Beren. I particularly enjoyed Beren's reveal of the Ring of Barahir. Every line of Canto four is powerful in my opinion--I would encourage you to read it. And I rather feel I am short changing it picking one of the shortest stanzas with in Canto four. But, it encapsulates the story of Beren and Lúthien in just a few lines. It comes from the beginning of Canto four as Beren is still upset that Lúthien has seemingly disappeared:

"And thus in anguish Beren paid

for that great doom upon him laid,

the deathless love of Lúthien, 

too fair for love of mortal Men;

and in his doom was Lúthien snared, 

the deathless in his dying shared;

and Fate them forged a binding chain

of living love and mortal pain" 

(p. 184, The Lays of Beleriand).

I think that is a powerful piece of poetry right there. Think about it--a binding chain of living love and mortal pain. It's was the best of love relationships are really. Sharing the joyous high's of deep love and the valley's of pain together that life throws your way. May you find that in your life. 

Lay of Leithian: Canto Three

In my original chronological read through Tolkien's Middle-earth mythology the thought process of Thingol always gave me pause. I wondered how the King could be so upset about a Man pursuing his daughter (beyond the whole protective dad thing--I get that, I have a little girl). Apparently Thingol felt a man unworthy--and yet he himself married a Maiar; an angelic divine being. Even being immortal Elf that seems like a reach. Canto three of Leithian drives this point home (whether Tolkien intended to or not). For it begins with Thingol and Melian's first meeting and ends with Beren and Lúthien's first meeting--back-to-back in a few short stanza's rather than ages and pages in a chronological read.

I was tempted to include excerpts from both meetings but chose Thingol and Melian. Mainly because lots of time and effort is spent on the relationship between Man and Elf (and it was a big deal) and because of that I think it's easy to overlook the relationship between Elf and Maia. So here goes:

"Thus Thingol sailed not on the seas

but dwelt amid the land of trees, 

and Melian he loved, divine,

whose voice was potent as the wine

the Valar drink in golden halls

where flower blooms and fountain falls;

but when she sang it was a spell,

and no flower stirred nor fountain fell.

A king and queen thus lived they long,

and Doriath was filled with song,

and all the Elves that missed their way

and never found the western bay,

the gleaming walls of their long home

by the grey seas and the white foam,

who never trod the golden land

where the towers of the Valar stand, 

all these were gathered in their realm

beneath the beech and oak and elm."

(p. 173, The Lays of Beleriand)

We will see later in this Lay that Lúthien takes after her mother as her voice, too, was a potent spell. Thingol has no desire to return to Valinor seeing the light of that blessed land in his divine queen and as the Lay says their realm was a beacon for many Elves who missed the journey to the West. One last quick note: we see a brief cameo of Tinfang Warble in canto three as Dairon and his piping is introduced. What a fun little Elf.

Lay of Leithian: Canto Two

The second cannot of the Lay of Leithien introduces Morgoth, Barahir, and Beren. It seems that Beren as finally made the transition to the race of Men after first appearing as an Elf in the Lost Tales. This canto moves from line 99 to 400 and is remarkably close in detail to the published Silmarillion story. Barahir and his bound of outlaws are ultimately betrayed by one of their own (Gorlim). Beren, by fortunate fate, is away and not slaughtered. Being told of what happened by the wraith of Gorlim Beren seeks out his father's murderers--which is where we pick up:

"Then over fen and fields and mountain

he followed, till beside a fountain

up gushing hot from fires below

he found the slayers and his foe,

the murderous soldiers of the king. 

And one there laughed, and showed a ring,

he took from Barahir's dead hand.

'This ring in far Beleriand,

now mark ye, mates,' he said, 'was wrought.

Its like with gold could not be bought,

for this same Barahir I slew, 

this robber fool, they say, did do

a deed of service long ago

for Felagund. It may be so;

for Morgoth bade me bring it back,

and yet, methinks, he has no lack

of weightier treasure in his hoard.

Such greed befits not such a lord, 

and I am minded to declare

the hand of Barahir was bare!'

Yet as he spake an arrow sped;

with riven heart he crumpled dead.

Thus Morgoth loved that his own foe

should in his service deal the blow

that punished the breaking of his word.

But Morgoth laughed not when he heard

that Beren like a wolf alone

sprang madly from behind a stone

amid that camp beside the well, 

and seized the ring, and ere the yell

of wrath and rage had left their throat

had fled his foes. His gleaming coat

was made of rings of steel no shaft

could pierce, a web of dwarfish craft;

and he was lost in rock and thorn

for in charméd hour was Beren born;

their hungry hunting never learned

the way his fearless feet had turned"

(p. 165-166, The Lays of Beleriand)

I love how Beren catches the Orcs unawares. I can imagine his rage growing within as he hears one boast of killing Barahir, his father, and contemplating taking the precious Elvish ring for himself. What irony: Morgoth joyous to hear of the swift death of one that would dare betray him only to find out the cur's slayer was none other than Beren, son of Barahir, the right heir to his particular ring. A juicy bit of story right there.

Lay of Leithian: Canto One

Canto One consists of 98 lines and gives us an introduction to several people: Thingol, Lúthien, and Dairon. But of the three I will focus on Lúthien. The most beautiful Elf of all Elves: graceful, strong, joyful, and faithful. I think it's pretty sweet that Tolkien referred to his wife as Lúthien and I wonder how much of her influenced what he wrote about Thingol's only child. I will pick up the description from lines 27 through 40:

"Her robe was blue as summer skies, 

but grey as evening were her eyes;

'twas sewn with golden lilies fair,

but dark as shadow was her hair.

Her feet were light as bird on wing, 

her laughter lighter than the spring;

the slender willow, the bowing reed,

the fragrance of a towering mead,

the light upon leaves of trees,

the voice of water, more than these

her beauty was and blissfulness, 

her glory and her loveliness;

and her the king more dear did prize

than hand or heart or light of eyes" 

(p. 155, The Lays of Beleriand)

I love the line about her beauty was and blissfulness her glory and loveliness. That is a powerful line. I am reminded of the Proverbs: that he that finds a wife finds what is good. I want to cherish my wife's beauty and competence (she's real good at whatever she does; full of joy too, but this word comes to my mind first) which are her glory and loveliness. 

So there is the intro to Lúthien in Canto One. Most of Tolkien's characters are masculine but those feminine characters he introduces are full of such honor, strength, and loveliness they leave a lasting impression. 

The Lay of Leithian

The remainder of the third book of The History of Middle-earth focuses on one large poem by J.R.R. Tolkien. Between the poem and commentaries over 200 pages are devoted to the poem of Beren and Lúthien. It also includes a very interesting critique of the poem by C.S. Lewis. It is an immense and fascinating work written in octosyllabic couplets--I've learned a thing or two about poetry in this book with the help of my neighbor (A Shakespearean who hales from England) and Christopher Tolkien's commentaries--though I am no expert. It rhymes, which makes it somewhat easier for me to read although it can get a little singsongy if one is not careful.

Uncharacteristically Tolkien dated his work throughout the creation of the this particular lay and wrote it between 1925-1931. It reaches a massive 4200+ lines written in 14 cantos. And perhaps most mind boggling is: it was not completed. The poem peters out just after the great Hell-wolf Carcharoth snapped off Beren's hand holding the Silmaril. And for those that know Beren and Lúthien's tale there is was much to come after this point.

Perhaps a unique way to show the massiveness of this poem is to simply quote it's title from the "B" text"

"The

GEST

of

BEREN son of BARAHIR

and 

LÚTHIEN the FAY

called

TINÚVIEL the NIGHTINGALE

or the

LAY OF LEITHIAN

Release from Bondage" (p. 153, The Lays of Beleriand).

While Christopher Tolkien does an excellent job of commenting on the textual history of the Lay and how it advances the big mythological picture I will not be focused on such things. Rather in my next several (14 to be exact) posts I will simply highlight a stanza from the Lay that I find moving, interesting, informative, etc. 

Poems Abandoned: Flight of the Noldoli

The next section of The Lays of Beleriand lays out several other poems that were started but abandoned rather quickly by Tolkien.

The first is The Flight of the Noldoli From Valinor and is also in alliterative verse as The Lay of the Children of Húrin. Although only carried through to approximately 150 lines this poem, in my opinion, had a lot of potential. As Christopher Tolkien noted perhaps the most interesting fact about this poem is we see, for the first time in the legendarium, the Oath of Fëanor:

"'Be he friend or foe or foul offspring
of Morgoth Bauglir, be he mortal dark
that in after days or earth shall dwell,
shall no law nor love nor league of Gods,
no might nor mercy, not moveless fate,
defend him for ever from fierce vengeance
of the sons of Fëanor, who seize or steal
or finding keep the fair enchanted
globes of crystal who glory dies not,
the Silmarils. We have sworn forever!'" (p. 135, The Lays of Beleriand).

The Lay of the Children of Húrin

The third book in the History of Middle-earth series is The Lays of Beleriand. The focus of this book is J.R.R. Tolkien's attempts at applying his mythologies to verse. In many cases these poems were written just after the Lost Tales we have already explored. And these are big epic poems: think Beowulf.

The first poem is The Lay of the Children of Húrin. This poem stretch to some 2275 lines before Tolkien abandoned it. Christopher Tolkien notes, in may places, how this poem differed from the published prose stories: for example Túrin's sister is born before he goes to Thingol in the Lay; not after as in the narrative. He also points out how the poem advanced the Tales as they were first written: for example Túrin's band of outlaws captures and tortures Beleg which was not present in the Tale.

Interestingly Tolkien tried his hand at alliterative verse for the Húrin Lay which gives it a nice flow and for the most part the alliteration does not seem too forced. I'll quote a couple of passages to give you a taste:

"To assuage his sorrow and to sate the rage
and hate of his heart for the hurts of his folks
then Húrin's son took the helm of his sire
and weapons weighty for the wielding of men
and went to the woods with warlike Elves;
and far in the fight his feet led him,
into black battle yet a boy in years" (p. 16, The Lays of Beleriand).

And later:

"Then Dailir he drew, his dart beloved;
howso far fared it, or fell unnoted,
unsought he found it with sound feathers
and barbs unbroken (till it broke at last);
and fleet bade he fly that feather-pinioned
snaketonguéd shaft, as he snicked the string
in the notch nimbly, and with naked arm
to his ear drew it. The air whistled,
and the tingling string twanged behind it,
soundless a sentinel sank before it--
there was one of the wolves that awakened no more.
Now arrows after he aimed swiftly
that missed not their mark and meted silent
death in the darkness dreadly stinging
till three of the wolves with throats piercéd,
and four had fallen with fleet wingéd
arrows a-quivering in their quenchéd eyes" (p. 42, The Lays of Beleriand).

It's poetry like this that helps me appreciate the genre. These lays would have been something to behold had Tokien decided to complete them. It seemed he had many ideas regarding his earliest writings: determining how they could connect to the history of his beloved England, how Men came to know of the trials of the Elves, rewriting as prose, rewriting as narrative, additions, subtractions, character and geographical changes that he worked on from 1916ish to his death in 1973.

The End of the Lost Tales: The Aelfwine Story

As Tolkien sought to reconstruct his mythology Eriol was replaced by Aelfwine (elf-friend). And while there are similarities between the two narratives (names, places, and events) there are key differences. Two I will note: Tol Eressëa is no longer associated with England at all and the Faring Forth now refers to the Elvish exodus from Valinor. Once again, Christopher Tolkien does an admirable job of tying together the loose notes his father jotted in regards to this story in a (somewhat artificial) plot line:

• The Faring Forth from Valinor to the Great Lands landing in Luthany (England) and wars with evil Men
• Retreat to Luthany (not and island yet) and a mysterious character Ing became king
• Many Elves flee west and settle in Tol Eressëa (Elwing is lost)
• Towns and villages in Tol Eressëa were given names of towns and villages in Luthany
• Eärendel sought refuge in Luthany with Ing
• Ing drinks limpë from Eärendel (or the Elves before they left)
• Eärendel blesses Ing before he departs
• Ing and many of his people sought for Tol Eressëa, shipwrecked, but Ing survived far in the East. Became the King of the Ingwaiwar--the ancestors of the Anglo-Saxon invaders of Britain
• Ing taught the Ingwaiwar true knowledge of the Gods (Valar) and Elves, turned their hearts ever to the West, prophesied his kin would return to Luthany
• Ing departed and was never heard from again (possibly reached Tol Eressëa)
• Luthany becomes an isle after a channel was dug
• Seven invasions of Luthany began (including the Romans), with each invasion more Elves fled
• The last invasion was of the Ingwaiwar who were not hostile toward Elves
• The Elves of Luthany (now called England) remained and conversed with the Ingwaiwar in Old English
• Aelfwine was of the Anglo-Saxon period who learned and loved the Elves though family traditions
• Aelfwine came to Tol Eressëa, was able to speak Old English with the Elves there, and named Lúthien (not a precursor to Beren and Lúthien) from Luthany (the Isle of Friendship)

The last notes record that Aelfwine drank limpë but longed for his home and eventually returned writing the Golden Book of Tavrobel. 

Lastly a narrative was begun concerining Aelfwine and how he reached Tol Eressëa. It incorporates much of Eriol's backstory. However, more light is given to the curious Man of the Sea character. Aelfwine was thrown overboard in a great storm and awoke on an island with an old man inhabiting it. The man possessed great strength and pulled wreckage from the reef to fashion a boat for Aelfwine and sailed with him to a strange island of Men and commanded them to build Aelfwine and his companions (who survived the storm and landed on the strange island) and bid and blessed them to sail West. As they left he strode to the top of a great cliff and jumped off and disappeared into the water. Aelfwine thought the man had committed suicide but the island inhabitants smiled and said nothing. It's noted in Eriol's backstory that this character was Ulmo himself. 

After long sailing and little luck Aelfwine and his crew were ready to turn back when suddenly everything crew calm and it was as if a mist parted and they spied a distant island with many twinkling lights. "Then there came a music very gently over the waters and it was laden with unimagined longing, that Aelfwine and his comrades leant upon their oars and wept softly each for his heart's half-remembered hurts, and memory of fair things lost, and each for the thirst that is in every child of Men for the flawless loveliness they seek and do not find" (p. 321, The Book of Lost Tales - Volume II). But no sooner had they seen and heard things began to fade. Aelfwine gave a great cry and jumped from the boat--never to be seen again. 

I have an idea how I could incorporate the Eriol/Aelfwine Lost Tales element into Tolkien's writing; that will be my goal to work on in the coming years. 

The End of the Lost Tales: The Eriol Story

I have reached the end of the second book of the History of Middle-earth. Christopher Tolkien attempts to bring together the final scraps of his father's earliest writings known as The Book of Lost Tales or The Golden Book of Tavrobel. The Tales were never completed by the father and the son noted is attempts to make a coherent plot out of the remaining notes is artificial at best. Still, he goes to great length's to tie things together which I will highlight here. Perhaps most interesting is in conceptualizing the end of Eriol's journey Tolkien abandoned it with a whole new (and yet similar) character altogether which will be covered in the next blog post.

Here are highlights of what Christopher Tolkien hypothesized the end of the Tales to be:

• The Eldar and rescued Noldoli depart to Tol Eressëa and built many towns and villages
• Ottar Wáefre (whom the Elves name Eriol) comes to Tol Eressëa and dwells in the Cottage of Lost Play
• After learning the history of the Elves Eriol visited Gilfannon in Tavrobel and wrote down the history; there is was given limpë 
• Eriol wedded and had a son named Heorrenda (Half-elven) although another note states Eriol died in Tavrobel consumed with longing for his home
• The remaining Elves of the Great Lands rebelled against Melko; the Great Faring Forth where Tol Erressëa was taken back to the Great Lands to aid in the fight.
• Ossë, in anger, fought against the moving of Tol Eressëa causing the wester half to break and end up in the geographical position of Ireland. Tol Eressëa came to rest in the geographical position of England
• The Battle of Rôs; Elves defeated, retreat to Tol Eressëa--followed by evil Men and Orcs
• Battle of the Heath of the Sky-roof (in one note witnessed by Eriol); the fading of the Elves
• The sons of Eriol (Heorrenda from his Elvish wife, Hengest and Horsa from his late human wife) conquer Tol Eressëa and it became Englad. "They were not hostile to the Elves, and from them the English have 'the true tradition of the fairies'" (p. 293, The Book of Lost Tales - Volume II).
• The Elvish towns and villages became English (such as Kortirion = Warwick). In one note it is said Heorrenda finished the Golden Book of Tavrobel. 

Lastly in another set of notes it appears that the untimely Faring Forth was directly caused by Eriol who longed for his home and doomed the Elves. 

Here it can be seen how Tolkien was to connect his mythology to English history as he mourned the fact that England lost all it's history, legend, and myth through centuries of invasions and conquests.