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.