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.