Chapter 19 - Of Beren and Luthien - J.R.R. Tolkien
372The Silmarillion
The History of the Silmarils - Of Beren and Lúthien
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Following the Dagor Bragollach, staggering into the woods of Neldoreth, Beren chanced upon Lúthien, daughter of Thingol and Melian, dancing in a clearing beside Esgalduin. He became utterly enchanted by her, and his agony departed him, for Lúthien was the most beautiful of all of the Children of Ilúvatar. He called out to her, naming her Tinúviel and as she looked at him, doom fell upon her, and she loved him.
Thingol was wrathful. And so Thingol demanded to know Beren's business in Doriath. Finding resolve, Beren answered that his fate led him to what he sought not — Lúthien. Thingol set upon him the nigh hopeless task of bringing to him a Silmaril from the crown of Morgoth. Only then would he allow Beren to receive Lúthien as his bride.
Turning towards Nargothrond, Beren sought out the counsel of Finrod Felagund. Departing from Angband, Felagund used his craft to disguise the group as a pack of orcs, and so they hoped to pass by Tol-in-Gaurhoth unnoticed. But Sauron was suspicious of them and dueled long in song with Felagund. When the wolf came for Beren, Felagund slew it with his bare hands, but in doing so, was mortally wounded.
In the hour of Beren's capture, a heaviness fell upon the heart of Lúthien and she left Doriath in pursuit of him. Encountering Celegorm and Curufin, and Huan, she was glad, but through treachery, the two brothers took her as a prisoner to Nargothrond. But Huan had grown to love her and for the first time spoke, giving her counsel, and helping her to escape.
Sauron came himself—taking the form of a mighty wolf—and fought with Huan, but not even he could defeat the Hound of the Valar. Thus he was forced to yield Tol-in-Gaurhoth to Lúthien, and he fled. Lúthien removed the ill shadow from that Isle and came to Beren. Together, they buried the body of Felagund and left that place.
Beren left Lúthien in the care of Huan and departed for Angband. But Lúthien followed him. And so, taking the guise of Draugluin, and the bat-like messenger-of-Sauron Thuringwethil, together Beren and Lúthien passed through perils untold until they arrived, weary and weather-worn, at the Gates of Angband.
Lúthien's disguise was robbed of her by the will of Morgoth, and, standing before his gaze, she began to sing for him a song of such outstanding power and beauty, that he was put into dreams of the Void, and he slammed into the ground, unconscious. All his court slumbered. Then removing his wolf hame, Beren cut, with Angrist, a Silmaril from the crown of Morgoth.
Then fear and terror unknown fell upon Beren and Lúthien, and realizing their imminent peril, they fled. But alas, Carcharoth bit off the right hand of Beren, consuming the Silmaril. It seared his innards, and he fled south, howling in a fit of madness.
Thorondor came with his Eagles to the aid of Beren and Lúthien, even while droves issued forth from the Gates of Angband, and bore the two away from the reach of Morgoth.
Beren and Lúthien told the tale of their Quest, to the Thingol. And his mood towards Beren was softened. Thus, at last, he relented, and Beren took the hand of Lúthien before the throne of her father.
For a time, there may have been some semblance of peace and joy in Doriath, but out of the north came the beast Carcharoth. Beren died and Huan slew Carcharoth, but was himself fatally injured.
For the spirit of Beren lingered in the Halls of Mandos, awaiting Lúthien upon the dim shores of the Outer Sea, where they could say their final farewell. The spirit of Lúthien fled her body and found its way to the Halls of Mandos. Kneeling before the Vala, she sang to him a song so beautifully sorrowful that Mandos was moved to pity.
Lúthien chose, to forsake the Undying Lands, for a mortal life with Beren. So it came to pass that long ago, Lúthien Tinúviel and Beren Erchamion, at last, left the confines of the world, together.
Timeline of Arda:
Years of the Sun
Years of the Sun in the First Age
460: Barahir and companions are betrayed by Gorlim and killed, but Beren survives.
462: Morgoth tries to assault Hithlum but is withstood by Fingon and Círdan.
463: The first hosts of Easterlings appear in Beleriand.
464: Túrin Turambar is born in Gwaeron
* Beren departs for Doriath and is enchanted by Lúthien.
465: Beren sets on a Quest of the Silmaril,
466: Lalaith is born in the beginning of spring
* Beren and Lúthien come to Angband and achieve the Quest of the Silmaril.
* They return to Doriath, but Carcharoth ravages the land.
* Beren dies, and Lúthien abandons life.
* Lúthien pleads Mandos for Beren.
* Beren and Lúthien are restored to life as mortals.