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Contents

CoverTitlePageCopyrightDedicationListofPlatesPrefaceNotesontheElderDays

BERENANDLÚTHIEN

TheTaleofTinúvielAPassagefromthe‘SketchoftheMythology’APassageExtractedfromTheLayofLeithianTheQuentaNoldorinwaAPassageExtractedfromtheQuentaASecondExtractfromTheLayofLeithianAFurtherExtractfromtheQuentaTheNarrativeinTheLayofLeithiantoItsTerminationTheQuentaSilmarillionTheReturnofBerenandLúthienAccordingtotheQuentaNoldorinwaExtractfromtheLostTaleoftheNauglafringTheMorningandEveningStarAppendix:RevisionstoTheLayofLeithianFootnotesListofNamesGlossaryReadMorefromJ.R.R.TolkienAbouttheAuthorandEditor

PLATES

‘yetnowdidheseeTinúvieldancinginthetwilight’‘butTevildocaughtsightofherwhereshewasperched’‘noleavestheyhad,butravensdark/satthickasleavesonboughandbark’‘Nowringedaboutwithwolvestheystand,/andfeartheirdoom.’‘Thenthebrothersrodeoff,butshotbackatHuantreacherously’‘Onthebridgeofwoe/inmantlewrappedatdeadofnight/shesatandsang’‘nowdownthereswooped/ThorondortheKingofEagles,stooped’‘flutteringbeforehiseyes,shewound/amazy-wingéddance’“SurelythatisaSilmarilthatshinesnowintheWest?”

PREFACE

AfterthepublicationofTheSilmarillionin1977Ispentseveralyearsinvestigatingtheearlierhistoryofthework, andwriting a bookwhich I calledTheHistory of The Silmarillion. Later this became the(somewhatshortened)basisoftheearliervolumesofTheHistoryofMiddle-earth.In1981IwroteatlengthtoRaynerUnwin,thechairmanofAllenandUnwin,givinghimanaccountof

whatIhadbeen,andwasstill,doing.Atthattime,asIinformedhim,thebookwas1,968pageslongandsixteenandahalfinchesacross,andobviouslynotforpublication.Isaidtohim:‘Ifand/orwhenyouseethisbook,youwillperceiveimmediatelywhyIhavesaidthat it is innoconceivablewaypublishable.The textual and other discussions are far too detailed andminute; the size of it is (and will becomeprogressivelymoreso)prohibitive.It isdonepartlyformyownsatisfactioningettingthingsright,andbecauseIwantedtoknowhowthewholeconceptiondidinrealityevolvefromtheearliestorigins...‘If there is a future for such enquiries, Iwant tomake as sure as I can that any later research into

JRRT’s“literaryhistory”isnotturnedintoanonsensebymistakingtheactualcourseofitsevolution.Thechaosandintrinsicdifficultyofmanyofthepapers(thelayeruponlayerofchangesinasinglemanuscriptpage,thevitalcluesonscatteredscrapsfoundanywhereinthearchive,thetextswrittenonthebacksofother works, the disordering and separation of manuscripts, the near or total illegibility in places, issimplyinexaggerable...‘In theory, I could produce a lot of books out of theHistory, and there aremany possibilities and

combinationsofpossibilities.Forexample,Icoulddo“Beren”,withtheoriginalLostTale*,TheLayofLeithian, and an essay on the development of the legend. My preference, if it came to anything sopositive,wouldprobablybeforthetreatingofonelegendasadevelopingentity,ratherthantogivealltheLostTalesatonego;butthedifficultiesofexpositionindetailwouldinsuchacasebegreat,becauseonewouldhavetoexplainsooftenwhatwashappeningelsewhere,inotherunpublishedwritings.’IsaidthatIwouldenjoywritingabookcalled‘Beren’onthelinesIsuggested:but‘theproblemwould

beitsorganisation,sothatthematterwascomprehensiblewithouttheeditorbecomingoverpowering.’WhenIwrotethisImeantwhatIsaidaboutpublication:Ihadnothoughtofitspossibility,otherthan

myideaofselectingasinglelegend‘asadevelopingentity’.Iseemnowtohavedonepreciselythat—though with no thought of what I had said in my letter to Rayner Unwin thirty-five years ago: I hadaltogetherforgottenit,untilIcameonitbychancewhenthisbookwasallbutcompleted.There ishowever a substantial differencebetween it andmyoriginal idea,which is adifferenceof

context.Sincethen,alargepartoftheimmensestoreofmanuscriptspertainingtotheFirstAge,orElderDays,hasbeenpublished,incloseanddetailededitions:chieflyinvolumesofTheHistoryofMiddle-earth.Theideaofabookdevotedtotheevolvingstoryof‘Beren’thatIventuredtomentiontoRaynerUnwin as a possible publicationwould have brought to lightmuch hitherto unknown and unavailablewriting.But thisbookdoesnotoffer a singlepageoforiginal andunpublishedwork.What then is theneed,now,forsuchabook?Iwill attempt to provide an (inevitably complex) answer, or several answers. In the first place, an

aspectofthoseeditionswasthepresentationofthetextsinawaythatadequatelydisplayedmyfather’sapparently eccentric mode of composition (often in fact imposed by external pressures), and so todiscoverthesequenceofstagesinthedevelopmentofanarrative,andtojustifymyinterpretationoftheevidence.

At the same time, theFirstAge inTheHistoryofMiddle-earthwas in thosebooksconceivedas ahistoryintwosenses.Itwasindeedahistory—achronicleoflivesandeventsinMiddle-earth;butitwasalsoahistoryofthechangingliteraryconceptionsinthepassingyears;andthereforethestoryofBerenandLúthienisspreadovermanyyearsandseveralbooks.Moreover,sincethatstorybecameentangledwith the slowly evolving ‘Silmarillion’, and ultimately an essential part of it, its developments arerecordedinsuccessivemanuscriptsprimarilyconcernedwiththewholehistoryoftheElderDays.To follow the storyofBerenandLúthien, asa singleandwell-definednarrative, inTheHistoryof

Middle-earthisthereforenoteasy.Inanoftenquotedletterof1951myfathercalledit‘thechiefofthestoriesoftheSilmarillion’,andhe

saidofBerenthatheis‘theoutlawedmortalwhosucceeds(withthehelpofLúthien,ameremaidenevenif anelfof royalty)where all thearmies andwarriorshave failed:hepenetrates the strongholdof theEnemyandwrestsoneof theSilmarillifromtheIronCrown.ThushewinsthehandofLúthienandthefirstmarriageofmortalandimmortalisachieved.‘Assuchthestoryis(Ithinkabeautifulandpowerful)heroic-fairy-romance,receivableinitselfwith

onlyaverygeneralvagueknowledgeof thebackground.But it isalsoa fundamental link in thecycle,deprivedofitsfullsignificanceoutofitsplacetherein.’

Inthesecondplace,mypurposeinthisbookistwofold.OntheonehandIhavetriedtoseparatethestoryofBerenandTinúviel(Lúthien)sothatitstandsalone,sofarasthatcanbedone(inmyopinion)withoutdistortion.Ontheotherhand,Ihavewishedtoshowhowthisfundamentalstoryevolvedovertheyears.InmyforewordtothefirstvolumeofTheBookofLostTalesIsaidofthechangesinthestories:

InthehistoryofthehistoryofMiddle-earththedevelopmentwasseldombyoutrightrejection—farmoreoftenitwasbysubtletransformationinstages,sothatthegrowthofthelegends(theprocess, for instance, by which the Nargothrond story made contact with that of Beren andLúthien,acontactnotevenhintedatintheLostTales, thoughbothelementswerepresent)canseemlikethegrowthoflegendsamongpeoples,theproductofmanymindsandgenerations.

ItisanessentialfeatureofthisbookthatthesedevelopmentsinthelegendofBerenandLúthienareshowninmyfather’sownwords,forthemethodthatIhaveemployedistheextractionofpassagesfrommuchlongermanuscriptsinproseorversewrittenovermanyyears.Inthisway,also,therearebroughttolightpassagesofclosedescriptionordramaticimmediacythat

arelostinthesummary,condensedmannercharacteristicofsomuchSilmarillionnarrativewriting;thereare even to be discovered elements in the story thatwere later altogether lost.Thus, for example, thecross-examination of Beren and Felagund and their companions, disguised as Orcs, by Thû theNecromancer(thefirstappearanceofSauron),ortheentryintothestoryoftheappallingTevildo,PrinceofCats,whoclearlydeservestoberemembered,shortaswashisliterarylife.

Lastly,Iwillciteanotherofmyprefaces,thattoTheChildrenofHúrin(2007):

It is undeniable that there are a great many readers ofThe Lord of the Rings for whom thelegends of the Elder Days are altogether unknown, unless by their repute as strange andinaccessibleinmodeandmanner.

ItisalsoundeniablethatthevolumesofTheHistoryofMiddle-earthinquestionmaywellpresentadeterrent aspect. This is because my father’s mode of composition was intrinsically difficult: and aprimarypurposeoftheHistorywastotrytodisentangleit:thereby(itmayseem)exhibitingthetalesoftheElderDaysasacreationofunceasingfluidity.

Ibelievethathemighthavesaid,inexplanationofsomerejectedelementinatale:Icametoseethatitwasnotlikethat;or,Irealisedthatthatwasnottherightname.Thefluidityshouldnotbeexaggerated:therewere nonetheless great, essential, permanences.But itwas certainlymy hope, in composing thisbook, that itwouldshowhowthecreationofanancient legendofMiddle-earth,changingandgrowingovermanyyears,reflectedthesearchoftheauthorforapresentationofthemythnearertohisdesire.

InmylettertoRaynerUnwinof1981IobservedthatintheeventofmyrestrictingmyselftoasinglelegendfromamongthelegendsthatmakeuptheLostTales‘thedifficultiesofexpositionindetailwouldinsuchacasebegreat,becauseonewouldhavetoexplainsooftenwhatwashappeningelsewhere,inotherunpublishedwritings’.ThishasprovedanaccuratepredictioninthecaseofBerenandLúthien.Asolution of some sortmust be achieved, for Beren and Lúthien did not live, love, and die,with theirfriendsandfoes,onanemptystage,aloneandwithnopast.IhavethereforefollowedmyownsolutioninTheChildrenofHúrin.InmyprefacetothatbookIwrote:

Itseemsunquestionable,frommyfather’sownwords,thatifhecouldachievefinalandfinishednarratives on the scale he desired, he saw three ‘Great Tales’ of the ElderDays (Beren andLúthien, the Children of Húrin, and the Fall of Gondolin) as works sufficiently complete inthemselvesasnottodemandknowledgeofthegreatbodyoflegendknownasTheSilmarillion.Ontheotherhand...thetaleoftheChildrenofHúrinisintegraltothehistoryofElvesandMenintheElderDays,andtherearenecessarilyagoodmanyreferencestoeventsandcircumstancesinthatlargerstory.

Ithereforegave‘averybriefsketchofBeleriandanditspeoplesneartheendoftheElderDays’,andIincluded‘alistofallnamesoccurringinthetextswithveryconciseindicationsconcerningeach.’InthisbookIhaveadoptedfromTheChildrenofHúrinthatbriefsketch,adaptingandshorteningit,andIhavelikewiseprovidedalistofallnamesoccurringinthetexts,inthiscasewithexplanatoryindicationsofaveryvariednature.Noneof thisancillarymatter isessential,but is intendedmerelyasanassistance ifdesired.AfurtherproblemwhichIshouldmentionarosefromtheveryfrequentchangesofnames.Tofollow

with exactness and consistency the successionofnames in texts of different dateswouldnot serve thepurposeofthisbook.Ihavethereforeobservednoruleinthisrespect,butdistinguishedoldandnewinsomecasesbutnotinothers,forvariousreasons.Inagreatmanycasesmyfatherwouldalteranameinamanuscriptatsomelater,orevenmuchlater, time,butnotconsistently:forexample,Elfin toElven. Insuchcases IhavemadeElven the sole form,orBeleriand for earlierBroseliand; but in others I haveretainedboth,asinTinwelint/Thingol,Artanor/Doriath.

The purpose of this book, then, is altogether different from that of the volumes of The History ofMiddle-earthfromwhichitisderived.Itisemphaticallynotintendedasanadjuncttothosebooks.Itisanattempttoextractonenarrativeelementfromavastworkofextraordinaryrichnessandcomplexity;butthat narrative, the story of Beren and Lúthien, was itself continually evolving, and developing newassociationsasitbecamemoreembeddedinthewiderhistory.Thedecisionofwhattoincludeandwhatto exclude of that ancient world ‘at large’ could only be amatter of personal and often questionablejudgement:insuchanattempttherecanbenoattainable‘correctway’.Ingeneral,however,Ihaveerredonthesideofclarity,andresistedtheurgetoexplain,forfearofunderminingtheprimarypurposeandmethodofthebook.Inmyninety-thirdyearthisis(presumptively)mylastbookinthelongseriesofeditionsofmyfather’s

writings,verylargelypreviouslyunpublished,andisofasomewhatcuriousnature.Thistaleischosenin

memoriambecauseofitsdeeply-rootedpresenceinhisownlife,andhisintensethoughtontheunionofLúthien,whomhecalled‘thegreatestof theEldar’,andofBeren themortalman,of their fates,andoftheirsecondlives.Itgoesbackalongwayinmylife,foritismyearliestactualrecollectionofsomeelementinastory

thatwasbeingtoldtome—notsimplyarememberedimageofthesceneofthestorytelling.Myfathertoldittome,orpartsofit,speakingitwithoutanywriting,intheearly1930s.The element in the story that I recall, in mymind’s eye, is that of the eyes of the wolves as they

appearedonebyoneinthedarknessofthedungeonofThû.

Inalettertomeonthesubjectofmymother,writtenintheyearafterherdeath,whichwasalsotheyearbeforehisown,hewroteofhisoverwhelming senseofbereavement, andofhiswish tohaveLúthieninscribedbeneathhernameonthegrave.Hereturnedinthatletter,asinthatcitedonp.29ofthisbook,totheoriginofthetaleofBerenandLúthieninasmallwoodlandgladefilledwithhemlockflowersnearRoosinYorkshire,whereshedanced;andhesaid:‘Butthestoryhasgonecrooked,andIamleft,andIcannotpleadbeforetheinexorableMandos.’

NOTESONTHEELDERDAYS

ThedepthintimetowhichthisstoryreachesbackwasmemorablyconveyedinapassageinTheLordoftheRings.AtthegreatcouncilinRivendellElrondspokeoftheLastAllianceofElvesandMenandthedefeatofSauronattheendoftheSecondAge,morethanthreethousandyearsbefore:

Thereupon Elrond paused a while and sighed. ‘I remember well the splendour of theirbanners,’hesaid.‘ItrecalledtomethegloryoftheElderDaysandthehostsofBeleriand,somany great princes and captainswere assembled.And yet not somany, nor so fair, aswhenThangorodrimwasbroken,andtheElvesdeemedthatevilwasendedforever,anditwasnotso.’‘Youremember?’saidFrodo,speakinghisthoughtaloudinhisastonishment.‘ButIthought,’

hestammeredasElrondturnedtowardshim,‘IthoughtthatthefallofGil-galadwasalongageago.’‘Soitwasindeed,’answeredElrondgravely.‘ButmymemoryreachesbackeventotheElder

Days. Eärendil wasmy sire, who was born in Gondolin before its fall; andmymother wasElwing,daughterofDior, sonofLúthienofDoriath. Ihaveseen threeages in theWestof theworld,andmanydefeats,andmanyfruitlessvictories.’

OfMorgoth

Morgoth,theBlackEnemy,ashecametobecalled,wasinhisorigin,ashedeclaredtoHúrinbroughtcaptivebeforehim,‘Melkor,firstandmightiestoftheValar,whowasbeforetheworld.’Nowbecomepermanently incarnate, in formagigantic andmajestic, but terrible,King in thenorth-west ofMiddle-earth,hewasphysicallypresent inhishuge fortressofAngband, theHellsof Iron: theblack reek thatissuedfromthesummitsofThangorodrim,themountainsthathepiledaboveAngband,couldbeseenfaroffstainingthenorthernsky.ItissaidintheAnnalsofBeleriandthat‘thegatesofMorgothwerebutonehundredandfiftyleaguesfromthebridgeofMenegroth;farandyetalltoonear.’Thesewordsrefertothebridge leading to thedwellingsof theElvishkingThingol; theywere calledMenegroth, the Thousand

Caves.ButbeingincarnateMorgothwasafraid.Myfatherwroteofhim:‘Ashegrewinmalice,andsentforthfromhimselftheevilthatheconceivedinliesandcreaturesof

wickedness, his power passed into them andwas dispersed, and he himself became evermore earth-bound,unwilling to issue fromhisdark strongholds.’ThuswhenFingolfin,HighKingof theNoldorinElves rode alone toAngband to challengeMorgoth to combat, he cried at the gate: Come forth, thoucowardking,tofightwiththineownhand!Den-dweller,wielderofthralls,liarandlurker,foeofGodsandElves,come!ForIwouldseethycravenface.Then(itistold)Morgothcame.Forhecouldnotrefusesuchachallengebeforethefaceofhiscaptains.HefoughtwiththegreathammerGrond,whichateachblowmade a great pit, andhebeatFingolfin to theground; but as hediedhepinned thegreat foot ofMorgothtotheearth,andtheblackbloodgushedforthandfilledthepitsofGrond.Morgothwenteverhaltthereafter.Soalso,whenBerenandLúthienmadetheirwayintothedeepesthallinAngbandwhereMorgothsat,Lúthiencastaspellonhim;andsuddenlyhefell,asahillslidinginavalanche,andhurledlikethunderfromhisthronelayproneuponthefloorsofhell.

OfBeleriand

WhenTreebeardstrodethroughtheforestofFangorncarryingMerryandPippineachinthecrookofhisarmhesangtothemofancientforestsinthegreatcountryofBeleriand,whichwasdestroyedinthetumultsof theGreatBattleat theendof theElderDays.TheGreatSeapoured inanddrownedall thelandswestoftheBlueMountains,calledEredLuinandEredLindon;sothatthemapaccompanyingTheSilmarillionendsintheeastwiththatmountain-chain,whereasthemapaccompanyingTheLordof theRingsends in thewest,alsowith theBlueMountains.Thecoastal landsbeyond themon theirwesternsideswereallthatremainedintheThirdAgeofthatcountry,calledOssiriand,LandofSevenRivers,inwhichTreebeardoncewalked:

IwanderedinSummerintheelm-woodsofOssiriand.

Ah!thelightandthemusicintheSummerbytheSevenRiversofOssir!

AndIthoughtthatwasbest.

Itwasover thepassesof theBlueMountains thatMenenteredBeleriand; in thosemountainswere thecitiesoftheDwarves,NogrodandBelegost;anditwasinOssiriandthatBerenandLúthiendweltaftertheywerepermittedbyMandostoreturntoMiddle-earth(p.235).Treebeardwalkedalsoamongthepine-treesofDorthonion(‘LandofPines’):

Tothepine-treesuponthehighlandofDorthonionIclimbedintheWinter.

Ah!thewindandthewhitenessandtheblackbranchesofWinteruponOrod-na-Thôn!

Myvoicewentupandsanginthesky.

ThatcountrycameafterwardstobecalledTaur-nu-Fuin,‘theForestunderNight’,whenMorgothturnedinto‘aregionofdreadanddarkenchantment,ofwanderinganddespair’(seep.107).

OftheElves

TheElvesappearedonearthfaroffinadistantland(Palisor)besidealakenamedCuiviénen,theWaterofAwakening;andthencetheyweresummonedbytheValartoleaveMiddle-earth,andpassingovertheGreatSeatocometothe‘BlessedRealm’ofAmaninthewestoftheworld,thelandoftheGods.Thosewho accepted the summons were led on a great march across Middle-earth by the Vala Oromë, theHunter,andtheyarecalledtheEldar,theElvesoftheGreatJourney,theHighElves,distinctfromthosewho,refusingthesummons,choseMiddle-earthfortheirlandandtheirdestiny.ButnotalltheEldar,thoughtheyhadcrossedtheBlueMountains,departedoverthesea;andthosewho

remainedinBeleriandarenamedtheSindar,theGreyElves.TheirhighkingwasThingol(whichmeans‘Grey-cloak’), who ruled fromMenegroth, the Thousand Caves in Doriath (Artanor). And not all theEldarwhocrossedtheGreatSearemainedin the landof theValar;foroneof theirgreatkindreds, theNoldor(the‘Loremasters’),returnedtoMiddle-earth,andtheyarecalledtheExiles.Theprimemoverintheirrebellionagainst theValarwasFëanor,makeroftheSilmarils;hewasthe

eldestsonofFinwë,whohadledthehostoftheNoldorfromCuiviénen,butwasnowdead.Inmyfather’swords:

The Jewelswere coveted byMorgoth theEnemy,who stole them and, after destroying theTrees, took them to Middle-earth, and guarded them in his great fortress of Thangorodrim.Against thewillof theValarFëanor forsook theBlessedRealmandwent inexile toMiddle-earth, leadingwithhimagreatpartofhispeople, for inhispridehepurposed to recover theJewelsfromMorgothbyforce.ThereafterfollowedthehopelesswaroftheEldarandtheEdain[theMenoftheThreeHouses

oftheElf-friends]againstThangorodrim,inwhichtheywereatlastutterlydefeated.

BeforetheirdeparturefromValinortheretookplacethedreadfuleventthatmarredthehistoryoftheNoldor in Middle-earth. Fëanor demanded of those Teleri, the third host of the Eldar on the GreatJourney,whodweltnowonthecoastofAman,thattheygiveuptotheNoldortheirfleetofships,theirgreatpride,forwithoutshipsthecrossingtoMiddle-earthbysuchahostwouldnotbepossible.ThistheTelerirefusedutterly.ThenFëanorandhispeopleattackedtheTeleri in theircityofAlqualondë, theHavenof theSwans,

andtookthefleetbyforce.Inthatbattle,whichwasknownasTheKinslaying,manyoftheTeleriwereslain.ThisisreferredtoinTheTaleofTinúviel(p.42):‘theevildeedsoftheGnomesattheHavenoftheSwans’,andseep.130,lines514–19.FëanorwasslaininbattlesoonafterthereturnoftheNoldortoMiddle-earth,andhissevensonsheld

widelandsintheeastofBeleriand,betweenDorthonion(Taur-na-fuin)andtheBlueMountains.ThesecondsonofFinwëwasFingolfin(thehalf-brotherofFëanor),whowasheldtheoverlordofall

theNoldor;andhewithhissonFingonruledHithlum,whichlaytothenorthandwestofthegreatchainofEredWethrin,theMountainsofShadow.FingolfindiedinsinglecombatwithMorgoth.ThesecondsonofFingolfin,thebrotherofFingon,wasTurgon,thefounderandrulerofthehiddencityofGondolin.ThethirdsonofFinwë,thebrotherofFingolfinandhalf-brotherofFëanor,wasinearliertextsFinrod,

later Finarfin (see p. 104). The eldest son of Finrod/Finarfin was in earlier texts Felagund, but laterFinrod;he, inspiredby themagnificenceandbeautyofMenegroth inDoriath, founded theundergroundfortress-cityofNargothrond,forwhichhewasnamedFelagund,‘LordofCaves’:thusearlierFelagund=laterFinrodFelagund.ThedoorsofNargothrondopenedontothegorgeoftheriverNaroginWestBeleriand;butFelagund’s

realmextendedfarandwide,easttotheriverSirionandwesttotheriverNenningthatreachedtheseaat

thehavenofEglarest.ButFelagundwasslaininthedungeonsofThûtheNecromancer,laterSauron;andOrodreth,thesecondsonofFinarfin,tookthecrownofNargothrond,astoldinthisbook(pp.109,120).The other sons of Finarfin, Angrod and Egnor, vassals of their brother Finrod Felagund, dwelt on

Dorthonion, looking northwards over the vast plain of Ard-galen. Galadriel, the sister of FinrodFelagund, dwelt long inDoriathwithMelian theQueen.Melian (in early textsGwendeling and otherforms)wasaMaia,aspiritofgreatpowerwhotookhumanformanddweltintheforestsofBeleriandwithKingThingol:shewasthemotherofLúthienandtheforemotherofElrond.InthesixtiethyearafterthereturnoftheNoldor,endingmanyyearsofpeace,agreathostofOrcscame

down from Angband, but was utterly defeated and destroyed by the Noldor. This was calledDagorAglareb, theGloriousBattle;but theElvish lords tookwarning from it, and set theSiegeofAngband,whichlastedforalmostfourhundredyears.The Siege of Angband ended with a terrible suddenness (though long prepared) on a night of

midwinter.MorgothreleasedriversoffirethatrandownfromThangorodrim,andthegreatgrassyplainofArd-galenthatlaytothenorthofDorthonionwastransformedintoaparchedandaridwaste,knownthereafterbyachangedname,Anfauglith,theGaspingDust.ThiscatastrophicassaultwascalledDagorBragollach,theBattleofSuddenFlame(p.106).Glaurung

FatherofDragonsemerged fromAngbandnow for the first time inhis fullmight;vast armiesofOrcspouredsouthwards;theElvishlordsofDorthonionwereslain,andagreatpartofthewarriorsofBëor’speople(pp.105–6).KingFingolfinandhissonFingonweredrivenbackwiththewarriorsofHithlumtothefortressofEithelSirion(Sirion’sWell),wherethegreatriverroseintheeastfaceoftheMountainsofShadow. The torrents of firewere stopped by theMountains of Shadow, andHithlum andDor-lóminremainedunconquered.It was in the year after the Bragollach that Fingolfin, in a fury of despair, rode to Angband and

challengedMorgoth.

*

BERENANDLÚTHIEN

INALETTERofmyfather’swrittenonthe16thofJuly1964hesaid:

ThegermofmyattempttowritelegendsofmyowntofitmyprivatelanguageswasthetragictaleofthehaplessKullervointheFinnishKalevala.ItremainsamajormatterinthelegendsoftheFirstAge(whichIhopetopublishasTheSilmarillion),thoughas‘TheChildrenofHúrin’itis entirely changed except in the tragic ending. The second pointwas thewriting, ‘out ofmyhead’,of‘TheFallofGondolin’,thestoryofIdrilandEarendel,duringsick-leavefromthearmyin1917;andbytheoriginalversionofthe‘TaleofLúthienTinúvielandBeren’laterinthesameyear.Thatwasfoundedonasmallwoodwithagreatundergrowthof‘hemlock’(nodoubtmanyotherrelatedplantswerealsothere)nearRoosinHolderness,whereIwasforawhileontheHumberGarrison.

MyfatherandmotherweremarriedinMarch1916,whenhewastwenty-fourandshewastwenty-seven.TheylivedatfirstinthevillageofGreatHaywoodinStaffordshire;butheembarkedforFranceandtheBattleoftheSommeearlyinJuneofthatyear.Takenill,hewassentbacktoEnglandatthebeginningofNovember1916;andinthespringof1917hewaspostedtoYorkshire.ThisprimaryversionofTheTaleofTinúviel,ashecalledit,writtenin1917,doesnotexist—ormore

precisely,existsonlyintheghostlyformofamanuscriptinpencilthatheallbutentirelyerasedformostofitslength;overthishewrotethetextthatisforustheearliestversion.TheTaleofTinúvielwasoneoftheconstituent storiesofmy father’smajorearlyworkofhis ‘mythology’,TheBookofLostTales, anexceedingly complex work which I edited in the first two volumes of The History of Middle-earth,1983–4. But since the present book is expressly devoted to the evolution of the legend of Beren andLúthienIwillhereverylargelypassbythestrangesettingandaudienceoftheLostTales,forTheTaleofTinúvielisinitselfalmostentirelyindependentofthatsetting.

Central toTheBookofLostTaleswas the storyofanEnglishmarinerof the ‘Anglo-Saxon’periodnamedEriol orÆlfwinewho, sailing farwestwards over the ocean, came at last toTolEressëa, theLonelyIsle,wheredweltElveswhohaddepartedfrom‘theGreatLands’,afterwards‘Middle-Earth’(atermnotused in theLostTales).Duringhis sojourn inTolEressëahe learned from them the true andancienthistoryoftheCreation,oftheGods,oftheElves,andofEngland.Thishistoryis‘TheLostTalesofElfinesse’.Theworkisextantinanumberofbatteredlittle‘exercisebooks’ininkandpencil,oftenformidably

difficulttoread,thoughaftermanyhoursofpeeringatthemanuscriptwithalensIwasable,manyyearsago, toelucidateall the textswithonlyoccasionalunsolvedwords.TheTaleofTinúviel isoneof thestoriesthatwastoldtoEriolbytheElvesintheLonelyIsle,inthiscasebyamaidennamedVëannë:thereweremanychildrenpresentat thesestory-tellings.Sharplyobservantofdetail (astrikingfeature), it istoldinanextremelyindividualstyle,withsomearchaismsofwordandconstruction,altogetherunlikemyfather’slaterstyles,intense,poetic,attimesdeeply‘elvish-mysterious’.Thereisalsoanundercurrentofsardonic humour in the expression here and there (in the terrible confrontationwith the demonicwolfKarkaras as she fled with Beren from Melko’s hall Tinúviel enquires ‘Wherefore this surliness,Karkaras?’).

Rather than awaiting the conclusion of theTale I think it may be helpful to draw attention here tocertain aspects of this earliest version of the legend, and to give brief explanations of some namesimportantinthenarrative(whicharealsotobefoundintheListofNamesattheendofthebook).TheTale of Tinúviel in its rewritten form,which is the earliest form for us,was by nomeans the

earliestoftheLostTales,and light isshedon itbyfeatures inotherTales.Tospeakonlyofnarrative

structure, some of them, such as the tale of Túrin, are not very far removed from the version in thepublished Silmarillion; some, notably the Fall of Gondolin, the first to be written, is present in thepublishedworkonly in a severely compressed form; and some,most remarkably thepresentTale, arestrikinglydifferentincertainaspects.AfundamentalchangeintheevolutionofthelegendofBerenandTinúviel(Lúthien)wastheentryinto

it later of the story of Felagund of Nargothrond and the sons of Fëanor; but equally significant, in adifferentaspect,wasthealterationintheidentityofBeren.InthelaterversionsofthelegenditwasanaltogetheressentialelementthatBerenwasamortalman,whereasLúthienwasanimmortalElf;butthiswasnotpresentintheLostTale:Beren,also,wasanElf.(Itisseen,however,frommyfather’snotestootherTales,thathewasoriginallyaMan;anditisclearthatthiswastruealsointheerasedmanuscriptofTheTaleofTinúviel.)BerentheElfwasoftheElvishpeoplenamedtheNoldoli(laterNoldor),whichintheLostTales(and later) is translated‘Gnomes’:BerenwasaGnome.This translation laterbecameaproblemformyfather.HewasusinganotherwordGnome,whollydistinct inoriginandmeaningfromthoseGnomeswhonowadaysaresmallfiguresspeciallyassociatedwithgardens.ThisotherGnomewas. . . from aGreekword gnōmē ‘thought, intelligence’; it barely survives inmodern English, with themeaning‘aphorism,maxim’,togetherwiththeadjectivegnomic.

InadraftforAppendixFofTheLordoftheRingshewrote:

Ihavesometimes(notinthisbook)used‘Gnomes’forNoldorand‘Gnomish’ forNoldorin.

ThisIdid,fortosome‘Gnome’willstillsuggestknowledge.NowtheHigh-elvennameofthispeople,Noldor, signifies ThosewhoKnow; for of the three kindreds of the Eldar from theirbeginningtheNoldorwereeverdistinguished,bothbytheirknowledgeofthethingsthatareandwereinthisworld,andbytheirdesiretoknowmore.YettheyinnowayresembledtheGnomeseither of learned theory or popular fancy; and I have now abandoned this rendering as toomisleading.

(Inpassing,Iwouldmentionthathesaidalso[inaletterof1954]thathegreatlyregrettedhavingusedtheword‘Elves’,whichhasbecome‘overloadedwithregrettabletones’thatare‘toomuchtoovercome’.)

ThehostilityshowntoBeren,asanElf,isexplainedthusintheoldTale(p.42):‘alltheElvesofthewoodlandthoughtoftheGnomesofDor-lóminastreacherouscreatures,cruelandfaithless’.

Itmaywellseemsomewhatpuzzlingthattheword‘fairy,fairies’isfrequentlyusedofElves.Thus,ofthewhitemothsthatflewinthewoods‘Tinúvielbeingafairymindedthemnot’(p.41);shenamesherself‘PrincessofFairies’(p.64);itissaidofher(p.72)thatshe‘putforthherskillandfairy-magic’.Inthefirst place, theword fairies in theLost Tales is synonymouswithElves; and in those tales there areseveral references to the relative physical stature ofMen and Elves. In those early days my father’sconceptions on such matters were somewhat fluctuating, but it is clear that he conceived a changingrelationastheagespassed.Thushewrote:

MenwerealmostofastatureatfirstwithElves,thefairiesbeingfargreaterandMensmallerthannow.

ButtheevolutionofElveswasgreatlyinfluencedbythecomingofMen:

Ever as Men wax more numerous and powerful so the fairies fade and grow small andtenuous,filmyandtransparent,butMenlargerandmoredenseandgross.AtlastMen,oralmostMen,cannolongerseethefairies.

Thereisthusnoneedtosuppose,onaccountoftheword,thatmyfatherthoughtofthe‘Fairies’ofthistaleas filmy and transparent; and of course years later, when the Elves of the ThirdAge had entered thehistoryofMiddle-earth,therewasnothing‘fairylike’,inthemodernsense,aboutthem.

Thewordfayismoreobscure.InTheTaleofTinúvielitisusedfrequentlyofMelian(themotherofLúthien),whocamefromValinor(andiscalled[p.40] ‘adaughterof theGods’),butalsoofTevildo,whowassaidtobe‘anevilfayinbeastlikeshape’(p.69).ElsewhereintheTalestherearereferencesto‘thewisdomoffaysandofEldar’,to‘Orcsanddragonsandevilfays’,andto‘afayofthewoodsanddells’.MostnotableperhapsisthefollowingpassagefromtheTaleoftheComingoftheValar:

About themfaredagreathostwhoare the sprites [spirits]of treesandwoods,ofdaleandforest and mountain-side, or those that sing amid the grass at morning and chant among thestandingcornateve.ThesearetheNermirandtheTavari,NandiniandOrossi[fays(?)ofthemeads,ofthewoods,ofthevalleys,ofthemountains],fays,pixies,leprawns,andwhatelsearethey not called, for their number is very great; yet must they not be confusedwith the Eldar[Elves],fortheywerebornbeforetheworld,andareolderthanitsoldest,andarenotofit.

Another puzzling feature, appearing not only in The Tale of Tinúviel, of which I have found no

explanation,noranymoregeneralobservation,concernsthepowerthattheValarpossessovertheaffairsofMenandElves,andindeedovertheirmindsandhearts,inthefardistantGreatLands(Middle-earth).Togiveexamples:onp.78‘theValarbrought[Huan]toaglade’whereBerenandLúthienwerelyingonthegroundintheirflightfromAngband;andshesaidtoherfather(p.82):‘TheValaralonesaved[Beren]fromabitterdeath’.Oragain,intheaccountofLúthien’sflightfromDoriath(p.57),‘sheenterednotthatdarkregion,andregainingheartpressedon’waslaterchangedto‘sheenterednotthatdarkregion,andtheValarsetanewhopeinherheart,sothatshepressedononcemore.’

AsregardsthenamesthatappearintheTale,IwillnoteherethatArtanorcorrespondstolaterDoriathandwasalsocalledTheLandBeyond;tothenorthlaythebarrieroftheIronMountains,alsocalledtheBitterHills,overwhichBerencame:afterwardstheybecameEredWethrin,theMountainsofShadow.BeyondthemountainslayHisilómë(Hithlum) theLandofShadow,alsocalledDor-lómin.Palisor (p.37)isthelandwheretheElvesawoke.TheValarareoftenreferredtoastheGods,andarecalledalsotheAinur(singularAinu).Melko(later

Melkor)isthegreatevilVala,calledMorgoth,theBlackFoe,afterhistheftoftheSilmarils.MandosisthenamebothoftheValaandtheplaceofhisabode.HeisthekeeperoftheHousesoftheDead.ManwëisthelordoftheValar;Varda,makerofthestars,isthespouseofManwëanddwellswithhim

on the summit of Taniquetil, the highestmountain of Arda. The Two Trees are the great treeswhoseflowersgavelighttoValinor,destroyedbyMorgothandthemonstrousspiderUngoliant.

Lastly,thisisaconvenientplacetosaysomethingoftheSilmarils,fundamentaltothelegendofBerenandLúthien:theyweretheworkofFëanor,greatestoftheNoldor:‘themightiestinskillofwordandofhand’;hisnamemeans‘SpiritofFire’.Iwillquotehereapassagefromthelater(1930)‘Silmarillion’textentitledQuentaNoldorinwa,onwhichseep.103.

InthosefardaysFëanorbeganonatimealongandmarvellouslabour,andallhispowerandallhis subtlemagichecalledupon, forhepurposed tomakea thingmore fair thananyof theEldaryethadmade, that should lastbeyond theendofall.Three jewelshemade,andnamedthemSilmarils.AlivingfireburnedwithinthemthatwasblendedofthelightoftheTwoTrees;oftheirownradiancetheyshoneeveninthedark;nomortalfleshimpurecouldtouchthem,butwaswitheredandwas scorched.These jewels theElvesprizedbeyondall theworksof theirhands,andManwëhallowedthem,andVardasaid:‘ThefateoftheElvesislockedherein,andthefateofmanythingsbeside.’TheheartofFëanorwaswoundaboutthethingshehimselfhadmade.

AterribleanddeeplydestructiveoathwasswornbyFëanorandhissevensons inassertionof theirsoleandinviolablerighttotheSilmarils,whichwerestolenbyMorgoth.

Vëannë’s talewasexpresslyaddressedtoEriol(Ælfwine),whohadneverheardofTinúviel,butasshe tells it there is no formal opening: she begins with an account of Tinwelint and Gwendeling(afterwardsknownasThingolandMelian).IwillhoweverturnagaintotheQuentaNoldorinwaforthisessentialelementinthelegend.IntheTaletheformidableTinwelint(Thingol)isacentralfigure:thekingoftheElveswhodweltinthedeepwoodlandsofArtanor,rulingfromhisvastcavernintheheartoftheforest.Butthequeenwasalsoapersonageofgreatsignificance,althoughseldomseen,andIgiveheretheaccountofhergivenintheQuentaNoldorinwa.InthisitistoldthatontheGreatJourneyoftheElvesfromfaroffPalisor,theplaceoftheirawakening,

withtheultimategoalofreachingValinorinthefarWestbeyondthegreatOcean

[manyElves]werelostuponthelongdarkroads,andtheywanderedinthewoodsandmountainsoftheworld,andnevercametoValinor,norsawthelightoftheTwoTrees.ThereforetheyarecalledIlkorindi,theElvesthatdweltneverinKôr,thecityoftheEldar[Elves]inthelandoftheGods.TheDark-elvesarethey,andmanyaretheirscatteredtribes,andmanyaretheirtongues.OftheDark-elvesthechiefinrenownwasThingol.ForthisreasonhecamenevertoValinor.

Melianwasafay.Inthegardensof[theVala]Lórienshedwelt,andamongallhisfairfolknoneweretherethatsurpassedherbeauty,nornonemorewise,nornonemoreskilledinmagicalandenchantingsong.ItistoldthattheGodswouldleavetheirbusinessandthebirdsofValinortheirmirth,thatValmar’sbellsweresilent,andthefountainsceasedtoflow,whenattheminglingofthelightMeliansanginthegardensoftheGodofDreams.Nightingaleswentalwayswithher,andtheirsongshetaughtthem.Butsheloveddeepshadow,andstrayedonlongjourneysintotheOuterLands[Middle-earth],andtherefilledthesilenceofthedawningworldwithhervoiceandthevoicesofherbirds.ThenightingalesofMelianThingolheardandwasenchantedandlefthisfolk.Melianhefound

beneaththetreesandwascastintoadreamandagreatslumber,sothathispeoplesoughthiminvain.

InVëannë’saccount,whenTinwelintawokefromhismythicallylongsleep‘hethoughtnomoreofhispeople(andindeedithadbeenvain,forlongnowhadthosereachedValinor)’,butdesiredonlytoseetheladyofthetwilight.Shewasnotfaroff,forshehadwatchedoverhimasheslept.‘ButmoreoftheirstoryIknownot,OEriol,savethatintheendshebecamehiswife,forTinwelintandGwendelingverylongindeedwerekingandqueenoftheLostElvesofArtanorortheLandBeyond,orsoitissaidhere.’Vëannë said further that the dwelling of Tinwelint ‘was hidden from the vision and knowledge of

MelkobythemagicsofGwendelingthefay,andshewovespellsaboutthepathstheretothatnonebuttheEldar[Elves]mighttreadthemeasily,andsowasthekingsecuredfromalldangerssaveitbetreacheryalone.Nowhishallswerebuildedinadeepcavernofgreatsize,andtheywerenonethelessakinglyandafairabode.ThiscavernwasintheheartofthemightyforestofArtanorthatisthemightiestofforests,andastreamranbeforeitsdoors,butnonecouldenterthatportalsaveacrossthestream,andabridgespanned it narrow andwell guarded.’ThenVëannë exclaimed: ‘Lo, now Iwill tell you of things thathappenedinthehallsofTinwelint’;andthisseemstobethepointatwhichthetalepropercanbesaidtobegin.

THETALEOFTINÚVIEL

Two children had Tinwelint then, Dairon and Tinúviel, and Tinúviel was a maiden, and the mostbeautifulofallthemaidensofthehiddenElves,andindeedfewhavebeensofair,forhermotherwasafay,adaughteroftheGods;butDaironwasthenaboystrongandmerry,andaboveallthingshedelightedtoplayuponapipeofreedsorotherwoodlandinstruments,andheisnamednowamongthethreemostmagicplayersoftheElves,andtheothersareTinfangWarbleandIvárëwhoplaysbesidethesea.ButTinúviel’sjoywasratherinthedance,andnonamesaresetwithhersforthebeautyandsubtletyofhertwinklingfeet.Nowitwas thedelightofDaironandTinúviel tofareawayfromthecavernouspalaceofTinwelint

theirfatherandtogetherspendlongtimeamidthetrees.ThereoftenwouldDaironsituponatussockoratree-rootandmakemusicwhileTinúvieldancedthereto,andwhenshedancedtotheplayingofDaironmorelissomwasshethanGwendeling,moremagicalthanTinfangWarbleneaththemoon,normayanyseesuchliltingsavebeitonlyintherosegardensofValinorwhereNessadancesonthelawnsofnever-fadinggreen.Evenatnightwhenthemoonshonepalestillwouldtheyplayanddance,andtheywerenotafraidasI

shouldbe,fortheruleofTinwelintandofGwendelingheldevilfromthewoodsandMelkotroubledthemnotasyet,andMenwerehemmedbeyondthehills.Nowtheplacethattheylovedthemostwasashadyspot,andelmsgrewthere,andbeechtoo,butthese

werenotverytall,andsomechestnuttreestherewerewithwhiteflowers,butthegroundwasmoistandagreatmistygrowthofhemlocksrosebeneaththetrees.OnatimeofJunetheywereplayingthere,andthewhiteumbelsofthehemlockswerelikeacloudaboutthebolesofthetrees,andthereTinúvieldanceduntiltheeveningfadedlate,andthereweremanywhitemothsabroad.TinúvielbeingafairymindedthemnotasmanyofthechildrenofMendo,althoughshelovednotbeetles,andspiderswillnoneoftheEldartouchbecauseofUngweliantë—butnow thewhitemoths flitteredaboutherheadandDairon trilledaneerietune,whensuddenlythatstrangethingbefell.NeverhaveIheardhowBerencamethitheroverthehills;yetwashebraverthanmost,asthoushalt

hear, and ’twas the love of wanderingmaybe alone that had sped him through the terrors of the IronMountainsuntilhereachedtheLandsBeyond.NowBerenwasaGnome,sonofEgnor the foresterwhohunted in thedarkerplaces in thenorthof

Hisilómë. Dread and suspicion was between the Eldar and those of their kindred that had tasted theslaveryofMelko,andinthisdidtheevildeedsoftheGnomesattheHavenoftheSwansrevengeitself.NowtheliesofMelkoranamongBeren’sfolksothattheybelievedevilthingsofthesecretElves,yetnowdidheseeTinúvieldancinginthetwilight,andTinúvielwasinasilver-pearlydress,andherbarewhitefeetweretwinklingamongthehemlock-stems.ThenBerencarednotwhethershewereValaorElforchildofMenandcreptneartosee;andheleantagainstayoungelmthatgrewuponamoundsothathemight look down into the little gladewhere shewas dancing, for the enchantmentmade him faint. Soslenderwassheandsofairthatatlengthhestoodheedlesslyintheopenthebettertogazeuponher,andat thatmoment thefullmooncamebrightly throughtheboughsandDaironcaughtsightofBeren’sface.Straightwaydidheperceivethathewasnoneoftheirfolk,andalltheElvesofthewoodlandthoughtoftheGnomes ofDor-lómin as treacherous creatures, cruel and faithless,whereforeDairon dropped hisinstrumentandcrying‘Flee,flee,OTinúviel,anenemywalksthiswood’hewasgoneswiftlythroughthetrees.ThenTinúvielinheramazefollowednotstraightway,forsheunderstoodnothiswordsatonce,andknowingshecouldnotrunorleapsohardilyasherbrothersheslippedsuddenlydownamongthewhitehemlocksandhidherselfbeneathaverytallflowerwithmanyspreadingleaves;andhereshelookedinherwhiteraimentlikeaspatterofmoonlightshimmeringthroughtheleavesuponthefloor.ThenBerenwas sad, for hewas lonely andwas grieved at their fright, and he looked forTinúviel

everywhereabout,thinkinghernotfled.Thussuddenlydidhelayhishanduponherslenderarmbeneaththe leaves, andwith a cry she started away fromhimand flitted as fast as she could in thewan light,darting and wavering in the moonbeams as only the Eldar can, in and about the tree-trunks and thehemlock-stalks.ThetendertouchofherarmmadeBerenyetmoreeagerthanbeforetofindher,andhefollowedswiftlyandyetnotswiftlyenough,forintheendsheescapedhim,andreachedthedwellingsofherfatherinfear;nordidshedancealoneinthewoodsformanyadayafter.Thiswas a great sorrow toBeren,whowould not leave those places, hoping to see that fair elven

maiden dance yet again, and he wandered in the wood growingwild and lonely formany a day andsearchingforTinúviel.Bydawnandduskhesoughther,butevermorehopefullywhenthemoonshonebright. At last one night he caught a sparkle afar off, and lo, there she was dancing alone on a littletreeless knoll andDaironwas not there.Often and often she came there after and danced and sang toherself,andsometimesDaironwouldbenigh,andthenBerenwatchedfromthewood’sedgeafar,andsometimeshewasawayandBerencrept thencloser. Indeedfor longTinúvielknewofhiscomingandfeignedotherwise,andforlongherfearhaddepartedbyreasonofthewistfulhungerofhisfacelitbythemoonlight;andshesawthathewaskindandinlovewithherbeautifuldancing.ThenBerentooktofollowingTinúvielsecretlythroughthewoodseventotheentranceofthecaveand

thebridge’shead,andwhenshewasgoneinhewouldcryacrossthestream,softlysaying‘Tinúviel’,forhehadcaught thename fromDairon’s lips;andalthoughheknew itnotTinúvieloftenhearkened fromwithintheshadowsofthecavernousdoorsandlaughedsoftlyorsmiled.Atlengthonedayasshedancedalonehesteppedoutmoreboldlyandsaidtoher:‘Tinúviel,teachmetodance.’‘Whoartthou?’saidshe.‘Beren.IamfromacrosstheBitterHills.’‘Thenifthouwouldstdance,followme,’saidthemaiden,andshedancedbeforeBerenaway, andaway into thewoods,nimblyandyetnot so fast thathecouldnotfollow,andeverandanonshewouldlookbackandlaughathimstumblingafter,saying‘Dance,Beren,dance!as theydancebeyond theBitterHills!’ In thisway theycamebywindingpaths to theabodeofTinwelint,andTinúvielbeckonedBerenbeyondthestream,andhefollowedherwonderingdownintothecaveandthedeephallsofherhome.

WhenhoweverBerenfoundhimselfbefore thekinghewasabashed,andof thestatelinessofQueenGwendelinghewas ingreatawe,andbeholdwhen thekingsaid: ‘Whoart thou thatstumbleth intomyhallsunbidden?’hehadnoughttosay.Tinúvielansweredthereforeforhim,saying:‘This,myfather,is

Beren,awandererfrombeyondthehills,andhewouldlearntodanceastheelvesofArtanorcandance,’andshelaughed,butthekingfrownedwhenheheardwhenceBerencame,andhesaid:‘Putawaythylightwords,mychild,andsayhasthiswildElfoftheshadowssoughttodotheeanyharm?’‘Nay,father,’saidshe,‘andIthinkthereisnotevilinhisheartatall,andbethounotharshwithhim,

unlessthoudesirest toseethydaughterTinúvielweep,formorewonderhasheatmydancingthananythatIhaveknown.’ThereforesaidTinwelintnow:‘OBerensonoftheNoldoli,whatdoesthoudesireoftheElvesofthewooderethoureturnestwhencethoucamest?’SogreatwastheamazedjoyofBeren’sheartwhenTinúvielspakethusforhimtoherfatherthathis

courage rosewithinhim,andhis adventurous spirit thathadbroughthimoutofHisilómëandover theMountainsof Ironawokeagain,and lookingboldlyuponTinwelinthesaid: ‘Why,Oking, Idesire thydaughterTinúviel,forsheisthefairestandmostsweetofallmaidensIhaveseenordreamedof.’Thenwasthereasilenceinthehall,savethatDaironlaughed,andallwhoheardwereastounded,but

Tinúvielcastdownhereyes,andthekingglancingatthewildandruggedaspectofBerenburstalsointolaughter, whereat Beren flushed for shame, and Tinúviel’s heart was sore for him. ‘Why! wed myTinúvielfairestofthemaidensoftheworld,andbecomeaprinceofthewoodlandElves—’tisbutalittleboon for a stranger to ask,’ quothTinwelint. ‘Haply Imaywith right ask somewhat in return.Nothinggreatshallitbe,atokenonlyofthyesteem.BringmeaSilmarilfromtheCrownofMelko,andthatdayTinúvielwedsthee,anshewill.’Thenallinthatplaceknewthatthekingtreatedthematterasanuncouthjest,havingpityontheGnome,

and they smiled, for the fameof theSilmarils of Fëanorwas nowgreat throughout theworld, and theNoldolihadtoldtalesofthem,andmanythathadescapedfromAngamandihadseenthemnowblazinglustrousintheironcrownofMelko.Neverdidthiscrownleavehishead,andhetreasuredthosejewelsashiseyes,andnooneintheworld,orfayorelforman,couldhopeevertosetfingerevenonthemandlive.ThisindeeddidBerenknow,andheguessedthemeaningoftheirmockingsmiles,andaflamewithangerhecried;‘Nay,but’tistoosmallagifttothefatherofsosweetabride.StrangenonethelessseemtomethecustomsofthewoodlandElves,liketotherudelawsofthefolkofMen,thatthoushouldstnamethegiftunoffered,yetlo!IBeren,ahuntsmanoftheNoldoli,willfulfilthysmalldesire,’andwiththatheburstfromthehallwhileallstoodastonished;butTinúvielweptsuddenly.‘’Twasilldone,Omyfather,’shecried, ‘tosendone tohisdeathwith thysorry jesting—fornowmethinkshewillattempt thedeed,beingmaddenedby thyscorn, andMelkowill slayhim,andnonewill lookeveragainwith such loveuponmydancing.’Thensaid theking:‘’Twillnotbe thefirstofGnomesthatMelkohasslainandfor lessreason.It is

wellforhimthatheliesnotboundhereingrievousspellsforhistrespassinmyhallsandforhisinsolentspeech’;yetGwendelingsaidnought,neitherdidshechideTinúvielorquestionhersuddenweepingforthisunknownwanderer.Beren however going from before the face of Tinwelint was carried by his wrath far through the

woods,untilhedrewnightothelowerhillsandtreelesslandsthatwarnedoftheapproachofthebleakIronMountains.Only thendid he feel hisweariness and stayhismarch, and thereafter did his greatertravails begin. Nights of deep despondencywere his and he saw no hopewhatever in his quest, andindeed therewas little, and soon, as he followed the IronMountains till he drew nigh to the terribleregionsofMelko’sabode,thegreatestfearsassailedhim.Manypoisonoussnakeswereinthoseplacesandwolvesroamedabout,andmorefearsomestillwerethewanderingbandsofthegoblinsandtheOrcs—foul broodlings ofMelkowho fared abroad doing his evilwork, snaring and capturing beasts, andMen,andElves,anddraggingthemtotheirlord.ManytimeswasBerenneartocapturebytheOrcs,andonceheescapedthejawsofagreatwolfonly

afteracombatwhereinhewasarmedbutwithanashenclub,andotherperilsandadventuresdidheknoweachdayofhiswandering toAngamandi.Hungerand thirst too torturedhimoften,andoftenhewould

haveturnedbackhadnotthatbeenwellnighasperilousasgoingon;butthevoiceofTinúvielpleadingwithTinwelintechoedinhisheart,andatnighttimeitseemedtohimthathisheartheardhersometimesweepingsoftlyforhimfarawayinthewoodlandsofherhome:andthiswasindeedtrue.OnedayhewasdrivenbygreathungertosearchamidadesertedcampingofsomeOrcsforscrapsof

food,butsomeofthesereturnedunawaresandtookhimprisoner,andtheytormentedhimbutdidnotslayhim,for theircaptainseeinghisstrength,worn thoughhewaswithhardships, thought thatMelkomightperchancebepleasuredifhewasbroughtbeforehimandmightsethimtosomeheavythrall-workinhismines or in his smithies. So came it thatBerenwas dragged beforeMelko, and he bore a stout heartwithinhimnonetheless,foritwasabeliefamonghisfather’skindredthatthepowerofMelkowouldnotabideforever,buttheValarwouldhearkenatlasttothetearsoftheNoldoli,andwouldariseandbindMelkoandopenValinoroncemoretothewearyElves,andgreatjoyshouldcomebackuponEarth.Melkohoweverlookinguponhimwaswroth,askinghowaGnome,athrallbybirthofhis,haddared

tofareawayintothewoodsunbidden,butBerenansweredthathewasnorunagatebutcameofakindredofGnomes thatdwelt inAryadorandmingledmuch thereamongthefolkofMen.ThenwasMelkoyetmoreangry,forhesoughtevertodestroythefriendshipandintercourseofElvesandMen,andsaidthatevidentlyherewasaplotterofdeeptreacheriesagainstMelko’slordship,andoneworthyofthetorturesoftheBalrogs;butBerenseeinghisperilanswered:‘Thinknot,OmostmightyAinuMelko,LordoftheWorld,thatthiscanbetrue,forifitwerethenshouldInotbehereunaidedandalone.NofriendshiphasBerensonofEgnorforthekindredofMen;nayindeed,wearyingutterlyofthelandsinfestedbythatfolkhehaswanderedoutofAryador.Manyagreattalehasmyfathermadetomeaforetimeofthysplendourandglory,wherefore,albeitIamnorenegadethrall,IdodesirenothingsomuchastoservetheeinwhatsmallmannerImay,’andBerensaidtherewiththathewasagreattrapperofsmallanimalsandasnarerofbirds,andhadbecomelostinthehillsinthesepursuitsuntilaftermuchwanderinghehadcomeintostrangelands,andevenhadnottheOrcsseizedhimhewouldindeedhavehadnootherredeofsafetybuttoapproach themajestyofAinuMelkoandbeghim togranthimsomehumbleoffice—asawinnerofmeatsforhistableperchance.NowtheValarmusthaveinspiredthatspeech,orperchanceitwasaspellofcunningwordscaston

him in compassion by Gwendeling, for indeed it saved his life, andMelko marking his hardy framebelievedhim,andwaswillingtoaccepthimasathrallofhiskitchens.Flatterysavouredeversweetinthe nostrils of that Ainu, and for all his unfathomed wisdommany a lie of those whom he despiseddeceivedhim,weretheyclothedsweetlyinwordsofpraise;thereforenowhegaveordersforBerentobemadea thrallofTevildoPrinceofCats.NowTevildowasamightycat—themightiestofall—andpossessedofanevilsprite,assomesay,andhewasinMelko’sconstantfollowing;andthatcathadallcatssubjecttohim,andheandhissubjectswerethechasersandgettersofmeatforMelko’stableandforhisfrequentfeasts.WhereforeisitthatthereishatredstillbetweentheElvesandallcatsevennowwhenMelkorulesnomore,andhisbeastsarebecomeoflittleaccount.WhenthereforeBerenwasledawaytothehallsofTevildo,andthesewerenotutterlydistantfromthe

placeofMelko’sthrone,hewasmuchafraid,forhehadnotlookedforsuchaturninthings,andthosehallswereill-lightedandwerefullofgrowlingandofmonstrouspurringsinthedark.All about shone cats’ eyes glowing like green lamps or red or yellowwhere Tevildo’s thanes sat

wavingandlashingtheirbeautifultails,butTevildohimselfsatattheirheadandhewasamightycatandcoal-blackandeviltolookupon.Hiseyeswerelongandverynarrowandslanted,andgleamedbothredandgreen,buthisgreatgreywhiskerswereasstoutandassharpasneedles.Hispurrwasliketherollofdrumsandhisgrowllikethunder,butwhenheyelledinwrathitturnedthebloodcold,andindeedsmallbeastsandbirdswerefrozenastostone,ordroppedlifelessoftenattheverysound.NowTevildoseeingBerennarrowedhiseyesuntiltheyseemedtoshut,andsaid:‘Ismelldog’,andhetookdisliketoBerenfromthatmoment.NowBerenhadbeenaloverofhoundsinhisownwildhome.

‘Why,’saidTevildo, ‘doyedare tobringsuchacreaturebeforeme,unlessperchance it is tomakemeatofhim?’ButthosewholedBerensaid:‘Nay,’twasthewordofMelkothatthisunhappyElfwearouthis lifeasacatcherofbeastsandbirds inTevildo’semploy.’Then indeeddidTevildoscreech inscornandsaid:‘Theninsoothwasmylordasleeporhisthoughtsweresettledelsewhere,forwhatusethinkyeisachildoftheEldartoaidthePrinceofCatsandhisthanesinthecatchingofbirdsorofbeasts—aswellhadyebroughtsomeclumsy-footedMan,fornonearethereeitherofElvesorMenthatcanviewithusinourpursuit.’NonethelesshesetBerentoatest,andhebadehimgocatchthreemice,‘formyhallisinfestedwiththem,’saidhe.Thisindeedwasnottrue,asmightbeimagined,yetacertainfewtherewere—averywild,evil,andmagickindthatdaredtodwellthereindarkholes,buttheywerelargerthanratsandveryfierce,andTevildoharbouredthemforhisownprivatesportandsufferednottheirnumberstodwindle.ThreedaysdidBerenhuntthem,buthavingnothingwherewithtodeviseatrap(andindeedhedidnot

lietoMelkosayingthathehadcunninginsuchcontrivances)hehuntedinvaingettingnothingbetterthanabittenfingerforallhislabour.ThenwasTevildoscornfulandingreatanger,butBerengotnoharmofhimorhisthanesatthattimebecauseofMelko’sbiddingotherthanafewscratches.EvilhoweverwerehisdaysthereafterinthedwellingsofTevildo.Theymadehimascullion,andhisdayspassedmiserablyinthewashingoffloorsandvessels,inthescrubbingoftablesandthehewingofwoodandthedrawingofwater.Oftentoohewouldbesettotheturningofspitswhereonbirdsandfatmiceweredaintilyroastedforthecats,yetseldomdidhegetfoodorsleephimself,andhebecamehaggardandunkempt,andwishedoftenthatneverstrayingoutofHisilómëhehadnotevencaughtsightofthevisionofTinúviel.NowthatfairmaidenweptforaverygreatwhileafterBeren’sdepartureanddancednomoreaboutthe

woods,andDairongrewangryandcouldnotunderstandher,butshehadgrowntolovethefaceofBerenpeepingthroughthebranchesandthecrackleofhisfeetastheyfollowedherthroughthewood;andhisvoicethatcalledwistfully‘Tinúviel,Tinúviel’acrossthestreambeforeherfather’sdoorsshelongedtohearagain,andshewouldnotnowdancewhenBerenwasfledtotheevilhallsofMelkoandmaybehadalreadyperished.Sobitterdidthisthoughtbecomeatlastthatthatmosttendermaidenwenttohermother,fortoherfathershedarednotgonorevensufferhimtoseeherweep.‘OGwendeling,mymother,’saidshe,‘tellmeofthymagic,ifthoucanst,howdothBerenfare.Isall

yetwellwithhim?’‘Nay,’saidGwendeling.‘Helivesindeed,butinanevilcaptivity,andhopeisdeadinhisheart,forbehold,heisaslaveinthepowerofTevildoPrinceofCats.’‘Then,’saidTinúviel,‘Imustgoandsuccourhim,fornoneelsedoIknowthatwill.’NowGwendeling laughed not, for inmanymatters shewaswise, and forewise, yet it was a thing

unthoughtinamaddreamthatanyElf,stilllessamaiden,thedaughteroftheking,shouldfareuntendedtothehallsofMelko,even in thoseearlierdaysbefore theBattleofTearswhenMelko’spowerhadnotgrowngreatandheveiledhisdesignsandspreadhisnetoflies.WhereforedidGwendelingsoftlybidhernot to speak such folly; but Tinúviel said: ‘Thenmust thou pleadwithmy father for aid, that he sendwarriorstoAngamandianddemandthefreedomofBerenfromAinuMelko.’This indeeddidGwendelingdo,of love forherdaughter,andsowrothwasTinwelint thatTinúviel

wishedthatneverhadherdesirebeenmadeknown;andTinwelintbadehernorspeaknorthinkofBerenmore,andsworehewouldslayhimanhetrodthosehallsagain.NowthenTinúvielponderedmuchwhatshe might do, and going to Dairon she begged him to aid her, or indeed to fare away with her toAngamandianhewould;butDaironthoughtwithlittleloveofBeren,andhesaid:‘WhereforeshouldIgointothedirestperilthatthereisintheworldforthesakeofawanderingGnomeofthewoods?IndeedIhaveno love for him, for hehas destroyedour play together, ourmusic andour dancing.’ButDaironmoreovertoldthekingofwhatTinúvielhaddesiredofhim—andthishedidnotofillintentbutfearinglestTinúvielfareawaytoherdeathinthemadnessofherheart.NowwhenTinwelintheardthishecalledTinúvielandsaid:‘Wherefore,Omaidenofmine,doesthou

notput thisfollyawayfromthee,andseektodomybidding?’ButTinúvielwouldnotanswer,andthekingbadeherpromisehimthatneitherwouldshethinkmoreonBeren,norwouldsheseekinherfollytofollowafterhimtotheevillandswhetheraloneortemptinganyofhisfolkwithher.ButTinúvielsaidthatthefirstshewouldnotpromiseandthesecondonlyinpart,forshewouldnottemptanyofthefolkofthewoodlandstogowithher.Thenwasherfathermightilyangry,andbeneathhisangernotalittleamazedandafraid,forheloved

Tinúviel;butthiswastheplanhedevised,forhemightnotshuthisdaughterforeverinthecavernswhereonlyadimandflickeringlightevercame.Nowabovetheportalsofhiscavernoushallwasasteepslopefallingtotheriver,andtheregrewmightybeeches;andonetherewasthatwasnamedHirilorn,theQueenofTrees, for shewasverymighty,andsodeeplyclovenwasherbole that it seemedas if threeshaftssprangfromtheground togetherand theywereof likesize, roundandstraight,and theirgrey rindwassmoothassilk,unbrokenbybranchortwigforaverygreatheightabovemen’sheads.NowTinwelintletbuildhighupinthatstrangetree,ashighasmencouldfashiontheirlongestladders

toreach,a littlehouseofwood,anditwasabovethefirstbranchesandwassweetlyveiledin leaves.Now thathousehad threecornersand threewindows ineachwall, andat eachcornerwasoneof theshaftsofHirilorn.TherethendidTinwelintbidTinúvieldwelluntilshewouldconsenttobewise,andwhenshefareduptheladdersoftallpinetheseweretakenfrombeneathandnowayhadshetogetdownagain.All thatshe requiredwasbrought toher,andfolkwouldscale the laddersandgiveher foodorwhateverelseshewishedfor,and thendescendingagain takeawaythe ladders,and thekingpromiseddeathtoanywholeftoneleaningagainstthetreeorwhoshouldtrybystealthtoplaceonethereatnight.Aguardthereforewassetnighthetree’sfoot,andyetcameDaironoftenthitherinsorrowatwhathehadbroughttopass,forhewaslonelywithoutTinúviel;butTinúvielhadatfirstmuchpleasureinherhouseamong the leaves, andwould gaze out of her littlewindowwhileDaironmadehis sweetestmelodiesbeneath.ButonenightadreamoftheValarcametoTinúvielandshedreamtofBeren,andherheartsaid:‘Let

mebegonetoseekhimwhomallothershaveforgot’;andwaking,themoonwasshiningthroughthetrees,and she pondered very deeply how shemight escape.NowTinúviel daughter ofGwendelingwas notignorantofmagicsorofspells,asmaywellbebelieved,andaftermuchthoughtshedevisedaplan.Thenextdaysheaskedthosewhocametohertobring,iftheywould,someoftheclearestwaterofthestreambelow,‘butthis,’shesaid,‘mustbedrawnatmidnightinasilverbowl,andbroughttomyhandwithnowordspoken,’andafterthatshedesiredwinetobebrought,‘butthis,’shesaid,‘mustbebornehitherinaflagonofgoldatnoon,andhewhobringsitmustsingashecomes,’andtheydidastheywerebid,butTinwelintwasnottold.ThensaidTinúviel,‘Gonowtomymotherandsaytoherthatherdaughterdesiresaspinningwheelto

passherwearyhours,’butDaironsecretlyshebeggedfashionheratinyloom,andhedidthiseveninthelittlehouseofTinúviel in the tree. ‘Butwherewithwillyouspinandwherewithweave?’ saidhe;andTinúvielanswered:‘Withspellsandmagics,’butDaironknewnotherdesign,norsaidmoretothekingortoGwendeling.NowTinúvieltookthewineandwaterwhenshewasalone,andsingingaverymagicsongthewhile,

shemingledthemtogether,andastheylayinthebowlofgoldshesangasongofgrowth,andastheylayinthebowlofsilvershesanganothersong,andthenamesofallthetallestandlongestthingsuponEarthweresetinthatsong;thebeardsoftheIndravangs,thetailofKarkaras,thebodyofGlorund,theboleofHirilorn, and the swordofNan shenamed,nordid she forget the chainAngainu thatAulë andTulkasmadeortheneckofGilimthegiant,andlastandlongestofallshespakeofthehairofUinentheladyoftheseathatisspreadthroughallthewaters.Thendidshelaveherheadwiththemingledwaterandwine,andasshedidsoshesangathirdsong,asongofuttermostsleep,andthehairofTinúvielwhichwasdarkand finer than themostdelicate threadsof twilightbegan suddenly togrowvery fast indeed, andafter

twelvehourshadpassed itnigh filled the little room,and thenTinúvielwasverypleasedand she laydowntorest;andwhensheawoketheroomwasfullaswithablackmistandshewasdeephiddenunderit,andlo!herhairwastrailingoutofthewindowsandblowingaboutthetreebolesinthemorning.Thenwithdifficultyshefoundherlittleshearsandcutthethreadsofthatgrowthnightoherhead,andafterthatherhairgrewonlyasitwaswontbefore.ThenwasthelabourofTinúvielbegun,andthoughshelabouredwiththedeftnessofanElflongwas

thespinningandlongerweavingstill,anddidanycomeandhailherfrombelowshebidthembegone,saying:‘Iamabed,anddesireonlytosleep,’andDaironwasmuchamazed,andcalledoftenuptoher,butshedidnotanswer.NowofthatcloudyhairTinúvielwovearobeofmistyblacksoakedwithdrowsinessmoremagicalfar

than even that one that her mother had worn and danced in long ago, and therewith she covered hergarments of shimmeringwhite, andmagic slumbers filled the air about her; but ofwhat remained shetwistedamightystrand,andthisshefastenedtotheboleofthetreewithinherhouse,andthenwasherlabourended,andshelookedoutofherwindowwestwardtotheriver.Alreadythesunlightwasfadinginthetrees,andasduskfilledthewoodsshebeganasongverysoftandlow,andasshesangshecastoutherlonghairfromthewindowsothatitsslumbrousmisttouchedtheheadsandfacesoftheguardsbelow,and they listening to her voice fell suddenly into a fathomless sleep. Then did Tinúviel clad in hergarmentsofdarknessslipdownthatropeofhairlightasasquirrel,andawayshedancedtothebridge,andbeforethebridgewardscouldcryoutshewasamongthemdancing;andasthehemofherblackrobetouchedthemtheyfellasleep,andTinúvielfledveryfarawayasfastasherdancingfeetwouldflit.NowwhentheescapeofTinúvielreachedtheearsofTinwelintgreatwashismingledgriefandwrath,

andallhiscourtwasinuproar,andallthewoodsringingwiththesearch,butTinúvielwasalreadyfarawaydrawingnightothegloomyfoothillswheretheMountainsofNightbegin;and’tissaidthatDaironfollowingafterherbecameutterlylost,andcameneverbacktoElfinesse,butturnedtowardsPalisor,andthereplayssubtlemagicmusicsstill,wistfulandlonelyinthewoodsandforestsofthesouth.Yet ere long asTinúvielwent forward a sudden dread overtook her at the thought ofwhat she had

daredtodoandwhatlaybefore;thendidsheturnbackforawhile,andshewept,wishingDaironwerewithher,anditissaidthatheindeedwasnotfaroff,butwaswanderinglostinthegreatpines,theForestofNight,whereafterwardTúrinslewBelegbymishap.Nigh was Tinúviel now to those places, but she entered not that dark region, and regaining heart

pressedon,andbyreasonof thegreatermagicofherbeingandbecauseof thespellofwonderandofsleepthatfaredabouthernosuchdangersassailedherasdidBerenbefore;yetwasitalongandevilandwearyjourneyforamaidentotread.Now is it to be told that in those days Tevildo had but one trouble in theworld, and thatwas the

kindredoftheDogs.ManyindeedofthesewereneitherfriendsnorfoesoftheCats,fortheyhadbecomesubjecttoMelkoandwereassavageandcruelasanyofhisanimals;indeedfromthemostcruelandmostsavagehebredtheraceofwolves,andtheywereverydearindeedtohim.WasitnotthegreatgreywolfKarkarasKnife-fang,fatherofwolves,whoguardedthegatesofAngamandiinthosedaysandlonghaddoneso?ManyweretherehoweverwhowouldneitherbowtoMelkonorlivewhollyinfearofhim,butdwelteitherinthedwellingsofMenandguardedthemfrommuchevilthathadotherwisebefallenthem,orroamedthewoodsofHisilómëorpassingthemountainousplacesfaredevenattimesintotheregionofArtanorandthelandsbeyondandtothesouth.DideveranyoftheseviewTevildooranyofhisthanesorsubjects,thentherewasagreatbayinganda

mightychase,andalbeitseldomwasanycatslainbyreasonoftheirskillinclimbingandinhidingandbecauseoftheprotectingmightofMelko,yetwasgreatenmitybetweenthem,andsomeofthosehoundswereheldindreadamongthecats.NonehoweverdidTevildofear,forhewasasstrongasanyamongthem,andmoreagileandmoreswiftsaveonlythanHuanCaptainofDogs.SoswiftwasHuanthatona

timehehadtastedthefurofTevildo,andthoughTevildohadpaidhimforthatwithagashfromhisgreatclaws,yetwastheprideofthePrinceofCatsunappeasedandhelustedtodoagreatharmtoHuanoftheDogs.GreatthereforewasthegoodfortunethatbefellTinúvielinmeetingwithHuaninthewoods,although

atfirstshewasmortallyafraidandfled.ButHuanovertookherintwoleaps,andspeakingsoftanddeepthetongueoftheLostElveshebidherbenotafraid,and‘Wherefore,’saidhe,‘doIseeanElvenmaiden,andonemostfair,wanderingalonesonightotheabodesoftheAinuofEvil?Knowestthounotthattheseareveryevilplacestobein,littleone,evenwithacompanion,andtheyaredeathtothelonely?’‘ThatknowI,’saidshe,‘andIamnotherefortheloveofwayfaring,butIseekonlyBeren.’‘Whatknowestthouthen,’saidHuan,‘ofBeren—orindeedmeanestthouBerensonofthehuntsmanof

theElves,Egnorbo-Rimion,afriendofminesinceveryancientdays?’‘Nay,IknownotevenwhethermyBerenbethyfriend,forIseekonlyBerenfrombeyondtheBitter

Hills,whomIknewinthewoodsneartomyfather’shome.Nowishegone,andmymotherGwendelingsaysofherwisdomthatheisathrallinthecruelhouseofTevildoPrinceofCats;andwhetherthisbetrueoryetworsebenowbefallenhimIdonotknow,andIgotodiscoverhim—thoughplanIhavenone.’‘ThenwillImaketheeone,’saidHuan,‘butdothoutrustinme,forIamHuanoftheDogs,chieffoeof

Tevildo.Resttheenowwithmeawhilewithintheshadowsofthewood,andIwillthinkdeeply.’ThenTinúvieldidashesaid,andindeedshesleptlongwhileHuanwatched,forshewasveryweary.

Butafterawhileawakeningshesaid:‘Lo,Ihavetarriedoverlong.Come,whatisthythought,OHuan?’AndHuansaid:‘Adarkanddifficultmatteristhis,andnootherredecanIdevisebutthis.Creepnow

ifthouhastthehearttotheabidingplaceofthatPrincewhilethesunishigh,andTevildoandthemostofhis household drowze upon the terraces before his gates. There discover in what manner thou maystwhetherBerenbeindeedwithin,asthymothersaidtothee.NowIwilllienotfarhenceinthewoods,andthouwiltdomeapleasureandaidthyowndesiresifgoingbeforeTevildo,beBerenthereorbehenot,thoutellesthimhowthouhaststumbleduponHuanoftheDogslyingsickinthewoodsatthisplace.Donot indeed direct him hither, for thoumust guide him, if itmay be, thyself. Thenwilt thou seewhat Icontrive for thee and for Tevildo.Methinks that bearing such tidings Tevildowill not entreat thee illwithinhishallsnorseektoholdtheethere.’InthiswaydidHuandesignbothtodoTevildoahurt,orperchanceifitmightsobetoslayhim,andto

aidBerenwhomheguessedintruthtobethatBerensonofEgnorwhomthehoundsofHisilómëloved.Indeed hearing the name of Gwendeling and knowing thereby that this maiden was a princess of thewoodlandfairieshewaseagertoaidher,andhisheartwarmedtohersweetness.NowTinúvieltakingheartstoleneartothehallsofTevildo,andHuanwonderedmuchathercourage,

followingunknowntoher,asfarashemightforthesuccessofhisdesign.Atlengthhowevershepassedbeyondhissight,andleavingtheshelterofthetreescametoaregionoflonggrassdottedwithbushesthatslopedeverupwardtowardashoulderofthehills.Nowuponthatrockyspurthesunshone,butoverallthehillsandmountainsatitsbackablackcloudbrooded,fortherewasAngamandi;andTinúvielfaredonnotdaringtolookupatthatgloom,forfearoppressedher,andasshewentthegroundroseandthegrassgrewmorescantandrock-strewnuntilitcameeventoacliff,sheerofoneside,andthereuponastonyshelfwas thecastleofTevildo.Nopathway led thereto,and theplacewhere it stood fell towards thewoods in terrace after terrace so that nonemight reach its gates save bymany great leaps, and thosebecameever steeperas thecastledrewmorenigh.Fewwere thewindowsof thathouseandupon thegroundtherewerenone—indeedtheverygatewasintheairwhereinthedwellingsofMenarewonttobethewindowsoftheupperfloor;buttheroofhadmanywideandflatspacesopentothesun.NowdoesTinúvielwanderdisconsolateuponthelowestterraceandlookindreadatthedarkhouse

uponthehill,whenbehold,shecameatabendintherockuponalonecatlyinginthesunandseeminglyasleep.Assheapproachedheopenedayelloweyeandblinkedather,andthereuponrisingandstretching

hesteppeduptoherandsaid:‘Whitheraway,littlemaid—dostnotknowthatyoutrespassonthesunninggroundofhishighnessTevildoandhisthanes?’NowTinúvielwasverymuchafraid,butshemadeasboldananswerasshewasable,saying:‘That

knowInot,mylord’—andthispleasedtheoldcatgreatly,forhewasintruthonlyTevildo’sdoorkeeper—‘butIwouldindeedofyourgoodnessbebroughttoTevildo’spresencenow—nay,evenifhesleeps,’saidshe,forthedoorkeeperlashedhistailinastonishedrefusal.‘I havewordsof immediate import forhisprivate ear.Leadme tohim,my lord,’ shepleaded, and

thereatthecatpurredsoloudlythatshedaredtostrokehisuglyhead,andthiswasmuchlargerthanherown,beinggreaterthanthatofanydogthatisnowonEarth.Thusentreated,Umuiyan,forsuchwashisname,said:‘Comethenwithme,’andseizingTinúvielsuddenlybyhergarmentsat theshoulder tohergreat terrorhe tossedheruponhisbackand leapedupon thesecond terrace.Therehestopped,andasTinúvielscrambledfromhisbackhesaid:‘Well is it for theethat thisafternoonmylordTevildoliethuponthislowlyterracefarfromhishouse,foragreatwearinessandadesireforsleephascomeuponme,sothatIfearmeIshouldnotbewillingtocarrytheemuchfarther’;nowTinúvielwasrobedinherrobeofsablemist.So sayingUmuiyanyawnedmightilyand stretchedhimselfbeforehe ledheralong that terrace toan

openspace,whereuponawidecouchofbakingstoneslaythehorribleformofTevildohimself,andbothhisevileyeswereshut.Goinguptohimthedoor-catUmuiyanspokeinhisearsoftly,saying:‘Amaidenawaits thy pleasure,my lord,whohath newsof importance to deliver to thee, norwould she takemyrefusal.’ThendidTevildoangrilylashhistail,halfopeninganeye—‘Whatisit—beswift,’saidhe,‘forthisisnohourtocomedesiringaudienceofTevildoPrinceofCats.’‘Nay,lord,’saidTinúvieltrembling,‘benotangry;nordoIthinkthatthouwiltwhenthouhearest,yet

isthemattersuchthatitwerebetternotevenwhisperedherewherethebreezesblow,’andTinúvielcastaglanceasitwereofapprehensiontowardthewoods.‘Nay,gettheegone,’saidTevildo,‘thousmellestofdog,andwhatnewsofgoodcameevertoacat

fromafairythathadhaddealingswiththedogs?’‘Why, sir, that I smell of dogs is nomatter ofwonder, for I have just escaped fromone—and it is

indeedofacertainverymightydogwhosenamethouknowestthatIwouldspeak.’ThenupsatTevildoandopenedhiseyes,andhelookedallabouthim,andstretchedthreetimes,andatlastbadethedoor-catleadTinúvielwithin;andUmuiyancaughtheruponhisbackasbefore.NowwasTinúvielinthesorestdread, for having gained what she desired, a chance of entering Tevildo’s stronghold and maybe ofdiscoveringwhetherBerenwerethere,shehadnoplanmore,andknewnotwhatwouldbecomeofher—indeedhadshebeenableshewouldhavefled;yetnowdothosecatsbegintoascendtheterracestowardsthecastle,andoneleapdoesUmuiyanmakebearingTinúvielupwardsandthenanother,andatthethirdhestumbledsothatTinúvielcriedoutinfear,andTevildosaid:‘Whatailsthee,Umuiyan,thouclumsy-foot?Itistimethatthouleftmyemployifagecreepsontheesoswiftly.’ButUmuiyansaid:‘Nay,lord,Iknownotwhatitis,butamistisbeforemyeyesandmyheadisheavy,’andhestaggeredasonedrunk,sothatTinúvielslidfromhisback,andthereuponhelaidhimdownasifinadeadsleep;butTevildowaswrothandseizedTinúvielandnonetoogently,andhimselfborehertothegates.Thenwithamightyleaphesprangwithin,andbiddingthatmaidenalighthesetupayellthatechoedfearsomelyinthedarkwaysandpassages.Forthwiththeyhastenedtohimfromwithin,andsomehebiddescendtoUmuiyanandbindhimandcasthimfromtherocks‘onthenorthernsidewheretheyfallmostsheer,forheisofnousemoretome,’ he said, ‘for his age has robbedhimof his sureness of foot’; andTinúviel quaked to hear theruthlessness of this beast. But even as he spoke he himself yawned and stumbled as with a suddendrowziness,andhebidothers to leadTinúvielawaytoacertainchamberwithin,andthatwas theonewhereTevildowas accustomed to sit atmeatwith his greatest thanes. Itwas full of bones and smeltevilly;nowindowswerethereandbutonedoor;butahatchwaygavefromituponthegreatkitchens,and

aredlightcreptthenceanddimlylittheplace.NowsoadreadwasTinúvielwhenthosecatfolklefthertherethatshestoodamomentunabletostir,

butsoonbecomingusedtothedarknessshelookedaboutandespyingthehatchwaythathadawidesillshesprangthereto,foritwasnotoverhighandshewasanimbleElf.Nowgazingtherethrough,foritwasajar,shesawthewidevaultedkitchensandthegreatfiresthatburntthere,andthosethattoiledalwayswithin,andthemostwerecats—butbehold,therebyagreatfirestoopedBeren,andhewasgrimedwithlabour, andTinúviel sat andwept, but asyetdarednothing. Indeedevenas she sat theharshvoiceofTevildosoundedsuddenlywithinthatchamber:‘Nay,wheretheninMelko’snamehasthatmadElffled,’andTinúvielhearingshrankagainstthewall,butTevildocaughtsightofherwhereshewasperchedandcried: ‘Then the little bird singsnot anymore; comedownor Imust fetch thee, for behold, Iwill notencouragetheElvestoseekaudienceofmeinmockery.’

Thenpartly in fear, andpart inhope thatherclearvoicemightcarryeven toBeren,Tinúvielbegansuddenlytospeakveryloudandtotellhertalesothatthechambersrang;but‘Hush,dearmaiden,’saidTevildo,‘ifthematterweresecretwithoutitisnotoneforbawlingwithin.’ThensaidTinúviel:‘Speaknotthustome,Ocat,mightyLordofCatsthoughthoube,foramInotTinúvielPrincessofFairiesthathavesteppedoutofmywaytodotheeapleasure?’Nowatthosewords,andshehadshoutedthemevenlouder than before, a great crash was heard in the kitchens as of a number of vessels of metal andearthenwareletsuddenlyfall,butTevildosnarled:‘TheretrippeththatfoolBerentheElf.Melkoridmeofsuchfolk’—yetTinúviel,guessingthatBerenhadheardandbeensmittenwithastonishment,putaside

herfearsandrepentedherdaringnolonger.Tevildononethelesswasverywrothatherhaughtywords,andhadhenotbeenmindedfirsttodiscoverwhatgoodhemightgetfromhertale,ithadfaredillwithTinúvielstraightway.Indeedfromthatmomentshewasingreatperil,forMelkoandallhisvassalsheldTinwelintandhisfolkasoutlaws,andgreatwastheirjoytoensnarethemandcruellyentreatthem,sothatmuchfavourwouldTevildohavegainedhadhe takenTinúvielbeforehis lord. Indeed,sosoonasshenamedherself, thisdidhepurpose todowhenhisownbusinesshadbeendone,butofa truthhiswitswere drowzed that day, and he forgot to marvel more why Tinúviel sat perched upon the sill of thehatchway;nordidhe thinkmoreofBeren,forhismindwasbentonly to the taleTinúvielbore tohim.Wherefore saidhe,dissemblinghisevilmood, ‘Nay,Lady,benotangry,butcome,delaywhettethmydesire—whatisitthatthouhastformyears,fortheytwitchalready.’ButTinúvielsaid:‘Thereisagreatbeast,rudeandviolent,andhisnameisHuan’—andatthatname,

Tevildo’sbackcurved,andhishairbristledandcrackled,andthelightofhiseyeswasred—‘and’,shewenton, ‘it seems tomeashame that suchabrutebesuffered to infect thewoodssonigheven to theabodeofthepowerfulPrinceofCats,mylordTevildo’;butTevildosaid:‘Norishesuffered,andcomethnevertheresaveitbebystealth.’‘Howsothatmaybe,’saidTinúviel,‘thereheisnow,yetmethinksthatatlastmayhislifebebrought

utterlytoanend;forlo,asIwasgoingthroughthewoodsIsawwhereagreatanimallayuponthegroundmoaningasinsickness—andbehold,itwasHuan,andsomeevilspellormaladyhashiminitsgrip,andstillhelieshelplessinadalenotamilewestwardinthewoodsfromthishall.NowwiththisperhapsIwouldnothavetroubledyourears,hadnotthebrutewhenIapproachedtosuccourhimsnarleduponmeandessayedtobiteme,andmeseemsthatsuchacreaturedeserveswhatevercometohim.’NowallthisthatTinúvielspakewasagreatlieinwhosedevisingHuanhadguidedher,andmaidens

oftheEldararenotwonttofashionlies;yethaveIneverheardthatanyoftheEldarblamedherthereinnorBerenafterward,andneitherdoI,forTevildowasanevilcatandMelkothewickedestofallbeings,andTinúvielwasindireperilattheirhands.Tevildohowever,himselfagreatandskilledliar,wassodeeplyversed in the liesandsubtletiesofall thebeastsandcreatures thatheseldomknewwhether tobelievewhatwas said to him or not, andwaswont to disbelieve all things save those hewished tobelieve true, and so was he often deceived by the more honest. Now the story of Huan and hishelplessnesssopleasedhimthathewasfaintobelieveittrue,anddeterminedatleasttotestit;yetatfirsthe feigned indifference, saying this was a smallmatter for such secrecy andmight have been spokenoutsidewithoutfurtherado.ButTinúvielsaidshehadnotthoughtthatTevildoPrinceofCatsneededtolearnthattheearsofHuanheardtheslightestsoundsaleagueaway,andthevoiceofacatfurtherthananysoundelse.NowthereforeTevildosoughttodiscoverfromTinúvielunderpretenceofmistrustinghertalewhere

exactlyHuanmightbefound,butshemadeonlyvagueanswers,seeinginthisheronlyhopeofescapingfrom the castle, and at lengthTevildo, overcomeby curiosity and threatening evil things if she shouldprovefalse,summonedtwoofhisthanestohim,andonewasOikeroi,afierceandwarlikecat.Thendidthe three setoutwithTinúviel from thatplace,butTinúviel tookoffhermagicalgarmentofblackandfoldedit,sothatforallitssizeanddensityitappearednomorethanthesmallestkerchief(forsowassheable), and thus was she borne down the terraces upon the back of Oikeroi without mishap, and nodrowzinessassailedherbearer.Nowcrepttheythroughthewoodsinthedirectionshehadnamed,andsoondoesTevildosmelldogandbristlesand lasheshisgreat tail,butafterheclimbsa lofty treeandlooksdownfromthenceintothatdalethatTinúvielhadshowntothem.Therehedoesindeedseethegreatform ofHuan lying prostrate groaning andmoaning, and he comes down inmuch glee and haste, andindeedinhiseagernessheforgetsTinúviel,whonowingreatfearforHuanlieshiddeninabankoffern.ThedesignofTevildoandhistwocompanionswastoenterthatdalesilentlyfromdifferentquartersandsocomeallsuddenlyuponHuanunawaresandslayhim,orifheweretoostrickentomakefighttomake

sportofhimandtormenthim.Thisdidtheynow,butevenastheyleaptoutuponhimHuansprangupintotheairwithamightybaying,andhis jawsclosed in thebackclose to theneckof thatcatOikeroi,andOikeroidied;buttheotherthanefledhowlingupagreattree,andsowasTevildoleftalonefacetofacewithHuan,andsuchanencounterwasnotmuchtohismind,yetwasHuanuponhimtooswiftlyforflight,and they fought fiercely in thatglade, and thenoise thatTevildomadewasveryhideous;but at lengthHuan had him by the throat, and that catmightwell have perished had not his claws as he struck outblindlypiercedHuan’seye.ThendidHuangivetongue,andTevildoscreechingfearsomelygothimselfloosewithagreatwrenchandleaptupatallandsmoothtreethatstoodby,evenashiscompanionhaddone.DespitehisgrievoushurtHuannowleapsbeneaththattreebayingmightily,andTevildocurseshimandcastsevilwordsuponhimfromabove.Then saidHuan: ‘Lo,Tevildo, these are thewordsofHuanwhom thou thoughtest to catch and slay

helplessasthemiserablemiceitisthywonttohunt—stayforeverupthylonelytreeandbleedtodeathofthywounds,orcomedownandfeelagainmyteeth.Butifneitheraretothyliking,thentellmewhereisTinúvielPrincessofFairiesandBerensonofEgnor,forthesearemyfriends.Nowtheseshallbesetasransomagainstthee—thoughitbevaluingtheefaroverthyworth.’‘AsforthatcursedElf,shelieswhimperinginthefernsyonder,anmyearsmistakenot,’saidTevildo,

‘andBerenmethinksisbeingsoundlyscratchedbyMiaulëmycookin thekitchensofmycastleforhisclumsinessthereanhourago.’‘Thenletthembegiventomeinsafety,’saidHuan,‘andthoumayestreturnthyselftothyhallsandlick

thyselfunharmed.’‘Ofasuretymythanewhoisherewithmeshallfetchthemforthee,’saidTevildo,butgrowledHuan:

‘Ay,andfetchalsoallthytribeandhostsoftheOrcsandtheplaguesofMelko.Nay,Iamnofool;rathershaltthougiveTinúvielatokenandsheshallfetchBeren,orthoushaltstayhereifthoulikestnottheotherway.’ThenwasTevildoforcedtocastdownhisgoldencollar—atokennocatdaredishonour,butHuansaid:‘Nay,moreyetisneeded,forthiswillarouseallthyfolktoseekthee,’andthisTevildoknewandhadhoped.Sowasitthatintheendwearinessandhungerandfearprevaileduponthatproudcat,aprinceoftheserviceofMelko,torevealthesecretofthecatsandthespellthatMelkohadentrustedtohim;andthosewerewordsofmagicwherebythestonesofhisevilhousewereheldtogether,andwherebyheheldallbeastsofthecatfolkunderhissway,fillingthemwithanevilpowerbeyondtheirnature;forlonghasitbeensaidthatTevildowasanevilfayinbeastlikeshape.WhenthereforehehadtolditHuanlaughedtillthewoodsrang,forheknewthatthedaysofthepowerofthecatswereover.NowspedTinúvielwiththegoldencollarofTevildobacktothelowestterracebeforethegates,and

standingshespakethespellinherclearvoice.Thenbehold,theairwasfilledwiththevoicesofcatsandthehouseofTevildoshook;andtherecametherefromahostofindwellersandtheywereshrunktopunysizeandwereafearedofTinúviel,whowaving thecollarofTevildo spakebefore themcertainof thewordsthatTevildohadsaidinherhearingtoHuan,andtheycoweredbeforeher.Butshesaid:‘Lo,letall thoseofthefolkoftheElvesorofthechildrenofMenthatareboundwithinthesehallsbebroughtforth,’andbehold,Berenwasbroughtforth,butofotherthrallstherewerenone,saveonlyGimli,anagedGnome,bentinthraldomandgrownblind,butwhosehearingwasthekeenestthathasbeenintheworld,asallsongssay.GimlicameleaninguponastickandBerenaidedhim,butBerenwascladinragsandhaggard,andhehadinhishandagreatknifehehadcaughtupinthekitchen,fearingsomenewillwhenthehouseshookandallthevoicesofthecatswereheard;butwhenhebeheldTinúvielstandingamidthehostof cats that shrank fromher and saw thegreat collarofTevildo, thenwasheamazedutterly, andknewnotwhattothink.ButTinúvielwasveryglad,andspokesaying:‘OBerenfrombeyondtheBitterHills,wilt thounowdancewithme—butlet itnotbehere.’AndsheledBerenfaraway,andall thosecatssetupahowlingandwailing,sothatHuanandTevildohearditinthewoods,butnonefollowedormolestedthem,fortheywereafraid,andthemagicofMelkowasfallenfromthem.

ThisindeedtheyruedafterwardwhenTevildoreturnedhomefollowedbyhistremblingcomrade,forTevildo’swrathwasterrible,andhelashedhistailanddealtblowsatallwhostoodnigh.NowHuanofthedogs,thoughitmightseemafolly,whenBerenandTinúvielcametothatgladehadsufferedthatevilPrincetoreturnwithoutfurtherwar,butthegreatcollarofgoldhehadsetabouthisownneck,andatthiswasTevildomoreangrythanallelse,foragreatmagicofstrengthandpowerlaytherein.LittletoHuan’slikingwasitthatTevildolivedstill,butnownolongerdidhefearthecats,andthattribehasfledbeforethedogseversince,andthedogsholdthemstillinscornsincethehumblingofTevildointhewoodsnighAngamandi; andHuanhasnotdoneanygreaterdeed. IndeedafterwardMelkoheardall andhecursedTevildoandhisfolkandbanishedthem,norhavetheysincethatdayhadlordormasteroranyfriend,andtheirvoiceswailandscreechfortheirheartsareverylonelyandbitterandfullofloss,yetthereisonlydarknessthereinandnokindliness.At the time however whereof the tale tells it was Tevildo’s chief desire to recapture Beren and

TinúvielandtoslayHuan,thathemightregainthespellandmagichehadlost,forhewasingreatfearofMelko, and he dared not seek his master’s aid and reveal his defeat and the betrayal of his spell.Unwitting of thisHuan feared those places, andwas in great dread lest those doings come swiftly toMelko’s ear, as did most things that came to pass in the world; wherefore now Tinúviel and BerenwanderedfarawaywithHuan,andtheybecamegreatinfriendshipwithhim,andinthatlifeBerengrewstrongagainandhisthraldomfellfromhim,andTinúviellovedhim.Yetwildandruggedandverylonelywerethosedays,forneverafaceofElforofMandidtheysee,

andTinúvielgrewatlasttolongsorelyforGwendelinghermotherandthesongsofsweetmagicshewasusedtosingtoherchildrenastwilightfellinthewoodlandsbytheirancienthalls.OftenshehalffanciedsheheardthefluteofDaironherbrother,inpleasantgladeswhereintheysojourned,andherheartgrewheavy.AtlengthshesaidtoBerenandtoHuan:‘Imustreturnhome,’andnowisitBeren’sheartthatisovercastwith sorrow, for he loved that life in thewoodswith the dogs (for by nowmanyothers hadbecomejoinedtoHuan),yetnotifTinúvielwerenotthere.Nonethelesssaidhe:‘NevermayIgobackwiththeetothelandofArtanor—norcomethereeverafter

toseekthee,sweetTinúviel,saveonlybearingaSilmaril;normaythatevernowbeachieved,foramInotafugitivefromtheveryhallsofMelko,andindangerofthemostevilpainsdoanyofhisservantsspyme.’NowthishesaidinthegriefofhisheartatpartingwithTinúviel,andshewastorninmind,abidingnotthethoughtofleavingBerennoryetoflivingeverthusinexile.Sosatsheagreatwhileinsadthoughtandshespokenot,butBerensatnighandatlengthsaid:‘Tinúviel,onethingonlycanwedo—gogetaSilmaril’; and she sought thereuponHuan, asking his aid and advice, but hewas very grave and sawnothingbutfollyinthematter.YetintheendTinúvielbeggedofhimthefellofOikeroithatheslewintheaffrayoftheglade;nowOikeroiwasaverymightycatandHuancarriedthatfellwithhimasatrophy.NowdothTinúvielputforthherskillandfairy-magic,andshesewsBerenintothisfellandmakeshim

tothelikenessofagreatcat,andsheteacheshimhowtositandsprawl,tostepandboundandtrotinthesemblanceofacat,tillHuan’sverywhiskersbristledatthesight,andthereatBerenandTinúviellaughed.NeverhowevercouldBerenlearntoscreechorwailortopurrlikeanycatthateverwalked,norcouldTinúvielawakenaglowinthedeadeyesofthecatskin—‘butwemustputupwiththat,’saidshe,‘andthouhasttheairofaverynoblecatifthoubutholdthytongue.’ThendidtheybidfarewelltoHuanandsetoutforthehallsofMelkobyeasyjourneys,forBerenwas

ingreatdiscomfortandheatwithinthefurofOikeroi,andTinúviel’sheartbecamelighterawhilethanithadbeenfor long,andshestrokedBerenorpulledhis tail,andBerenwasangrybecausehecouldnotlashitinanswerasfiercelyashewished.AtlengthhowevertheydrewneartoAngamandi,asindeedtherumblings and deep noises, and the sound of mighty hammerings of ten thousand smiths labouringunceasingly, declared to them.Nighwere the sad chamberswhere the thrall-Noldoli laboured bitterlyundertheOrcsandgoblinsofthehills,andherethegloomanddarknesswasgreatsothattheirheartsfell,

butTinúvielarrayedheroncemoreinherdarkgarmentofdeepsleep.NowthegatesofAngamandiwereofironwroughthideouslyandsetwithknivesandspikes,andbeforethemlaythegreatestwolftheworldhas ever seen, even Karkaras Knife-fang who had never slept; and Karkaras growled when he sawTinúvielapproach,butofthecathetooknotmuchheed,forhethoughtlittleofcatsandtheywereeverpassinginandout.‘Growlnot,OKarkaras,’saidshe, ‘forIgo toseekmylordMelko,andthis thaneofTevildogoeth

withme as escort.’Now the dark robeveiled all her shimmeringbeauty, andKarkaraswas notmuchtroubled inmind,yetnonethelessheapproachedaswashiswont tosnuff theairofher,and thesweetfragrance of the Eldar that garmentmight not hide. Therefore straightway did Tinúviel begin amagicdance,andtheblackstrandsofherdarkveilshecastinhiseyessothathislegsshookwithadrowzinessandherolledoverandwasasleep.ButnotuntilhewasfastindreamsofgreatchasesinthewoodsofHisilómëwhenhewasyetawhelpdidTinúvielcease,andthendidthosetwainenterthatblackportal,andwindingdownmanyshadowywaystheystumbledatlengthintotheverypresenceofMelko.InthatgloomBerenpassedwellenoughasaverythaneofTevildo,andindeedOikeroihadaforetime

beenmuchaboutthehallsofMelko,sothatnoneheededhimandheslunkundertheverychairoftheAinuunseen,buttheaddersandevilthingstherelyingsethimingreatfearsothathedurstnotmove.Nowallthisfelloutmostfortunately,forhadTevildobeenwithMelkotheirdeceitwouldhavebeen

discovered—andindeedofthatdangertheyhadthought,notknowingthatTevildosatnowinhishallsandknewnotwhat todo shouldhisdiscomfiturebecomenoised inAngamandi; butbehold,MelkoespiethTinúvielandsaith:‘Whoartthouthatflittestaboutmyhallslikeabat?Howcamestthouin,forofasuretythoudostnotbelonghere?’‘Nay, that I donotyet,’ saithTinúviel, ‘though Imayperchancehereafter, of thygoodness,my lord

Melko.KnowestthounotthatIamTinúvieldaughterofTinwelinttheoutlaw,andhehathdrivenmefromhishalls,forheisanoverbearingElfandIgivenotmyloveathiscommand.’Now in truth was Melko amazed that the daughter of Tinwelint came thus of her free will to his

dwelling,Angamanditheterrible,andsuspectingsomethinguntowardheaskedwhatwasherdesire:‘forknowestthounot,’saithhe,‘thatthereisnolovehereforthyfatherorhisfolk,norneedestthouhopeforsoftwordsandgoodcheerfromme.’‘Sohathmyfathersaid,’saithshe,‘butwhereforeneedIbelievehim?Behold,Ihaveaskillofsubtle

dances,andIwoulddancenowbeforeyou,mylord,forthenmethinksImightreadilybegrantedsomehumble corner of your hallswherein to dwell until such times as you should call for the little dancerTinúvieltolightenyourcares.’‘Nay,’saithMelko,‘suchthingsarelittletomymind;butasthouhastcomethusfartodance,dance,

andafterwewillsee,’andwiththatheleeredhorribly,forhisdarkmindponderedsomeevil.Then didTinúviel begin such a dance as neither she nor any other sprite or fay or elf danced ever

beforeorhasdonesince,andafterawhileevenMelko’sgazewasheldinwonder.Roundthehallshefared,swiftasaswallow,noiselessasabat,magicallybeautifulasonlyTinúvieleverwas,andnowshewasatMelko’sside,nowbeforehim,nowbehind,andhermistydraperiestouchedhisfaceandwavedbeforehiseyes,andthefolkthatsataboutthewallsorstoodinthatplacewerewhelmedonebyoneinsleep,fallingdownintodeepdreamsofallthattheirillheartsdesired.Beneathhischairtheadderslaylikestones,andthewolvesbeforehisfeetyawnedandslumbered,and

Melkogazedonenchanted,buthedidnotsleep.ThenbeganTinúvieltodanceayetswifterdancebeforehiseyes,andevenasshedancedshesanginavoiceverylowandwonderfulasongwhichGwendelinghadtaughtherlongago,asongthattheyouthsandmaidenssangbeneaththecypressesofthegardensofLórienwhentheTreeofGoldhadwanedandSilpionwasgleaming.Thevoicesofnightingaleswereinit,andmanysubtleodoursseemedtofill theairofthatnoisomeplaceasshetrodthefloorlightlyasafeatherinthewind;norhasanyvoiceorsightofsuchbeautyeveragainbeenseenthere,andAinuMelko

forallhispowerandmajestysuccumbedto themagicof thatElf-maid,and indeedeven theeyelidsofLórienhadgrownheavyhadhebeentheretosee.ThendidMelkofallforwarddrowzed,andsankatlastinuttersleepdownfromhischairuponthefloor,andhisironcrownrolledaway.SuddenlyTinúvielceased.Inthehallnosoundwasheardsaveofslumbrousbreath;evenBerenslept

beneath the very seat of Melko, but Tinúviel shook him so that he awoke at last. Then in fear andtremblinghetoreasunderhisdisguiseandfreeinghimselffromitleapttohisfeet.Nowdoeshedrawthatknife that he had fromTevildo’s kitchens and he seizes themighty iron crown, butTinúviel could notmoveitandscarcelymightthethewsofBerenavailtoturnit.GreatisthefrenzyoftheirfearasinthatdarkhallofsleepingevilBerenlaboursasnoiselesslyasmaybetopriseoutaSilmarilwithhisknife.Nowdoesheloosenthegreatcentraljewelandthesweatpoursfromhisbrow,butevenasheforcesitfromthecrownlo!hisknifesnapswithaloudcrack.Tinúviel smothers a cry thereat andBeren springs awaywith the one Silmaril in his hand, and the

sleepersstirandMelkogroansasthoughillthoughtsdisturbedhisdreams,andablacklookcomesuponhis sleeping face. Content nowwith that one flashing gem those twain fled desperately from the hall,stumblingwildlydownmanydarkpassagestillfromtheglimmeringofgreylighttheyknewtheynearedthegates—andbehold!Karkarasliesacrossthethreshold,awakeoncemoreandwatchful.StraightwayBerenthrusthimselfbeforeTinúvielalthoughshesaidhimnay,andthisprovedintheend

ill,forTinúvielhadnottimetocastherspellofslumberoverthebeastagain,ereseeingBerenhebaredhis teeth and growled angrily. ‘Wherefore this surliness, Karkaras?’ said Tinúviel. ‘Wherefore thisGnomewho entered not and yet now issueth in haste?’ quothKnife-fang, andwith that he leapt uponBeren,who struck straight between thewolf’s eyeswithhis fist, catching for his throatwith theotherhand.ThenKarkarasseizedthathandinhisdreadful jaws,anditwas thehandwhereinBerenclaspedthe

blazingSilmaril, and both hand and jewelKarkaras bit off and took into his redmaw.Greatwas theagonyofBerenandthefearandanguishofTinúviel,yetevenastheyexpecttofeeltheteethofthewolfanewthingstrangeandterriblecomestopass.BeholdnowthatSilmarilblazethwithawhiteandhiddenfireofitsownnatureandispossessedofafierceandholymagic—fordiditnotcomefromValinorandtheblessedrealms,beingfashionedwithspellsof theGodsandGnomesbeforeevilcamethere;anditdothnottoleratethetouchofevilfleshorofunholyhand.NowcomethitintothefoulbodyofKarkaras,andsuddenlythatbeastisburntwithaterribleanguishandthehowlingofhispainisghastlytohearasitechoethinthoserockyways,sothatallthesleepingcourtwithinawakes.ThendidTinúvielandBerenflee like thewind from the gates, yetwasKarkaras far before them raging and inmadness as a beastpursuedbyBalrogs;andafterwhentheymightdrawbreathTinúvielweptoverthemaimedarmofBerenkissing itoften,so thatbehold itblednot,andpain left it,andwashealedby the tenderhealingofherlove;yetwasBereneveraftersurnamedamongallfolkErmabwedtheOne-handed,whichinthelanguageoftheLonelyIsleisElmavoitë.Nowhowevermusttheybethinkthemofescape—ifsuchmaybetheirfortune,andTinúvielwrapped

partofherdarkmantleaboutBeren,andsoforawhileflittingbyduskanddarkamidthehillstheywereseenbynone,albeitMelkohadraisedallhisOrcsofterroragainstthem;andhisfuryattherapeofthatjewelwasgreaterthantheElveshadeverseenityet.Evensoitseemssoontothemthatthenetofhuntersdrewevermoretightlyuponthem,andthoughthey

hadreached theedgeof themorefamiliarwoodsandpassed thegloomsof theforestofTaurfuin,stillweretheremanyleaguesofperilyettopassbetweenthemandthecavernsoftheking,andevendidtheyreacheverthereitseemedliketheywouldbutdrawthechasebehindthemthitherandMelko’shateuponall that woodland folk. So great indeed was the hue and cry that Huan learnt of it far away, and hemarvelledmuchatthedaringofthosetwain,andstillmorethatevertheyhadescapedfromAngamandi.NowgoeshewithmanydogsthroughthewoodshuntingOrcsandthanesofTevildo,andmanyhurtshe

gotthus,andmanyofthemhesleworputtofearandflight,untiloneevenatdusktheValarbroughthimtoaglade in thatnorthward regionofArtanor thatwascalledafterwardNanDumgorthin, the landof thedark idols, but that is amatter that concerns not this tale. Howbeit it was even then a dark land andgloomyandforeboding,anddreadwanderedbeneathitsloweringtreesnolesseventhaninTaurfuin;andthosetwoElvesTinúvielandBerenwerelyingthereinwearyandwithouthope,andTinúvielweptbutBerenwasfingeringhisknife.NowwhenHuansawthemhewouldnotsufferthemtospeakortotellanyoftheirtale,butstraightway

tookTinúvieluponhismightybackandbadeBeren runasbesthecouldbesidehim, ‘for,’ saidhe, ‘agreat companyof theOrcs are drawing swiftly hither, andwolves are their trackers and their scouts.’NowdothHuan’spackrunaboutthem,andtheygoveryswiftlyalongquickandsecretpathstowardsthehomesofthefolkofTinwelintfaraway.Thuswasitthattheyeludedthehostoftheirenemies,buthadnonethelessmanyanencounterafterwardwithwanderingthingsofevil,andBerenslewanOrcthatcamenightodraggingoffTinúviel,andthatwasagooddeed.Seeingthenthatthehuntstillpressedthemclose,oncemoredidHuanleadthembywindingways,anddarednotyetstraightlytobringthemtothelandofthewoodlandfairies.Socunninghoweverwashisleadingthatatlastaftermanydaysthechasefellfaraway,andnolongerdidtheyseeorhearanythingofthebandsofOrcs;nogoblinswaylaidthemnordidthehowlingofanyevilwolvescomeupontheairsatnight,andbelikethatwasbecausealreadytheyhadsteppedwithin the circle ofGwendeling’smagic that hid the paths from evil and kept harm from theregionsofthewoodelves.ThendidTinúvielbreathefreelyoncemoreasshehadnotdonesinceshefledfromherfather’shalls,

andBerenrestedinthesunfarfromthegloomsofAngbanduntilthelastbitternessofthraldomlefthim.Becauseof the light falling throughgreen leavesand thewhisperofcleanwindsand thesongofbirdsoncemorearetheywhollyunafraid.AtlastcamethereneverthelessadaywhereonwakingoutofadeepslumberBerenstartedupasone

wholeavesadreamofhappythingscomingsuddenlytohismind,andhesaid:‘Farewell,OHuan,mosttrustycomrade,andthou,littleTinúviel,whomIlove,faretheewell.ThisonlyIbegofthee,gettheenowstraighttothesafetyofthyhome,andmaygoodHuanleadthee.ButI—lo,Imustawayintothesolitudeofthewoods, for I have lost thatSilmarilwhich I had, andnever dare I drawnear toAngamandimore,whereforeneitherwillIenterthehallsofTinwelint.’Thenhewepttohimself,butTinúvielwhowasnighandhadhearkenedtohismusingcamebesidehimandsaid;‘Nay,nowismyheartchanged,andifthoudwellest in thewoods,OBerenErmabwed, thensowill I, and if thouwiltwander in thewildplacestherewillIwanderalso,orwiththeeorafterthee:—yetnevershallmyfatherseemeagainsaveonlyifthoutakestmetohim.’ThenindeedwasBerengladofhersweetwords,andfainwouldhehavedweltwithherasahuntsmanofthewild,buthisheartsmotehimforallthatshehadsufferedforhim,andforherheputawayhispride.Indeedshereasonedwithhim,sayingitwouldbefollytobestubborn,andthatherfatherwouldgreetthemwithnoughtbutjoy,beinggladtoseehisdaughteryetalive—‘andmaybe,’saidshe,‘hewillhaveshamethathisjestinghasgiventhyfairhandtothejawsofKarkaras.’ButHuanalsosheimploredtoreturnwiththemaspace,for‘myfatherowestheeaverygreatreward,OHuan,’saithshe,‘anheloveshisdaughteratall.’Socameitthatthosethreesetforwardonceagaintogether,andcameatlastbacktothewoodlandsthat

Tinúvielknewandlovednightothedwellingsofherfolkandtothedeephallsofherhome.Yetevenastheyapproachtheyfindfearandtumultamongthatpeoplesuchashadnotbeenforalongage,andaskingsome that wept before their doors they learned that ever since the day of Tinúviel’s secret flight ill-fortunehadbefallenthem.Lo,thekinghadbeendistraughtwithgriefandhadrelaxedhisancientwarinessand cunning; indeed his warriors had been sent hither and thither deep into the unwholesome woodssearching for thatmaiden, andmanyhadbeen slain or lost for ever, andwar therewaswithMelko’sservantsaboutalltheirnorthernandeasternborders,sothatthefolkfearedmightilylestthatAinuupraise

hisstrengthandcomeutterlytocrushthemandGwendeling’smagichavenotthestrengthtowithholdthenumbers of the Orcs. ‘Behold,’ said they, ‘now is the worst of all befallen, for long has QueenGwendelingsataloofandsmilednotnorspoken,lookingasitweretoagreatdistancewithhaggardeyes,andthewebofhermagichasblownthinaboutthewoods,andthewoodsaredreary,forDaironcomesnotback,neitherishismusicheardeverintheglades.Beholdnowthecrownofalloureviltidings,forknow that therehasbrokenuponus raging from thehalls ofEvil agreat greywolf filledwith an evilspirit,andhe faresas though lashedbysomehiddenmadness,andnonearesafe.Alreadyhasheslainmanyasherunswildlysnappingandyellingthroughthewoods,sothattheverybanksofthestreamthatflows before the king’s halls has become a lurking-place of danger. There comes the awful wolfoftentimes todrink, lookingas the evilPrincehimselfwithbloodshot eyes and tongue lolling out, andnevercanheslakehisdesireforwaterasthoughsomeinwardfiredevourshim.’ThenwasTinúvielsadatthethoughtoftheunhappinessthathadcomeuponherfolk,andmostofall

washerheartbitteratthestoryofDairon,forofthisshehadnotheardanymurmurbefore.YetcouldshenotwishBerenhadcomenevertothelandsofArtanor,andtogethertheymadehastetoTinwelint;andalreadytotheElvesofthewooditseemedthattheevilwasatanendnowthatTinúvielwascomebackamongthemunharmed.Indeedtheyscarcehadhopedforthat.IngreatgloomdotheyfindKingTinwelint,yetsuddenlyishissorrowmeltedtotearsofgladness,and

GwendelingsingsagainforjoywhenTinúvielentersthereandcastingawayherraimentofdarkmistshestandsbeforetheminherpearlyradianceofold.Forawhileallismirthandwonderinthathall,andyetatlengththekingturnshiseyestoBerenandsays:‘Sothouhastreturnedtoo—bringingaSilmaril,beyonddoubt,inrecompenseforalltheillthouhastwroughtmyland;oranthouhastnot,Iknownotwhereforethouarthere.’ThenTinúvielstampedherfootandcriedsothatthekingandallabouthimwonderedathernewand

fearlessmood:‘Forshame,myfather—behold,hereisBerenthebravewhomthyjestingdroveintodarkplacesandfoulcaptivityandtheValaralonesavedfromabitterdeath.Methinks’twouldratherbefitakingoftheEldartorewardhimthanrevilehim.’‘Nay,’saidBeren,‘thekingthyfatherhaththeright.Lord,’saidhe,‘IhaveaSilmarilinmyhandeven

now.’‘Showmethen,’saidthekinginamaze.‘ThatIcannot,’saidBeren,‘formyhandisnothere’,andheheldforthhismaimedarm.Thenwastheking’sheartturnedtohimbyreasonofhisstoutandcourteousdemeanour,andhebade

BerenandTinúvielrelatetohimallthathadbefalleneitherofthem,andhewaseagertohearken,forhedidnotfullycomprehendthemeaningofBeren’swords.WhenhoweverhehadheardallyetmorewashisheartturnedtoBeren,andhemarvelledatthelovethathadawakenedintheheartofTinúvielsothatshehaddonegreaterdeedsandmoredaringthananyofthewarriorsofhisfolk.‘Neveragain,’saidhe,‘OBerenIbegofthee,leavethiscourtnorthesideofTinúviel,forthouarta

greatElf and thynamewill ever begreat among thekindreds.’YetBeren answeredhimproudly, andsaid:‘Nay,OKing,Iholdtomywordandthine,andIwillgettheethatSilmariloreverIdwellinpeaceinthyhalls.’Andthekingentreatedhimtojourneynomoreintothedarkandunknownrealms,butBerensaid:‘Noneedistherethereof,forbeholdthatjewelisevennownightothycaverns,’andhemadecleartoTinwelintthatthatbeastthatravagedhislandwasnoneotherthanKarkaras,thewolfwardofMelko’sgates—andthiswasnotknowntoall,butBerenknewittaughtbyHuan,whosecunninginthereadingoftrackandslotwasgreatestamongallthehounds,andthereinarenoneofthemunskilled.HuanindeedwaswithBerennowinthehalls,andwhenthosetwainspokeofachaseandagreathunthebeggedtobeinthatdeed;anditwasgrantedgladly.Nowdothosethreepreparethemselvestoharrythatbeast,thatallthefolkberidoftheterrorofthewolf,andBerenkeephisword,bringingaSilmariltoshineoncemorein Elfinesse. King Tinwelint himself led that chase, and Beren was beside him, and Mablung the

heavyhanded, chiefof theking’s thanes, leapedupandgraspeda spear—amightyweaponcaptured inbattlewiththedistantOrcs—andwiththosethreestalkedHuanmightiestofdogs,butotherstheywouldnottakeaccordingtothedesireoftheking,whosaid:‘FourisenoughfortheslayingevenoftheHell-wolf’—butonlythosewhohadseenknewhowfearsomewasthatbeast,nighaslargeasahorseamongMen,andsogreatwastheardourofhisbreaththatitscorchedwhatsoeverittouched.Aboutthehourofsunrise theyset forth,andsoonafterHuanespiedanewslotbeside thestream,not far fromtheking’sdoors,‘and,’quothhe,‘thisistheprintofKarkaras.’Thereaftertheyfollowedthatstreamallday,andatmanyplacesitsbankswerenew-trampledandtornandthewaterofthepoolsthatlayaboutitwasfouledasthoughsomebeastspossessedofmadnesshadrolledandfoughttherenotlongbefore.NowsinksthesunandfadesbeyondthewesterntreesanddarknessiscreepingdownfromHisilómëso

thatthelightoftheforestdies.EvensotheycometoaplacewherethespoorswervesfromthestreamorperchanceislostinitswatersandHuanmaynolongerfollowit;andherethereforetheyencamp,sleepinginturnsbesidethestream,andtheearlynightwearsaway.SuddenlyinBeren’swatchasoundofgreatterrorleapedupfromfaraway—ahowlingasofseventy

maddened wolves—then lo! the brushwood cracks and saplings snap as the terror draweth near, andBerenknowsthatKarkarasisuponthem.Scarcehadhetimetorousetheothers,andtheywerebutjustsprungupandhalf-awake,whenagreatformloomedinthewaveringmoonlightfilteringthere,anditwasfleeing like one mad, and its course was bent towards the water. Thereat Huan gave tongue, andstraightwaythebeastswervedasidetowardsthem,andfoamwasdrippingfromhisjawsandaredlightshining fromhis eyes, andhis facewasmarredwithmingled terror andwithwrath.NosoonerdidheleavethetreesthanHuanrusheduponhimfearlessofheart,buthewithamightyleapsprangrightoverthat great dog, for all his fury was kindled suddenly against Beren whom he recognized as he stoodbehind,andtohisdarkminditseemedthattherewasthecauseofallhisagony.ThenBerenthrustswiftlyupwardwithaspearintohisthroat,andHuanleaptagainandhadhimbyahindleg,andKarkarasfelllikeastone,foratthatsamemomenttheking’sspearfoundhisheart,andhisevilspiritgushedforthandspedhowlingfaintlyasitfaredoverthedarkhillstoMandos;butBerenlayunderhimcrushedbeneathhisweight.Nowtheyrollbackthatcarcaseandfalltocuttingitopen,butHuanlicksBeren’sfacewhenceblood is flowing. Soon is the truth of Beren’s wordsmade clear, for the vitals of thewolf are half-consumedasthoughaninnerfirehadlongbeensmoulderingthere,andsuddenlythenightisfilledwithawondrouslustre,shotwithpaleandsecretcolours,asMablungdrawsforththeSilmaril.Thenholdingitouthesaid:‘Behold,OKing’,butTinwelintsaid:‘Nay,neverwillIhandleitsaveonlyifBerengiveittome.’ButHuansaid:‘andthatseemslikelynevertobe,unlessyetendhimswiftly,formethinksheishurtsorely’;andMablungandthekingwereashamed.ThereforenowtheyraisedBerengentlyupand tendedhimandwashedhim,andhebreathed,buthe

spokenotnoropenedhiseyes,andwhenthesunaroseandtheyhadrestedalittletheyborehimassoftlyasmightbeuponabierofboughsbackthroughthewoodlands;andnighmiddaytheydrewnearthehomesof the folkagain,and thenwere theydeadlyweary,andBerenhadnotmovednorspoken,butgroanedthrice.Theredidall thepeople flock tomeet themwhen theirapproachwasnoisedamong them,andsome

bore themmeatandcooldrinksandsalvesandhealing things for theirhurts, andbut for theharm thatBerenhadmetgreatindeedhadbeentheirjoy.Nowthentheycoveredtheleafyboughswhereonhelaywithsoftraiment,andtheyborehimawaytothehallsoftheking,andtherewasTinúvielawaitingthemingreatdistress;andshefelluponBeren’sbreastandweptandkissedhim,andheawokeandknewher,andafterMablunggavehimthatSilmaril,andhelifteditabovehimgazingatitsbeauty,erehesaidslowlyandwithpain: ‘Behold,OKing, Igive thee thewondrous jewel thoudidstdesire,and it isbuta littlethingfoundbythewayside,foroncemethinksthouhadstonebeyondthoughtmorebeautiful,andsheisnowmine.’YetevenashespaketheshadowsofMandoslayuponhisface,andhisspiritfledinthathour

tothemarginoftheworld,andTinúviel’stenderkissescalledhimnotback.

*

[HereVëannësuddenlyceasedspeaking,butshewept,andafterawhileshesaid‘Nay,thatisnotallthetale;buthere endethall that I rightlyknow’. In theconversation that followedoneAusir said: ‘Ihaveheard that themagicofTinúviel’s tenderkisseshealedBeren,and recalledhis spirit from thegatesofMandos,andlongtimehedweltamongtheLostElves...’]Butanothersaid:‘Nay,thatwasnotso,OAusir,andifthouwiltlistenIwilltellthetrueandwondrous

tale;forBerendiedthereinTinúviel’sarmsevenasVëannëhassaid,andTinúvielcrushedwithsorrowandfindingnocomfortorlightinalltheworldfollowedhimswiftlydownthosedarkwaysthatallmusttread alone.Nowher beauty and tender loveliness touched even the cold heart ofMandos, so that hesufferedhertoleadBerenforthoncemoreintotheworld,norhasthiseverbeendonesincetoManorElf, andmany songs and stories are thereof theprayerofTinúvielbefore the throneofMandos that Iremembernotrightwell.YetsaidMandostothosetwain:“Lo,OElves,itisnottoanylifeofperfectjoythatIdismissyou,forsuchmaynolongerbefoundinalltheworldwheresitsMelkooftheevilheart—andknow thatyewill becomemortal evenasMen, andwhenye farehither again itwill be for ever,unlesstheGodssummonyouindeedtoValinor.”Nonethelessthosetwaindepartedhandinhand,andtheyfaredtogetherthroughthenorthernwoods,andoftentimesweretheyseendancingmagicdancesdownthehills,andtheirnamebecameheardfarandwide.’[ThenVëannësaid:] ‘Aye,and theydidmore thandance, for theirdeedsafterwardwereverygreat,

andmanytalesaretherethereofthatthoumusthear,OEriolMelinon,uponanothertimeoftale-telling.For these twain it is thatstoriesnamei-Cuilwarthon,whichis tosay thedeadthat liveagain,andtheybecamemightyfairiesinthelandsaboutthenorthofSirion.Beholdnowall isended—anddothit likethee?’[ThenEriolsaidthathehadnotexpectedtohearsuchanastonishingstoryfromonesuchasVëannë,to

whichsheanswered:]‘Nay,but I fashioned it notwithwordsofmyself; but it is dear tome—and indeed all the children

knowofthedeedsthatitrelates—andIhavelearneditbyheart,readingitinthegreatbooks,andIdonotcomprehendallthatissettherein.’

*

DURINGTHE1920smyfatherwasengaged in thecastingof theLostTalesofTurambarandTinúviel into verse. The first of these poems,The Lay of theChildren ofHúrin, in the OldEnglishalliterativemetre,wasbegun in1918,butwhen far fromcompletionheabandoned it,veryprobablywhenhelefttheUniversityofLeeds.Inthesummerof1925,theyearinwhichhetookuphisappointmenttotheprofessorshipofAnglo-SaxonatOxford,hebegan‘thepoemofTinúviel’,calledTheLayofLeithian.Thishetranslated‘ReleasefromBondage’,butheneverexplainedthetitle.Remarkablyanduncharacteristicallyheinserteddatesatmanypoints.Thefirstofthese,atline

557(in thenumberingof thepoemasawhole) is23August1925;andthe last,17September1931,iswrittenagainstline4085.Notfarbeyondthis,atline4223,thepoemwasabandoned,atthepointinthenarrativewhere‘thefangsofCarcharothcrashedtogetherlikeatrap’onBeren’shand bearing the Silmaril, as he fled fromAngband. For the remainder of the poem thatwasneverwrittenthereareprosesynopses.In 1926 he sent many of his poems to R.W. Reynolds, who had been his teacher at King

Edward’sSchoolinBirmingham.InthatyearhecomposedasubstantialtextwiththetitleSketchof the mythology with especial reference to The Children of Húrin, and on the envelopecontainingthismanuscripthewrotelaterthatthistextwas‘theoriginalSilmarillion’,andthathehadwrittenitforMrReynoldsinorderto‘explainthebackgroundofthe“alliterativeversion”ofTúrinandtheDragon.’ThisSketch of theMythology was ‘the original Silmarillion’ because from it therewas a

directlineofevolution;whereasthereisnostylisticcontinuitywiththeLostTales.TheSketchiswhatitsnameimplies:itisasynopsis,composedinaterse,present-tensemanner.IgiveherethepassageinthetextthattellsinbriefestformthetaleofBerenandLúthien.

APASSAGEFROMTHE‘SKETCHOFTHEMYTHOLOGY’

The power ofMorgoth begins to spread oncemore.One by one he overthrowsMen andElves in theNorth. Of these a famous chieftain of Men was Barahir, who had been a friend of Celegorm ofNargothrond.Barahirisdrivenintohiding,hishidingbetrayed,andBarahirslain;hissonBerenafteralifeoutlawed

fleessouth,crossestheShadowyMountains,andaftergrievoushardshipscomestoDoriath.OfthisandhisotheradventuresistoldinTheLayofLeithian.HegainstheloveofTinúviel‘thenightingale’—hisownnameforLúthien—thedaughterofThingol.TowinherThingol,inmockery,requiresaSilmarilfromthe crownofMorgoth.Beren sets out to achieve this, is captured, and set indungeon inAngband, butconcealshisrealidentityandisgivenasaslavetoThûthehunter.LúthienisimprisonedbyThingol,butescapes andgoes in searchofBeren.With the aidofHuan lordofdogs she rescuesBeren, andgainsentrancetoAngbandwhereMorgothisenchantedandfinallywrappedinslumberbyherdancing.TheygetaSilmarilandescape,butarebarredatgatesofAngbandbyCarcarastheWolf-ward.HebitesoffBeren’shandwhichholdstheSilmaril,andgoesmadwiththeanguishofitsburningwithinhim.They escape and aftermanywanderings get back toDoriath. Carcaras ravening through thewoods

bursts intoDoriath. There follows theWolf-hunt of Doriath, inwhich Carcaras is slain, andHuan iskilledindefenceofBeren.BerenishowevermortallywoundedanddiesinLúthien’sarms.Somesongssay thatLúthienwentevenover theGrinding Ice,aidedby thepowerofherdivinemother,Melian, toMandos’hallsandwonhimback;othersthatMandoshearinghistalereleasedhim.CertainitisthathealoneofmortalscamebackfromMandosanddweltwithLúthienandneverspoketoMenagain,livinginthewoodsofDoriathandintheHunters’Wold,westofNargothrond.

Itwillbeseenthattherehavebeengreatchangesinthelegend,themostimmediatelyevidentbeingthatofBeren’scaptor:herewemeetThû‘thehunter’.AttheendoftheSketchitissaidofThûthathewasthe‘greatchief’ofMorgoth,andthathe‘escapedtheLastBattleanddwellsstillindarkplaces,andpervertsMentohisdreadfulworship’.InTheLayofLeithianThûemergesas the fearfulNecromancer,LordofWolves,whodwelt inTolSirion, the island in the riverSirionwithanElvishwatchtower,whichcametobeTol-in-Gaurhoth,theIsleofWerewolves.Heis,orwillbe,Sauron.Tevildoandhisrealmofcatshavedisappeared.ButinthebackgroundanothersignificantelementinthelegendhademergedafterTheTaleof

Tinúvielwaswritten: this concerns the father of Beren. Egnor the forester, the Gnome ‘who

huntedinthedarkerplacesofHisilómë’(p.41)hasgone.Now,inthepassagefromtheSketchjustgiven,hisfatherisBarahir,‘afamouschieftainofMen’:drivenintohidingbythegrowinghostilepowerofMorgoth,hishidingwasbetrayed,andhewasslain.‘HissonBerenafteralifeoutlawed flees south, crosses the ShadowyMountains, and after grievous hardships comes toDoriath.OfthisandhisotheradventuresistoldinTheLayofLeithian.’

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APASSAGEEXTRACTEDFROMTHELAYOFLEITHIAN

Igivehere thepassage in theLay (written in1925; seep.88) that describes the treachery ofGorlim,knownasGorlimtheUnhappy,whobetrayedtoMorgoththehidingplaceofBarahirandhis companions, and theaftermath. I shouldmentionhere that the textualdetailof thepoem isverycomplex,butsincemy(ambitious)purposeinthisbookistomakeareadilyreadabletextthatshowsthenarrativeevolutionofthelegendatdifferentstages,Ihaveneglectedvirtuallyalldetailofthisnature,whichcouldonlyconfusethatpurpose.AnaccountofthetextualhistoryofthepoemwillbefoundinmybookTheLaysofBeleriand(TheHistoryofMiddle-earth,Vol.III,1985).IhavetakentheextractsfromtheLayinthepresentbookwordforwordfromthetextthatIpreparedforTheLaysofBeleriand.Theline-numbersaresimplythoseoftheextracts,andhavenorelationtothoseofthewholepoem.TheextractthatfollowsistakenfromCantoIIoftheLay.Itisprecededbyadescriptionofthe

ferocioustyrannyofMorgothoverthenorthernlandsatthetimeofBeren’scomingintoArtanor(Doriath),andof thesurvival inhidingofBarahirandBerenandtenothers,huntedinvainbyMorgothformanyyears,untilatlast‘theirfeetwerecaughtinMorgoth’ssnare’.

Gorlimitwas,whowearyingoftoilandflightandharryingonenightbychancedidturnhisfeeto’erthedarkfieldsbystealthtomeetwithhiddenfriendswithinadale,andfoundahomesteadloomingpaleagainstthemistystars,alldarksaveonesmallwindow,whenceasparkoffitfulcandlestrayedwithout.Thereinhepeeped,andfilledwithdoubthesaw,asinadreamingdeepwhenlongingcheatstheheartinsleep,hiswifebesideadyingfirelamenthimlost;herthinattire

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andgreyinghairandpalingcheekoftearsandlonelinessdidspeak.‘A!fairandgentleEilinel,whomIhadthoughtindarklinghelllongsinceemprisoned!EreIfledIdeemedIsawtheeslainanddeaduponthatnightofsuddenfearwhenallIlostthatIhelddear’:thusthoughthisheavyheartamazedoutsideindarknessashegazed.Buterehedaredtocallhername,oraskhowsheescapedandcametothisfarvalebeneaththehills,heheardacrybeneaththehills!Therehootednearahuntingowlwithbodingvoice.Heheardthehowlofthewildwolvesthatfollowedhimanddoggedhisfeetthroughshadowsdim.Himunrelenting,wellheknew,thehuntofMorgothdidpursue.LestEilinelwithhimtheyslaywithoutawordheturnedaway,andlikeawildthingwindingledhisdeviouswayso’erstonybedofstream,andoverquakingfen,untilfarfromthehomesofmenhelaybesidehisfellowsfewinasecretplace;anddarknessgrew,andwaned,andstillhewatchedunsleeping,andsawthedismaldawncomecreepingindankheavensabovegloomytrees.Asicknessheldhissoulforease,andhope,andeventhraldom’schainifhemightfindhiswifeagain.ButallhethoughttwixtloveoflordandhatredofthekingabhorredandanguishforfairEilinelwhodroopedalone,whattaleshalltell?

Yetatthelast,whenmanydaysofbroodingdidhismindamaze,hefoundtheservantsofthekingandbadethemtotheirmasterbringarebelwhoforgivenesssought,ifhaplyforgivenessmightbeboughtwithtidingsofBarahirthebold,andwherehishidingsandhishold

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mightbestbefoundbynightorday.AndthussadGorlim,ledawayuntothosedarkdeep-dolvenhalls,beforethekneesofMorgothfalls,andputshistrustinthatcruelheartwhereinnotruthhadeverpart.QuothMorgoth:‘Eilinelthefairthoushaltmostsurelyfind,andtherewhereshedothdwellandwaitfortheetogethershallyeeverbe,andsunderedshallyesighnomore.Thusguerdonshallhehavethatborethesetidingssweet,Otraitordear!ForEilinelshedwellsnothere,butintheshadesofdeathdothroamwidowedofhusbandandofhome—awraithofthatwhichmighthavebeen,methinks,itisthatthouhastseen!Nowshaltthouthroughthegatesofpainthelandthouaskestgrimlygain;thoushalttothemoonlessmistsofhelldescendandseekthyEilinel.’

ThusGorlimdiedabitterdeathandcursedhimselfwithdyingbreath,andBarahirwascaughtandslain,andallgooddeedsweremadeinvain.ButMorgoth’sguileforeverfailed,norwhollyo’erhisfoesprevailed;andsomewereeverthatstillfoughtunmakingthatwhichmalicewrought.ThusMenbelievedthatMorgothmadethefiendishphantomthatbetrayedthesoulofGorlim,andsobroughtthelingeringhopeforlorntonoughtthatlivedamidthelonelywood;yetBerenhadbyfortunegoodlonghuntedfarafieldthatday,andbenightedinstrangeplaceslayfarfromhisfellows.Inhissleephefeltadreadfuldarknesscreepuponhisheart,andthoughtthetreeswerebareandbentinmournfulbreeze;noleavestheyhad,butravensdarksatthickasleavesonboughandbark,andcroaked,andastheycroakedeachneb

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letfallagoutofblood;awebunseenentwinedhimhandandlimb,untilwornout,upontherimofstagnantpoolhelayandshivered.Theresawhethatashadowquiveredfaroutuponthewaterwan,andgrewtoafaintformthereonthatglidedo’erthesilentlakeandcomingslowly,softlyspakeandsadlysaid;‘Lo!Gorlimhere,traitorbetrayed,nowstands!Norfear,buthaste!ForMorgoth’sfingerscloseuponthyfather’sthroat.Heknowsyoursecrettryst,yourhiddenlair’,andalltheevilhelaidbarethathehaddoneandMorgothwrought.ThenBerenwakingswiftlysoughthisswordandbow,andspedlikewindthatcutswithknivesthebranchesthinnedofautumntrees.Atlasthecame,

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hisheartafirewithburningflame,whereBarahirhisfatherlay;hecametoolate.Atdawnofdayhefoundthehomesofhuntedmen,awoodedislandinthefenandbirdsroseupinsuddencloud—nofen-fowlweretheycryingloud.Theravenandthecarrion-crowsatinthealdersalla-row;onecroaked:‘Ha!Berencomestoolate’,andansweredall:‘Toolate!Toolate!’ThereBerenburiedhisfather’sbones,andpiledaheapofboulder-stones,andcursedthenameofMorgoththrice,butweptnot,forhisheartwasice.

Thenoverfenandfieldandmountainhefollowed,tillbesideafountainupgushinghotfromfiresbelowhefoundtheslayersandhisfoe,themurderoussoldiersoftheking.Andonetherelaughed,andshowedaringhetookfromBarahir’sdeadhand.‘ThisringinfarBeleriand,nowmarkye,mates,’hesaid,‘waswrought.Itslikewithgoldcouldnotbebought,forthissameBarahirIslew,thisrobberfool,theysay,diddoadeedofservicelongagoforFelagund.Itmaybeso;forMorgothbademebringitback,andyet,methinks,hehasnolackofweightiertreasureinhishoard.Suchgreedbefitsnotsuchalord,andIammindedtodeclarethehandofBarahirwasbare!’Yetashespakeanarrowsped;withrivenhearthecrumpleddead.ThusMorgothlovedthathisownfoeshouldinhisservicedealtheblowthatpunishedthebreakingofhisword.ButMorgothlaughednotwhenheheardthatBerenlikeawolfalonesprangmadlyfrombehindastoneamidthatcampbesidethewell,andseizedthering,anderetheyellofwrathandragehadlefttheirthroat

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hadfledhisfoes.Hisgleamingcoatwasmadeofringsofsteelnoshaftcouldpierce,awebofdwarvishcraft;andhewaslostinrockandthorn,forincharmédhourwasBerenborn;theirhungryhuntingneverlearnedthewayhisfearlessfeethadturned.

AsfearlessBerenwasrenowned,asmanmosthardyuponground,whileBarahiryetlivedandfought;butsorrownowhissoulhadwroughttodarkdespair,androbbedhislifeofsweetness,thathelongedforknife,orshaft,orsword,toendhispain,anddreadedonlythraldom’schain.Dangerhesoughtanddeathpursued,andthusescapedthefatehewooed,anddeedsofbreathlesswonderdaredwhosewhisperedglorywidelyfared,andsoftlysongsweresungateveofmarvelshedidonceachievealone,beleaguered,lostatnightbymistormoon,orneaththelightofthebroadeyeofday.ThewoodsthatnorthwardlookedwithbitterfeudshefilledanddeathforMorgoth’sfolk;hiscomradeswerethebeechandoak,whofailedhimnot,andmanythingswithfurandfellandfeatheredwings;andmanyspirits,thatinstoneinmountainsoldandwastesalone,dodwellandwander,werehisfriends.Yetseldomwellanoutlawends,andMorgothwasakingmorestrongthanalltheworldhassinceinsongrecorded,andhiswisdomwideslowandsurelywhohimdefieddidhemandhedge.ThusatthelastmustBerenfleetheforestfastandlandshelovedwherelayhissirebyreedsbewailedbeneaththemire.Beneathaheapofmossystonesnowcrumblethoseoncemostmightybones.butBerenfleesthefriendlessNorthoneautumnnight,andcreepshimforth;theleaguerofhiswatchfulfoes

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hepasses—silentlyhegoes.Nomorehishiddenbowstringsings,nomorehisshavenarrowwings,nomorehishuntedheaddothlieupontheheathbeneaththesky.Themoonthatlookedamidthemistuponthepines,thewindthathissedamongtheheatherandthefernfoundhimnomore.ThestarsthatburnabouttheNorthwithsilverfireinfrostyairs,theBurningBriarthatmendidnameindayslonggone,weresetbehindhisback,andshoneo’erlandandlakeanddarkenedhill,forsakenfenandmountainrill.

HisfacewasSouthfromtheLandofDreadwhenceonlyevilpathwaysled,andonlythefeetofmenmostboldmightcrosstheShadowyMountainscold.Theirnorthernslopeswerefilledwithwoe,withevilandwithmortalfoe;theirsouthernfacesmountedsheerinrockypinnacleandpier,whoserootswerewovenwithdeceitandwashedwithwatersbitter-sweet.Theremagiclurkedingulfandglen,forfarawaybeyondthekenofsearchingeyes,unlessitwerefromdizzytowerthatprickedtheairwhereonlyeagleslivedandcried,mightgreyandgleamingbedescriedBeleriand,Beleriand,thebordersofthefaëryland.

THEQUENTANOLDORINWA

AftertheSketchoftheMythologythistext,whichIwillrefertoas‘theQuenta’,wastheonlycompleteandfinishedversionof‘TheSilmarillion’thatmyfatherachieved:atypescriptthathemadein(asseemscertain)1930.Nopreliminarydraftsoroutlines,iftherewereany,survive;butitisplainthatforagoodpartofitslengthhehadtheSketchbeforehim.ItislongerthantheSketch, and the ‘Silmarillion style’ has clearly appeared, but it remains a compression, acompendious account. In the sub-title it is said that it is ‘the brief history of the Noldoli orGnomes’, drawn from theBookofLostTaleswhichEriol [Ælfwine]wrote.The longpoemswere of course now in being, substantial but massively unfinished, and my father was stillworkingonTheLayofLeithian.IntheQuentathereemergesthemajortransformationofthelegendofBerenandLúthienbythe

entryoftheNoldorinprince,Felagund,sonofFinrod.ToexplainhowthiscouldcomeaboutIwillgivehereapassagefromthistext,butanoteonnamesisneeded.TheleaderoftheNoldorin thegreat journeyof theElves fromCuiviénen, theWaterofAwakening in the furthestEast,wasFinwë;histhreesonswereFëanor,Fingolfin,andFinrod,whowasthefatherofFelagund.(Laterthenameswerechanged:ThethirdsonofFinwëbecameFinarfin,andFinrodthenameofhisson;butFinrodwasalsoFelagund.Thisnamemeant‘LordofCaves’or‘Cave-hewer’inthe language of the Dwarves, for he was the founder of Nargothrond. The sister of FinrodFelagundwasGaladriel.)

APASSAGEEXTRACTEDFROMTHEQUENTA

ThiswasthetimethatsongscalltheSiegeofAngband.TheswordsoftheGnomesthenfencedtheearthfromtheruinofMorgoth,andhispowerwasshutbehindthewallsofAngband.TheGnomesboastedthatnevercouldhebreaktheirleaguer,andthatnoneofhisfolkcouldeverpasstoworkevilinthewaysoftheworld...In those daysMen came over the BlueMountains into Beleriand, bravest and fairest of their race.

Felagunditwasthatfoundthem,andhewasevertheirfriend.OnatimehewastheguestofCelegormintheEast,androdea-huntingwithhim.Buthebecameseparatedfromtheothers,andatatimeofnighthecameuponadale in thewesternfoothillsof theBlueMountains.Therewere lights in thedaleand thesoundofruggedsong.ThenFelagundmarvelled,forthetongueofthosesongswasnotthetongueofEldaror ofDwarves.Norwas it the tongue ofOrcs, though this at first he feared. Therewere camped thepeopleofBëor,amightywarriorofMen,whosesonwasBarahirthebold.TheywerethefirstofMentocomeintoBeleriand...ThatnightFelagundwent among the sleepingmenofBëor’shost and sat by their dying fireswhere

nonekeptwatch,andhetookaharpwhichBëorhadlaidaside,andheplayedmusiconitsuchasmortalearhadneverheard,havinglearnedthestrainsofmusicfromtheDark-elvesalone.Thenmenwokeandlistenedandmarvelled,forgreatwisdomwasinthatsong,aswellasbeauty,andtheheartgrewwiserthatlistenedtoit.ThuscameitthatMencalledFelagund,whomtheymetfirstoftheNoldoli,Wisdom,andafterhimtheycalledhisracetheWise,whomwecalltheGnomes.BëorlivedtilldeathwithFelagund,andBarahirhissonwasthegreatestfriendofthesonsofFinrod.

NowbeganthetimeoftheruinoftheGnomes.Itwaslongbeforethiswasachieved,forgreatwastheirpowergrown,andtheywereveryvaliant,andtheiralliesweremanyandbold,Dark-elvesandMen.Butthetideoftheirfortunetookasuddenturn.LonghadMorgothpreparedhisforcesinsecret.Ona

timeofnightatwinterheletforthgreatriversofflamethatpouredoveralltheplainbeforetheMountainsofIronandburnedittoadesolatewaste.ManyoftheGnomesofFinrod’ssonsperishedinthatburning,and the fumesof itwroughtdarknessandconfusionamong the foesofMorgoth. In the trainof the firecametheblackarmiesoftheOrcsinnumberssuchastheGnomeshadneverbeforeseenorimagined.InthiswayMorgothbroketheleaguerofAngbandandslewbythehandsoftheOrcsagreatslaughterofthebravestofthebesieginghosts.Hisenemieswerescatteredfarandwide,Gnomes,IlkorinsandMen.Men

hedrovefor themostpartover theBlueMountains, save thechildrenofBëorandofHadorwho tookrefugeinHithlumbeyondtheShadowyMountains,whereasyet theOrcscamenot inforce.TheDark-elves fled south to Beleriand and beyond, but many went to Doriath, and the kingdom and power ofThingolgrewgreatinthattime,tillhebecameabulwarkandarefugeoftheElves.ThemagicsofMelianthatwerewovenaboutthebordersofDoriathfencedevilfromhishallsandrealm.

Thepine-forestMorgothtookandturneditintoaplaceofdread,andthewatchtowerofSirionhetookandmade it into a stronghold of evil and of menace. There dwelt Thû the chief servant ofMorgoth,sorcererofdreadfulpower,thelordofwolves.Heaviesthadtheburdenofthatdreadfulbattle,thesecondbattleandthefirstdefeatoftheGnomes,fallenuponthesonsofFinrod.TherewereAngrodandEgnorslain.TheretoowouldFelagundhavebeentakenorslain,butBarahircameupwithallhismenandsavedtheGnomishkingandmadeawallofspearsabouthim;andthoughgrievouswas their loss theyfoughttheirway from theOrcs and fled to the fens of Sirion to the South.There Felagund swore an oath ofundyingfriendshipandaidintimeofneedtoBarahirandallhiskinandseed,andintokenofhisvowhegavetoBarahirhisring.ThenFelagundwentSouth,andonthebanksofNarogestablishedafterthemannerofThingolahidden

andcavernouscityandarealm.ThosedeepplaceswerecalledNargothrond.TherecameOrodreth[sonofFinrod,brotherofFelagund]aftera timeofbreathless flightandperilouswanderings,andwithhimCelegormandCurufin, thesonsofFëanor,hisfriends.ThepeopleofCelegormswelledthestrengthofFelagund,butitwouldhavebeenbetteriftheyhadgonerathertotheirownkin,whofortifiedthehillofHimlingeastofDoriathandfilledtheGorgeofAglonwithhiddenarms...

Inthesedaysofdoubtandfear,afterthe[BattleofSuddenFlame],manydreadfulthingsbefellofwhichbutfewareheretold.ItistoldthatBëorwasslainandBarahiryieldednottoMorgoth,butallhislandwaswonfromhimandhispeoplescattered,enslavedorslain,andhehimselfwentinoutlawrywithhissonBerenandtenfaithfulmen.LongtheyhidanddidsecretandvaliantdeedsofwaragainsttheOrcs.Butintheend,asistoldinthebeginningofthelayofLúthienandBeren,thehidingplaceofBarahirwasbetrayed,andhewasslainandhiscomrades,allsaveBerenwhobyfortunewasthatdayhuntingafar.ThereafterBerenlivedanoutlawalone,saveforthehelphehadfrombirdsandbeastswhichheloved;andseekingfordeathindesperatedeedsfounditnot,butgloryandrenowninthesecretsongsoffugitivesandhiddenenemiesofMorgoth,sothatthetaleofhisdeedscameeventoBeleriand,andwasrumouredinDoriath.AtlengthBerenfledsouthfromtheever-closingcircleofthosethathuntedhim,andcrossedthedreadfulMountainsofShadow,andcameat lastwornandhaggardintoDoriath.There insecrethewontheloveofLúthiendaughterofThingol,andhenamedherTinúviel,thenightingale,becauseofthebeautyofhersinginginthetwilightbeneaththetrees;forshewasthedaughterofMelian.ButThingolwaswrothandhedismissedhiminscorn,butdidnotslayhimbecausehehadswornan

oathtohisdaughter.Buthedesirednonethelesstosendhimtohisdeath.Andhethoughtinhisheartofaquestthatcouldnotbeachieved,andhesaid:IfthoubringmeaSilmarilfromthecrownofMorgoth,Iwill let Lúthien wed thee, if she will. And Beren vowed to achieve this, and went from Doriath toNargothrondbearingtheringofBarahir.ThequestoftheSilmariltherearousedtheoathfromsleepthatthesonsofFëanorhadsworn,andevilbegantogrowfromit.Felagund,thoughheknewthequesttobebeyond his power,waswilling to lend all his aid toBeren, because of his own oath toBarahir. ButCelegormandCurufindissuadedhispeopleandrouseduprebellionagainsthim.Andevilthoughtsawokeintheirhearts,andtheythoughttousurpthethroneofNargothrond,becausetheyweresonsoftheeldestline.RatherthanaSilmarilshouldbewonandgiventoThingol,theywouldruinthepowerofDoriathandNargothrond.SoFelagundgavehiscrowntoOrodrethanddepartedfromhispeoplewithBerenandtenfaithfulmen

of his own board. Theywaylaid anOrc-band and slew them, and disguised themselves by the aid ofFelagund’s magic as Orcs. But they were seen by Thû from his watchtower, which once had beenFelagund’sown,andwerequestionedbyhim,andtheirmagicwasoverthrowninacontestbetweenThûandFelagund.Thus theywererevealedasElves,but thespellsofFelagundconcealedtheirnamesandquest.LongweretheytorturedinthedungeonsofThû,butnonebetrayedtheother.

TheoathreferredtoattheendofthispassagewasswornbyFëanorandhissevensons,inthewordsoftheQuenta,‘topursuewithhateandvengeancetotheendsoftheworldVala,Demon,Elf,orMan,orOrcwhoholdor takeorkeepaSilmaril against theirwill.’Seepp. 117–18,lines171–80.

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ASECONDEXTRACTFROMTHELAYOFLEITHIAN

IgivenowafurtherpassageofTheLayofLeithian(seepp.91,93)tellingthestorythathasjustbeengiveninitsverycompressedformintheQuenta.ItakeupthepoemwheretheSiegeofAngbandwasendedinwhatwaslatercalledtheBattleofSuddenFlame.AccordingtothedatesthatmyfatherwroteonthemanuscriptthewholepassagewascomposedinMarch–April1928.Atline246CantoVIoftheLayendsandCantoVIIbegins.

Anendtherecame,whenfortuneturnedandflamesofMorgoth’svengeanceburned,andallthemightwhichhepreparedinsecretinhisfastnessflaredandpouredacrosstheThirstyPlain;andarmiesblackwereinhistrain.TheleaguerofAngbandMorgothbroke;

hisenemiesinfireandsmokewerescattered,andtheOrcsthereslew,andslew,untilthebloodlikedewdrippedfromeachcruelandcrookedblade.ThenBarahirthebolddidaidwithmightyspear,withshieldandmen,Felagundwounded.Tothefenescaping,theretheyboundtheirtroth,andFelagunddeeplysworeanoathoffriendshiptohiskinandseedofloveandsuccourintimeofneed.ButthereofFinrod’schildrenfourwereAngrodslainandproudEgnor.FelagundandOrodreththengatheredtheremnantoftheirmen,theirmaidensandtheirchildrenfair;

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forsakingwartheymadetheirlairandcavernousholdfarinthesouth.OnNarog’stoweringbankitsmouthwasopened;whichtheyhidandveiled,andmightydoors,thatunassailedtillTúrin’sdaystoodvastandgrim,theybuiltbytreeso’ershadoweddim.AndwiththemdweltalongtimethereCurufin,andCelegormthefair;andamightyfolkgrewneaththeirhandsinNarog’ssecrethallsandlands.

ThusFelagundinNargothrondstillreigned,ahiddenkingwhosebondwassworntoBarahirthebold.Andnowhissonthroughforestscoldwanderedaloneasinadream.Esgalduin’sdarkandshroudedstreamhefollowed,tillitswatersfrorewerejoinedtoSirion,Sirionhoar,palesilverwaterwideandfreerollinginsplendourtothesea.NowBerencameuntothepools,

wideshallowmereswhereSirioncoolshisgatheredtidebeneaththestars,erechafedandsunderedbythebarsofreedybanksamightyfenhefeedsanddrenches,plungingthenintovastchasmsunderground,wheremanymileshiswayiswound.Umboth-Muilin,TwilightMeres,thosegreatwidewatersgreyastearstheElvesthennamed.ThroughdrivingrainfromthenceacrosstheGuardedPlaintheHillsoftheHuntersBerensawwithbaretopsbittenbleakandrawbywesternwinds,butinthemistofstreamingrainsthatflashedandhissedintothemeresheknewtherelaybeneaththosehillstheclovenwayofNarog,andthewatchfulhallsofFelagundbesidethefallsofIngwiltumblingfromthewold.Aneverlastingwatchtheyhold,theGnomesofNargothrondrenowned,andeveryhillistower-crowned,wherewardenssleeplesspeerandgaze

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guardingtheplainandallthewaysbetweenNarogswiftandSirionpale;andarcherswhosearrowsneverfailthererangethewoods,andsecretkillallwhocreepthitheragainsttheirwill.Yetnowhethrustsintothatland

bearingthegleamingringonhandofFelagund,andoftdothcry:‘HerecomesnowanderingOrcorspy,butBerensonofBarahirwhooncetoFelagundwasdear.’Soerehereachedtheeastwardshore

ofNarog,thatdothfoamandroaro’erbouldersblack,thosearchersgreencameroundhim.Whentheringwasseentheybowedbeforehim,thoughhisplightwaspoorandbeggarly.Thenbynighttheyledhimnorthward,fornofordnorbridgewasbuiltwhereNarogpouredbeforethegatesofNargothrond,andfriendnorfoemightpassbeyond.Tonorthward,wherethatstreamyetyoung

moreslenderflowed,belowthetongueoffoam-splashedlandthatGinglithpenswhenherbriefgoldentorrentendsandjoinstheNarog,theretheywade.NowswiftestjourneythencetheymadetoNargothrond’ssheerterracesanddimgiganticpalaces.Theycamebeneathasicklemoon

todoorstheredarklyhungandhewnwithpostsandlintelsofponderousstoneandtimbershuge.Nowopenthrownweregapinggates,andintheystrodewhereFelagundonthroneabode.

FairwerethewordsofNarog’skingtoBeren,andhiswanderingandallhisfeudsandbitterwarsrecountedsoon.Behindcloseddoorstheysat,whileBerentoldhistaleofDoriath;andwordshimfailrecallingLúthiendancingfairwithwildwhiterosesinherhair,rememberingherelvenvoicethatrungwhilestarsintwilightroundherhung.HespakeofThingol’smarvelloushalls

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byenchantmentlit,wherefountainfallsandeverthenightingaledothsingtoMelianandtoherking.ThequesthetoldthatThingollaidinscornonhim;howforloveofmaidmorefairthaneverwasborntoMen,ofTinúviel,ofLúthien,hemustessaytheburningwaste,anddoubtlessdeathandtormenttaste.

ThisFelagundinwonderheard,andheavilyspokeatlastthisword:‘ItseemsthatThingoldothdesirethydeath.Theeverlastingfireofthoseenchantedjewelsallknowiscursedwithanoathofendlesswoe,andFëanor’ssonsalonebyrightarelordsandmastersoftheirlight.Hecannothopewithinhishoardtokeepthisgem,norishelordofallthefolkofElfinesse.AndyetthousaistfornothinglesscanthyreturntoDoriathbepurchased?Manyadreadfulpathinsooththereliesbeforethyfeet—andafterMorgoth,stillafleetuntiringhate,asIknowwell,wouldhunttheefromheavenuntohell.Fëanor’ssonswould,iftheycould,slaytheeoreverthoureachedhiswoodorlaidinThingol’slapthatfire,orgainedatleastthysweetdesire.Lo!CelegormandCurufinheredwellthisveryrealmwithin,andeventhoughI,Finrod’sson,amking,amightypowerhavewonandmanyoftheirownfolklead.Friendshiptomeineveryneedtheyyethaveshown,butmuchIfearthattoBerensonofBarahirmercyorlovetheywillnotshowifoncethydreadfulquesttheyknow.’

Truewordshespoke.Forwhenthekingtoallhispeopletoldthisthing,andspakeoftheoathtoBarahir,andhowthatmortalshieldandspear

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hadsavedthemfromMorgothandfromwoeonNorthernbattlefieldslongago,thenmanywerekindledintheirheartsoncemoretobattle.Butuptherestartsamidthethrong,andloudlycriesforhearing,onewithflamingeyes,proudCelegormwithgleaminghairandshiningsword.Thenallmenstareuponhissternunyieldingface,andagreathushfallsuponthatplace.

‘Behefriendorfoe,ordemonwildofMorgoth,Elf,ormortalchild,oranythathereonearthmaydwell,nolaw,norlove,norleagueofhell,nomightofGods,nobindingspell,shallhimdefendfromhatredfellofFëanor’ssons,whosotakeorstealorfindingkeepaSilmaril.Thesewealonedoclaimbyright,ourthriceenchantedjewelsbright.’

Manywildandpotentwordshespoke,andasbeforeinTûnawokehisfather’svoicetheirheartstofire,sonowdarkfearandbroodingirehecastonthem,forebodingwaroffriendwithfriend;andpoolsofgoretheirmindsimaginedlyingredinNargothrondaboutthedead,didNarog’shostwithBerengo;orhaplybattle,ruin,andwoeinDoriathwheregreatThingolreigned,ifFëanor’sfataljewelhegained.AndevensuchasweremosttruetoFelagundhisoathdidrue,andthoughtwithterroranddespairofseekingMorgothinhislairwithforceorguile.ThisCurufinwhenhisbrotherceaseddidthenbeginmoretoimpressupontheirminds;andsuchaspellheonthembindsthatneveragaintillTúrin’sdaywouldGnomeofNaroginarrayofopenbattlegotowar.Withsecrecy,ambush,spiesandloreofwizardry,withsilentleaguer

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ofwildthingswary,watchful,eager,ofphantomhunters,venomeddarts,andunseenstealthycreepingarts,withpaddinghatredthatitspreywithfeetofvelvetallthedayfollowedremorselessoutofsightandslewitunawaresatnight—thustheydefendedNargothrond,andforgottheirkinandsolemnbondfordreadofMorgoththattheartofCurufinsetwithintheirheart.

SowouldtheynotthatangrydayKingFelagundtheirlordobey,butsullenmurmuredthatFinrodnoryethissonwereasagod.ThenFelagundtookoffhiscrownandathisfeethecastitdown,thesilverhelmofNargothrond:‘Yoursyemaybreak,butImybondmustkeep,andkingdomhereforsake.Ifheartsherewerethatdidnotquake,orthattoFinrod’ssonweretrue,thenIatleastshouldfindafewtogowithme,notlikeapoorrejectedbeggarscornendure,turnedfrommygatestoleavemytown,mypeople,andmyrealmandcrown!’

Hearingthesewordsthereswiftlystoodbesidehimtentriedwarriorsgood,menofhishousewhohadeverfoughtwhereverhisbannershadbeenbrought.Onestoopedandlifteduphiscrown,andsaid:‘Oking,toleavethistownisnowourfate,butnottolosethyrightfullordship.Thoushaltchooseonetobestewardinthystead.’ThenFelagundupontheheadofOrodrethsetit:‘Brothermine,tillIreturnthiscrownisthine.’ThenCelegormnomorewouldstay,andCurufinsmiledandturnedaway.

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fromNargothrond,andtotheNorththeyturnedtheirsilentsecretway,andvanishedinthefadingday.Notrumpetsounds,novoicetheresings,asrobedinmailofcunningringsnowblackeneddarkwithhelmetsgreyandsombrecloakstheystealaway.Far-journeyingNarog’sleapingcourse

theyfollowedtilltheyfoundhissource,theflickeringfalls,whosefreshetssheeraglimmeringgobletglassy-clearwithcrystalwatersfillthatshakeandquiverdownfromIvrin’slake,fromIvrin’smerethatmirrorsdimthepallidfacesbareandgrimofShadowyMountainsneaththemoon.

NowfarbeyondtherealmimmunefromOrcanddemonandthedreadofMorgoth’smighttheirwayshadled.Inwoodso’ershadowedbytheheightstheywatchedandwaitedmanynights,tillonatimewhenhurryingclouddidmoonandconstellationshroud,andwindsofautumn’swildbeginningsoughedintheboughs,andleaveswentspinningdownthedarkeddiesrustlingsoft,theyheardamurmurhoarselywaftfromfar,acroakinglaughtercoming;nowlouder;nowtheyheardthedrummingofhideousstampingfeetthattrampthewearyearth.Thenmanyalampofsullenredtheysawdrawnear,swinging,andglisteningonspearandscimitar.TherehiddennightheysawabandofOrcsgobywithgoblinfacesswartandfoul.Batswereaboutthem,andtheowl,theghostlyforsakennight-birdcriedfromtreesabove.Thevoicesdied,thelaughterlikeclashofstoneandsteelpassedandfaded.AttheirheeltheElvesandBerencreptmoresoftthanfoesstealingthroughacroftinsearchofprey.Thustothecamplitbyflickeringfireandlamptheystole,andcountedsittingthere

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fullthirtyOrcsintheredflareofburningwood.Withoutasoundtheyonebyonestoodsilentround,eachintheshadowofatree;eachslowly,grimly,secretlybentthenhisbowanddrewthestring.

Hark!howtheysuddentwangandsing,whenFelagundletsforthacry;andtwelveOrcssuddenfallanddie.Thenforththeyleapcastingtheirbows.Outtheirbrightswords,andswifttheirblows!ThestrickenOrcsnowshriekandyellaslostthingsdeepinlightlesshell.Battlethereisbeneaththetreesbitterandswift,butnoOrcflees;therelefttheirlivesthatwanderingbandandstainednomorethesorrowinglandwithrapeandmurder.Yetnosongofjoy,ortriumphoverwrong,theElvestheresang.Inperilsoretheywere,forneveralonetowarsosmallanOrc-bandwent,theyknew.Swiftlytheraimentofftheydrewandcastthecorpsesinapit.ThisdesperatecounselhadthewitofFelagundforthemdevised:asOrcshiscomradeshedisguised.

Thepoisonedspears,thebowsofhorn,thecrookedswordstheirfoeshadbornetheytook;andloathingeachhimcladinAngband’sraimentfoulandsad.Theysmearedtheirhandsandfacesfairwithpigmentdark;themattedhairalllankandblackfromgoblinheadtheyshore,andjoineditthreadbythreadwithGnomishskill.Aseachoneleersateachdismayed,abouthisearshehangsitnoisome,shuddering.ThenFelagundaspelldidsing

ofchangingandofshiftingshape;theirearsgrewhideous,andagapetheirmouthsdidstart,andlikeafangeachtoothbecame,asslowhesang.TheirGnomishraimentthentheyhidandonebyonebehindhimslid,

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behindafoulandgoblinthingthatoncewaselven-fairandking.Northwardtheywent;andOrcstheymet

whopassed,nordidtheirgoinglet,buthailedthemingreeting;andmoreboldtheygrewaspastthelongmilesrolled.Atlengththeycamewithwearyfeet

beyondBeleriand.Theyfoundthefleetyoungwaters,rippling,silver-paleofSirionhurryingthroughthatvalewhereTaur-na-Fuin,DeadlyNight,thetracklessforest’spine-cladheight,fallsdarkforbiddingslowlydownupontheeast,whilewestwardfrownthenorthward-bendingMountainsgreyandbarthewesteringlightofday.

Anislédhilltherestoodaloneamidthevalley,likeastonerolledfromthemountainsvastwhengiantsintumulthurtledpast.Arounditsfeettheriverloopedastreamdivided,thathadscoopedthehangingedgesintocaves.TherebrieflyshudderedSirion’swavesandrantoothershoresmoreclean.Anelvenwatchtowerhaditbeen,

andstrongitwas,andstillwasfair;butnowdidgrimwithmenacestareonewaytopaleBeleriand,theothertothatmournfullandbeyondthevalley’snorthernmouth.Thencecouldbeglimpsedthefieldsofdrouth,thedustydunes,thedesertwide;andfurtherfarcouldbedescriedthebroodingcloudthathangsandlowersonThangorodrim’sthunderoustowers.

Nowinthathillwastheabodeofonemostevil;andtheroadthatfromBeleriandthithercamehewatchedwithsleeplesseyesofflame.MencalledhimThû,andasagod

inafterdaysbeneathhisrodbewilderedbowedtohim,andmadehisghastlytemplesintheshade.NotyetbyMenenthralledadored,

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nowwasheMorgoth’smightiestlord,MasterofWolves,whoseshiveringhowlforeverechoedinthehills,andfoulenchantmentsanddarksigaldrydidweaveandwield.Inglamourythatnecromancerheldhishostsofphantomsandofwanderingghosts,ofmisbegottenorspell-wrongedmonstersthatabouthimthronged,workinghisbiddingdarkandvile:thewerewolvesoftheWizard’sIsle.FromThûtheircomingwasnothid

andthoughbeneaththeeavestheyslidoftheforest’sgloomy-hangingboughs,hesawthemafar,andwolvesdidrouse:‘Go!fetchmethosesneakingOrcs,’hesaid,‘thatfarethusstrangely,asifindread,anddonotcome,asallOrcsuseandarecommanded,tobringmenewsofalltheirdeeds,tome,toThû.’

Fromhistowerhegazed,andinhimgrewsuspicionandabroodingthought,waiting,leering,tilltheywerebrought.Nowringedaboutwithwolvestheystand,andfeartheirdoom.Alas!theland,thelandofNarogleftbehind!Forebodingevilweightstheirmind,asdowncast,halting,theymustgoandcrossthestonybridgeofwoetoWizard’sIsle,andtothethronetherefashionedofblood-darkenedstone.

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‘Wherehaveyebeen?Whathaveyeseen?’

‘InElfinesse;andtearsanddistress,thefireblowingandthebloodflowing,thesehaveweseen,therehavewebeen.Thirtyweslewandtheirbodiesthrewinadarkpit.Theravenssitandtheowlcrieswhereourswathlies.’

‘Come,tellmetrue,OMorgoth’sthralls,whattheninElfinessebefalls?WhatofNargothrond?Whoreigneththere?Intothatrealmdidyourfeetdare?’

‘Onlyitsbordersdidwedare.TherereignsKingFelagundthefair.’

‘Thenheardyenotthatheisgone,thatCelegormsitshisthroneupon?’

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‘Thatisnottrue!Ifheisgone,thenOrodrethsitshisthroneupon.’

‘Sharpareyourears,swifthavetheygottidingsofrealmsyeenterednot!Whatareyournames,Ospearmenbold?Whoyourcaptain,yehavenottold.’

‘NerebandDungalefandwarriorsten,sowearecalled,anddarkourdenunderthemountains.Overthewastewemarchonanerrandofneedandhaste.Boldogthecaptainawaitsustherewherefiresfromundersmokeandflare.’‘Boldog,Iheard,waslatelyslain

warringonthebordersofthatdomainwhereRobberThingolandoutlawfolkcringeandcrawlbeneathelmandoakindrearDoriath.Heardyenotthenofthatprettyfay,ofLúthien?Herbodyisfair,verywhiteandfair.Morgothwouldpossessherinhislair.Boldoghesent,butBoldogwasslain:strangeyewerenotinBoldog’strain.Nereblooksfierce,hisfrownisgrim.

LittleLúthien!Whattroubleshim?Whylaughshenottothinkofhislordcrushingamaideninhishoard,thatfoulshouldbewhatoncewasclean,thatdarkshouldbewherelighthasbeen?Whomdoyeserve,LightorMirk?

Whoisthemakerofmightiestwork?Whoisthekingofearthlykings,thegreatestgiverofgoldandrings?Whoisthemasterofthewideearth?Whodespoiledthemoftheirmirth,thegreedyGods!Repeatyourvows,OrcsofBauglir!Donotbendyourbrows!Deathtolight,tolaw,tolove!Cursedbemoonandstarsabove!MaydarknesseverlastingoldthatwaitsoutsideinsurgescolddrownManwë,Varda,andthesun!Mayallinhatredbebegunandallinevilendedbe,inthemoaningoftheendlessSea!’

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ButnotrueMannorElfyetfreewouldeverspeakthatblasphemy,andBerenmuttered:‘WhoisThûtohinderworkthatistodo?Himweservenot,nortohimoweobeisance,andwenowwouldgo.’

Thûlaughed:‘Patience!Notverylongshallyeabide.ButfirstasongIwillsingtoyou,toearsintent.’Thenhisflamingeyesheonthembentanddarknessblackfellroundthemall.Onlytheysawasthroughapallofeddyingsmokethoseeyesprofoundinwhichtheirsenseschokedanddrowned.Hechantedasongofwizardry,

ofpiercing,opening,oftreachery,revealing,uncovering,betraying.ThensuddenFelagundthereswayingsanginanswerasongofstaying,resisting,battlingagainstpower,ofsecretskept,strengthlikeatower,andtrustunbroken,freedom,escape;ofchangingandofshiftingshape,ofsnareseluded,brokentraps,theprisonopening,thechainthatsnaps.Backwardsandforwardsswayedtheirsong.

Reelingandfoundering,asevermorestrongThû’schantingswelled,Felagundfought,andallthemagicandmighthebroughtofElfinesseintohiswords.SoftlyinthegloomtheyheardthebirdssingingafarinNargothrond,thesighingoftheseabeyond,beyondthewesternworld,onsand,onsandofpearlsinElvenland.

Thenthegloomgathered:darknessgrowinginValinor,theredbloodflowingbesidethesea,wheretheGnomesslewtheFoamriders,andstealingdrewtheirwhiteshipswiththeirwhitesailsfromlamplithavens.Thewindwails.Thewolfhowls.Theravensflee.Theicemuttersinthemouthsofthesea.ThecaptivessadinAngbandmourn.Thunderrumbles,thefiresburn,

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avastsmokegushesout,aroar—andFelagundswoonsuponthefloor.

Behold!theyareintheirownfairshape,fairskinned,brighteyed.NolongergapeOrcliketheirmouths;andnowtheystandbetrayedintothewizard’shand.Thuscametheyunhappyintowoe,todungeonsnohopenorglimmerknow,wherechainedinchainsthateatthefleshandwoveninwebsofstranglingmeshtheylayforgotten,indespair.

YetnotallunavailingwerethespellsofFelagund;forThûneithertheirnamesnorpurposeknew.Thesemuchheponderedandbethought,andintheirwoefulchainsthemsought,andthreatenedallwithdreadfuldeath,ifonewouldnotwithtraitor’sbreathrevealthisknowledge.Wolvesshouldcomeandslowdevourthemonebyonebeforetheothers’eyes,andlastshouldonealonebeleftaghast,theninaplaceofhorrorhungwithanguishshouldhislimbsbewrung,inthebowelsoftheearthbeslowendlessly,cruelly,puttowoeandtorment,tillhealldeclared.

Evenashethreatened,soitfared.Fromtimetotimeintheeyelessdarktwoeyeswouldgrow,andtheywouldharktofrightfulcries,andthenasoundofrending,aslaveringontheground,andbloodflowingtheywouldsmell.Butnonewouldyield,andnonewouldtell.

HereCantoVIIends.IreturnnowtotheQuenta,andtakeitupfromthewords‘Longweretheytortured in the dungeons ofThû, but none betrayed the other’withwhich the previous extractends(p.110);andaspreviouslyIfollowtheQuentaaccountwiththevastlydifferentpassageintheLay.

AFURTHEREXTRACTFROMTHEQUENTA

InthemeanwhileLúthien,learningbythefarsightofMelianthatBerenhadfallenintothepowerofThû,soughtinherdespairtoflyfromDoriath.ThisbecameknowntoThingol,whoimprisonedherinahouseinthetallestofhismightybeechesfarabovetheground.Howsheescapedandcameintothewoods,andwasfoundtherebyCelegormas theyhuntedon thebordersofDoriath, is told inTheLayofLeithian.They took her treacherously to Nargothrond, and Curufin the crafty became enamoured of her beauty.Fromher tale they learned thatFelagundwas in thehandsofThû;and theypurposed to lethimperishthere, andkeepLúthienwith them, and forceThingol towedLúthien toCurufin, and sobuildup theirpowerandusurpNargothrondandbecomethemightiestoftheprincesoftheGnomes.Theydidnotthinktogoinsearchof theSilmarils,orsufferanyothers todoso,until theyhadall thepowerof theElvesbeneath themselves and obedient to them. But their designs came to nought save estrangement andbitternessbetweenthekingdomsoftheElves.

HuanwasthenameofthechiefofthehoundsofCelegorm.Hewasofimmortalracefromthehunting-landsofOromë.OromëgavehimtoCelegormlongbeforeinValinor,whenCelegormoftenrodeinthetrain of the God and followed his horn. He came into the Great Lands with hismaster, and dart norweapon,spellnorpoison,couldharmhim,sothathewentintobattlewithhislordandsavedhimmanytimesfromdeath.His fatehaddecreed thatheshouldnotmeetdeathsaveat thehandsof themightiestwolfthatshouldeverwalktheworld.Huanwas trueofheart, andhe lovedLúthien from thehour thathe first foundher in thewoodsand

broughther toCelegorm.Hisheartwasgrievedbyhismaster’s treachery, andhe setLúthien freeandwentwithhertotheNorth.ThereThû slewhis captivesonebyone, till onlyFelagundandBerenwere left.When thehour for

Beren’s death came Felagund put forth all his power, and burst his bonds, and wrestled with thewerewolfthatcametoslayBeren;andhekilledthewolf,butwashimselfslaininthedark.ThereBerenmourned in despair, andwaited for death.But Lúthien came and sang outside the dungeons. Thus shebeguiledThûtocomeforth,forthefameofthelovelinessofLúthienhadgonethroughalllandsandthewonderofhersong.EvenMorgothdesiredher,andhadpromisedthegreatestrewardtoanywhocouldcaptureher.EachwolfthatThûsentHuanslewsilently,tillDraugluinthegreatestofhiswolvescame.Then therewas fiercebattle, andThûknew thatLúthienwasnotalone.Buthe remembered the fateof

Huan,andhemadehimself thegreatestwolf thathadyetwalked theworld, andcame forth.ButHuanoverthrew him, andwon from him the keys and the spells that held together his enchantedwalls andtowers. So the stronghold was broken and the towers thrown down and the dungeons opened. Manycaptiveswerereleased,butThûflewinbat’sformtoTaur-na-Fuin.ThereLúthienfoundBerenmourningbesideFelagund.Shehealedhissorrowandthewastingofhisimprisonment,butFelagundtheyburiedonthetopofhisownislandhill,andThûcametherenomore.Then Huan returned to his master, and less was the love between them after. Beren and Lúthien

wanderedcareless inhappinessuntil theycamenightothebordersofDoriathoncemore.ThereBerenrememberedhisvow,andbadeLúthienfarewell,butshewouldnotbesunderedfromhim.InNargothrondtherewas tumult. ForHuan andmany of the captives of Thû brought back the tidings of the deeds ofLúthien,andthedeathofFelagund,andthetreacheryofCelegormandCurufinwaslaidbare.It issaidtheyhadsentasecretembassytoThingolereLúthienescaped,butThingolinwrathhadsenttheirlettersbackbyhisownservantstoOrodreth.WhereforenowtheheartsofthepeopleofNarogturnedbacktothehouseofFinrod,andtheymournedtheirkingFelagundwhomtheyhadforsaken,andtheydidthebiddingofOrodreth.ButhewouldnotsufferthemtoslaythesonsofFëanorastheywished.Insteadhebanishedthemfrom

Nargothrond, and swore that little love should there be betweenNarog and any of the sons of Fëanorthereafter.Andsoitwas.CelegormandCurufinwereridinginhasteandwraththroughthewoodstofindtheirwaytoHimling

whentheycameuponBerenandLúthien,evenasBerensoughttopartfromhislove.Theyrodedownonthem,andrecognizingthemtriedtotrampleBerenundertheirhooves.ButCurufinliftedLúthientohissaddle.ThenbefelltheleapofBeren,thegreatestleapofmortalMen.

ForhespranglikealionrightuponthespeedinghorseofCurufin,andgraspedhimaboutthethroat,andhorse and rider fell in confusion upon the earth, butLúthienwas flung far off and lay dazed upon theground.ThereBerenchokedCurufin,buthisdeathwasverynighfromCelegorm,whorodebackwithhisspear.InthathourHuanforsooktheserviceofCelegorm,andspranguponhimsothathishorseswervedaside, andnoman for fearof the terrorof thegreathounddaredgonigh.Lúthien forbade thedeathofCurufin,butBerendespoiledhimofhishorseandweapons,chiefofwhichwashisfamousknife,madebytheDwarves.Itwouldcutironlikewood.Thenthebrothersrodeoff,butshotbackatHuantreacherouslyand at Lúthien. Huan they did not hurt, but Beren sprang before Lúthien and was wounded, andMenrememberedthatwoundagainstthesonsofFëanor,whenitbecameknown.Huan stayedwith Lúthien, and hearing of their perplexity and the purpose Beren had still to go to

Angband,hewentand fetched themfromthe ruinedhallsofThûawerewolf’scoatandabat’s.ThreetimesonlydidHuanspeakwith the tongueofElvesorMen.ThefirstwaswhenhecametoLúthien inNargothrond.Thiswasthesecond,whenhedevisedthedesperatecounselfortheirquest.SotheyrodeNorth,tilltheycouldnolongergoonhorseinsafety.Thentheyputonthegarmentsasofwolfandbat,andLúthieninguiseofevilfayrodeuponthewerewolf.InTheLayofLeithianisalltoldhowtheycametoAngband’sgate,andfounditnewlyguarded,for

rumour of he knew not what design abroad among the Elves had come to Morgoth. Wherefore hefashioned themightiest of allwolves,CarcharasKnife-fang, to sit at the gates.ButLúthien set him inspells, and they won their way to the presence ofMorgoth, and Beren slunk beneath his chair. ThenLúthiendaredthemostdreadfulandmostvaliantdeedthatanyoftheElveshaveeverdared;nolessthanthechallengeofFingolfinisitaccounted,andmaybegreater,savethatshewashalf-divine.Shecastoffherdisguiseandnamedherownname,andfeignedthatshewasbroughtcaptivebythewolvesofThû.AndshebeguiledMorgoth,evenashisheartplottedfoulevilwithinhim;andshedancedbeforehim,andcastallhiscourtinsleep;andshesangtohim,andsheflungthemagicrobeshehadwoveninDoriathinhisface,andshesetabindingdreamuponhim—whatsongcansingthemarvelofthatdeed,orthewrath

andhumiliationofMorgoth,foreventheOrcslaughinsecretwhentheyrememberit,tellinghowMorgothfellfromhischairandhisironcrownrolleduponthefloor.ThenforthleapedBerencastingasidethewolvishrobe,anddrewouttheknifeofCurufin.Withthathe

cut forth a Silmaril. But daring more he essayed to gain them all. Then the knife of the treacherousDwarves snapped, and the ringing sound of it stirred the sleeping hosts andMorgoth groaned. TerrorseizedtheheartsofBerenandLúthien,andtheyfleddownthedarkwaysofAngband.Thedoorswerebarred byCarcharas, now aroused from the spell of Lúthien.Beren set himself beforeLúthien,whichprovedill;forereshecouldtouchthewolfwithherrobeorspeakwordofmagic,hespranguponBeren,whonowhadnoweapon.WithhisrighthesmoteattheeyesofCarcharas,butthewolftookthehandintohisjawsandbititoff.NowthathandheldtheSilmaril.ThenwasthemawofCarcharasburnedwithafireof anguishand torment,when theSilmaril touchedhis evil flesh; andhe fledhowling frombeforethem,sothatallthemountainsshuddered,andthemadnessofthewolfofAngbandwasofallthehorrorsthat evercame into theNorth themostdireand terrible.HardlydidLúthienandBerenescape, ereallAngbandwasaroused.Oftheirwanderingsanddespair,andof thehealingofBeren,whoeversincehasbeencalledBeren

ErmabwedtheOne-handed,oftheirrescuebyHuan,whohadvanishedsuddenlyfromthemeretheycametoAngband, andof their coming toDoriathoncemore,here there is little to tell.But inDoriathmanythingshadbefallen.Ever thingshadgone ill there sinceLúthien fledaway.Griefhad fallenonall thepeopleandsilenceontheirsongswhentheirhuntingfoundhernot.Longwasthesearch,andinsearchingDairon the piper of Doriath was lost, who loved Lúthien before Beren came to Doriath. Hewas thegreatestofthemusiciansoftheElves,saveMaglorsonofFëanor,andTinfangWarble.ButhecameneverbacktoDoriathandstrayedintotheEastoftheworld.Assaults too there were on Doriath’s borders, for rumours that Lúthien was astray had reached

Angband.Boldog the captain of theOrcswas there slain in battle by Thingol, and his greatwarriorsBelegtheBowmanandMablungHeavyhandwerewithThingolinthatbattle.ThusThingollearnedthatLúthienwasyetfreeofMorgoth,butthatheknewofherwandering;andThingolwasfilledwithfear.Inthe midst of his fear came the embassy of Celegorm in secret, and said that Beren was dead, andFelagund,andLúthienwasatNargothrond.ThenThingolfounditinhishearttoregretthedeathofBeren,andhiswrathwasarousedatthehintedtreacheryofCelegormtothehouseofFinrod,andbecausehekeptLúthienanddidnotsendherhome.WhereforehesentspiesintothelandofNargothrondandpreparedforwar.ButhelearnedthatLúthienhadfledandthatCelegormandhisbrotherweregonetoAglon.SonowhesentanembassytoAglon,sincehismightwasnotgreatenoughtofalluponallthesevenbrothers,norwashisquarrelwithothers thanCelegormandCurufin.But thisembassy journeying in thewoodsmetwiththeonslaughtofCarcharas.ThatgreatwolfhadruninmadnessthroughallthewoodsoftheNorth,and death and devastation went with him.Mablung alone escaped to bear the news of his coming toThingol.Offate,orthemagicoftheSilmarilthatheboretohistorment,hewasnotstayedbythespellsofMelian,butburstintotheinviolatewoodsofDoriath,andfarandwideterroranddestructionwasspread.EvenasthesorrowsofDoriathwereattheirworstcameLúthienandBerenandHuanbacktoDoriath.

Then theheartofThingolwas lightened,buthe lookednotwith loveuponBeren inwhomhe saw thecauseofallhiswoes.WhenhehadlearnedhowBerenhadescapedfromThûhewasamazed,buthesaid:‘Mortal,whatofthyquestandofthyvow?’ThensaidBeren:‘EvennowIhaveaSilmarilinmyhand.’‘Showittome,’saidThingol.‘ThatIcannot,’saidBeren,‘formyhandisnothere.’Andallthetalehetold, andmade clear the cause of themadness ofCarcharas, andThingol’s heartwas softened by hisbravewords, and his forbearance, and the great love that he saw between his daughter and thismostvaliantMan.Now therefore did they plan the wolf-hunt of Carcharas. In that hunt was Huan and Thingol and

MablungandBelegandBerenandnomore.Andherethesadtaleofitmustbeshort,foritiselsewhere

told more fully. Lúthien remained behind in foreboding, as they went forth; and well she might, forCarcharaswasslain,butHuandiedinthesamehour,andhediedtosaveBeren.YetBerenwashurttothedeath,butlivedtoplacetheSilmarilinthehandsofThingol,whenMablunghadcutitfromthebellyofthewolf.Thenhespokenotagain,untiltheyhadbornehimwithHuanathissidebacktothedoorsofThingol’shalls.Therebeneaththebeech,whereinbeforeshehadbeenimprisoned,Lúthienmetthem,andkissedBerenerehisspiritdepartedtothehallsofawaiting.SoendedthelongtaleofLúthienandBeren.ButnotyetwasTheLayofLeithian, release frombondage, told in full.For ithas longbeensaid thatLúthien failed and faded swiftly and vanished from the earth, though some songs say that MeliansummonedThorondor,andheboreherlivinguntoValinor.AndshecametothehallsofMandos,andshesangtohimataleofmovinglovesofairthathewasmovedtopity,asneverhasbefallensince.Berenhesummoned,and thus,asLúthienhadswornasshekissedhimat thehourofdeath, theymetbeyond thewesternsea.AndMandossufferedthemtodepart,buthesaidthatLúthienshouldbecomemortalevenasherlover,andshouldleavetheearthoncemoreinthemannerofmortalwomen,andherbeautybecomebutamemoryofsong.Soitwas,butitissaidthatinrecompenseMandosgavetoBerenandtoLúthienthereafter a long span of life and joy, and they wandered knowing thirst nor cold in the fair land ofBeleriand,andnomortalManthereafterspoketoBerenorhisspouse.

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THENARRATIVEINTHELAYOFLEITHIANTOITSTERMINATION

This substantial portion of the poem takes up from the last line of Canto VII in The Lay ofLeithian (‘Butnonewouldyield,andnonewouldtell’,p.132),and theopeningofCantoVIIIcorrespondstotheverycompressedaccountintheQuenta(p.133)oftheconfinementofLúthieninNargothrond, imposedonherbyCelegormandCurufinandfromwhichshewasrescuedbyHuan,whoseoriginistold.AlineofasterisksinthetextoftheLaymarksthestartofafurtherCanto;CantoIXatline329;CantoXatline619;CantoXIatline1009;CantoXIIatline1301;CantoXIIIatline1603;andCantoXIV,thelast,atline1939.

HoundstherewereinValinorwithsilvercollars.Hartandboar,thefoxandhareandnimbleroethereintheforestsgreendidgo.Oromëwasthelorddivineofallthosewoods.Thepotentwinewentinhishallsandhuntingsong.TheGnomesanewhavenamedhimlongTavros,theGodwhosehornsdidblowoverthemountainslongago;whoaloneofGodshadlovedtheworldbeforethebannerswereunfurledofMoonandSun;andshodwithgoldwerehisgreathorses.HoundsuntoldbayinginwoodsbeyondtheWestofraceimmortalhepossessed:greyandlimber,blackandstrongwhitewithsilkencoatsandlong,brownandbrindled,swiftandtrueasarrowfromabowofyew;theirvoiceslikethedeeptonedbells

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thatringinValmar’scitadels,theireyeslikelivingjewels,theirteethlikeruel-bone.AsswordfromsheaththeyflashedandfledfromleashtoscentforTavros’joyandmerriment.

InTavros’frithsandpasturesgreenhadHuanonceayoungwhelpbeen.HegrewtheswiftestoftheswiftandOromëgavehimasagifttoCelegorm,wholovedtofollowthegreatgod’shorno’erhillandhollow.AloneofhoundsoftheLandofLight,

whensonsofFëanortooktoflightandcameintotheNorth,hestayedbesidehismaster.Everyraidandeveryforaywildheshared,andintomortalbattledared.OftenhesavedhisGnomishlordfromOrcandwolfandleapingsword.Awolf-hound,tireless,greyandfiercehegrew;hisgleamingeyeswouldpierceallshadowsandallmist,thescentmoonsoldhefoundthroughfenandbent,throughrustlingleavesanddustysand;allpathsofwideBeleriandheknew.Butwolves,helovedthembest;helovedtofindtheirthroatsandwresttheirsnarlinglivesandevilbreath.ThepacksofThûhimfearedasdeath.Nowizardry,norspell,nordart,

nofang,norvenomdevil’sartcouldbrewhadharmedhim;forhisweirdwaswoven.Yethelittlefearedthatfatedecreedandknowntoall:beforethemightiestheshouldfall,beforethemightiestwolfalonethateverwaswhelpedincaveofstone.

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Hark!afarinNargothrond,faroverSirionandbeyond,therearedimcriesandhornsblowing,andbarkinghoundsthroughthetreesgoing.Thehuntisup,thewoodsarestirred.

Whoridesto-day?YehavenotheardthatCelegormandCurufinhaveloosedtheirdogs?Withmerrydintheymountederethesunarose,andtooktheirspearsandtooktheirbows.ThewolvesofThûoflatehavedaredbothfarandwide.TheireyeshaveglaredbynightacrosstheroaringstreamofNarog.Doththeirmasterdream,perchance,ofplotsandcounselsdeep,ofsecretsthattheElf-lordskeep,ofmovementsintheGnomishrealmanderrandsunderbeechandelm?

Curufinspake:‘Goodbrothermine,

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Ilikeitnot.Whatdarkdesigndoththisportend?Theseevilthingsweswiftmustendtheirwanderings!Andmore,’twouldpleasemyheartfullwelltohuntawhileandwolvestofell.’AndthenheleanedandwhisperedlowthatOrodrethwasadullardslow;longtimeitwassincethekinghadgone,andrumourortidingscametherenone.‘Atleastthyprofititwouldbe

toknowwhetherdeadheisorfree;togatherthymenandthyarray.“Igotohunt”thenthouwiltsay,andmenwillthinkthatNarog’sgoodeverthouheedest.Butinthewoodthingsmaybelearned;andifbygrace,bysomeblindfortuneheretracehisfootstepsmad,andifhebearaSilmaril—Ineeddeclarenomoreinwords;butonebyrightisthine(andours),thejeweloflight;anothermaybewon—athrone.Theeldestbloodourhousedothown.’

Celegormlistened.Noughthesaid,butforthamightyhostheled;andHuanleapedatthegladsounds,thechiefandcaptainofhishounds.Threedaystheyridebyholtandhill

thewolvesofThûtohuntandkill,andmanyaheadandfellofgreytheytake,andmanydriveaway,tillnightothebordersintheWestofDoriathawhiletheyrest.

Thereweredimcriesandhornsblowing,andbarkingdogsthroughthewoodsgoing.Thehuntwasup.Thewoodswerestirred,andonetherefledlikeastartledbird,andfearwasinherdancingfeet.Sheknewnotwhothewoodsdidbeat.Farfromherhome,forwandered,pale,sheflittedghostlikethroughthevale;everherheartbadeherupandonbutherlimbswereworn,hereyeswerewan.TheeyesofHuansawashade

wavering,dartingdownaglade

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likeamistofeveningsnaredbydayandhastingfearfullyaway.Hebayed,andsprangwithsinewylimbtochasetheshythingstrangeanddim.Onterror’swings,likeabutterflypursuedbyasweepingbirdonhigh,sheflutteredhither,dartedthere,nowpoised,nowflyingthroughtheair—invain.Atlastagainstatreesheleanedandpanted.Upleapedhe.Nowordofmagicgaspedwithwoe,noelvishmysteryshedidknoworhadentwinedinraimentdarkavailedagainstthathunterstark,whoseoldimmortalraceandkindnospellscouldeverturnorbind.Huanalonethatsheevermetsheneverinenchantmentsetnorboundwithspells.Butlovelinessandgentlevoiceandpaledistressandeyeslikestarlightdimmedwithtearstamedhimthatdeathnormonsterfears.Lightlyheliftedher,lighthebore

histremblingburden.NeverbeforehadCelegormbeheldsuchprey:‘Whathastthoubrought,goodHuansay!Dark-elvishmaid,orwraith,orfay?Notsuchtohuntwecametoday.’

‘’TisLúthienofDoriath,’themaidenspake.‘AwanderingpathfarfromtheWood-elves’sunnygladesshesadlywinds,wherecouragefadesandhopegrowsfaint.’Andasshespokedownsheletsliphershadowycloak,andthereshestoodinsilverandwhite.Herstarryjewelstwinkledbrightintherisensunlikemorningdew;theliliesgoldonmantlebluegleamedandglistened.Whocouldgazeonthatfairfacewithoutamaze?LongdidCurufinlookandstare.Theperfumeofherflower-twinedhairherlissomlimbs,herelvishface,smotetohisheart,andinthatplaceenchainedhestood.‘Omaidenroyal,Oladyfair,whereforeintoil

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andlonelyjourneydostthougo?WhattidingsdreadofwarandwoeinDoriathhavebetid?Cometell!Forfortunetheehathguidedwell;friendsthouhastfound,’saidCelegorm,andgazeduponherelvishform.

Inhishearthimthoughthertaleunsaidheknewinpart,butnoughtshereadofguileuponhissmilingface.‘Whoareyethen,thelordlychase

thatfollowinthisperilouswood?’sheasked;andanswerseeming-goodtheygave.‘Thyservants,ladysweet,lordsofNargothrondtheegreet,andbegthatthouwouldstwiththemgobacktotheirhills,forgettingwoeaseason,seekinghopeandrest.Andnowtohearthytalewerebest.’

SoLúthientellsofBeren’sdeedsinnorthernlands,howfatehimleadstoDoriath,ofThingol’sire,thedreadfulerrandthathersiredecreedforBeren.Signnorwordthebrothersgavethataughttheyheardthattouchedthemnear.Ofherescapeandthemarvellousmantleshedidshapeshelightlytells,butwordsherfailrecallingsunlightinthevale,moonlight,starlightinDoriath,ereBerentooktheperilouspath.‘Need,too,mylords,thereisofhaste!

Notimeineaseandresttowaste.FordaysaregonenowsincethequeenMelianwhosehearthathvisionkeen,lookingafarmesaidinfearthatBerenlivedinbondagedrear.TheLordofWolveshathprisonsdark,chainsandenchantmentscruelandstark,andthereentrappedandlanguishingdothBerenlie—ifdirerthinghathnotbroughtdeathorwishfordeath’:thengaspingwoebereftherbreath.

ToCelegormsaidCurufinapartandlow:‘Nownewswewin

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ofFelagund,andnowweknowwhereforeThû’screaturesprowlinggo’,andotherwhisperedcounselsspake,andshowedhimwhatanswerheshouldmake.‘Lady,’saidCelegorm,‘thouseest

wegoa-huntingroamingbeast,andthoughourhostisgreatandbold,’tisillpreparedthewizard’sholdandislandfortresstoassault.Deemnotourheartsandwillsatfault.Lo!hereourchasewenowforsakeandhomeourswiftestroadwetake,counselandaidtheretodeviseforBerenthatinanguishlies.’ToNargothrondtheywiththembore

Lúthien,whoseheartmisgavehersore.Delayshefeared;eachmomentpresseduponherspirit,yetsheguessedtheyrodenotasswiftlyastheymight.AheadleapedHuandayandnight,andeverlookingbackhisthoughtwastroubled.Whathismastersought,andwhyherodenotlikethefire,whyCurufinlookedwithhotdesireonLúthien,hepondereddeep,andfeltsomeevilshadowcreepofancientcurseo’erElfinesse.HisheartwastornforthedistressofBerenbold,andLúthiendear,andFelagundwhoknewnofear.

InNargothrondthetorchesflaredandfeastandmusicwereprepared.Lúthienfeastednotbutwept.Herwaysweretrammelled;closelykeptshemightnotfly.Hermagiccloakwashidden,andnoprayershespokewasheeded,nordidanswerfindhereagerquestions.Outofmind,itseemed,werethoseafarthatpinedinanguishandindungeonsblindinprisonandinmisery.Toolatesheknewtheirtreachery.ItwasnothidinNargothrondthatFëanor’ssonsherheldinbond,whoBerenheedednot,andwhohadlittlecausetowrestfromThû

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thekingtheylovednotandwhosequestoldvowsofhatredintheirbreasthadrousedfromsleep.Orodrethknewthepurposedarktheywouldpursue:KingFelagundtoleavetodie,andwithKingThingol’sbloodallythehouseofFëanorbyforceortreaty.Buttostaytheircoursehehadnopower,forallhisfolkthebrothershadyetbeneaththeiryoke,andallyetlistenedtotheirword.Orodreth’scounselnomanheard;theirshametheycrushed,andwouldnotheedthetaleofFelagund’sdireneed.

AtLúthien’sfeettheredaybydayandatnightbesidehercouchwouldstayHuanthehoundofNargothrond;andwordsshespoketohimsoftandfond:‘OHuan,Huan,swiftesthoundthateverranonmortalground,whatevildoththylordspossesstoheednotearsnormydistress?OnceBarahirallmenabovegoodhoundsdidcherishanddidlove;onceBereninthefriendlessNorth,whenoutlawwildhewanderedforth,hadfriendsunfailingamongthingswithfurandfellandfeatheredwings,andamongthespiritsthatinstoneinmountainsoldandwastesalonestilldwell.ButnownorElfnorMan,nonesavethechildofMelian,remembershimwhoMorgothfoughtandnevertothraldombasewasbrought.’

NoughtsaidHuan;butCurufinthereafternevernearmightwintoLúthien,nortouchthatmaid,butshrankfromHuan’sfangsafraid.Thenonanightwhenautumndamp

wasswathedabouttheglimmeringlampofthewanmoon,andfitfulstarswereflyingseenbetweenthebarsofracingcloud,whenwinter’shornalreadywoundintreesforlorn,lo!Huanwasgone.ThenLúthienlay,

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fearingnewwrong,tilljustereday,whenallisdeadandbreathlessstillandshapelessfearsthesleeplessfill,ashadowcamealongthewall.Thensomethinglettheresoftlyfallhermagiccloakbesidehercouch.Tremblingshesawthegreathoundcrouchbesideher,heardadeepvoiceswellasfromatowerafarslowbell.

ThusHuanspake,whoneverbeforehadutteredwords,andbuttwicemoredidspeakinelventongueagain:‘Ladybeloved,whomallMen,whomElfinesse,andwhomallthingswithfurandfellandfeatheredwingsshouldserveandlove—arise!away!Putonthycloak!BeforethedaycomesoverNargothrondweflytoNorthernperils,thouandI.’Andereheceasedhecounselwroughtforachievementofthethingtheysought.ThereLúthienlistenedinamaze,andsoftlyonHuandidshegaze.Herarmsabouthisneckshecast—infriendshipthattodeathshouldlast.

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InWizard’sIslestilllayforgotenmeshedandtorturedinthatgrotcold,evil,doorless,withoutlight,andblank-eyedstaredatendlessnighttwocomrades.Nowalonetheywere.Theotherslivednomore,butbaretheirbrokenboneswouldlieandtellhowtenhadservedtheirmasterwell.

ToFelagundthenBerensaid:‘’TwerelittlelossifIweredead,andIammindedalltotell,andthus,perchance,fromthisdarkhellthylifetoloose.Isettheefreefromthineoldoath,formoreformehastthouenduredthane’erwasearned.’

‘A!Beren,Berenhastnotlearned

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thatpromisesofMorgoth’sfolkarefrailasbreath.Fromthisdarkyokeofpainshallneitherevergo,whetherhelearnournamesorno,withThû’sconsent.Naymore,Ithinkyetdeeperoftormentweshoulddrink,knewhethatsonofBarahirandFelagundwerecaptivehere,andevenworseifheshouldknowthedreadfulerrandwedidgo.’

Adevil’slaughtheyringingheardwithintheirpit.‘True,truethewordIhearyouspeak,’avoicethensaid.‘’Twerelittlelossifheweredead,theoutlawmortal.Buttheking,theElfundying,manyathingnomancouldsuffermayendure.Perchance,whenwhatthesewallsimmureofdreadfulanguishthyfolklearn,theirkingtoransomtheywillyearnwithgoldandgemandhighheartscowed;ormaybeCelegormtheproudwilldeemarival’sprisoncheap,andcrownandgoldhimselfwillkeep.Perchance,theerrandIshallknow,ereallisdone,thatyedidgo.Thewolfishungry,thehourisnigh;nomoreneedBerenwaittodie.’

Theslowtimepassed.Theninthegloomtwoeyesthereglowed.Hesawhisdoom,Beren,silent,ashisbondshestrainedbeyondhismortalmightenchained.Lo!suddentherewasrendingsoundofchainsthatpartedandunwound,ofmeshesbroken.ForththereleapeduponthewolvishthingthatcreptinshadowfaithfulFelagund,carelessoffangormortalwound.Thereinthedarktheywrestledslow,remorseless,snarling,toandfro,teethinflesh,gripeonthroat,fingerslockedinshaggycoat,spurningBerenwhotherelyingheardthewerewolfgasping,dying.Thenavoiceheheard:‘Farewell!

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OnearthIneednolongerdwell,friendandcomrade,Berenbold.Myheartisburst,mylimbsarecold.HereallmypowerIhavespenttobreakmybonds,anddreadfulrentofpoisonedteethisinmybreast.InowmustgotomylongrestneathTimbrentingintimelesshallswheredrinktheGods,wherethelightfallsupontheshiningsea.’Thusdiedtheking,aselvishharpersyetdosing.

ThereBerenlies.Hisgriefnotear,hisdespairnohorrorhasnorfear,waitingforfootsteps,avoice,fordoom.Silencesprofounderthanthetomboflong-forgottenkings,neathyearsandsandsuncountedlaidonbiersandburiedeverlasting-deep,slowandunbrokenroundhimcreep.

Thesilencesweresuddenshiveredtosilverfragments.Fainttherequiveredavoiceinsongthatwallsofrock,enchantedhill,andbarandlock,andpowersofdarknesspiercedwithlight.Hefeltabouthimthesoftnightofmanystars,andintheairwererustlingsandaperfumerare;thenightingaleswereinthetrees,slimfingersfluteandviolseizebeneaththemoon,andonemorefairthanalltherebeoreverwereuponalonelyknollofstoneinshimmeringraimentdancedalone.

Theninhisdreamitseemedhesang,andloudandfiercehischantingrang,oldsongsofbattleintheNorth,ofbreathlessdeeds,ofmarchingforthtodareuncountedoddsandbreakgreatpowers,andtowers,andstrongwallsshake;andoverallthesilverfirethatonceMennamedtheBurningBriar,theSevenStarsthatVardasetabouttheNorth,wereburningyet,alightindarkness,hopeinwoe,

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theemblemvastofMorgoth’sfoe.

‘Huan,Huan!Ihearasongfarunderwelling,farbutstrongasongthatBerenborealoft.Ihearhisvoice,Ihavehearditoftindreamandwandering.’WhisperinglowthusLúthienspake.Onthebridgeofwoeinmantlewrappedatdeadofnightshesatandsang,andtoitsheightandtoitsdepththeWizard’sIsle,rockuponrockandpileonpile,tremblingechoed.Thewerewolveshowled,andHuanhiddenlayandgrowledwatchfullisteninginthedark,waitingforbattlecruelandstark.

Thûheardthatvoice,andsuddenstoodwrappedinhiscloakandsablehoodinhishightower.Helistenedlong,

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andsmiled,andknewthatelvishsong.‘A!littleLúthien!Whatbroughtthefoolishflytowebunsought?Morgoth!agreatandrichrewardtomethouwiltowewhentothyhoardthisjewelisadded.’Downhewent,andforthhismessengershesent.

StillLúthiensang.Acreepingshapewithbloodredtongueandjawsagapestoleonthebridge;butshesangonwithtremblinglimbsandwideeyeswan.Thecreepingshapeleapedtoherside,andgasped,andsuddenfellanddied.Andstilltheycame,stillonebyone,

andeachwasseized,andtherewerenonereturnedwithpaddingfeettotellthatashadowlurkethfierceandfellatthebridge’send,andthatbelowtheshudderingwatersloathingflowo’erthegreycorpsesHuankilled.Amightiershadowslowlyfilled

thenarrowbridge,aslaveringhate,anawfulwerewolffierceandgreat:paleDraugluin,theoldgreylordofwolvesandbeastsofbloodabhorred,thatfedonfleshofManandElfbeneaththechairofThûhimself.

Nomoreinsilencedidtheyfight.Howlingandbayingsmotethenight,tillbackbythechairwherehehadfedtodiethewerewolfyammeringfled.‘Huanisthere’hegaspedanddied,andThûwasfilledwithwrathandpride.‘Beforethemightiestheshallfall,beforethemightiestwolfofall’,sothoughthenow,andthoughtheknewhowfatelongspokenshouldcometrue.Nowtherecameslowlyforthandglared

intothenightashapelong-haired,dankwithpoison,withawfuleyeswolvish,ravenous;butthereliesalightthereinmorecruelanddreadthaneverwolvisheyeshadfed.Morehugewereitslimbs,itsjawsmorewide,itsfangsmoregleaming-sharp,anddyed

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withvenom,torment,andwithdeath.Thedeadlyvapourofitsbreathsweptonbeforeit.SwooningdiesthesongofLúthien,andhereyesaredimmedanddarkenedwithafear,coldandpoisonousanddrear.

ThuscameThû,aswolfmoregreatthane’erwasseenfromAngband’sgatetotheburningsouth,thaneverlurkedinmortallandsormurderworked.Suddenhesprang,andHuanleapedasideinshadow.OnheswepttoLúthienlyingswooningfaint.Toherdrowningsensescamethetaintofhisfoulbreathing,andshestirred;dizzilyshespakeawhisperedword,hermantlebrushedacrosshisface.Hestumbledstaggeringinhispace.OutleapedHuan.Backhesprang.Beneaththestarsthereshudderingrangthecryofhuntingwolvesatbay,thetongueofhoundsthatfearlessslay.Backwardandforththeyleapedandranfeintingtoflee,androundtheyspan,andbitandgrappled,andfellandrose.ThensuddenlyHuanholdsandthrows

hisghastlyfoe;histhroatherends,chokinghislife.Notsoitends.Fromshapetoshape,fromwolftoworm,frommonstertohisowndemonform,Thûchanges,butthatdesperategriphecannotshake,norfromitslip.Nowizardry,norspell,nordart,nofang,norvenom,nordevil’sartcouldharmthathoundthathartandboarhadhuntedonceinValinor.

NighthefoulspiritMorgothmadeandbredofevilshudderingstrayedfromitsdarkhouse,whenLúthienroseandshiveringlookeduponhisthroes.

‘Odemondark,Ophantomvileoffoulnesswrought,ofliesandguile,hereshaltthoudie,thyspiritroamquakingbacktothymaster’shome

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hisscornandfurytoendure;theehewillinthebowelsimmureofgroaningearth,andinaholeeverlastinglythynakedsoulshallwailandgibber—thisshallbeunlessthekeysthourendermeofthyblackfortress,andthespellthatbindethstonetostonethoutell,andspeakthewordsofopening.’Withgaspingbreathandshuddering

hespake,andyieldedashemust,andvanquishedbetrayedhismaster’strust.

Lo!bythebridgeagleamoflight,likestarsdescendedfromthenighttoburnandtrembleherebelow.TherewideherarmsdidLúthienthrow,andcalledaloudwithvoiceasclearasstillatwhilesmaymortalhearlongelvishtrumpetso’erthehillecho,whenalltheworldisstill.Thedawnpeeredovermountainswan;

theirgreyheadssilentlookedthereon.Thehilltrembled;thecitadelcrumbled,andallitstowersfell;therocksyawnedandthebridgebroke,andSirionspumedinsuddensmoke.Likeghoststheowlswereflyingseen

hootinginthedawn,andbatsuncleanwentskimmingdarkthroughthecoldairsshriekingthinlytofindnewlairsinDeadlyNightshade’sbranchesdread.Thewolveswhimperingandyammeringfledlikeduskyshadows.Outtherecreeppaleformsandraggedasfromsleep.crawling,andshieldingblindedeyes:thecaptivesinfearandinsurprisefromdolourlonginclingingnightbeyondallhopesetfreetolight.

Avampireshapewithpinionsvastscreechingleapedfromtheground,andpassed,itsdarkblooddrippingonthetrees;andHuanneathhimlifelessseesawolvishcorpse—forThûhadflowntoTaur-na-Fuin,anewthroneanddarkerstrongholdtheretobuild.

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Thecaptivescameandweptandshrilledtheirpiteouscriesofthanksandpraise.ButLúthienanxious-gazingstays.Berencomesnot.Atlengthshesaid:‘Huan,Huan,amongthedeadmustwethenfindhimwhomwesought,forloveofwhomwetoiledandfought?’Thensidebysidefromstonetostone

o’erSiriontheyclimbed.Aloneunmovingtheyhimfound,whomournedbyFelagund,andneverturnedtoseewhatfeetdrewhaltingnigh.

‘A!Beren,Beren!’camehercry,‘almosttoolatehaveItheefound?Alas!thathereuponthegroundthenoblestofthenobleraceinvainthyanguishdothembrace!Alas!intearsthatweshouldmeetwhooncefoundmeetingpassingsweet!’Hervoicesuchloveandlongingfilled

heraisedhiseyes,hismourningstilled,andfelthisheartnew-turnedtoflameforherthatthroughperiltohimcame.

‘OLúthien,OLúthien,morefairthananychildofMen,OloveliestmaidofElfinesse,whatmightoflovedidtheepossesstobringtheeheretoterror’slair!Olissomlimbsandshadowyhair,Oflower-entwinédbrowssowhite,Oslenderhandsinthisnewlight!’

Shefoundhisarmsandswoonedawayjustattherisingoftheday.

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SongshaverecalledtheElveshavesunginoldforgottenelventonguehowLúthienandBerenstrayedbythebanksofSirion.Manyagladetheyfilledwithjoy,andtheretheirfeetpassedbylightly,anddaysweresweet.Thoughwinterhuntedthroughthewoodstillflowerslingeredwhereshestood.

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Tinúviel!Tinúviel!thebirdsareunafraidtodwellandsingbeneaththepeaksofsnowwhereBerenandwhereLúthiengo.

TheisleinSiriontheyleftbehind;butthereonhill-topmightonefindagreengrave,andastoneset,andtherethereliethewhitebonesyetofFelagund,ofFinrod’sson—unlessthatlandischangedandgone,orfounderedinunfathomedseas,whileFelagundlaughsbeneaththetreesinValinor,andcomesnomoretothisgreyworldoftearsandwar.

ToNargothrondnomorehecame;butthitherswiftlyranthefame,oftheirkingdead,ofThûo’erthrown,ofthebreakingofthetowersofstone.Formanynowcamehomeatlastwholongagotoshadowpassed;andlikeashadowhadreturnedHuanthehound,andscanthadearnedorpraiseorthanksofmasterwroth;yetloyalhewas,thoughhewasloath.ThehallsofNarogclamoursfillthatvainlyCelegormwouldstill.Theremenbewailedtheirfallenking,cryingthatamaidendaredthatthingwhichsonsofFëanorwouldnotdo.‘Letusslaythesefaithlesslordsuntrue!’theficklefolknowloudlycriedwithFelagundwhowouldnotride.Orodrethspake:‘Thekingdomnowisminealone.Iwillallownospillingofkindredbloodbykin.ButbreadnorrestshallfindhereinthesebrotherswhohavesetatnoughtthehouseofFinrod.’Theywerebrought.Scornful,unbowed,andunashamedstoodCelegorm.Inhiseyethereflamedalightofmenace.Curufinsmiledwithhiscraftymouthandthin.

‘Begoneforever—erethedayshallfallintothesea.Yourway

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shallneverleadyouhithermore,noranysonofFëanor;noreveraftershallbebondoflovetwixtyoursandNargothrond.’

‘Wewillrememberit,’theysaid,andturnedupontheirheels,andsped,andtooktheirhorsesandsuchfolkasstillthemfollowed.Noughttheyspokebutsoundedhorns,androdelikefire,andwentawayinangerdire.TowardsDoriaththewanderersnow

weredrawingnigh.Thoughbarethebough,thoughcoldthewind,andgreythegrassesthroughwhichthehissofwinterpasses,theysangbeneaththefrostyskyupliftedo’erthempaleandhigh.TheycametoMindeb’snarrowstreamthatfromthehillsdothleapandgleambywesternborderswherebeginthespellsofMeliantofenceinKingThingol’sland,andstrangerstepstowindbewilderedintheirwebs.

TheresuddensadgrewBeren’sheart:‘Alas,Tinúviel,herewepartandourbriefsongtogetherends,andsunderedwayseachlonelywends!’

‘Whypartwehere?Whatdostthousay,justatthedawnofbrighterday?’

‘Forsafethou’rtcometoborderlandso’erwhichinthekeepingofthehandsofMelianthouwiltwalkateaseandfindthyhomeandwell-lovedtrees.’

‘MyheartisgladwhenthefairtreesfaroffuprisinggreyitseesofDoriathinviolate.YetDoriathmyheartdidhate,andDoriathmyfeetforsook,myhome,mykin.Iwouldnotlookongrassnorleafthereevermorewithouttheebyme.DarktheshoreofEsgalduinthedeepandstrong!Whytherealoneforsakingsong

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byendlesswatersrollingpastmustIthenhopelesssitatlast,andgazeatwaterspitilessinheartacheandinloneliness?’

‘FornevermoretoDoriathcanBerenfindthewindingpath,thoughThingolwilleditorallowed;fortothyfatherthereIvowedtocomenotbacksavetofulfillthequestoftheshiningSilmaril,andwinbyvalourmydesire.“NotrocknorsteelnorMorgoth’sfirenorallthepowerofElfinesse,shallkeepthegemIwouldpossess”:thussworeIonceofLúthienmorefairthananychildofMen.Myword,alas!Imustachieve,thoughsorrowpierceandpartinggrieve.’

‘ThenLúthienwillnotgohome,butweepinginthewoodswillroam,norperilheed,norlaughterknow.Andifshemaynotbytheegoagainstthywillthydesperatefeetshewillpursue,untiltheymeet,BerenandLúthien,loveoncemoreonearthorontheshadowyshore.’

‘Nay,Lúthien,mostbraveofheart,thoumakestitmorehardtopart.Thylovemedrewfrombondagedrear,butnevertothatouterfear,thatdarkestmansionofalldread,shallthymostblissfullightbeled.’

‘Never,never!’heshudderingsaid.Butevenasinhisarmsshepled,asoundcamelikeahurryingstorm.ThereCurufinandCelegorminsuddentumultlikethewindrodeup.Thehoovesofhorsesdinnedloudontheearth.InrageandhastemadlynorthwardtheynowracedthepathtwixtDoriathtofindandtheshadowsdreadlydarkentwinedofTaur-na-fuin.Thatwastheirroad

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mostswifttowheretheirkinabodeintheeast,whereHimling’swatchfulhillo’erAglon’sgorgehungtallandstill.Theysawthewanderers.Withashout

straightonthemswungtheirhurryingroutasifneathmaddenedhoovestorendtheloversandtheirlovetoend.Butastheycametheirhorsesswervedwithnostrilswideandproudneckscurved;Curufin,stooping,tosaddlebowwithmightyarmdidLúthienthrow,andlaughed.Toosoon;forthereaspringfiercerthantawnylion-kingmaddenedwitharrowsbarbédsmart,greaterthananyhornédhartthathoundedtoagulfleapso’er,thereBerengave,andwitharoarleapedonCurufin;roundhisneckhisarmsentwined,andalltowreckbothhorseandriderfelltoground;andtheretheyfoughtwithoutasound.DazedinthegrassdidLúthienliebeneathbarebranchesandthesky;theGnomefeltBeren’sfingersgrimcloseonhisthroatandstranglehim,andouthiseyesdidstart,andtonguegaspingfromhismouththerehung.UprodeCelegormwithhisspear,

andbitterdeathwasBerennear.WithelvishsteelhenighwasslainwhomLúthienwonfromhopelesschain,butbayingHuansuddensprangbeforehismaster’sfacewithfangwhite-gleaming,andwithbristlinghair,asifheonboarorwolfdidstare.Thehorseinterrorleapedaside,

andCelegorminangercried:‘Cursethee,thoubaseborndog,todareagainstthymasterteethtobare!’ButdognorhorsenorriderboldwouldventureneartheangercoldofmightyHuanfierceatbay.Redwerehisjaws.Theyshrankaway,andfearfuleyedhimfromafar:norswordnorknife,norscimitar,nodartofbow,norcastofspear,masternormandidHuanfear.

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ThereCurufinhadlefthislife,hadLúthiennotstayedthatstrife.WakingsheroseandsoftlycriedstandingdistressedatBeren’sside:‘Forbearthyangernow,mylord!nordotheworkofOrcsabhorred;forfoestherebeofElfinesse,unnumbered,andtheygrownotless,whileherewewarbyancientcursedistraught,andalltheworldtoworsedecaysandcrumbles.Makethypeace!’

ThenBerendidCurufinrelease;buttookhishorseandcoatofmailandtookhisknifetheregleamingpale,hangingsheathless,wroughtofsteel.Nofleshcouldleecheseverhealthatpointhadpierced;forlongagothedwarveshadmadeit,singingslowenchantments,wheretheirhammersfellinNogrodringinglikeabell.Ironastenderwooditcleft,andsunderedmaillikewoollenweft.Butotherhandsitshaftnowheld;itsmasterlaybymortalfelled.Berenupliftinghim,farhimflung,andcried‘Begone!’,withstingingtongue;‘Begone!thourenegadeandfool,andletthylustinexilecool!Ariseandgo,andnomoreworklikeMorgoth’sslavesorcursédOrc;anddeal,proudsonofFëanor,indeedsmoreproudthanheretofore!’ThenBerenledLúthienaway,whileHuanstilltherestoodatbay.

‘Farewell,’criedCelegormthefair.‘Fargetyougone!AndbetterweretodieforhungeredinthewastethanwrathofFëanor’ssonstotaste,thatyetmayreacho’erdaleandhill.Nogem,normaid,norSilmarilshalleverlonginthygrasplie!Wecursetheeundercloudandsky,wecursetheefromrisinguntosleep!Farewell!’Heswiftfromhorsedidleap,hisbrotherliftedfromtheground;

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thenbowofyewwithgoldwireboundhestrung,andshaftheshootingsent,asheedlesshandinhandtheywent;adwarvishdartandcruellyhooked.Theyneverturnednorbackwardlooked.LoudbayedHuan,andleapingcaughtthespeedingarrow.Quickasthoughtanotherfolloweddeadlysinging;butBerenhadturned,andsuddenspringingdefendedLúthienwithhisbreast.Deepsankthedartinfleshtorest.Hefelltoearth.Theyrodeaway,andlaughinglefthimashelay;yetspurredlikewindinfearanddreadofHuan’spursuingangerred.ThoughCurufinwithbruisedmouthlaughed,yetlaterofthatdastardshaftwastaleandrumourintheNorth,andMenrememberedattheMarchingForth,andMorgoth’swillitshatredhelped.

ThereafterneverhoundwaswhelpedwouldfollowhornofCelegormorCurufin.Thoughinstrifeandstorm,thoughalltheirhouseinruinredwentdown,thereafterlaidhisheadHuannomoreatthatlord’sfeet,butfollowedLúthien,braveandfleet.NowsanksheweepingatthesideofBeren,andsoughttostemthetideofwellingbloodthatflowedtherefast.Theraimentfromhisbreastshecast;fromshoulderpluckedthearrowkeen;hiswoundwithtearsshewasheditclean.ThenHuancameandborealeaf,

ofalltheherbsofhealingchief,thatevergreeninwoodlandgladetheregrewwithbroadandhoaryblade.ThepowersofallgrassesHuanknew,whowidedidforest-pathspursue.Therewiththesmartheswiftallayed,whileLúthienmurmuringintheshadethestaunchingsongthatElvishwiveslongyearshadsunginthosesadlivesofwarandweapons,woveo’erhim.

Theshadowsfellfrommountainsgrim.

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ThensprangaboutthedarkenedNorththeSickleoftheGods,andfortheachstartherestaredinstonynightradiant,glisteringcoldandwhite.Butonthegroundthereisaglow,asparkofredthatleapsbelow:underwovenboughsbesideafireofcracklingwoodandsputteringbriarthereBerenliesinbrowsingdeep,walkingandwanderinginsleep.Watchfulbendingo’erhimwakesamaidenfair;histhirstsheslakes,hisbrowcaresses,andsoftlycroonsasongmorepotentthaninrunesorleeches’lorehathsincebeenwrit.Slowlythenightlywatchesflit.Themistymorningcrawlethgreyfromdusktothereluctantday.

ThenBerenwokeandopenedeyes,androseandcried:‘Neathotherskies,inlandsmoreawfulandunknown,Iwanderedlong,methought,alonetothedeepshadowwherethedeaddwell;buteveravoicethatIknewwell,likebells,likeviols,likeharps,likebirds,likemusicmovingwithoutwords,calledme,calledmethroughthenight,enchanteddrewmebacktolight!Healedthewound,assuagedthepain!Nowarewecometomornagain,newjourneysoncemoreleaduson—toperilswhencemaylifebewon,hardlyforBeren;andfortheeawaitinginthewoodIseebeneaththetreesofDoriath,whileeverfollowdownmypaththeechoesofthineelvishsong,wherehillsarehaggardandroadsarelong.’

‘Nay,nownomorewehaveforfoedarkMorgothonly,butinwoe,inwarsandfeudsofElfinessethyquestisbound;anddeath,noless,fortheeandme,forHuanboldtheendofweirdofyoreforetold,allthisIbodeshallfollowswift;

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ifthougoon.ThyhandshallliftandlayonThingol’slapthedireandflamingjewel,Fëanor’sfire,never,never!Awhythengo?Whyturnwenotfromfearandwoebeneaththetreestowalkandroamroofless,withalltheworldashome,overmountains,besidetheseas,inthesunlight,inthebreeze?’

Thuslongtheyspokewithheavyhearts;andyetnotallherelvishartsnorlissomarms,norshiningeyesastremulousstarsinrainyskies,nortenderlips,enchantedvoice,hispurposebentorswayedhischoice.NevertoDoriathwouldhefaresaveguardedfasttoleaveherthere;nevertoNargothrondwouldgowithher,lesttherecamewarandwoe;andneverwouldintheworlduntrodtowandersufferher,worn,unshodrooflessandrestless,whomhedrewwithlovefromthehiddenrealmssheknew.‘ForMorgoth’spowerisnowawake;alreadyhillanddaledothshake,thehuntisup,thepreyiswild:amaidenlost,anelvenchild.NowOrcsandphantomsprowlandpeerfromtreetotree,andfillwithfeareachshadeandhollow.Theetheyseek!Atthoughtthereofmyhopegrowsweak,myheartischilled.Icursemineoath,Icursethefatethatjoinedusbothandsnaredthyfeetinmysaddoomofflightandwanderinginthegloom!Nowletushaste,anderethedaybefallen,takeourswiftestway,tillo’erthemarchesofthylandbeneaththebeechandoakwestand,inDoriath,fairDoriathwhithernoevilfindsthepath,powerlesstopassthelisteningleavesthatdroopuponthoseforest-eaves.’

Thentohiswillsheseemingbent.SwiftlytoDoriaththeywent,

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andcrosseditsborders.Theretheystayedrestingindeepandmossyglade;therelaytheyshelteredfromthewindundermightybeechessilken-skinned,andsangoflovethatstillshallbe,thoughearthbefounderedundersea,andsunderedhereforevermoreshallmeetupontheWesternShore.

Onemorningasasleepshelayuponthemoss,asthoughthedaytoobitterwereforgentleflowertoopeninasunlesshour,Berenaroseandkissedherhair,andwept,andsoftlyleftherthere.‘GoodHuan,’saidhe,‘guardherwell!

Inleaflessfieldnoasphodel,inthornythicketneveraroseforlorn,sofrailandfragrantblows.Guardherfromwindandfrost,andhidefromhandsthatseizeandcastaside;keepherfromwanderingandwoe,forprideandfatenowmakemego.’

Thehorsehetookandrodeaway,nordaredtoturn;butallthatdaywithheartasstonehehastenedforthandtookthepathstowardtheNorth.

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Oncewideandsmoothaplainwasspread,whereKingFingolfinproudlyledhissilverarmiesonthegreen,hishorseswhite,hislanceskeen;hishelmetstallofsteelwerehewn,hisshieldswereshiningasthemoon.Theretrumpetssangbothlongandloud,

andchallengeranguntothecloudthatlayonMorgoth’snortherntower,whileMorgothwaitedforhishour.

Riversoffireatdeadofnightinwinterlyingcoldandwhiteupontheplainburstforth,andhightheredwasmirroredinthesky.FromHithlum’swallstheysawthefire,

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thesteamandsmokeinspireonspireleapup,tillinconfusionvastthestarswerechoked.Andsoitpassed,themightyfield,andturnedtodust,todriftingsandandyellowrust,tothirstyduneswheremanyboneslaybrokenamongbarrenstones.Dor-na-Fauglith,LandofThirst,

theyafternamedit,wasteaccurst,theraven-hauntedrooflessgraveofmanyfairandmanybrave.ThereonthestonyslopeslookforthfromDeadlyNightshadefallingnorth,fromsombrepineswithpinionsvast,black-plumedanddrear,asmanyamastofsable-shroudedshipsofdeathslowwaftedonaghostlybreath.

ThenceBerengrimnowgazesoutacrossthedunesandshiftingdrought,andseesafarthefrowningtowerswherethunderousThangorodrimlowers.Thehungryhorsetheredroopingstood,

proudGnomishsteed;itfearedthewood;uponthehauntedghastlyplainnohorsewouldeverstrideagain.‘Goodsteedofmasterill,’hesaid,‘farewellnowhere!Liftupthyhead,andgettheegonetoSirion’svalebackaswecame,pastislandpalewhereThûoncereigned,towaterssweetandgrasseslongaboutthyfeet.AndifCurufinnomorethoufind,grievenot!butfreewithhartandhindgowander,leavingworkandwar,anddreamtheebackinValinor,whencecameofoldthymightyracefromTavros’mountain-fencédchase.’TherestillsatBeren,andhesang

andloudhislonelysingingrang.ThoughOrcsshouldhear,orwolfa-prowl,oranyofthecreaturesfoulwithintheshadethatslunkandstaredofTaur-na-Fuin,noughthecaredwhonowtookleaveoflightandday,grim-hearted,bitter,fierceandfey.

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‘Farewellnowhere,yeleavesoftrees,yourmusicinthemorning-breeze!Farewellnowbladeandbloomandgrassthatseethechangingseasonspass;yewatersmurmuringoverstone,andmeresthatsilentstandalone!Farewellnowmountain,vale,andplain!Farewellnowwindandfrostandrain,andmistandcloud,andheaven’sair;yestarandmoonsoblinding-fairthatstillshalllookdownfromtheskyonthewideearth,thoughBerendie—thoughBerendienot,andyetdeep,deep,whencecomesofthosethatweepnodreadfulecho,lieandchokeineverlastingdarkandsmoke.‘Farewellsweetearthandnorthernsky,

foreverblest,sinceheredidlie,andherewithlissomlimbsdidrunbeneaththemoon,beneaththesun,LúthienTinúvielmorefairthanmortaltonguecantell.Thoughalltoruinfelltheworld,andweredissolvedandbackwardhurledunmadeintotheoldabyss,yetwereitsmakinggood,forthis—thedawn,thedusk,theearth,thesea—thatLúthienonatimeshouldbe!’

Hisbladeheliftedhighinhand,andchallengingalonedidstandbeforethethreatofMorgoth’spower;anddauntlesscursedhim,hallandtower,o’ershadowinghandandgrindingfoot,beginning,end,andcrownandroot;thenturnedtostrikeforthdowntheslopeabandoningfear,forsakinghope.

‘A,Beren,Beren!’cameasound,‘almosttoolatehaveItheefound!Oproudandfearlesshandandheart,notyetfarewell,notyetwepart!Notthusdothoseofelvenraceforsakethelovethattheyembrace.Aloveismine,asgreatapowerasthine,toshakethegateandtowerofdeathwithchallengeweakandfrail

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thatyetendures,andwillnotfailnoryield,unvanquishedwereithurledbeneaththefoundationsoftheworld.Belovedfool!escapetoseekfromsuchpursuit;inmightsoweaktotrustnot,thinkingitwelltosavefromlovethyloved,whowelcomesgraveandtormentsoonerthaninguardofkindintenttolanguish,barred,winglessandhelplesshimtoaidforwhosesupportherlovewasmade!’

ThusbacktohimcameLúthien:theymetbeyondthewaysofMen;uponthebrinkofterrorstoodbetweenthedesertandthewood.Helookedonher,herliftedface

beneathhislipsinsweetembrace:‘ThricenowmineoathIcurse,’hesaid,‘thatundershadowtheehathled!ButwhereisHuan,wherethehoundtowhomItrusted,whomIboundbyloveoftheetokeeptheewellfromdeadlywanderingintohell?’

‘Iknownot!ButgoodHuan’sheartiswiser,kinder,thanthouart,grimlord,moreopenuntoprayer!YetlongandlongIpleadedthere,untilhebroughtme,asIwould,uponthytrail—apalfreygoodwouldHuanmake,offlowingpace:thouwouldsthavelaughedtoseeusrace,asOrconwerewolfridelikefirenightafternightthroughfenandmire,throughwasteandwood!ButwhenIheardthysingingclear—(yea,everywordofLúthienonerashlycried,andlisteningevilfiercedefied)–,hesetmedown,andspedaway;butwhathewouldIcannotsay.’

Erelongtheyknew,forHuancame,hisgreatbreathpanting,eyeslikeflame,infearlestherwhomheforsooktoaidsomehuntingeviltookerehewasnigh.Nowtherehelaid

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beforetheirfeet,asdarkasshade,twogrislyshapesthathehadwonfromthattallisleinSirion:awolfhamehuge—itssavagefellwaslongandmatted,darkthespellthatdrenchedthedreadfulcoatandskin;thewerewolfcloakofDraugluin;theotherwasabatlikegarbwithmightyfingeredwings,abarblikeironnailateachjoint’send—suchwingsastheirdarkcloudextendagainstthemoon,whenintheskyfromDeadlyNightshadescreechingflyThû’smessengers.

‘Whathastthoubrought,goodHuan?Whatthyhiddenthought?Oftrophyofprowessandstrongdeed,whenThûthouvanquishedst,whatneedhereinthewaste?’ThusBerenspoke,andoncemorewordsinHuanwoke:hisvoicewaslikethedeeptonedbellsthatringinValmar’scitadels:

‘Ofonefairgemthoumustbethief,Morgoth’sorThingol’s,loathorlief;thoumustherechoosetwixtloveandoath!Ifvowtobreakisstilltheeloath,thenLúthienmusteitherdiealone,ordeathwiththeedefiebesidethee,marchingonyourfatethathiddenbeforeyouliesinwait.Hopelessthequest,butnotyetmad,unlessthou,Beren,runthuscladinmortalraiment,mortalhue,witlessandredeless,deathtowoo.‘Lo!goodwasFelagund’sdevice,

butmaybebettered,ifadviceofHuanyewilldaretotake,andswiftahideouschangewillmaketoformsmostcurséd,foulandvile,ofwerewolfoftheWizard’sIsle,ofmonstrousbat’senverminedfellwithghostlyclawlikewingsofhell.‘Tosuchdarkstraits,alas!nowbrought

areyeIlove,forwhomIfought.NorfurtherwithyoucanIgo—whoeverdidagreathoundknow

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infriendshipatawerewolf’ssidetoAngband’sgrinningportalsstride?Yetmyhearttellsthatatthegatewhatthereyefind,’twillbemyfatemyselftosee,thoughtothatdoormyfeetshallbearmenevermore.Darkenedishopeanddimmedmyeyes,Iseenotclearwhatfurtherlies;yetmaybebackwardsleadsyourpathbeyondallhopetoDoriath,andthither,perchance,wethreeshallwend,andmeetagainbeforetheend.’

Theystoodandmarvelledthustohearhismightytonguesodeepandclear;thensuddenhevanishedfromtheirsightevenattheonsetofthenight.

Hisdreadfulcounselthentheytook,andtheirowngraciousformsforsook;inwerewolffellandbatlikewingpreparedtorobethem,shuddering.WithelvishmagicLúthienwrought,

lestraimentfoulwithevilfraughttodreadfulmadnessdrivetheirhearts;andthereshewroughtwithelvishartsastrongdefence,abindingpower,singinguntilthemidnighthour.

Swiftasthewolvishcoathewore,Berenlayslaveringonthefloor,redtonguedandhungry;butthereliesapainandlonginginhiseyes,alookofhorrorasheseesabatlikeformcrawltoitskneesanddragitscreasedandcreakingwings.Thenhowlingundermoonhespringsfourfooted,swift,fromstonetostonefromhilltoplain—butnotalone:adarkshapedowntheslopedothskim,andwheelingflittersoverhim.

Ashesanddustandthirstydunewitheredanddrybeneaththemoon,underthecoldandshiftingairsiftingandsighing,bleakandbare;ofblisteredstonesandgaspingsand,

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ofsplinteredboneswasbuiltthatland,o’erwhichnowslinkswithpowderedfellandhangingtongueashapeofhell.Manyparchingleagueslaystillbefore

whensicklydaycreptbackoncemore;manychokingmileslaystretchedaheadwhenshiveringnightoncemorewasspreadwithdoubtfulshadowandghostlysoundthathissedandpassedo’erduneandmound.Asecondmorningincloudandreek

struggled,whenstumbling,blindandweak,awolvishshapecamestaggeringforthandreachedthefoothillsoftheNorth;uponitsbacktherefoldedlayacrumpledthingthatblinkedatday.

Therockswererearedlikebonyteeth,andclawsthatgraspedfromopenedsheath,oneithersidethemournfulroadthatonwardledtothatabodefarupwithintheMountaindarkwithtunnelsdrearandportalsstark.Theycreptwithinascowlingshade

andcoweringdarklydownthemlaid.Longlurkedtheytherebesidethepath,andshivered,dreamingofDoriath,oflaughterandmusicandcleanair,influtteredleavesbirdssingingfair.Theywoke,andfeltthetremblingsound,

thebeatingechofarundergroundshakebeneaththem,therumourvastofMorgoth’sforges;andaghasttheyheardthestampofstonyfeetthatshodwithironwentdownthatstreet:theOrcswentforthtorapeandwar,andBalrogcaptainsmarchedbefore.stirred,andundercloudandshade

atevesteppedforth,andnomorestayed;asdarkthingsondarkerrandbentupthelongslopesinhastetheywent.Everthesheercliffsrosebeside,wherebirdsofcarrionsatandcried;andchasmsblackandsmokingyawned,whencewrithingserpent-shapeswerespawned;untilatlastinthathugegloom,heavyasoverhangingdoom,thatweighsonThangorodrim’sfoot

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likethunderatthemountain’sroot,theycame,astoasombrecourtwalledwithgreattowers,fortonfortofcliffsembattled,tothatlastplainthatopens,abysmalandinanebeforehefinaltoplesswallofBauglir’simmeasurablehall,whereunderloomingawfulwaitsthegiganticshadowofhisgates.

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InthatvastshadowonceofyoreFingolfinstood:hisshieldheborewithfieldofheaven’sblueandstarofcrystalshiningpaleafar.Inovermasteringwrathandhatedesperatehesmoteuponthatgate,theGnomishking,therestandinglone,whileendlessfortressesofstoneengulfedthethinclearringingkeenofsilverhornonbaldricgreen.HishopelesschallengedauntlesscriedFingolfinthere:‘Come,openwide,darkking,yourghastlybrazendoors!Comeforth,whomearthandheavenabhors!Comeforth,Omonstrouscravenlordandfightwiththineownhandandsword,thouwielderofhostsofbandedthralls,thoutyrantleagueredwithstrongwalls,thoufoeofGodsandelvishrace!Iwaittheehere.Come!Showthyface!’

ThenMorgothcame.Forthelasttimeinthosegreatwarshedaredtoclimbfromsubterraneanthroneprofound,therumourofhisfeetasoundofrumblingearthquakeunderground.Black-armoured,towering,iron-crownedheissuedforth;hismightyshieldavastunblazonedsablefieldwithshadowlikeathundercloud;ando’erthegleamingkingitbowed,ashugealoftlikemacehehurledthathammeroftheunderworld,Grond.Clangingtogroundittumbleddownlikeathunder-bolt,andcrumbled

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therocksbeneathit;smokeup-started,apityawned,andafiredarted.

Fingolfinlikeashootinglightbeneathacloud,astabofwhite,sprangthenaside,andRingildrewlikeicethatgleamethcoldandblue,hissworddevisedofelvishskilltopiercethefleshwithdeadlychill.Withsevenwoundsitrenthisfoe,andsevenmightycriesofwoeranginthemountains,andtheearthquook,andAngband’stremblingarmiesshook.YetOrcswouldafterlaughingtell

oftheduelatthegatesofhell;thoughelvishsongthereofwasmadeerethisbutone—whensadwaslaidthemightykinginbarrowhigh,andThorondor,Eagleofthesky,thedreadfultidingsbroughtandtoldtomourningElfinesseofold.ThricewasFingolfinwithgreatblowstohiskneesbeaten,thriceherosestillleapingupbeneaththecloudalofttoholdstar-shining,proud,hisstrickenshield,hissunderedhelm,thatdarknormightcouldoverwhelmtillalltheearthwasburstandrentinpitsabouthim.Hewasspent.Hisfeetstumbled.Hefelltowreckupontheground,andonhisneckafootlikerootedhillswasset,andhewascrushed—notconqueredyet;onelastdespairingstrokehegave:themightyfootpaleRingilclaveabouttheheel,andblackthebloodgushedasfromsmokingfountinflood.Haltgoesforeverfromthatstroke

greatMorgoth;butthekinghebroke,andwouldhavehewnandmangledthrowntowolvesdevouring.Lo!fromthronethatManwëbadehimbuildonhigh,onpeakunscaledbeneaththesky,Morgothtowatch,nowdownthereswoopedThorondortheKingofEagles,stooped,andrendingbeakofgoldhesmoteinBauglir’sface,thenupdidfloat

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onpinionsthirtyfathomswidebearingaway,thoughloudtheycried,themightycorse,theElven-king;andwherethemountainsmakearingfartothesouthaboutthatplainwhereafterGondolindidreign,embattledcity,atgreatheightuponadizzysnowcapwhiteinmoundedcairnthemightydeadhelaiduponthemountain’shead.NeverOrcnordemonafterdaredthatpasstoclimb,o’erwhichtherestaredFingolfin’shighandholytomb,tillGondolin’sappointeddoom.

ThusBauglirearnedthefurrowedscarthathisdarkcountenancedothmar,andthushislimpinggaithegained;butafterwardprofoundhereigned

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darklinguponhishiddenthrone;andthunderouspacedhishallsofstone,slowbuildingtherehisvastdesigntheworldinthraldomtoconfine.Wielderofarmies,lordofwoe,norestnowgaveheslaveorfoe;hiswatchandwardhethriceincreased,hisspiesweresentfromWesttoEastandtidingsbroughtfromalltheNorth,whofought,whofell;whoventuredforth,whowroughtinsecret;whohadhoard;ifmaidwerefairorproudwerelord;wellnighallthingsheknew,allheartswellnighenmeshedinevilarts.Doriathonly,beyondtheveil

wovenbyMelian,noassailcouldhurtorenter;onlyrumourdimofthingstherepassingcametohim.Arumourloudandtidingsclearofothermovementsfarandnearamonghisfoes,andthreatofwarfromthesevensonsofFëanor,fromNargothrond,fromFingonstillgatheringhisarmiesunderhillandundertreeinHithlum’sshade,thesedailycame.Hegrewafraidamidsthispoweroncemore;renownofBerenvexedhisears,anddowntheaislédforeststherewasheardgreatHuanbaying.

ThencamewordmostpassingstrangeofLúthienwild-wanderingbywoodandglen,andThingol’spurposelongheweighed,andwondered,thinkingofthatmaidsofair,sofrail.Acaptaindire,Boldog,hesentwithswordandfiretoDoriath’smarch;butbattlefellsuddenuponhim;newstotellneveronereturnedofBoldog’shost,andThingolhumbledMorgoth’sboast.Thenhisheartwithdoubtandwrathwasburned:newtidingsofdismayhelearned,howThûwaso’erthrownandhisstrongislebrokenandplundered,howwithguilehisfoesnowguilebeset;andspies

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hefeared,tilleachOrctohiseyeswashalfsuspect.StilleverdowntheaislédforestscamerenownofHuanbaying,houndofwarthatGodsunleashedinValinor.

ThenMorgothofHuan’sfatebethoughtlong-rumoured,andindarkhewrought.Fiercehunger-hauntedpackshehadthatinwolvishformandfleshwereclad,butdemonspiritsdiredidhold;andeverwildtheirvoicesrolledincaveandmountainwheretheyhousedandendlesssnarlingechoesroused.Fromtheseawhelphechoseandfedwithhisownhandonbodiesdead,onfairestfleshofElvesandMen,tillhugehegrewandinhisdennomorecouldcreep,butbythechairofMorgoth’sselfwouldlieandglare,norsufferBalrog,Orc,norbeasttotouchhim.Manyaghastlyfeastheheldbeneaththatawfulthronerendingfleshandgnawingbone.Theredeepenchantmentonhimfell,theanguishandthepowerofhell;moregreatandterriblehebecamewithfire-redeyesandjawsaflame,withbreathlikevapoursofthegrave,thananybeastofwoodorcave,thananybeastofearthorhellthateverinanytimebefell,surpassingallhisraceandkin,theghastlytribeofDraugluin.

HimCarcharoth,theRedMaw,namethesongsofElves.Notyethecamedisastrous,ravening,fromthegatesofAngband.Therehesleeplesswaits;wherethosegreatportalsthreateningloomhisredeyessmoulderinthegloom,histeetharebare,hisjawsarewide;andnonemaywalk,norcreep,norglide,northrustwithpowerhismenacepasttoenterMorgoth’sdungeonvast.

Now,lo!beforehiswatchfuleyes

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aslinkingshapehefardescriesthatcrawlsintothefrowningplainandhaltsatgaze,thenonagaincomesstalkingnear,awolvishshapehaggard,wayworn,withjawsagape;ando’eritbatlikeinwideringsareelingshadowslowlywings.Suchshapesthereoftwereseentoroam,thislandtheirnativehauntandhome;andyethismoodwithstrangeuneaseisfilled,andbodingthoughtshimseize.

‘Whatgrievousterror,whatdreadguardhathMorgothsettowait,andbarredhisdoorsagainstallenteringfeet?Longwayswehavecomeatlasttomeettheverymawofdeaththatopesbetweenusandourquest!Yethopesweneverhad.Noturningback!’ThusBerenspeaks,asinhistrackhehaltsandseeswithwerewolfeyesafarthehorrorthattherelies.Thenonwarddesperatehepassed,skirtingtheblackpitsyawningvast,whereKingFingolfinruinousfellalonebeforethegatesofhell.

Beforethosegatesalonetheystood,whileCarcharothindoubtfulmoodglowereduponthem,andsnarlingspoke,andechoesinthearcheswoke:‘Hail!Draugluin,mykindred’slord!’Tisverylongsincehitherwardthoucamest.Yea,’tispassingstrangetoseetheenow:agrievouschangeisonthee,lord,whooncesodiresodauntless,andasfleetasfire,ranoverwildandwaste,butnowwithwearinessmustbendandbow!’TishardtofindthestrugglingbreathwhenHuan’steethassharpasdeathhaverentthethroat?Whatfortunerarebringstheebacklivingheretofare—ifDraugluinthouart?comenear!Iwouldknowmore,andseetheeclear!’

‘Whoartthou,hungryupstartwhelp,

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tobarmywayswhomthoushouldsthelp?IfarewithhastytidingsnewtoMorgothfromforest-hauntingThû.Aside!forImustin;orgoandswiftmycomingtellbelow!’

Thenupthatdoorwardslowlystood,eyesshininggrimwithevilmood,uneasygrowling:‘Draugluin,ifsuchthoube,nowenterin!Butwhatisthisthatcrawlsbesideslinkingasif’twouldneaththeehide?Thoughwingédcreaturestoandfrounnumberedpasshere,allIknow.Iknownotthis.Stay,vampire,stay!Ilikenotthykinnorthee.Come,saywhatsneakingerrandtheedothbring,thouwingédvermin,totheking!Smallmatter,Idoubtnot,ifthoustayorenter,orifinmyplayIcrushtheelikeaflyonwall,orbitethywingsandlettheecrawl.’

Huge-stalking,noisome,closehecame.InBeren’seyestheregleamedaflame;thehairuponhisneckuprose.Noughtmaythefragrancefairenclose,theodourofimmortalflowersineverlastingspringneathshowersthatglittersilverinthegrassinValinor.Where’erdidpassTinúviel,suchairtherewent.Fromthatfouldevil-sharpenedscentitssuddensweetnessnodisguiseenchanteddarktocheattheeyescouldkeep,ifnearthosenostrilsdrewsnufflingindoubt.ThisBerenknewuponthebrinkofhellpreparedforbattleanddeath.Therethreateningstaredthosedreadfulshapes,inhatredboth,falseDraugluinandCarcharothwhen,lo!amarveltobehold:somepower,descendedfromofold,fromracedivinebeyondtheWest,suddenTinúvielpossessedlikeinnerfire.Thevampiredarksheflungaside,andlikealark

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cleavingthroughnighttodawnshesprang,whilesheer,heart-piercingsilver,ranghervoice,asthoselongtrumpetskeenthrilling,unbearable,unseeninthecoldaislesofmorn.Hercloakbywhitehandswoven,likeasmoke,likeall-bewildering,all-enthralling,all-enfoldingevening,fallingfromliftedarms,asforthshesteppedacrossthoseawfuleyessheswept,ashadowandamistofdreamswhereonentangledstarlightgleams.

‘Sleep,Ounhappy,torturedthrall!Thouwoebegotten,failandfalldown,downfromanguish,hatred,pain,fromlust,fromhunger,bondandchain,tothatoblivion,darkanddeep,thewell,thelightlesspitofsleep!Foronebriefhourescapethenet,thedreadfuldoomoflifeforget!’

Hiseyeswerequenched,hislimbswereloosed;hefelllikerunningsteerthatnoosedandtrippedgrowscrashingtotheground.Deathlike,moveless,withoutasoundoutstretchedhelay,aslightningstrokehadfelledahugeo’ershadowingoak.

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Intothevastandechoinggloom,moredreadthanmany-tunnelledtombinlabyrinthinepyramidwhereeverlastingdeathishiddownawfulcorridorsthatwinddowntoamenacedarkenshrined;downtothemountain’srootsprofound,devoured,tormented,boredandgroundbyseethingverminspawnedofstone;downtothedepthstheywentalone.Thearchbehindoftwilitshade

theysawrecedeanddwindlingfade;thethunderousforges’rumourgrew,aburningwindthereroaringblewfoulvapoursupfromgapingholes.Hugeshapestherestoodlikecarventrolls

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enormoushewnofblastedrocktoformsthatmortallikenessmock;monstrousandmenacing,entombed,ateveryturntheysilentloomedinfitfulglaresthatleapedanddied.Therehammersclanged,andtonguestherecriedwithsoundlikesmittenstone;therewailedfaintfromfarunder,calledandfailedamidtheironclinkofchainvoicesofcaptivesputtopain.

Loudroseadinoflaughterhoarse,self-loathingyetwithoutremorse;loudcameasingingharshandfiercelikeswordsofterrorsoulstopierce.Redwastheglarethroughopendoorsoffirelightmirroredonbrazenfloors,andupthearchestoweringclombtogloomsunguessed,tovaulteddomeswathedinwaveringsmokesandsteamsstabbedwithflickeringlightning-gleams.ToMorgoth’shall,wheredreadfulfeastheheld,anddrankthebloodofbeastandlivesofMen,theystumblingcame:theireyesweredazedwithsmokeandflame.Thepillars,rearedlikemonstrousshorestobearearth’soverwhelmingfloors,weredevil-carven,shapedwithskillsuchasunholydreamsdothfill:theytoweredliketreesintotheair,whosetrunksarerootedindespair,whoseshadeisdeath,whosefruitisbane,whoseboughslikeserpentswritheinpain.Beneaththemrangedwithspearandsword

stoodMorgoth’ssable-armouredhorde:thefireonbladeandbossofshieldwasredasbloodonstrickenfield.BeneathamonstrouscolumnloomedthethroneofMorgoth,andthedoomedanddyinggaspeduponthefloor:hishideousfootstool,rapeofwar.Abouthimsathisawfulthanes,theBalrog-lordswithfierymanes,redhanded,mouthedwithfangsofsteel;devouringwolveswerecrouchedatheel.Ando’erthehostofhellthereshonewithacoldradiance,clearandwan,

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theSilmarils,thegemsoffate,emprisonedinthecrownofhate.

Lo!throughthegrinningportalsdreadsuddenashadowswoopedandfled;andBerengasped—helayalone,withcrawlingbellyonthestone:aformbat-wingéd,silent,flewwherethehugepillaredbranchesgrew,amidthesmokesandmountingsteams.Andasonthemarginofdarkdreamsadim-feltshadowunseengrowstocloudofvastunease,andwoesforeboded,nameless,rolllikedoomuponthesoul,sointhatgloomthevoicesfell,andlaughterdiedslowtosilencemany-eyed.Anamelessdoubt,ashapelessfear,hadenteredintheircavernsdrearandgrew,andtoweredabovethemcowed,hearinginheartthetrumpetsloudofgodsforgotten.Morgothspoke,andthunderousthesilencebroke:‘Shadow,descend!Anddonotthinktocheatmineeyes!InvaintoshrinkfromthyLord’sgaze,orseektohide.Mywillbynonemaybedefied.Hopenorescapedothhereawaitthosethatunbiddenpassmygate.Descend!ereangerblastthywing,thoufoolish,frail,bat-shapenthing,andyetnotbatwithin!Comedown!’

Slow-wheelingo’erhisironcrown,reluctantly,shiveringandsmall,Berentheresawtheshadowfall,anddroopbeforethehideousthrone,aweakandtremblingthing,alone.AndasthereongreatMorgothbenthisdarklinggaze,heshudderingwent,bellytoearth,thecoldsweatdankuponhisfell,andcrawlingshrankbeneaththedarknessofthatseat,beneaththeshadowofthosefeet.Tinúvielspake,ashrill,thin,sound

piercingthosesilencesprofound:‘Alawfulerrandheremebrought;

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fromThû’sdarkmansionshaveIsought,fromTaur-na-Fuin’sshadeIfaretostandbeforethymightychair!’

‘Thyname,thoushriekingwaif,thyname!TidingsenoughfromThûtherecamebutshortwhilesince.Whatwouldhenow?Whysendsuchmessengerasthou?’

‘ThuringwethilIam,whocastashadowo’erthefaceaghastofthesallowmooninthedoomedlandofshiveringBeleriand!’

‘Liarartthou,whoshaltnotweavedeceitbeforemineeyes.Nowleavethyformandraimentfalse,andstandrevealed,anddeliveredtomyhand!’

Therecameaslowandshudderingchange:thebatlikeraimentdarkandstrangewasloosed,andslowlyshrankandfellquivering.Shestoodrevealedinhell.Aboutherslendershouldershunghershadowyhair,androundherclunghergarmentdark,whereglimmeredpalethestarlightcaughtinmagicveil.Dimdreamsandfaintoblivioussleepfellsoftlythence,indungeonsdeepanodourstoleofelven-flowersfromelven-dellswheresilvershowersdripsoftlythroughtheeveningair;androundtherecrawledwithgreedystaredarkshapesofsnufflinghungerdread.Witharmsupraisedanddroopinghead

thensoftlyshebegantosingathemeofsleepandslumbering,wandering,wovenwithdeeperspellthansongswherewithinancientdellMeliandidoncethetwilightfill,profoundandfathomless,andstill.

ThefiresofAngbandflaredanddied,smoulderedintodarkness;throughthewideandhollowhallsthererolledunfurledtheshadowsoftheunderworld.Allmovementstayed,andallsoundceased,

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savevaporousbreathofOrcandbeast.Onefireindarknessstillabode:thelidlesseyesofMorgothglowed;onesoundthebreathingsilencebroke:themirthlessvoiceofMorgothspoke.

‘SoLúthien,soLúthien,aliarlikeallElvesandMen!Yetwelcome,welcome,tomyhall!Ihaveauseforeverythrall.WhatnewsofThingolinhisholeshylurkinglikeatimidvole?Whatfollyfreshisinhismindwhocannotkeephisoffspringblindfromstrayingthus?orcandevisenobettercounselforhisspies?’

Shewavered,andshestayedhersong.‘Theroad,’shesaid,‘waswildandlong,butThingolsentmenot,norknowswhatwayhisrebelliousdaughtergoes.YeteveryroadandpathwillleadNorthwardatlast,andhereofneedItremblingcomewithhumblebrow,andherebeforethythroneIbow;forLúthienhathmanyartsforsolacesweetofkinglyhearts.’

‘Andhereofneedthoushaltremainnow,Lúthien,injoyorpain—orpain,thefittingdoomforall,forrebel,thief,andupstartthrall.Whyshouldyenotinourfateshareofwoeandtravail?OrshouldIsparetoslenderlimbandbodyfrailbreakingtorment?Ofwhatavailheredostthoudeemthybabblingsongandfoolishlaughter?Minstrelsstrongareatmycall.YetIwillgivearespitebrief,awhiletolive,alittlewhile,thoughpurchaseddear,toLúthienthefairandclear,aprettytoyforidlehour.Inslothfulgardensmanyaflowerliketheetheamorousgodsareusedhoney-sweettokiss,andcastthenbruisedtheirfragranceloosing,underfeet.

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Buthereweseldomfindsuchsweetamidourlabourslongandhard,fromgodlikeidlenessdebarred.Andwhowouldnottastethehoney-sweetlyingtolips,orcrushwithfeetthesoftcooltissueofpaleflowers,easinglikegodsthedragginghours?A!cursetheGods!Ohungerdire,Oblindingthirst’sunendingfire!Onemomentshallyecease,andslakeyourstingwithmorselIheretake!’

Inhiseyesthefiretoflamewasfanned,andforthhestretchedhisbrazenhand.Lúthienasshadowshrankaside.‘Notthus,Oking!Notthus!’shecried,‘dogreatlordsharktohumbleboon!Foreveryminstrelhathhistune;andsomearestrongandsomearesoftandeachwouldbearhissongaloft,andeachalittlewhilebeheard,thoughrudethenote,andlighttheword.ButLúthienhathcunningartsforsolacesweetofkinglyhearts.Nowhearken!’Andherwingsshecaughtthendeftlyup,andswiftasthoughtslippedfromhisgrasp,andwheelinground,flutteringbeforehiseyes,shewoundamazy-wingéddance,andspedabouthisiron-crownédhead.Suddenlyhersongbegananew;andsoftcamedroppinglikeadewdownfromonhighinthatdomedhallhervoicebewildering,magical,andgrewtosilver-murmuringstreamspalefallingindarkpoolsindreams.

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Sheletherflyingraimentsweep,enmeshedwithwovenspellsofsleep,asroundthedarkvoidsherangedandreeled.FromwalltowallsheturnedandwheeledindancesuchasneverElfnorfaybeforedevised,norsincethatday;thanswallowswifter,thanflittermouseindyinglightrounddarkenedhousemoresilken-soft,morestrangeandfairthansylphinemaidensoftheAirwhosewingsinVarda’sheavenlyhallinrhythmicmovementbeatandfall.DowncrumpledOrc,andBalrogproud;

alleyeswerequenched,allheadswerebowed;thefiresofheartandmawwerestilled,andeverlikeabirdshethrilledabovealightlessworldforlorninecstasyenchantedborne.Alleyeswerequenched,savethosethatglared

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inMorgoth’sloweringbrows,andstaredinslowlywanderingwonderround,andslowwereinenchantmentbound.Theirwillwavered,andtheirfirefailed,andasbeneathhisbrowstheypaled,theSilmarilslikestarswerekindledthatinthereekofEarthhaddwindledescapingupwardscleartoshine,glisteningmarvellousinheaven’smine.

Thenflaringsuddenlytheyfell,down,downuponthefloorsofhell.Thedarkandmightyheadwasbowed;likemountain-topbeneathacloudtheshouldersfoundered,thevastformcrashed,asinoverwhelmingstormhugecliffsinruinslideandfall;andpronelayMorgothinhishall.Hiscrownthererolledupontheground,awheelofthunder;thenallsounddied,andasilencegrewasdeepasweretheheartofEarthasleep.

Beneaththevastandemptythronetheadderslayliketwistedstone,thewolveslikecorpsesfoulwerestrewn;andtherelayBerendeepinswoon:nothought,nodreamnorshadowblindmovedinthedarknessofhismind.‘Comeforth,comeforth!Thehourhathknelled,

andAngband’smightylordisfelled!Awake,awake!Forwetwomeetalonebeforetheawfulseat.’Thisvoicecamedownintothedeepwherehelaydrownedinwellsofsleep;ahandflower-softandflower-coolpassedo’erhisface,andthestillpoolofslumberquivered.Upthenleapedhismindtowaking;forthhecrept.Thewolvishfellheflungasideandspranguntohisfeet,andwidestaringamidthesoundlessgloomhegaspedasonelivingshutintomb.Theretohissidehefelthershrink,feltLúthiennowshiveringsink,herstrengthandmagicdimmedandspent,andswifthisarmsaboutherwent.

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BeforehisfeethesawamazedthegemsofFëanor,thatblazedwithwhitefireglisteninginthecrownofMorgoth’smightnowfallendown.Tomovethathelmofironvastnostrengthhefound,andthenceaghasthestrovewithfingersmadtowresttheguerdonoftheirhopelessquest,tillinhishearttherefellthethoughtofthatcoldmornwhereonhefoughtwithCurufin;thenfromhisbeltthesheathlessknifehedrew,andknelt,andtrieditshardedge,bitter-cold,o’erwhichinNogrodsongshadrolledofdwarvisharmourerssingingslowtohammer-musiclongago.Ironastenderwooditcloveandmailaswoofofloomitrove.Theclawsofironthatheldthegem,itbitthemthroughandsunderedthem;aSilmarilheclaspedandheld,andthepureradianceslowlywelledredglowingthroughtheclenchingflesh.AgainhestoopedandstroveafreshonemoreoftheholyjewelsthreethatFëanorwroughtofyoretofree.Butroundthosefireswaswovenfate;notyetshouldtheyleavethehallsofhate.ThedwarvishsteelofcunningbladebytreacheroussmithsofNogrodmadesnapped;thenringingsharpandclearintwainitsprang,andlikeaspearorerrantshaftthebrowitgrazedofMorgoth’ssleepinghead,anddazedtheirheartswithfear.ForMorgothgroanedwithvoiceentombed,likewindthatmoanedinhollowcavernspennedandbound.Therecameabreath;agaspingsoundmovedthroughthehalls,asOrcandbeastturnedintheirdreamsofhideousfeast;insleepuneasyBalrogsstirred,andfarabovewasfaintlyheardanechothatintunnelsrolled,awolvishhowlinglongandcold.

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Upthroughthedarkandechoinggloomasghostsfrommany-tunnelledtomb,upfromthemountains’rootsprofoundandthevastmenaceunderground,theirlimbsaquakewithdeadlyfear,terrorineyes,anddreadinear,togetherfledthey,bythebeataffrightedoftheirflyingfeet.

Atlastbeforethemfarawaytheysawtheglimmeringwraithofday,themightyarchwayofthegate—andthereahorrornewdidwait.Uponthethreshold,watchful,dire,hiseyesnew-kindledwithdullfire,toweredCarcharoth,abidingdoom:hisjawsweregapinglikeatomb,histeethwerebare,histongueaflame;arousedhewatchedthatnoonecame,noflittingshadenorhuntedshape,seekingfromAngbandtoescape.Nowpastthatguardwhatguileormightcouldthrustfromdeathintothelight?

Heheardafartheirhurryingfeet,hesnuffedanodourstrangeandsweet;hesmelledtheircominglongbeforetheymarkedthewaitingthreatatdoor.Hislimbshestretchedandshookoffsleep,thenstoodatgaze.Withsuddenleapuponthemastheyspedhesprang,andhishowlinginthearchesrang.Tooswiftforthoughthisonsetcame,

tooswiftforanyspelltotame;andBerendesperatethenasidethrustLúthien,andforthdidstrideunarmed,defencelesstodefendTinúvieluntiltheend.Withlefthecaughtathairythroat,withrighthandattheeyeshesmote—hisright,fromwhichtheradiancewelledoftheholySilmarilheheld.AsgleamofswordsinfirethereflashedthefangsofCarcharoth,andcrashedtogetherlikeatrap,thattorethehandaboutthewrist,andshorethroughbrittleboneandsinewnesh,

1985devouringthefrailmortalflesh;andinthatcruelmouthuncleanengulfedthejewel’sholysheen.

Anisolatedpagegivesfivefurtherlinesintheprocessofcomposition:

AgainstthewallthenBerenreeledbutstillwithhislefthesoughttoshieldfairLúthien,whocriedaloudtoseehispain,anddownshebowedinanguishsinkingtotheground.

Withtheabandonment,towardstheendof1931,ofTheLayofLeithianatthispointinthetaleofBerenandLúthienmyfatherhadverylargelyreachedthefinalforminnarrativestructure—asrepresentedinthepublishedSilmarillion.Although,afterthecompletionofhisworkonTheLordoftheRings,hemadesomeextensiverevisionstoTheLayofLeithianasithadlainsince1931(seetheAppendix,p.257),itseemscertainthatheneverextendedthestoryanyfurtherinverse,saveforthispassagefoundonaseparatesheetheaded‘apiecefromtheendofthepoem’.

Wheretheforest-streamwentthroughthewood,andsilentallthestemstherestoodoftalltrees,moveless,hangingdarkwithmottledshadowsontheirbarkabovethegreenandgleamingriver,therecamethroughleavesasuddenshiver,awindywhisperthroughthestillcoolsilences;anddownthehill,asfaintasadeepsleeper’sbreath,anechocameascoldasdeath:‘Longarethepaths,ofshadowmadewherenofoot’sprintiseverlaid,overthehills,acrosstheseas!Far,farawayaretheLandsofEase,buttheLandoftheLostisfurtheryet,wheretheDeadwait,whileyeforget.Nomoonisthere,novoice,nosoundofbeatingheart;asighprofoundonceineachageaseachagediesaloneisheard.Far,faritlies,theLandofWaitingwheretheDeadsit,intheirthought’sshadow,bynomoonlit.’

THEQUENTASILMARILLION

In theyears that followed,myfather turned toanewproseversionof thehistoryof theElderDays,andthatisfoundinamanuscriptbearingthetitleQuentaSilmarillion,whichIwillrefertoas ‘QS’.Of intermediate textsbetween thisand itspredecessor theQuentaNoldorinwa (p.103)thereisnownotrace,thoughtheymusthaveexisted;butfromthepointwherethestoryofBeren and Lúthien enters theSilmarillionhistory there are several largely incomplete drafts,owingtomyfather’slonghesitationbetweenlongerandshorterversionsofthelegend.Afullerversion,whichmaybecalledforthispurpose‘QSI’,wasabandoned,onaccountofitslength,atthepointwhereKingFelagundinNargothrondgavethecrowntoOrodrethhisbrother(p.109,extractfromtheQuentaNoldorinwa).This was followed by a very rough draft of the whole story; and that was the basis of a

second,‘short’version,‘QSII’,preservedinthesamemanuscriptasQSI.Itwasverylargelyfrom these twoversions that Iderived the storyofBerenandLúthienas told in thepublishedSilmarillion.The making of QS II was a work still in progress in 1937; but in that year there entered

considerationsaltogetheralooffromthehistoryoftheElderDays.On21SeptemberTheHobbitwaspublishedbyAllenandUnwin,andwasanimmediatesuccess;butitbroughtwithitgreatpressure onmy father towrite a further book about hobbits. InOctober he said in a letter toStanleyUnwin,thechairmanofAllenandUnwin,thathewas‘alittleperturbed.Icannotthinkofanythingmoretosayabouthobbits.MrBagginsseemstohaveexhibitedsofullyboththeTookandtheBagginssideoftheirnature.ButIhaveonlytoomuchtosay,andmuchalreadywritten,abouttheworldintowhichthehobbitintruded.’Hesaidthathewantedanopiniononthevalueofthesewritingsonthesubjectof‘theworldintowhichthehobbitintruded’;andheputtogetheracollectionofmanuscriptsandsentthemofftoStanleyUnwinon15November1937.Includedin thecollectionwasQSII,whichhadreachedthemomentwhenBerentookintohishandtheSilmarilwhichhehadcutfromMorgoth’scrown.LongafterwardsIlearnedthatthelistmadeoutatAllenandUnwinofthemanuscriptsinmy

father’s consignment contained, in addition toFarmerGiles ofHam,MrBliss, andThe LostRoad, twoelementsreferredtoasLongPoemandTheGnomesMaterial, titleswhichcarrya

suggestionof despair.Obviously the unwelcomemanuscripts landedon the desk atAllen andUnwinwithoutadequateexplanation.IhavetoldindetailthestrangestoryofthisconsignmentinanappendixtoTheLaysofBeleriand(1985),buttobebrief,itispainfullyclearthattheQuentaSilmarillion (included in ‘theGnomesMaterial’, togetherwithwhateverother textsmayhavebeengiventhisname)neverreachedthepublishers’reader—saveforafewpagesthathadbeenattached,independently(andinthecircumstancesverymisleadingly)toTheLayofLeithian.Hewasutterlyperplexed,andproposedasolutiontotherelationshipbetweentheLongPoemandthisfragment(muchapproved)oftheprosework(i.e. theQuentaSilmarillion) thatwas(veryunderstandably) radically incorrect. Hewrote a puzzled report conveying his opinion, acrosswhichamemberofthestaffwrote,alsounderstandably,‘Whatarewetodo?’Theoutcomeofatissueofsubsequentmisunderstandingswasthatmyfather,whollyunaware

that theQuentaSilmarillionhadnot in factbeen readbyanybody, toldStanleyUnwin thatherejoicedthatatleastithadnotbeenrejected‘withscorn’,andthathenowcertainlyhoped‘tobeable,ortobeabletoafford,topublishtheSilmarillion!’WhileQS IIwasgonehe continued thenarrative in a furthermanuscript,which toldof the

deathofBeren inTheWolf-huntofCarcharoth, intending tocopy thenewwriting intoQS IIwhen the texts were returned; but when they were, on 16 December 1937, he put TheSilmarillionaside.Hestillasked,inalettertoStanleyUnwinofthatdate,‘Andwhatmorecanhobbitsdo?Theycanbecomic,buttheircomedyissuburbanunlessitissetagainstthingsmoreelemental.’But threedays later, on19December1937,he announced toAllen andUnwin: ‘IhavewrittenthefirstchapterofanewstoryaboutHobbits—“Alongexpectedparty”.’Itwasatthispoint,asIwroteintheAppendixtoTheChildrenofHúrin,thatthecontinuous

and evolving traditionofTheSilmarillion in the summarising,Quentamode came to an end,broughtdowninfullflight,atTúrin’sdeparturefromDoriath,becominganoutlaw.Thefurtherhistory from that point remained during the years that followed in the compressed andundeveloped formof theQuenta of 1930, frozen, as itwere,while thegreat structures of theSecondandThirdAgesarosewiththewritingofTheLordoftheRings.Butthatfurtherhistorywasofcardinalimportanceintheancientlegends,fortheconcludingstories(derivingfromtheoriginal Book of Lost Tales) told of the disastrous history of Húrin, father of Túrin, afterMorgoth released him, and of the ruin of the Elvish kingdoms of Nargothrond, Doriath, andGondolinofwhichGimlichantedintheminesofMoriamanythousandsofyearsafterwards.

Theworldwasfair,themountainstall,inElderDaysbeforethefallofmightykingsinNargothrondAndGondolin,whonowbeyondtheWesternSeashavepassedaway...

Andthiswastobethecrownandcompletionofthewhole:thedoomoftheNoldorinElvesintheirlongstruggleagainstthepowerofMorgoth,andthepartsthatHúrinandTúrinplayedinthathistory;endingwiththeTaleofEärendil,whoescapedfromtheburningruinofGondolin.

Manyyearslatermyfatherwroteinaletter(16July1964):‘IofferedthemthelegendsoftheElder Days, but their readers turned that down. They wanted a sequel. But I wanted heroiclegendsandhighromance.TheresultwasTheLordoftheRings.’

*

WhenTheLayofLeithianwasabandonedtherewasnoexplicitaccountofwhatfollowedthemomentwhen‘thefangsofCarcharothcrashedtogetherlikeatrap’onBeren’shandinwhichheclutched the Silmaril; for thiswemust go back to the originalTale of Tinúviel (pp. 77–80),wheretherewasastoryofthedesperateflightofBerenandLúthien,ofthehuntoutofAngbandpursuing them, and of Huan’s finding them and guiding them back to Doriath. In theQuentaNoldorinwa(p.138)myfathersaidofthissimplythat‘thereislittletotell’.InthefinalstoryofthereturnofBerenandLúthientoDoriaththechief(andradical)changeto

noticeisthemanneroftheirescapefromthegatesofAngbandafterthewoundingofBerenbyCarcharoth.Thisevent,whichTheLayofLeithiandidnot reach, is told in thewordsofTheSilmarillion:

ThusthequestoftheSilmarilwasliketohaveendedinruinanddespair;butinthathourabovethewallofthevalleythreemightybirdsappeared,flyingnorthwardwithwingsswifterthanthewind.AmongallbirdsandbeaststhewanderingandneedofBerenhadbeennoised,andHuanhimselfhad

biddenallthingswatch,thattheymightbringhimaid.HighabovetherealmofMorgothThorondorandhisvassalssoared,andseeingnowthemadnessoftheWolfandBeren’sfallcameswiftlydown,evenasthepowersofAngbandwerereleasedfromthetoilsofsleep.ThentheyliftedupBerenandLúthienfromtheearth,andborethemaloftintotheclouds...(As they passed high over the lands)Lúthienwept, for she thought thatBerenwould surely die; he

spokenoword,noropenedhiseyes,andknewthereafternothingofhisflight.Andatthelasttheeaglesset themdown upon the borders ofDoriath; and theywere come to that same dellwhenceBeren hadstolenindespairandleftLúthienasleep.TheretheeagleslaidheratBeren’ssideandreturnedtothepeaksofCrissaegrimandtheirhigheyries;

butHuancametoher,andtogethertheytendedBeren,evenasbeforewhenshehealedhimofthewoundthatCurufingavetohim.Butthiswoundwasfellandpoisonous.LongBerenlay,andhisspiritwanderedupon thedarkbordersofdeath,knowingever ananguish thatpursuedhim fromdream todream.Thensuddenly,whenherhopewasalmostspent,hewokeagain,andlookedup,seeingleavesagainstthesky;and he heard beneath the leaves singing soft and slow beside himLúthienTinúviel.And itwas springagain.ThereafterBerenwas namedErchamion,which is theOne-handed; and sufferingwas graven in his

face.ButatlasthewasdrawnbacktolifebytheloveofLúthien,andherose,andtogethertheywalkedinthewoodsoncemore.

*

ThestoryofBerenandLúthienhasnowbeentoldasitevolvedinproseandverseovertwentyyearsfromtheoriginalTaleofTinúviel.AfterinitialhesitationBeren,whosefatherwasatfirstEgnortheForester,oftheElvishpeoplecalledtheNoldoli,translatedintoEnglishas‘Gnomes’,hasbecomethesonofBarahir,achieftainofMen,andtheleaderofabandofrebelsinhidingagainstthehatefultyrannyofMorgoth.Thememorablestoryhasemerged(in1925,inTheLayofLeithian)of the treacheryofGorlimandtheslayingofBarahir (pp.94ff.);andwhileVëannëwhotoldthe‘losttale’knewnothingofwhathadbroughtBerentoArtanor,andsurmisedthatitwasasimpleloveofwandering(p.41),hehasbecomeafterthedeathofhisfatherafar-famedenemyofMorgothforcedtofleetotheSouth,whereheopensthestoryofBerenandTinúvielashepeersinthetwilightthroughthetreesofThingol’sforest.Veryremarkableisthestory,asitwastoldinTheTaleofTinúviel,ofthecaptivityofBeren,

onhisjourneytoAngbandinquestofaSilmaril,byTevildoPrinceofCats;sotooisthetotal

subsequenttransformationofthatstory.Butifwesaythatthecastleofthecats‘is’thetowerofSaurononTol-in-Gaurhoth‘IsleofWerewolves’itcanonlybe,asIhaveremarkedelsewhere,in thesense that itoccupies thesame‘space’ in thenarrative.Beyondthis there isnopoint inseeking even shadowy resemblances between the two establishments. The monstrousgormandising cats, their kitchens and their sunning terraces, and their engaginglyElvish-felinenames,Miaugion,Miaulë,Meoita,haveallvanishedwithout trace.Butbeyond theirhatredofdogs(andtheimportancetothestoryofthemutualloathingofHuanandTevildo)it isevidentthattheinhabitantsofthecastlearenoordinarycats:verynotableisthispassagefromtheTale(p.69)concerning‘thesecretofthecatsandthespellthatMelkohadentrustedto[Tevildo]’:

andthosewerewordsofmagicwherebythestonesofhisevilhousewereheldtogether,andwherebyheheldallbeastsofthecatfolkunderhissway,fillingthemwithanevilpowerbeyondtheirnature;forlonghasitbeensaidthatTevildowasanevilfayinbeastlikeshape.

Itisalsointerestingtoobserveinthispassage,aselsewhere,themannerinwhichaspectsandincidentsoftheoriginaltalemayreappearbutinawhollydifferentguise,arisingfromawhollyalterednarrativeconception.IntheoldTaleTevildowasforcedbyHuantorevealthespell,andwhen Tinúviel uttered it ‘the house of Tevildo shook; and there came therefrom a host ofindwellers’ (which was a host of cats). In the Quenta Noldorinwa (p. 135) when Huanoverthrewtheterriblewerewolf-wizardThû,theNecromancer,inTol-in-Gaurhothhe‘wonfromhimthekeysandthespellsthatheldtogetherhisenchantedwallsandtowers.Sothestrongholdwasbrokenandthetowersthrowndownandthedungeonsopened.Manycaptiveswerereleased...’

ButherewemoveintothemajorshiftinthestoryofBerenandLúthien,whenitwascombinedwith thealtogetherdistinct legendofNargothrond.Through theoathofundying friendshipandaidsworntoBarahir,thefatherofBeren,FelagundthefounderofNargothrondwasdrawnintoBeren’squestoftheSilmaril(p.117,lines157ff.);andthereenteredthestoryoftheElvesfromNargothrondwhodisguised asOrcswere takenbyThû and ended their days in the gruesomedungeons of Tol-in-Gaurhoth. The quest of the Silmaril involved alsoCelegorm andCurufin,sonsofFëanorandapowerfulpresenceinNargothrond,throughthedestructiveoathswornbytheFëanoriansofvengeanceagainstany‘whoholdortakeorkeepaSilmarilagainsttheirwill’.ThecaptivityofLúthieninNargothrond,fromwhichHuanrescuedher,involvedherintheplotsandambitionsofCelegormandCurufin:pp.151–2,lines247–72.

Thereremainstheaspectofthestorythatisalsotheendofit,andofprimarysignificance,asIbelieve,inthemindofitsauthor.TheearliestreferencetothefatesofBerenandLúthienafterBeren’sdeathinthehuntofCarcharothisinTheTaleofTinúviel;butatthattimebothBerenandLúthienwereElves.Thereitwassaid(p.87):

‘Tinúvielcrushedwithsorrowandfindingnocomfortorlightinalltheworldfollowedhimswiftlydownthosedarkways thatallmust treadalone.Nowherbeautyandtender loveliness touchedeventhecoldheartofMandos,sothathesufferedhertoleadBerenforthoncemoreintotheworld,norhasthiseverbeendonesincetoManorElf...YetsaidMandostothosetwain:“Lo,OElves,itisnottoanylifeofperfectjoythatIdismissyou,forsuchmaynolongerbefoundinalltheworldwheresitsMelkooftheevilheart—andknowthatyewillbecomemortalevenasMen,andwhenyefarehitheragainitwillbeforever....”’

ThatBerenandLúthienhadafurtherhistoryinMiddle-earthismadeplaininthispassage(‘theirdeedsafterwardwereverygreat,andmanytalesaretoldthereof’),butnomoreissaidtherethanthat theyare i-Cuilwarthon, theDead thatLiveAgain, and ‘they becamemighty fairies in thelandsaboutthenorthofSirion.’InanotheroftheLostTales,TheComingoftheValar,thereisanaccountofthosewhocame

toMandos(thenameofhishallsaswellasthatoftheGod,whosetruenamewasVê):

ThitherinafterdaysfaredtheElvesofalltheclanswhowerebyillhapslainwithweaponsordiddieofgriefforthosewhowereslain—andonlysomighttheEldardie,andthenitwasonlyforawhile.ThereMandosspaketheirdoom,andtheretheywaitedinthedarkness,dreamingoftheirpastdeeds,untilsuchtimeasheappointedwhen theymightagainbeborn into their children, andgo forth to laughand singagain.

With thismaybecompared theunplacedverses forTheLayofLeithiangivenonpp. 216–7,concerning‘theLandoftheLost...wheretheDeadwait,whileyeforget’:

Nomoonisthere,novoice,nosoundofbeatingheart;asighprofoundonceineachageaseachagediesaloneisheard.Far,faritlies,theLandofWaitingwheretheDeadsit,intheirthought’sshadow,bynomoonlit.

Theconception that theElvesdiedonlyfromwoundsofweapons,orfromgrief,endured,andappearsinthepublishedSilmarillion:

FortheElvesdienottilltheworlddies,unlesstheyareslainorwasteingrief(andtoboththeseseemingdeaths theyaresubject);neitherdoesagesubdue theirstrength,unlessonegrowwearyof ten thousandcenturies;anddyingtheyaregatheredtothehallsofMandosinValinor,whencetheymayintimereturn.But the sons of Men die indeed, and leave the world; wherefore they are called the Guests, or theStrangers.Deathistheirfate,thegiftofIlúvatar,whichasTimewearseventhePowersshallenvy.

ItseemstomethatthewordsofMandosinTheTaleofTinúvielcitedabove,‘yewillbecomemortal even asMen, and when ye fare hither again it will be for ever’, imply that he wasuprootingtheirdestinyasElves:havingdiedasElvescoulddie,theywouldnotbereborn,butbepermitted—uniquely—toleaveMandosstillintheirownparticularbeing.Theywouldpayaprice,nevertheless,forwhentheydiedasecondtimetherewouldbenopossibilityofreturn,no‘seemingdeath’,butthedeaththatMen,oftheirnature,mustsuffer.Later,intheQuentaNoldorinwaitistold(pp.140–1)that‘Lúthienfailedandfadedswiftly

andvanishedfromtheearth....AndshecametothehallsofMandos,andshesangtohimataleofmovinglovesofairthathewasmovedtopity,asneverhasbefallensince.’

Berenhesummoned,andthus,asLúthienhadswornasshekissedhimat thehourofdeath, theymetbeyond thewestern sea.AndMandos suffered them todepart, but he said thatLúthien should becomemortalevenasherlover,andshouldleavetheearthoncemoreinthemannerofamortalwoman,andherbeautybecomebutamemoryof song.So itwas,but it is said that in recompenseMandosgave toBerenandtoLúthienthereafteralongspanoflifeandjoy,andtheywanderedknowingthirstnorcoldinthefairlandofBeleriand,andnomortalManthereafterspoketoBerenorhisspouse.

In the draft text of the story of Beren and Lúthien prepared for theQuenta Silmarillion,referredtoonp.218,thereenterstheideaofthe‘choiceoffate’proposedtoBerenandLúthienbeforeMandos:

AndthiswasthechoicethathedecreedforBerenandLúthien.TheyshoulddwellnowinValinoruntiltheworld’sendinbliss,butintheendBerenandLúthienmusteachgountothatappointedtotheirkind,when all things are changed: and of themind of Ilúvatar concerningMenManwë [Lord of theValar]knowsnot.Or theymight returnuntoMiddle-earthwithout certitudeof joyor life; thenLúthien shouldbecomemortalevenasBeren,andsubjecttoaseconddeath,andintheendsheshouldleavetheearthforever and her beauty become only amemory of song.And this doom they chose, that thus,whatsoeversorrowlaybeforethem,theirfatesmightbejoined,andtheirpathsleadtogetherbeyondtheconfinesoftheworld.SoitwasthataloneoftheEldaliëLúthiendiedandlefttheworldlongago;yetbyherhavetheTwoKindredsbeenjoined,andsheistheforemotherofmany.

This conception of the ‘Choice of Fate’was retained, but in a different form, as seen inTheSilmarillion: thechoiceswereimposedonLúthienalone,andtheywerechanged.LúthienmaystillleaveMandosanddwelluntiltheendoftheworldinValinor,becauseofherlaboursandhersorrow,andbecauseshewasthedaughterofMelian;butthitherBerencannotcome.Thusifsheacceptstheformer,theymustbeseparatednowandforever:becausehecannotescapefromhisowndestiny,cannotescapeDeath,whichistheGiftofIlúvatarandcannotberefused.Thesecondchoiceremained,and thisshechose.OnlysocouldLúthienbecomeunitedwith

Beren ‘beyond theworld’: sheherselfmust change thedestinyofherbeing: shemustbecomemortal,anddieindeed.AsIhavesaid,thestoryofBerenandLúthiendidnotendwiththejudgementofMandos,and

someaccountofit,ofitsaftermath,andofthehistoryoftheSilmarilthatBerencutfromtheironcrownofMorgoth,mustbegiven.TherearedifficultiesindoingsointheformthatIhavechosenforthisbook,largelybecausethepartplayedbyBereninhissecondlifehingesonaspectsofthehistoryoftheFirstAgethatwouldcastthenettoowidelyforthepurposeofthisbook.Ihaveremarked(p.103)oftheQuentaNoldorinwaof1930,whichfollowedfromandwas

muchlongerthantheSketchoftheMythology,thatitremained‘acompression,acompendiousaccount’: it is said in the title of thework to be ‘the brief history of theNoldoli orGnomes,drawn from theBookofLostTales’.Of these ‘summarising’ texts Iwrote inTheWar of theJewels (1994): ‘In theseversionsmyfatherwasdrawingon (whilealsoofcoursecontinuallydevelopingandextending)longworksthatalreadyexistedinproseorverse,andintheQuentaSilmarillion he perfected that characteristic tone,melodious, grave, elegiac, burdenedwith asenseoflossanddistanceintime,whichresidespartly,asIbelieve,intheliteraryfactthathewasdrawingdownintoabriefcompendioushistorywhathecouldalsoseeinfarmoredetailed,immediate,anddramaticform.Withthecompletionofthegreat‘intrusion’anddepartureofTheLordoftheRingsitseemsthathereturnedtotheElderDayswithadesiretotakeupagainthefarmore ample scalewithwhich he had begun long before, inThe Book of Lost Tales.ThecompletionoftheQuentaSilmarillionremainedanaim;butthe‘greattales’,vastlydevelopedfrom their original forms—from which its later chapters should be derived—were neverachieved.’We are here concernedwith a story that goes back to the latestwritten of theLost Tales,

where it bore the title The Tale of the Nauglafring: that being the original name of theNauglamír,theNecklaceoftheDwarves.Butwecomeheretothefurthestpointinmyfather’sworkontheElderDaysinthetimefollowingthecompletionofTheLordoftheRings:thereis

nonewnarrative.TocitemydiscussioninTheWaroftheJewelsagain,‘itisasifwecometothebrinkofagreatcliffandlookdownfromhighlandsraisedinsomelaterageontoanancientplainfarbelow.ForthestoryoftheNauglamírandthedestructionofDoriath...wemustreturnthroughmorethanaquarterofacenturytotheQuentaNoldorinwaorbeyond.’To theQuentaNoldorinwa (seep.103) Iwill now turn, giving the relevant text in a very slightly shortenedform.ThetalebeginswiththefurtherhistoryofthegreattreasureofNargothrondthatwastakenby

theevildragonGlómund.AfterthedeathofGlómund,slainbyTúrinTurambar,HúrinfatherofTúrincamewitha fewoutlawsof thewoods toNargothrond,whichasyetnone,Orc,Elf,orMan,haddared toplunder, fordreadof the spiritofGlómundandhisverymemory.But theyfoundthereoneMîmtheDwarf.

THERETURNOFBERENANDLÚTHIENACCORDINGTOTHEQUENTANOLDORINWA

NowMîmhadfoundthehallsand treasureofNargothrondunguarded;andhe tookpossessionof them,andsatthereinjoyfingeringthegoldandgems,andlettingthemruneverthroughhishands;andheboundthemtohimselfwithmanyspells.ButthefolkofMîmwerefew,andtheoutlawsfilledwiththelustofthetreasureslewthem,thoughHúrinwouldhavestayedthem;andathisdeathMîmcursedthegold.

[Húrinwent toThingol and sought his aid, and the folk ofThingol bore the treasure to theThousandCaves;thenHúrindeparted.]

ThentheenchantmentoftheaccurseddragongoldbegantofallevenuponthekingofDoriath,andlonghe sat andgazedupon it, and the seedof the loveofgold thatwas inhisheartwaswaked togrowth.Wherefore he summoned the greatest of all craftsmen that now were in the western world, sinceNargothrondwasnomore(andGondolinwasnotknown),theDwarvesofNogrodandBelegost,thattheymightfashionthegoldandsilverandthegems(formuchwasasyetunwrought)intocountlessvesselsandfairthings;andamarvellousnecklaceofgreatbeautytheyshouldmake,whereontohangtheSilmaril.*

ButtheDwarvescomingwerestrickenatoncewiththelustanddesireofthetreasure,andtheyplottedtreachery.Theysaidonetoanother:‘IsnotthiswealthasmuchtherightoftheDwarvesasoftheElvishking,andwasitnotwrestedevillyfromMîm?’YetalsotheylustedfortheSilmaril.AndThingol,fallingdeeperintothethraldomofthespell,forhispartscantedhispromisedrewardfortheirlabour;andbitterwordsgrewbetweenthem,andtherewasbattleinThingol’shalls.TheremanyElvesandDwarveswereslain, and the howe wherein they were lain in Doriath was named Cûm-nan-Arasaith, the Mound ofAvarice.ButtheremainderoftheDwarvesweredrivenforthwithoutrewardorfee.Therefore gatheringnew forces inNogrod and inBelegost they returned at length, and aidedby the

treacheryofcertainElvesonwhomthelustoftheaccursedtreasurehadfallentheypassedintoDoriathsecretly.TheretheysurprisedThingoluponahuntwithbutsmallcompanyofarms;andThingolwasslain,and

thefortressoftheThousandCavestakenatunawaresandplundered;andsowasbroughtwellnightoruinthegloryofDoriathandbutonestrongholdoftheElves[Gondolin]againstMorgothnowremained,andtheirtwilightwasnighathand.

QueenMeliantheDwarvescouldnotseizeorharm,andshewentforthtoseekBerenandLúthien.NowtheDwarf-road toNogrod andBelegost in theBlueMountains passed throughEastBeleriand and thewoodsabouttheRiverGelion,whereaforetimewerethehuntinggroundsofDamrodandDíriel,sonsofFëanor.TothesouthofthoselandsbetweentheriverGelionandthemountainslaythelandofOssiriand,and there livedandwandered still inpeaceandblissBerenandLúthien, in that timeof respitewhichLúthienhadwon,erebothshoulddie;andtheirfolkweretheGreenElvesoftheSouth.ButBerenwentnomore towar, and his landwas filledwith loveliness and awealth of flowers, andMen called it oftCuilwarthien,theLandoftheDeadthatLive.TothenorthofthatregionisafordacrosstheriverAscar,andthatfordisnamedSarnAthrad,theFord

of Stones. This ford the Dwarves must pass ere they reached the mountain passes that led unto theirhomes;andthereBerenfoughthislastfight,warnedoftheirapproachbyMelian.InthatbattletheGreenElvestooktheDwarvesunawaresastheywereinthemidstoftheirpassage,ladenwiththeirplunder;andtheDwarvishchiefswereslain,andwellnighalltheirhost.ButBerentooktheNauglamír,theNecklaceoftheDwarves,whereonwashungtheSilmaril;anditissaidandsungthatLúthienwearingthatnecklaceandthatimmortaljewelonherwhitebreastwasthevisionofgreatestbeautyandglorythathaseverbeenseenoutside the realmsofValinor, and that for awhile theLandof theDead thatLivebecame like avisionofthelandoftheGods,andnoplaceshavebeensincesofair,sofruitful,orsofilledwithlight.YetMelianwarnedthemeverofthecursethatlayuponthetreasureandupontheSilmaril.Thetreasure

theyhaddrownedindeedintheriverAscar,andnameditanewRathlorion,Goldenbed,yettheSilmarilthey retained.And in time thebrief hourof lovelinessof the landofRathloriondeparted.ForLúthienfadedasMandoshadspoken,evenastheElvesoflaterdaysfadedandshevanishedfromtheworld;*andBerendied,andnoneknowwheretheirmeetingshallbeagain.’ThereafterwasDiorThingol’sheir,childofBerenandLúthien,kinginthewoods:mostfairofallthe

childrenoftheworld,forhisracewasthreefold:ofthefairestandgoodliestofMen,andoftheElves,andofthespiritsdivineofValinor;yetitshieldedhimnotfromthefateoftheoathofthesonsofFëanor.ForDiorwentbacktoDoriathandforatimeapartofitsancientglorywasraisedanew,thoughMeliannolongerdweltinthatplace,andshedepartedtothelandoftheGodsbeyondthewesternsea,tomuseonhersorrowsinthegardenswhenceshecame.ButDiorwore the Silmaril upon his breast and the fame of that jewelwent far andwide; and the

deathlessoathwaswakedoncemorefromsleep.ForwhileLúthienworethatpeerlessgemnoElfwoulddareassailher,andnotevenMaidrosdared

pondersucha thought.Butnowhearingof therenewalofDoriathandDior’spride, thesevengatheredagainfromwandering;andtheysentuntoDiortoclaimtheirown.Buthewouldnotyieldthejeweluntothem,andtheycameuponhimwithalltheirhost;andsobefellthesecondslayingofElfbyElf,andthemostgrievous.TherefellCelegormandCurufinanddarkCranthir,butDiorwasslain,andDoriathwasdestroyedandneverroseagain.YetthesonsofFëanorgainednottheSilmaril;forfaithfulservantsfledbeforethemandtookwiththem

ElwingthedaughterofDior,andsheescaped,andtheyborewiththemtheNauglafring,andcameintimetothemouthoftheriverSirionbythesea.

[In a text somewhat later than theQuentaNoldorinwa, the earliest form ofThe Annals ofBeleriand,thestorywaschanged,inthatDiorreturnedtoDoriathwhileBerenandLúthienwerestillaliveinOssiriand;andwhatbefellhimthereIwillgiveinthewordsofTheSilmarillion:

Therecameanightofautumn,andwhenitgrewlate,onecameandsmoteuponthedoorsofMenegroth,demandingadmittancetotheKing.HewasalordoftheGreenElveshasteningfromOssiriand,andthedoorwardsbroughthimtowhereDiorsataloneinhischamber;andthereinsilencehegavetotheKinga

coffer, and took his leave. But in that coffer lay the Necklace of the Dwarves, wherein was set theSilmaril;andDiorlookinguponitknewitforasignthatBerenErchamionandLúthienTinúvielhaddiedindeed,andgonewheregotheraceofMentoafatebeyondtheworld.LongdidDiorgazeupontheSilmaril,whichhisfatherandmotherhadbroughtbeyondhopeoutofthe

terrorofMorgoth;andhisgriefwasgreatthatdeathhadcomeuponthemsosoon.]

EXTRACTFROMTHELOSTTALEOFTHENAUGLAFRING

Here I will step back from the chronology of composition and turn to the Lost Tale of theNauglafring. The reason for this is that the passage given here is a notable example of theexpansivemode,observantofvisualandoftendramaticdetail,adoptedbymyfatherintheearlydaysofTheSilmarillion;but theLostTale asawholeextends into ramificationsunneeded inthisbook.AverybriefsummaryofthebattleatSarnAthrad,theStonyFord,appearsthereforeinthe textof theQuenta,p.235,while there followshere themuch fulleraccount from theLostTale,with theduelbetweenBerenandNaugladur, lordof theDwarvesofNogrodin theBlueMountains.ThepassagebeginswiththeapproachoftheDwarves,ledbyNaugladur,toSarnAthrad,on

theirreturnfromthesackoftheThousandCaves.

Now came all that host [to the river Ascar], and their array was thus: first a number of unladenDwarvesmostfullyarmed,andamidmostthegreatcompanyofthosethatborethetreasuryofGlómund,andmanyafairthingbesidethattheyhadhaledfromTinwelint’shalls;andbehindthesewasNaugladur,andhebestrodeTinwelint’shorse,andastrangefiguredidheseem,forthelegsoftheDwarvesareshortandcrooked,buttwoDwarvesledthathorseforitwentnotwillinglyanditwasladenwithspoil.Butbehindthesecameamassofarmedmenbutlittleladen;andinthisarraytheysoughttocrossSarnAthradontheirdayofdoom.Mornwasitwhentheyreachedthehitherbank,andhighnoonsawthemyetpassinginlong-strunglines

andwadingslowlytheshallowplacesoftheswift-runningstream.Heredothitwidenoutandfaredownnarrow channels filled with boulders atween long spits of shingle and stones less great. Now didNaugladurslipfromhisburdenedhorseandpreparetogethimover,forthearmedhostofthevanguardhadclimbedalreadythefurtherbank,anditwasgreatandsheerandthickwithtrees,andthebearersofthegoldweresomealreadysteppedthereonandsomeamidmostofthestream,butthearmedmenoftherearwererestingawhile.Suddenlyisallthatplacefilledwiththesoundofelvenhorns,andone[?brays]withaclearerblast

above the rest, and it is the horn ofBeren, the huntsman of thewoods. Then is the air thickwith theslenderarrowsoftheEldarthaterrnotneitherdoththewindbearthemaside,andlo,fromeverytreeandboulderdothebrownElvesandthegreenspringsuddenlyandlooseunceasinglyfromfullquivers.ThenwasthereapanicandanoiseinthehostofNaugladur,andthosethatwadedinthefordcasttheirgolden

burdensinthewatersandsoughtaffrightedtoeitherbank,butmanywerestrickenwiththosepitilessdartsandfellwiththeirgoldintothecurrentsoftheAros,stainingitsclearwaterswiththeirdarkblood.Nowwerethewarriorsonthefarbank[?wrapped]inbattleandrallyingsoughttocomeattheirfoes,

buttheseflednimblybeforethem,while[?others]pouredstillthehailofarrowsuponthem,andthusgottheEldarfewhurtsandtheDwarf-folkfelldeadunceasingly.NowwasthatgreatfightoftheStonyFord...nightoNaugladur,foreventhoughNaugladurandhiscaptainsledtheirbandsstoutlynevermighttheygriptheirfoe,anddeathfelllikerainupontheirranksuntilthemostpartbrokeandfled,andanoiseofclearlaughterechoedfromtheElvesthereat,andtheyforboretoshootmore,fortheillshapenfiguresoftheDwarves as they fled, theirwhite beards torn by thewind, filled themwithmirth.But now stoodNaugladur and fewwere about him, and he remembered thewords ofGwendelin,* for behold, Berencametowardshimandhecastasidehisbow,anddrewabrightsword;andBerenwasofgreatstatureamongtheEldar,albeitnotofthegirthandbreadthofNaugladuroftheDwarves.Then said Beren: ‘Ward thy life if thou canst, O crook-legged murderer, else will I take it,’ and

NaugladurbidhimeventheNauglafring,thenecklaceofwonder,thathebesufferedtogounharmed;butBerensaid:‘Nay,thatmayIstilltakewhenthouartslain,’andthereathemadealoneuponNaugladurandhiscompanions,andhavingslaintheforemostofthesetheothersfledawayamidelvenlaughter,andsoBerencameuponNaugladur,slayerofTinwelint.Thendidthatagedonedefendhimselfdoughtily,and’twasabitterfight,andmanyoftheElvesthatwatchedforloveandfearoftheircaptainfingeredtheirbow-strings,butBerencalledevenashefoughtthatallshouldstaytheirhands.Nowlittledoththetaletellofwoundsandblowsofthataffray,savethatBerengotmanyhurtstherein,

andmanyofhisshrewdestblowsdidlittleharmtoNaugladurbyreasonofthe[?skill]andmagicofhisdwarfenmail;andit issaidthat threehourstheyfoughtandBeren’sarmsgrewweary,butnotthoseofNaugladuraccustomed towieldhismightyhammerat the forge,and it ismore than like thatotherwisewouldtheissuehavebeenbutforthecurseofMîm;formarkinghowBerengrewfaintNaugladurpressedhim ever more nearly, and the arrogance that was of that grievous spell came into his heart, and hethought:‘IwillslaythisElf,andhisfolkwillfleeinfearbeforeme,’andgraspinghisswordhedealtamightyblowandcried:‘Takeherethybane,Ostriplingofthewoods,’andinthatmomenthisfootfoundajaggedstoneandhestumbledforward,butBerenslippedasidefromthatblowandcatchingathisbeardhishandfoundthecarcanetofgold,andtherewithheswungNaugladursuddenlyoffhisfeetuponhisface:andNaugladur’s swordwasshaken fromhisgrasp,butBerenseized itandslewhim therewith, forhesaid: ‘I will not sullymy bright blade with thy dark blood, since there is no need.’ But the body ofNaugladurwascastintotheAros.Then did he unloose the necklace, and he gazed inwonder at it—and beheld theSilmaril, even the

jewelhewonfromAngbandandgainedundyingglorybyhisdeed;andhesaid:‘NeverhavemineeyesbeheldtheeOLampofFaëryburnonehalfsofairasnowthoudost,setingoldandgemsandthemagicoftheDwarves’;andthatnecklacehecausedtobewashedofitsstains,andhecastitnotaway,knowingnoughtofitspower,butboreitwithhimbackintothewoodsofHithlum.

TothispassagefromtheTaleoftheNauglafringtherecorrespondsonlythefewwordsoftheQuentacitedintheextractcitedonp.235:

Inthatbattle[SarnAthrad]theGreenElvestooktheDwarvesatunawaresastheywereinthemidstoftheirpassage,ladenwiththeirplunder;andtheDwarvishchiefswereslain,andwellnighalltheirhost.ButBerentooktheNauglamír,theNecklaceoftheDwarves,whereonwashungtheSilmaril...

This illustrates my observation on p. 231, that my father ‘was drawing down into a briefcompendious historywhat he could also see in a farmore detailed, immediate, and dramatic

form.’IwillconcludethisshortexcursionintotheLostTaleoftheNecklaceoftheDwarveswitha

furtherquotation,originofthestoryastoldintheQuenta(pp.236–7)ofthedeathsofBerenandLúthien,andtheslayingofDior,theirson.ItakeupthisextractwithwordsbetweenBerenandGwendelin(Melian)whenLúthienfirstworetheNauglafring.Berendeclaredthatneverhadsheappearedsobeautiful;butGwendelinsaid:‘YettheSilmarilabodeintheCrownofMelko,andthatistheworkofbalefulsmithsindeed.’

ThensaidTinúvielthatshedesirednotthingsofworthorpreciousstones,buttheelvengladnessoftheforest,andtopleasureGwendelinshecastitfromherneck;butBerenwaslittlepleasedandhewouldnotsufferittobeflungaway,butwardeditinhis[?treasury].Thereafter did Gwendelin abide a while in the woods among them and was healed [of her

overwhelminggriefforTinwelint];andintheendshefaredwistfullybacktothelandofLórienandcameneveragainintothetalesofthedwellersofEarth;butuponBerenandLúthienfellswiftlythatdoomofmortalitythatMandoshadspokenwhenhespedthemfromhishalls—andinthisperhapsdidthecurseofMîmhave[?potency] in that itcamemoresoonuponthem;nor this timedidthosetwainfare theroadtogether,butwhenyetwastheirchild,DiortheFair,alittleone,didTinúvielslowlyfade,evenastheElvesoflaterdayshavedonethroughouttheworld,andshevanishedinthewoods,andnonehaveseenherdancingeverthereagain.ButBerensearchedallthelandsofHithlumandofArtanorrangingafterher;andneverhasanyoftheElveshadmorelonelinessthanhis,oreverhetoofadedfromlife,andDiorhissonwasleftrulerofthebrownElvesandthegreen,andLordoftheNauglafring.MayhapwhatallElvessay is true, that those twainhuntnowin the forestofOromë inValinor,and

TinúvieldancesonthegreenswardsofNessaandVánadaughtersoftheGodsforevermore;yetgreatwas the grief of the Elves when the Guilwarthon went from among them, and being leaderless andlessened of magic their numbers minished; and many fared away to Gondolin, the rumour of whosegrowingpowerandgloryraninsecretwhispersamongalltheElves.StilldidDiorwhencometomanhoodruleanumerousfolk,andhelovedthewoodsevenasBerenhad

done;andsongsnamehimmostlyAusirtheWealthyforhispossessionofthatwondrousgemsetintheNecklaceof theDwarves.Now the tales ofBeren andTinúviel grewdim inhis heart, andhe took towearingitabouthisneckandtoloveitslovelinessmostdearly;andthefameofthatjewelspreadlikefirethroughalltheregionsoftheNorth,andtheElvessaidonetoanother:‘ASilmarilburnsinthewoodsofHisilómë.’

TheTaleoftheNauglafringtoldingreaterdetailoftheassaultonDiorandhisdeathatthehandsofthesonsofFëanor,andthislastoftheLostTalestoreceiveconsecutiveformendswiththeescapeofElwing:

Shewandered in thewoods, and of the brownElves and the green a fewgathered to her, and theydepartedforeverfromthegladesofHithlumandgotthemtothesouthtowardsSirion’sdeepwaters,andthepleasantlands.And thusdidall the fatesof the fairiesweave then toonestrand,and that strand is thegreat taleof

Eärendel;andtothattale’struebeginningarewenowcome.

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TherefollowintheQuentaNoldorinwapassagesconcernedwiththehistoryofGondolinanditsfall,andthehistoryofTuor,whowasweddedtoIdrilCelebrindaldaughterofTurgonkingof

Gondolin; theirsonwasEärendel,whowith themescapedfromthedestructionof thecityandcame to the Mouths of Sirion. The Quenta continues, following from the flight of ElwingdaughterofDiorfromDoriathtothemouthsofSirion(pp.236–7):

BySiriontheregrewupanelvenfolk,thegleaningsofDoriathandGondolin,andtheytooktotheseaandthemakingoffairships,andtheydweltnighuntoitsshoresandundertheshadowofUlmo’shand...InthosedaysTuorfeltoldagecreepuponhim,andhecouldnotforbearthelongingthatpossessedhim

for the sea;whereforehebuilt a great shipEärámë,Eagle’sPinion, andwith Idril he set sail into thesunsetandtheWest,andcamenomoreintoanytale.ButEärendeltheshiningbecamethelordofthefolkofSirionandtooktowifefairElwing,thedaughterofDior;andyethecouldnotrest.Twothoughtswereinhisheartblendedasone: the longingfor thewidesea;andhethought tosail thereonfollowingafterTuorandIdrilCelebrindalwhoreturnednot,andhethoughttofindperhapsthelastshoreandbringerehediedamessagetotheGodsandElvesoftheWestthatshouldmovetheirheartstopityontheworldandthesorrowsofMankind.Wingelothebuilt, fairestof theshipsofsong, theFoam-flower;whitewereits timbersas theargent

moon,goldenwere itsoars,silverwere itsshrouds, itsmastswerecrownedwith jewels likestars. InTheLayofEärendelismanyathingsungofhisadventuresinthedeepandinlandsuntrod,andinmanyseasandmanyisles...ButElwingsatsorrowingathome.EärendelfoundnotTuor,norcameheeveronthatjourneytotheshoresofValinor;andatlasthewas

driven by thewinds back East, and he came at a time of night to the havens of Sirion, unlooked for,unwelcomed,fortheyweredesolate...

ThedwellingofElwingatSirion’smouth,wherestill shepossessed theNauglamírand thegloriousSilmaril,becameknowntothesonsofFëanor;andtheygatheredtogetherfromtheirwanderinghunting-paths.ButthefolkofSirionwouldnotyieldthatjewelwhichBerenhadwonandLúthienhadworn,andfor

whichfairDiorhadbeenslain.AndsobefellthelastandcruellestoftheslayingofElfbyElf,thethirdwoeachievedbytheaccursedoath;forthesonsofFëanorcamedownupontheexilesofGondolinandtheremnantofDoriath,andthoughsomeoftheirfolkstoodasideandsomefewrebelledandwereslainupontheotherpartaidingElwingagainsttheirownlords,yettheywontheday.DamrodwasslainandDíriel,andMaidros andMaglor alone now remained of theSeven; but the last of the folk ofGondolinweredestroyedorforcedtodepartandjointhemtothepeopleofMaidros.AndyetthesonsofFëanorgainednottheSilmaril;forElwingcasttheNauglamírintothesea,whenceitshallnotreturnuntiltheEnd;andshe leapt herself into thewaves, and took the formof awhite sea-bird, and flew away lamenting andseekingforEärendelaboutalltheshoresoftheworld.ButMaidrostookpityuponherchildElrond,andtookhimwithhim,andharbouredandnurturedhim,

forhisheartwassickandwearywiththeburdenofthedreadfuloath.Learning these things Eärendelwas overcomewith sorrow; and he set sail oncemore in search of

ElwingandofValinor.AnditistoldintheLayofEärendelthathecameatlastuntotheMagicIsles,andhardlyescapedtheirenchantment,andfoundagaintheLonelyIsle,andtheShadowySeas,andtheBayofFaërieonthebordersoftheworld.TherehelandedontheimmortalshorealoneoflivingMen,andhisfeetclimbedthemarvelloushillofKôr;andhewalkedinthedesertedwaysofTûn,wherethedustonhisraimentandhisshoeswasadustofdiamondsandgems.ButheventurednotintoValinor.HebuiltatowerintheNorthernSeastowhichallthesea-birdsoftheworldmightattimesrepair,and

everhegrievedforfairElwing,lookingforherreturntohim.AndWingelotwasliftedontheirwingsandsailednowevenintheairssearchingforElwing;marvellousandmagicalwasthatship,astarlitflowerinthe sky.But the Sun scorched it and theMoon hunted it in heaven, and longEärendelwandered over

Earth,glimmeringasafugitivestar.

HerethetaleofEärendelandElwingendsintheQuentaNoldorinwaasoriginallycomposed;butatalatertimearewritingofthislastpassagealteredprofoundlytheideathattheSilmarilofBerenandLúthienwaslostforeverinthesea.Asrewrittenitreads:

AndyetMaidrosgainednottheSilmaril,forElwingseeingthatallwaslostandherchildrenElrosandElrondtakencaptive,eludedthehostofMaidros,andwiththeNauglamíruponherbreastshecastherselfintothesea,andperished,asfolkthought.ButUlmoboreherup,anduponherbreastthereshoneasastarthe shiningSilmaril, as she flewover thewater to seekEärendelherbeloved.Andona timeofnightEärendelatthehelmsawhercometowardshim,asawhitecloudundermoonexceedingswift,asastarovertheseamovinginstrangecourse,apaleflameonwingsofstorm.AnditissungthatshefellfromtheairuponthetimbersofWingelot,inaswoon,nighuntodeathforthe

urgencyofher speed, andEärendel tookher intohisbosom.And in themornwithmarvellingeyeshebeheldhiswifeinherownformbesidehimwithherhairuponhisface;andsheslept.

From here onwards the tale told in the Quenta Noldorinwa, largely rewritten, reached inessentialsthatinTheSilmarillion,andIwillendthestoryinthisbookwithcitationofthatwork.

THEMORNINGANDEVENINGSTAR

Greatwas thesorrowofEärendilandElwing for the ruinof thehavensofSirion,and thecaptivityoftheirsons,andtheyfearedthattheywouldbeslain;butitwasnotso.ForMaglortookpityuponElrosandElrond,andhecherishedthem,andlovegrewafterbetweenthem,aslittlemightbethought;butMaglor’sheartwassickandwearywiththeburdenofthedreadfuloath.YetEärendil sawnownohope left in the landsofMiddle-earth,andhe turnedagain indespairand

camenothome,butsoughtbackoncemoretoValinorwithElwingathisside.HestoodnowmostoftenattheprowofVingilot,andtheSilmarilwasbounduponhisbrow;andeveritslightgrewgreaterastheydrewintotheWest...ThenEärendil,firstoflivingMen,landedontheimmortalshores;andhespoketheretoElwingandto

thosethatwerewithhim,andtheywerethreemarinerswhohadsailedalltheseasbesidehim:Falathar,Erellont,andAerandirweretheirnames.AndEärendilsaidtothem:‘Herenonebutmyselfshallsetfoot,lestyoufallunder thewrathof theValar.But thatperilIwill takeonmyselfalone,for thesakeof theTwoKindreds.’ButElwinganswered: ‘Thenwouldourpathsbe sundered forever,butall thyperils Iwill takeon

myselfalso.’Andsheleapedintothewhitefoamandrantowardshim;butEärendilwassorrowful,forhefearedtheangeroftheLordsoftheWestuponanyofMiddle-earththatshoulddaretopasstheleaguerofAman.And there theybade farewell to the companionsof theirvoyage, andwere taken from them forever.ThenEärendilsaidtoElwing:‘Awaitmehere;foroneonlymaybringthemessagethatitismyfateto

bear.’Andhewentupaloneintotheland,andcameintotheCalacirya,anditseemedtohimemptyandsilent; for even asMorgoth andUngoliant came in ages past, so nowEärendil had come at a time offestival,andwellnighall theElvenfolkweregone toValimar,orweregathered in thehallsofManwëuponTaniquetil,andfewwerelefttokeepwatchuponthewallsofTirion.Butsometherewerewhosawhimfromafar,andthegreatlightthathebore;andtheywentinhasteto

Valimar.ButEärendilclimbedthegreenhillofTúnaandfounditbare;andheenteredintothestreetsofTirion,andtheywereempty;andhisheartwasheavy,forhefearedthatsomeevilhadcomeeventotheBlessedRealm.HewalkedinthedesertedwaysofTirion,andthedustuponhisraimentandhisshoeswasadustofdiamonds,andheshoneandglistenedasheclimbedthelongwhitestairs.Andhecalledaloudinmanytongues,bothofElvesandMen,buttherewerenonetoanswerhim.Thereforeheturned

backatlasttowardsthesea;butevenashetooktheshorewardroadonestooduponthehillandcalledtohiminagreatvoice,crying:‘HailEärendil,ofmarinersmostrenowned,thelookedforthatcomethatunawares,thelongedforthat

comethbeyondhope!HailEärendil,beareroflightbeforetheSunandMoon!SplendouroftheChildrenofEarth,starinthedarkness,jewelinthesunset,radiantinthemorning!’That voicewas the voice of Eönwë, herald ofManwë, and he came fromValimar, and summoned

EärendiltocomebeforethePowersofArda.AndEärendilwentintoValinorandtothehallsofValimar,andneveragainsetfootuponthelandsofMen.ThentheValartookcounseltogether,andtheysummonedUlmofromthedeepsof thesea;andEärendil stoodbefore their faces,anddelivered theerrandof theTwoKindreds.PardonheaskedfortheNoldorandpityfortheirgreatsorrows,andmercyuponMenandElvesandsuccourintheirneed.Andhisprayerwasgranted.It is told among theElves that afterEärendil haddeparted, seekingElwinghiswife,Mandos spoke

concerninghisfate;andhesaid:‘Shallmortalmansteplivingupontheundyinglands,andyetlive?’ButUlmosaid:‘Forthishewasbornintotheworld.Andsayuntome:whetherisheEärendilTuor’ssonofthe line ofHador, or the son of Idril, Turgon’s daughter, of theElven-house of Finwë?’AndMandosanswered:‘EquallytheNoldor,whowentwilfullyintoexile,maynotreturnhither.’Butwhenallwasspoken,Manwëgavejudgement,andhesaid:‘Inthismatterthepowerofdoomis

given tome.Theperil thatheventured for loveof theTwoKindredsshallnot falluponEärendil,norshallitfalluponElwinghiswife,whoenteredintoperilforloveofhim;buttheyshallnotwalkagaineveramongElvesorMen in theOuterLands.And this ismydecreeconcerning them: toEärendilandElwing,andtotheirsons,shallbegivenleaveeachtochoosefreelytowhichkindredtheirfatesshallbejoined,andunderwhichkindredtheyshallbejudged.’[NowwhenEärendilwaslongtimegoneElwingbecamelonelyandafraid;butasshewanderedbythe

marginof theseahe foundher.]Ere long theyweresummoned toValimar;and there thedecreeof theElderKingwasdeclaredtothem.ThenEärendilsaidtoElwing:‘Choosethou,fornowIamwearyoftheworld.’AndElwingchoseto

bejudgedamongtheFirstbornChildrenofIlúvatar,becauseofLúthien;andforhersakeEärendilchosealike,thoughhisheartwasratherwiththekindredofMenandthepeopleofhisfather.ThenatthebiddingoftheValarEönwëwenttotheshoreofAman,wherethecompanionsofEärendil

stillremained,awaitingtidings;andhetookaboat,andthethreemarinersweresettherein,andtheValardrove themaway into theEastwith agreatwind.But they tookVingilot, andhallowed it, andbore itawaythroughValinortotheuttermostrimoftheworld;andthereitpassedthroughtheDoorofNightandwasliftedupevenintotheoceansofheaven.Now fair andmarvellouswas that vesselmade, and itwas filledwith awavering flame, pure and

bright;andEärendiltheMarinersatatthehelm,glisteningwithdustofelven-gems,andtheSilmarilwasbounduponhisbrow.Farhejourneyedinthatship,evenintothestarlessvoids;butmostoftenwasheseen at morning or at evening, glimmering at sunrise or at sunset, as he came back to Valinor fromvoyagesbeyondtheconfinesoftheworld.OnthosejourneysElwingdidnotgo,forshemightnotendurethecoldandthepathlessvoids,andshe

lovedrathertheearthandthesweetwindsthatblowonseaandhill.ThereforetherewasbuiltforherawhitetowernorthwarduponthebordersoftheSunderingSeas;andthitherattimesallthesea-birdsoftheearthrepaired.AnditissaidthatElwinglearnedthetonguesofbirds,whoherselfhadonceworntheirshape;andtheytaughtherthecraftofflight,andherwingswereofwhiteandofsilver-grey.Andattimes,whenEärendilreturningdrewnearagaintoArda,shewouldflytomeethim,evenasshehadflownlongago,whenshewasrescuedfromthesea.Thenthefar-sightedamongtheElvesthatdweltintheLonelyIslewouldseeherlikeawhitebird,shining,rose-stainedinthesunset,asshesoaredinjoytogreetthecomingofVingilottohaven.

NowwhenfirstVingilotwassettosailintheseasofheavenitroseunlookedfor,glitteringandbright;andthepeopleofMiddle-earthbehelditfromafarandwondered,andtheytookitforasign,andcalleditGil-Estel,theStarofHighHope.Andwhenthisnewstarwasseenatevening,MaedhrosspoketoMaglorhisbrother,andhesaid:‘SurelythatisaSilmarilthatshinesnowintheWest?’

Andof the final departure ofBeren andLúthien? In thewords of the Quenta Silmarillion:NonesawBerenandLúthienleavetheworldormarkedwhereatlasttheirbodieslay.

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APPENDIX

REVISIONSTOTHELAYOFLEITHIAN

Amongthefirst,perhapseventheveryfirst,oftheliterarytasksthatattractedmyfatherafterthecompletionofTheLordoftheRingswasareturntoTheLayofLeithian:not(needlesstosay)tocontinuethenarrativefromthepointreachedin1931(theattackonBerenbyCarcharothatthegatesofAngband),butfromthebeginningofthepoem.Thetextualhistoryofthewritingisverycomplex,andnomoreneedbesaidofitherebeyondremarkingthatwhereasatfirstmyfatherseems tohave embarkedon a radical rewritingof theLay as awhole, the impulse soondiedaway,orwasovertaken,andwasreducedtoshortandscatteredpassages.Igivehere,however,asasubstantialexampleofthenewverseafterthelapseofaquarterofacentury,thepassageoftheLay concerning the treacheryofGorlim theUnhappy that led to the slayingofBarahir, thefatherofBeren,andallhiscompanions,saveBerenalone.Thisisbyfarthelongestofthenewpassages;and—conveniently—itmaybecomparedwiththeoriginaltextthathasbeengivenonpp.94–102. Itwillbe seen thatSauron (Thû), riddenhere from ‘Gaurhoth Isle’,has replacedMorgoth;andthatinthequalityoftheversethisisanewpoem.Ibegin thenewtextwithashortpassageentitledOfTarnAeluin theBlessedwhichhasno

counterpartintheoriginalversion:theseversesarenumbered1–26.

Suchdeedsofdaringtheretheywroughtthatsoonthehuntersthatthemsoughtatrumouroftheircomingfled.Thoughpricewassetuponeachheadtomatchtheweregildofaking,nosoldiercouldtoMorgothbringnewsevenoftheirhiddenlair;forwherethehighlandbrownandbareabovethedarklingpinesaroseofsteepDorthoniontothesnowsandbarrenmountain-winds,therelayatarnofwater,bluebyday,bynightamirrorofdarkglassforstarsofElbereththatpassabovetheworldintotheWest.Oncehallowed,stillthatplacewasblest:noshadowofMorgoth,andnoevilthingyetthithercame;awhisperingringofslenderbirchessilver-greystoopedonitsmargin,rounditlayalonelymoor,andthebarebones

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ofancientEarthlikestandingstonesthrustthroughtheheatherandthewhin;andtherebyhouselessAeluinthehuntedlordandfaithfulmenunderthegreystonesmadetheirden.

OFGORLIMUNHAPPY

GorlimUnhappy,Angrim’sson,asthetaletells,ofthesewasone,mostfierceandhopeless.Hetowife,whilefairwasthefortuneofhislife,tookthewhitemaidenEilinel:dearlovetheyhadereevilfell.Towarherode;fromwarreturnedtofindhisfieldsandhomesteadburned,hishouseforsakenrooflessstood,emptyamidtheleaflesswood;andEilinel,whiteEilinel,wastakenwhithernonecouldtell,todeathorthraldomfaraway.Blackwastheshadowofthatdayforeveronhisheart,anddoubtstillgnawedhimashewentabout,inwildernesswandring,oratnightoftsleepless,thinkingthatshemightereevilcamehavetimelyfledintothewoods:shewasnotdead,shelived,shewouldreturnagaintoseekhim,andwoulddeemhimslain.Thereforeatwhilesheleftthelair,andsecretly,alone,wouldperildare,andcometohisoldhouseatnight,brokenandcold,withoutfireorlight,andnaughtbutgriefrenewedwouldgain,watchingandwaitingthereinvain.

Invain,orworse—formanyspieshadMorgoth,manylurkingeyeswellusedtopiercethedeepestdark;andGorlim’scomingtheywouldmarkandwouldreport.TherecameadaywhenoncemoreGorlimcreptthatway,downthedesertedweedylaneatduskofautumnsadwithrainandcoldwindwhining.Lo!alight

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atwindowflutteringinthenightamazedhesaw;anddrawingnear,betweenfainthopeandsuddenfear,helookedwithin.’TwasEilinel!Thoughchangedshewas,heknewherwell.Withgriefandhungershewasworn,hertressestangled,raimenttorn;hergentleeyeswithtearsweredim,assoftshewept:‘Gorlim,Gorlim!Thoucanstnothaveforsakenme.Thenslain,alas!thouslainmustbe!AndImustlingercold,alone,andlovelessasabarrenstone!’

Onecryhegave—andthenthelightblewout,andinthewindofnightwolveshowled;andonhisshoulderfellsuddenlythegripinghandsofhell.ThereMorgoth’sservantsfasthimcaughtandhewascruellybound,andbroughttoSauroncaptainofthehost,thelordofwerewolfandofghost,mostfoulandfellofallwhokneltatMorgoth’sthrone.InmighthedweltonGaurhothIsle;butnowhadriddenwithstrengthabroad,byMorgothbiddentofindtherebelBarahir.Hesatindarkencampmentnear,andthitherhisbutchersdraggedtheirprey.TherenowinanguishGorlimlay:withbondonneck,onhandandfoot,tobittertormenthewasput,tobreakhiswillandhimconstraintobuywithtreasonendofpain.ButnaughttothemwouldherevealofBarahir,norbreakthesealoffaiththatonhistonguewaslaid;untilatlastapausewasmade,andonecamesoftlytohisstake,adarklingformthatstooped,andspaketohimofEilinelhiswife.‘Wouldstthou,’hesaid,‘forsakethylife,

whowithfewwordsmightwinreleaseforher,andthee,andgoinpeace,anddwelltogetherfarfromwar,friendsoftheKing?Whatwouldstthoumore?’AndGorlim,nowlongwornwithpain,

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yearningtoseehiswifeagain(whomwellheweenedwasalsocaughtinSauron’snet),allowedthethoughttogrow,andfalteredinhistroth.Thenstraight,halfwillingandhalfloath,theybroughthimtotheseatofstonewhereSauronsat.Hestoodalonebeforethatdarkanddreadfulface,andSauronsaid:‘Come,mortalbase!WhatdoIhear?Thatthouwouldstdaretobarterwithme?Well,speakfair!Whatisthyprice?’AndGorlimlowboweddownhishead,andwithgreatwoe,wordonslowword,atlastimploredthatmercilessandfaithlesslordthathemightfreedepart,andmightagainfindEilinelthewhite,anddwellwithher,andceasefromwaragainsttheKing.Hecravednomore.

ThenSauronsmiled,andsaid:‘Thouthrall!Thepricethouaskestisbutsmallfortreacheryandshamesogreat!Igrantitsurely!Well,Iwait:Come!Speaknowswiftlyandspeaktrue!’ThenGorlimwavered,andhedrewhalfback;butSauron’sdauntingeyethereheldhim,andhedarednotlie:ashebegan,somusthewendfromfirstfalsesteptofaithlessend:heallmustanswerashecould,betrayhislordandbrotherhood,andcease,andfalluponhisface.

ThenSauronlaughedaloud.‘Thoubase,thoucringingworm!Standup,andhearme!AndnowdrinkthecupthatIhavesweetlyblentforthee!Thoufool:aphantomthoudidstseethatI,ISauron,madetosnarethylovesickwits.Naughtelsewasthere.Cold’tiswithSauron’swraithstowed!ThyEilinel!Sheislongsincedead,dead,foodofwormslesslowthanthou.AndyetthyboonIgranttheenow:toEilinelthousoonshaltgo,andlieinherbed,nomoretoknow

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ofwar—ormanhood.Havethypay!’

AndGorlimthentheydraggedaway,andcruellyslewhim;andatlastinthedankmouldhisbodycast,whereEilinellongsincehadlainintheburnedwoodsbybutchersslain.ThusGorlimdiedanevildeath,

andcursedhimselfwithdyingbreath,andBarahiratlastwascaughtinMorgoth’ssnare;forsetatnaughtbytreasonwastheancientgracethatguardedlongthatlonelyplace,TarnAeluin:nowalllaidbareweresecretpathsandhiddenlair.

OFBERENSONOFBARAHIR&HISESCAPE

DarkfromtheNorthnowblewthecloud;thewindsofautumncoldandloudhissedintheheather;sadandgreyAeluin’smournfulwaterlay.‘SonBeren’,thensaidBarahir,‘ThouknowsttherumourthatwehearofstrengthfromtheGaurhoththatissentagainstus;andourfoodnighspent.Ontheethelotfallsbyourlawtogoforthnowalonetodrawwhathelpthoucanstfromthehiddenfewthatfeedusstill,andwhatisnewtolearn.Goodfortunegowiththee!Inspeedreturn,forgrudginglywesparetheefromourbrotherhoodsosmall:andGorliminthewoodislongastrayordead.Farewell!’AsBerenwent,stilllikeaknellresoundedinhisheartthatword,thelastofhisfatherthatheheard.

Throughmoorandfen,bytreeandbriarhewanderedfar:hesawthefireofSauron’scamp,heheardthehowlofhuntingOrcandwolfa-prowl,andturningback,forlongtheway,benightedintheforestlay.Inwearinesshethenmustsleep,

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faininabadger-holetocreep,andyetheheard(ordreameditso)nearbyamarchinglegiongowithclinkofmailandclashofshieldsuptowardsthestonymountain-fields.Heslippedthenintodarknessdown,until,asmanthatwatersdrownstrivesupwardsgasping,itseemedtohimherosethroughslimebesidethebrimofsullenpoolbeneathdeadtrees.Theirlividboughsinacoldbreezetrembled,andalltheirblackleavesstirred:eachleafablackandcroakingbird,whosenebagoutofbloodletfall.Heshuddered,strugglingthencetocrawlthroughwindingweeds,whenfarawayhesawashadowfaintandgreyglidingacrossthedrearylake.Slowlyitcame,andsoftlyspake:‘GorlimIwas,butnowawraithofwilldefeated,brokenfaith,traitorbetrayed.Go!Staynothere!Awaken,sonofBarahir,andhaste!ForMorgoth’sfingerscloseuponthyfather’sthroat;heknowsyourtrysts,yourpaths,yoursecretlair.’Thenherevealedthedevil’ssnare

inwhichhefell,andfailed;andlastbeggingforgiveness,wept,andpassedoutintodarkness.Berenwoke,leaptupasonebysuddenstrokewithfireofangerfilled.Hisbowandswordheseized,andliketheroehotfooto’errockandheathhespedbeforethedawn.EredaywasdeadtoAeluinatlasthecame,astheredsunwestwardsankinflame;butAeluinwasredwithblood,redwerethestonesandtrampledmud.Blackinthebirchessata-rowtheravenandthecarrioncrow;wetweretheirnebs,anddarkthemeatthatdrippedbeneaththeirgripingfeet.Onecroaked:‘Ha,ha,hecomestoolate!’‘Ha,ha!’theyanswered,‘ha!toolate!’ThereBerenlaidhisfather’sbones

inhastebeneathacairnofstones;

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nogravenrunenorwordhewroteo’erBarahir,butthricehesmotethetopmoststone,andthricealoudhecriedhisname.‘Thydeath’,hevowed,‘Iwillavenge.Yea,thoughmyfateshouldleadatlasttoAngband’sgate.’Andthenheturned,anddidnotweep:toodarkhisheart,thewoundtoodeep.Outintonight,ascoldasstone,loveless,friendless,hestrodealone.

Ofhunter’slorehehadnoneedthetrailtofind.Withlittleheedhisruthlessfoe,secureandproud,marchednorthawaywithblowingloudofbrazenhornstheirlordtogreet,tramplingtheearthwithgrindingfeet.BehindthemboldbutwarywentnowBeren,swiftashoundonscent,untilbesideadarklingwell,whereRivilrisesfromthefelldownintoSerech’sreedstoflow,hefoundtheslayers,foundhisfoe.Fromhidingonthehillsidenearhemarkedthemall:thoughlessthanfeartoomanyforhisswordandbowtoslayalone.Then,crawlinglowassnakeinheath,henearercrept.Theremanywearywithmarchingslept,butcaptains,sprawlingonthegrass,drankandfromhandtohandletpasstheirbooty,grudgingeachsmallthingrapedfromdeadbodies.Onearingheldup,andlaughed:‘Now,mates,’hecried,‘here’smine!AndI’llnotbedenied,thoughfewbelikeitintheland.ForI’twaswrencheditfromthehandofthatsameBarahirIslew,therobber-knave.Iftalesbetrue,hehaditofsomeelvishlord,fortherogue-serviceofhissword.Nohelpitgavehim—he’sdead.They’reparlous,elvishrings,’tissaid;stillforthegoldI’llkeepit,yeaandsoekeoutmyniggardpay.OldSauronbademebringitback,andyet,methinks,hehasnolack

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ofweightiertreasuresinhishoard:thegreaterthegreedierthelord!Somarkye,mates,yeallshallswearthehandofBarahirwasbare!’Andashespokeanarrowspedfromtreebehind,andforwarddeadchokinghefellwithbarbinthroat;withleeringfacetheearthhesmote.Forththenaswolfhoundgrimthereleapt

Berenamongthem.Twohesweptasidewithsword;caughtupthering;slewonewhograspedhim;withaspringbackintoshadowpassed,andfledbeforetheiryellsofwrathanddreadofambushinthevalleyrang.Thenafterhimlikewolvestheysprang,howlingandcursing,gnashingteeth,hewingandburstingthroughtheheath,shootingwildarrows,sheafonsheaf,attremblingshadeorshakenleaf.InfatefulhourwasBerenborn:

helaughedatdartandwailinghorn;fleetestoffootoflivingmen,tirelessonfellandlightonfen,elf-wiseinwood,hepassedaway,defendedbyhishauberkgrey,ofdwarvishcraftinNogrodmade,wherehammersrangincavern’sshade.

AsfearlessBerenwasrenowned:whenmenmosthardyupongroundwerereckonedfolkwouldspeakhisname,foretellingthathisafter-namewouldevengoldenHadorpassorBarahirandBregolas;butsorrownowhishearthadwroughttofiercedespair,nomorehefoughtinhopeoflifeorjoyorpraise,butseekingsotousehisdaysonlythatMorgothdeepshouldfeelthestingofhisavengingsteel,eredeathhefoundandendofpain:hisonlyfearwasthraldom’schain.Dangerhesoughtanddeathpursued,andthusescapedthedoomhewooed,anddeedsofbreathlessdaringwroughtalone,ofwhichtherumourbrought

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newhopetomanyabrokenman.Theywhispered‘Beren’,andbeganinsecretswordstowhet,andsoftbyshroudedhearthsateveningoftsongstheywouldsingofBeren’sbow,ofDagmorhissword:howhewouldgosilenttocampsandslaythechief,ortrappedinhishidingpastbeliefwouldslipaway,andundernightbymistormoon,orbythelightofopendaywouldcomeagain.Ofhuntershunted,slayersslaintheysang,ofGorgoltheButcherhewn,ofambushinLadros,fireinDrûn,ofthirtyinonebattledead,ofwolvesthatyelpedlikecursandfled,yea,Sauronhimselfwithwoundinhand.ThusonealonefilledallthatlandwithfearanddeathforMorgoth’sfolk;hiscomradeswerethebeechandoakwhofailedhimnot,andwarythingswithfurandfellandfeatheredwingsthatsilentwander,ordwellaloneinhillandwildandwasteofstonewatchedo’erhisways,hisfaithfulfriends.

Yetseldomwellanoutlawends;andMorgothwasakingmorestrongthanalltheworldhassinceinsongrecorded:darkathwartthelandreachedouttheshadowofhishand,ateachrecoilreturnedagain;twomoreweresentforonefoeslain.Newhopewascowed,allrebelskilled;quenchedwerethefires,thesongswerestilled,treefelled,hearthburned,andthroughthewastemarchedtheblackhostofOrcsinhaste.Almosttheyclosedtheirringofsteel

roundBeren;harduponhisheelnowtrodtheirspies;withintheirhedgeofallaidshorn,upontheedgeofdeathatbayhestoodaghastandknewthathemustdieatlast,orfleethelandofBarahir,hislandbeloved.Besidethemerebeneathaheapofnamelessstonesmustcrumblethoseoncemightybones,

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forsakenbybothsonandkin,bewailedbyreedsofAeluin.

Inwinter’snightthehouselessNorthheleftbehind,andstealingforththeleaguerofhiswatchfulfoehepassed—ashadowonthesnow,aswirlofwind,andhewasgone,theruinofDorthonion,TarnAeluinanditswaterwan,neveragaintolookupon.Nomoreshallhiddenbowstringsing,nomorehisshavenarrowswing,nomorehishuntedheadshalllieupontheheathbeneaththesky.TheNorthernstars,whosesilverfireofoldMennamedtheBurningBriar,weresetbehindhisback,andshoneo’erlandforsaken;hewasgone.

Southwardheturned,andsouthawayhislongandlonelyjourneylay,whileeverloomedbeforehispaththedreadfulpeaksofGorgorath.Neverhadfootofmanmostboldyettrodthosemountainssteepandcold,norclimbedupontheirsuddenbrink,whence,sickened,eyesmustturnandshrinktoseetheirsouthwardcliffsfallsheerinrockypinnacleandpierdownintoshadowsthatwerelaidbeforethesunandmoonweremade.Invalleyswovenwithdeceitandwashedwithwatersbitter-sweetdarkmagiclurkedingulfandglen;butoutawaybeyondthekenofmortalsighttheeagle’seyefromdizzytowersthatpiercedtheskymightgreyandgleamingseeafar,assheenonwaterunderstar,Beleriand,Beleriand,thebordersoftheElven-land.

FOOTNOTES

Preface

*‘TheLostTales’isthenameoftheoriginalversionsofthelegendsofTheSilmarillion.

TheReturnofBerenandLúthienAccordingtotheQuentaNoldorinwa

*A laterversionof the storyconcerning theNauglamír told that it hadbeenmadebycraftsmenof theDwarves long before for Felagund, and that it was the sole treasure that Húrin brought fromNargothrond and gave to Thingol. The task that Thingol then set the Dwarves was to remake theNauglamírandinit tosettheSilmarilthatwasinhispossession.ThisistheformofthestoryinthepublishedSilmarillion.

*ThemannerofLúthien’sdeathismarkedforcorrection;subsequentlymyfatherwroteagainstit:‘YetithathbeensungthatLúthienaloneofElveshathbeennumberedamongourrace,andgoethwhitherwegotoafatebeyondtheworld.’

ExtractfromtheLostTaleoftheNauglafring

*Earlierinthetale,whenNaugladurwaspreparingtoleaveMenegroth,hedeclaredthatGwendelinthequeenofArtanor (Melian)mustgowithhim toNogrod: towhich she replied: ‘Thief andmurderer,childofMelko,yetartthouafool,forthoucanstnotseewhathangsoverthineownhead.’

LISTOFNAMESINTHEORIGINALTEXTS

Ihavemade thisListofNames (restricted tonames thatoccur in thepassagesofmy father’swriting),whichisobviouslynotanindex,withtwopurposesinmind.Neitherofthemisinanywayessentialtothebook.Inthefirstplace,itisintendedtoassistareader

whocannotrecall,amongthemassofnames(andformsofnames), thereferenceofonethatmaybeofsignificanceinthenarrative.Inthesecondplace,certainnames,especiallythosethatoccurrarelyoronlyonceinthetexts,areprovidedwithaslightlyfullerexplanation.Forexample,whilethisisobviouslyofno significance in the tale, onemaynonethelesswant to knowwhy theEldarwould not touch spiders‘becauseofUngweliantë’(p.41).

AeluinAlakeinthenortheastofDorthonionwhereBarahirandhiscompanionsmadetheirlair.

AglonAnarrowpassbetweenTaur-na-FuinandtheHillofHimring,heldbysonsofFëanor.

Ainur(singularAinu)‘TheHolyOnes’:theValarandtheMaiar.[ThenameMaiarwasalateintroductionofanearlierconception:‘Withthegreatonescamemanylesserspirits,beingsoftheirownkindbutofsmallermight’(suchasMelian).]

AmanTheLandintheWestbeyondtheGreatSeainwhichtheValardwelt(‘theBlessedRealm’).

Anfauglith‘TheGaspingDust’.SeeDor-na-Fauglith,TheThirstyPlain.

AngainuThegreatchain,madebytheValaAulë,inwhichMorgothwasbound(laterAngainor).

Angamandi(plural)‘TheHellsofIron’.SeeAngband.

AngbandThegreatdungeon-fortressofMorgothinthenorth-westofMiddle-earth.

AngrimFatherofGorlimtheUnhappy.

AngrodSonofFinrod(laterFinarfin).

ArdaTheEarth.

Artanor‘TheLandBeyond’;regionsubsequentlynamedDoriath,thekingdomofTinwelint(Thingol).

Aryador‘LandofShadow’,anameofHisilómë(Dor-lómin)amongMen.SeeHisilómë.

AscarRiverinOssiriand,renamedRathlorion‘Goldenbed’whenthetreasureofDoriathwassunkinit.

AulëThegreatValaknownasAulëtheSmith;heis‘amasterofallcrafts’,and‘hislordshipisoverallthesubstancesofwhichArdaismade.’

AusirAnameofDior.

Balrogs[IntheLostTalestheBalrogsareconceivedasexisting‘inhundreds’.Theyarecalled‘demonsofpower’;theywearironarmour,andtheyhaveclawsofsteelandwhipsofflame.]

BarahirAchieftainofMen,thefatherofBeren.

Bauglir‘TheConstrainer’,anameofMorgothamongtheNoldor.

Beleg Elf ofDoriath, a great archer, calledCúthalion, ‘Strongbow’; close companion and friendofTúrinTurambar, bywhomhewastragicallyslain.

BelegostOneofthetwogreatcitiesoftheDwarvesintheBlueMountains.

Beleriand (earlier name Broseliand) The great region of Middle-earth, largely drowned and destroyed at the end of the First Age,extendingfromtheBlueMountainsintheEasttotheMountainsofShadowintheNorth(SeeIronMountains)andthewesterncoasts.

BëorLeaderofthefirstMentoenterBeleriand.SeeEdain.

BitterHillsSeeIronMountains.

BlessedRealmSeeAman.

BlueMountainsThegreatrangeformingtheeasternboundsofBeleriand.

BoldogAcaptainofOrcs.

BregolasBrotherofBarahir.

BurningBriarTheconstellationoftheGreatBear.

CalaciryaApassintheMountainsofValinorinwhichwasthecityoftheElves.

CarcharothSeeKarkaras.

CelegormSonofFëanor,called‘theFair’.

CranthirSonofFëanor,called‘theDark’.

i-Cuilwarthon‘TheDeadthatLiveAgain’,BerenandLúthienaftertheirreturnfromMandos;Cuilwarthien:Thelandwheretheydwelt.(LaterformGuilwarthon.)

CuiviénenTheWaterofAwakening:thelakeinMiddle-earthwheretheElvesawoke.

Cûm-nan-ArasaithTheMoundofAvarice,raisedovertheslaininMenegroth.

CurufinSonofFëanor,called‘theCrafty’.

DagmorBeren’ssword.

DaironAminstrelofArtanor,numberedamong‘thethreemostmagicplayersoftheElves’;originallythebrotherofLúthien.

DamrodandDírielTheyoungestsonsofFëanor.(LaternamesAmrodandAmras.)

DeadlyNightshadeAtranslationofTaur-na-Fuin;SeeMountainsofNight.

DiorSonofBerenandLúthien;fatherofElwing,themotherofElrondandElros.

DoriathThelaternameofArtanor,thegreatforestedregionruledbyThingol(Tinwelint)andMelian(Gwendeling).

Dor-lóminSeeHisilómë.

Dor-na-Fauglith ThegreatgrassyplainofArd-galennorthof theMountainsofNight(Dorthonion) thatwas transformed intoadesert(SeeAnfauglith,TheThirstyPlain).

Dorthonion‘LandofPines’;vastregionofpinewoodsonthenorthernbordersofBeleriand;afterwardscalledTaur-na-Fuin,‘theForestunderNight’.

DrûnAregiontothenorthofLakeAeluin;notnamedelsewhere.

DraugluinGreatestofthewerewolvesofThû(Sauron).

Eärámë‘Eagle’sPinion’,Tuor’sship.

Eärendel(laterformEärendil)SonofTuorandIdrildaughterofTurgonKingofGondolin;weddedElwing.

Edain‘TheSecondPeople’,Men,butusedchieflyofthethreeHousesoftheElf-friendswhocameearliesttoBeleriand.

Egnorbo-Rimion‘ThehuntsmanoftheElves’:thefatherofBeren,replacedbyBarahir.

EgnorSonofFinrod(laterFinarfin).

EilinelWifeofGorlim.

Elbereth‘QueenoftheStars’;SeeVarda.

Eldalië(ThepeopleoftheElves),theEldar.

EldarTheElvesoftheGreatJourneyfromtheplaceoftheirawakening;sometimesusedinearlytextstomeanallElves.

ElfinesseAninclusivenameforallthelandsoftheElves.

ElrondofRivendellSonofElwingandEärendel.

ElrosSonofElwingandEärendel;firstKingofNúmenor.

ElwingDaughterofDior,weddedEärendel,motherofElrondandElros.

EönwëHeraldofManwë.

Erchamion‘One-handed’,namegiventoBeren;otherformsErmabwed,Elmavoitë.

EsgalduinRiverofDoriath,passingMenegroth(thehallsofThingol),andflowingintoSirion.

FëanorEldestsonofFinwë;makeroftheSilmarils.

FelagundNoldorinElf,founderofNargothrondandswornfriendofBarahirfatherofBeren.[OntherelationofthenamesFelagundandFinrodseep.104.]

FingolfinThesecondsonofFinwë;slaininsinglecombatwithMorgoth.

FingonEldestsonofFingolfin;kingoftheNoldorafterthedeathofhisfather.

FinrodThethirdsonofFinwë.[NamereplacedbyFinarfin,whenFinrodbecamethenameofhisson,FinrodFelagund.]

FinwëLeaderofthesecondhostoftheElves,theNoldor(Noldoli),ontheGreatJourney.

FoamridersThekindredoftheEldarnamedtheSolosimpi,latertheTeleri;thethirdandlasthostontheGreatJourney.

GaurhothThewerewolvesofThû(Sauron);GaurhothIsle,SeeTol-in-Gaurhoth.

GelionThegreatriverofEastBeleriandfedbyriversflowingfromtheBlueMountainsintheregionofOssiriand.

GilimAgiant,namedbyLúthieninher‘lengthening’spellsungoverherhair(p.55),unknownsaveforthecorrespondingpassageinTheLayofLeithian,whereheiscalled‘thegiantofEruman’[aregiononthecoastofAman‘wheretheshadowsweredeepestandthickestintheworld’].

GimliAveryoldandblindNoldorinElf,longacaptiveslaveinthestrongholdofTevildo,possessedofanextraordinarypowerofhearing.HeplaysnopartinTheTaleofTinúvielorinanyothertale,andneverreappears.

GinglithRiverflowingintotheNarogaboveNargothrond.

Glómund,GlorundEarliernamesofGlaurung,‘FatherofDragons’,thegreatdragonofMorgoth.

GnomesEarlytranslationofNoldoli,Noldor:Seepp.32–3.

GodsSeeValar.

GondolinThehiddencityfoundedbyTurgonthesecondsonofFingolfin.

GorgoltheButcherAnOrcslainbyBeren.

Gorgorath(AlsoGorgoroth)TheMountainsofTerror;theprecipicesinwhichDorthonionfellsouthwards.

GorlimOneofthecompanionsofBarahir,thefatherofBeren;herevealedtheirhidingplacetoMorgoth(laterSauron).CalledGorlimtheUnhappy.

GreatLandsThelandseastoftheGreatSea:Middle-earth[atermneverusedintheLostTales].

GreatSeaoftheWestBelegaer,extendingfromMiddle-earthtoAman.

GreenElvesTheElvesofOssiriand,calledLaiquendi.

GrindingIceHelkaraxë:thestraitinthefarNorthbetweenMiddle-earthandtheWesternLand.

GrondWeaponofMorgoth,agreatclubknownastheHammeroftheUnderworld.

GuardedPlainThegreatplainbetweentheriversNarogandTeiglin,northofNargothrond.

GuilwarthonSeei-Cuilwarthon.

GwendelingEarliernameofMelian.

Hador Agreat chieftain ofMen, called ‘theGoldenhaired’, grandfather ofHúrin father ofTúrin, andofHuor father ofTuor father ofEärendel.

HavenoftheSwansSeeNotesontheElderDays,p.23.

HillsoftheHunters(alsoTheHunters’Wold)ThehighlandswestoftheriverNarog.

HimlingAgreathillinthenorthofEastBeleriand,astrongholdofthesonsofFëanor.

Hirilorn ‘Queen of Trees’, a great beech-tree nearMenegroth (Thingol’s halls); in its brancheswas the house inwhich Lúthienwasimprisoned.

HisilómëHithlum.[InalistofnamesoftheperiodoftheLostTalesitissaid:‘Dor-lóminorthe“LandofShadow”wasthatregionnamedoftheEldarHisilómë(andthismeans“shadowytwilights”)...anditissocalledbyreasonofthescantysunwhichpeepsovertheIronMountainstotheeastandsouthofit.’]

HithlumSeeHisilómë.

HuanThemightywolfhoundofValinor,whobecamethefriendandsaviourofBerenandLúthien.

HúrinFatherofTúrinTurambarandNiënor.

IdrilCalledCelebrindal‘Silverfoot’,daughterofTurgonKingofGondolin;weddedtoTuor,motherofEärendel.

Ilkorins,IlkorindiElvesnotofKôr,cityoftheElvesinAman(SeeKôr).

Indravangs(alsoIndrafangs)‘LongBeards’,theDwarvesofBelegost.

IngwilRiverflowingintotheNarogatNargothrond(laterformRingwil).

IronMountainsAlsocalledtheBitterHills.AgreatrangecorrespondingtothelaterEredWethrin,theMountainsofShadow,formingthesouthernandeasternbordersofHisilómë(Hithlum).SeeHisilómë.

IvárëArenownedminstreloftheElves,‘whoplaysbesidethesea’.

IvrinThelakebelowtheMountainsofShadowwheretheNarogrose.

KarkarasThehugewolfthatguardedthegatesofAngband(laterCarcharoth),itstailnamedinLúthien’s‘lengtheningspell’;translated‘Knife-fang’.

Kôr Cityof theElves inAman,andthehillonwhichitwasbuilt; later thecitybecameTûnandthehillalonewasKôr. [Finally thecitybecameTirionandthehillTúna.]

LadrosAregiontothenortheastofDorthonion.

LayofLeithian,TheSeep.88.

LonelyIsle TolEressëa:alargeislandintheGreatSeanearthecoastsofAman;themosteasterlyoftheUndyingLands,wheremanyElvesdwelt.

LórienTheValarMandosandLórienwerecalledbrothers,andnamedtheFanturi:MandoswasNéfanturandLórienwasOlofantur.InthewordsoftheQuentaLórienwasthe‘makerofvisionsandofdreams;andhisgardensinthelandoftheGodswerethefairestofallplacesintheworldandfilledwithmanyspiritsofbeautyandpower.’

Mablung‘Heavyhand’,ElfofDoriath,chiefcaptainofThingol;presentatthedeathofBereninthehuntofKarkaras.

MagicIslesIslesintheGreatSea.

MaglorThesecondsonofFëanor,acelebratedsingerandminstrel.

MaiarSeeAinur.

MaidrosEldestsonofFëanor,called‘theTall’(laterformMaedhros).

MandosAValaofgreatpower.HeistheJudge;andheisthekeeperoftheHousesoftheDead,andthesummonerofthespiritsoftheslain[theQuenta].SeeLórien.

ManwëThechiefandmostmightyoftheValar,thespouseofVarda.

MelianTheQueenofArtanor(Doriath),earliernameGwendeling;aMaia,whocametoMiddle-earthfromtherealmoftheValaLórien.

MelkoThegreatevilVala,Morgoth(laterformMelkor).

MenegrothSeeTheThousandCaves.

MiaulëAcat,cookinthekitchenofTevildo.

MîmAdwarf,whosettledinNargothrondafterthedepartureoftheDragonandlaidacurseonthetreasure.

MindebAriverflowingintoSirionintheregionofDoriath.

MountainsofNightThegreatheights(Dorthonion,‘LandofPines’)thatcametobecalledTheForestofNight(Taurfuin,laterTaur-na-[-nu-]fuin).

MountainsofShadow,ShadowyMountainsSeeIronMountains.

NanTheonlythingknownofNanseemstobethenameofhissword,Glend,namedinLúthien’s‘lengtheningspell’(SeeGilim).

NanDumgorthin ‘Thelandofthedarkidols’whereHuancameuponBerenandLúthienintheirflightfromAngband.InthealliterativepoemtheLayoftheChildrenofHúrin(seep.78)occurtheselines:

inNanDungorthinwherenamelessgodshaveshroudedshrinesinshadowssecret,moreoldthanMorgothortheancientlordsthegoldenGodsoftheguardedWest.

NargothrondThegreatcavernouscityandfortressfoundedbyFelagundontheriverNaroginWestBeleriand.

NarogRiverinWestBeleriand;SeeNargothrond.Oftenusedinthesense‘realm’,i.e.‘ofNargothrond’.

NaugladurLordoftheDwarvesofNogrod.

NauglamírTheNecklaceoftheDwarves,inwhichwassettheSilmarilofBerenandLúthien.

NessaThesisterofOromëandspouseofTulkas.SeeValier.

NogrodOneofthetwogreatcitiesoftheDwarvesintheBlueMountains.

Noldoli,laterNoldorThesecondhostoftheEldarontheGreatJourney,ledbyFinwë.

OikeroiAfiercewarrior-catintheserviceofTevildo,slainbyHuan.

OrodrethBrotherofFelagund;KingofNargothrondafterthedeathofFelagund.

OromëTheValacalledtheHunter;ledonhishorsethehostsoftheEldarontheGreatJourney.

Ossiriand‘TheLandofSevenRivers’,GelionanditstributariesfromtheBlueMountains.

OuterLandsMiddle-earth.

PalisorTheregionoftheGreatLandswheretheElvesawoke.

RathlorionRiverinOssiriand.SeeAscar.

RingilTheswordofFingolfin.

RivilRiverrisinginthewestofDorthonionandflowingintoSirionatthefensofSerech,northofTolSirion.

SarnAthrad TheFordofStones,where the riverAscar inOssiriandwascrossedby the road to thecitiesof theDwarves in theBlueMountains.

SerechGreatfenswheretheRivilflowedintotheSirion;SeeRivil.

ShadowyMountains,MountainsofShadowSeeIronMountains.

ShadowySeasAregionoftheGreatSeaoftheWest.

SickleoftheGodsTheconstellationoftheGreatBear[whichVardasetabovetheNorthasathreattoMorgothandanomenofhisfall.]

SilmarilsThethreegreatjewelsfilledwiththelightoftheTwoTreesofValinor,madebyFëanor.Seepp.36–7.

SilpionTheWhiteTreeofValinor,fromwhoseflowerstherefelladewofsilverlight;alsocalledTelperion.

SirionThegreatriverofBeleriand,risingintheMountainsofShadowandflowingsouthward,dividingEastfromWestBeleriand.

TaniquetilThehighestMountainofAman,theabodeofManwëandVarda.

Taurfuin,Taur-na-fuin,(later-nu-)TheForestofNight;SeeMountainsofNight.

TavrosGnomishnameoftheValaOromë:‘LordofForests’;laterformTauros.

TevildoThePrinceofCats,mightiestofallcats,‘possessedofanevilspirit’(seepp.49,69);aclosecompanionofMorgoth.

ThangorodrimThemountainsaboveAngband.

ThingolKingofArtanor(Doriath);earliernameTinwelint.[HisnamewasElwë:hewasaleaderofthethirdhostoftheEldar,theTeleri,ontheGreatJourney,butinBeleriandhewasknownas‘Greycloak’(themeaningofThingol).]

ThirstyPlainSeeDor-na-Fauglith.

ThorondorKingofEagles.

ThousandCavesMenegroth:ThehiddenhallsofTinwelint(Thingol)ontheriverEsgalduininArtanor.

ThûTheNecromancer,greatestoftheservantsofMorgoth,dwellingintheElvishwatchtoweronTolSirion;laternameSauron.

ThuringwethilNametakenbyLúthieninbat-formbeforeMorgoth.

TimbrentingOldEnglishnameofTaniquetil.

TinfangWarbleAfamousminstrel[Tinfang=Quenyatimpinen‘fluter’.]

Tinúviel‘DaughterofTwilight’,nightingale:namegiventoLúthienbyBeren.

TinwelintKingofArtanor;SeeThingol,thelatername.

TirionCityoftheElvesinAman;SeeKôr.

Tol-in-GaurhothIsleofWerewolves,thenameofTolSirionafteritscapturebyMorgoth.

TolSirionTheislandintheriverSiriononwhichtherewasanElvishfortress;SeeTol-in-Gaurhoth.

TulkasTheValadescribedintheQuentaas‘thestrongestofalltheGodsinlimbandgreatestinallfeatsofvalourandprowess’.

TuorCousinofTúrinandfatherofEärendil.

TúrinSonofHúrinandMorwen;namedTurambar‘MasterofDoom’.

Uinen AMaia (SeeAinur). ‘The Lady of the Seas’, ‘whose hair lies spread through all the waters under sky’; named in Lúthien’s

‘lengtheningspell’.

Ulmo‘LordofWaters’,thegreatValaoftheSeas.

Umboth-MuilinTheTwilightMeres,whereAros,thesouthernriverofDoriath,flowedintoSirion.

UmuiyanAnoldcat,thedoorkeeperofTevildo.

Ungweliantë Themonstrousspider,dwellinginEruman(SeeGilim),whowithMorgothdestroyedtheTwoTreesofValinor;(laterformUngoliant).

Valar (singularVala) ‘The Powers’; in early texts referred to as theGods. They are the great beingswho entered theWorld at thebeginningofTime.[IntheLostTaleoftheMusicoftheAinurEriolsaid:‘IwouldfainknowwhobetheseValar;aretheytheGods?’Hereceived this reply: ‘Sobe they, thoughconcerning themMen tellmany strange andgarbled tales that are far from the truth, andmanystrangenamestheycallthemthatyouwillnothearhere.’]

Valier(singularValië)The‘QueensoftheValar’;inthisbookarenamedonlyVarda,VánaandNessa.

ValinorThelandoftheValarinAman.

Valmar,ValimarCityoftheValarinValinor.

VánaThespouseofOromë.SeeValier.

VardaGreatestoftheValier;thespouseofManwë;makerofthestars[hencehernameElbereth,‘QueenoftheStars’].

VëannëThetellerofTheTaleofTinúviel.

Wingelot‘Foamflower’,Eärendel’sship.

Wizard’sIsleTolSirion.

Wood-elvesElvesofArtanor.

GLOSSARY

Thisglossarycontainswords(includingformsandmeaningsofwordsdifferingfrommodernusage)thatseemedtomeliabletogivedifficulty.Thecontentofsuchalistasthiscannotofcoursebesystematic,derivingfromsomeexternalstandard.

anif,45,52,80,82,etc.

bentopenplacecoveredwithgrass,144

bidoffered,241

chase huntingground,181

clomboldpasttenseofclimb,202

corse corpse,193

croftsmallplotofland,122

drouthdryness,125

entreattreat,60,65;[modernsense]61,83

enverminedfullofnoxiouscreatures,186.Thiswordseemsnottobeotherwiserecorded.

fellhide,72,101,146,153–4,185–8,etc.

flittermouse bat,210

forhungeredstarved,173

frithwood,woodland,143

frore verycold,113

glamourymagic,enchantment,125

haggard(ofhills)wild,177

haplyperhaps,45,96,118

hemandhedge encloseandfenceoff,101

howe burialmound,barrow,234

inane empty,190

lave wash,55

leeches physicians,173,176

lethinder,124:theirgoinglet‘hindertheirpassing’

like please,88(indothitlikethee?)

limbersupple,143

marchborderland,178,195

nebbeak,bill,97,265–6

neshsoft,tender,215

opes opens,198

parlous dangerous,268

pledoldpasttenseofplead,170

quookoldpasttenseofquake,192

rede counsel,48,59

rove pasttenseofrive‘rend,tearapart,cleave’,213

ruel-bone ivory,143

runagate deserter,renegade,48

scullionkitchendrudge,51

shores supports,203

sigaldrysorcery,125

slottrackofananimal,83–4

spoorthesameasslot,84

sprite spirit,49

sylphine ofthenatureofasylph(aspiritinhabitingtheair),210.Thisadjectiveisnotrecorded.

swath(spaceleftafterpassageofamower)track,trace,127

tarnasmallmountainlake,258

thews bodilystrength,76

thrallaslave,onewhoisinbondage(thraldom),20,47–9,59,69,73,etc.

trammelledhampered,impeded,151

unkemptuncombed,51

violastringedinstrumentplayedwithabow,158,176

weftwovenfabric,173

weirdfate,144,177

weregild(OldEnglish)thepricesetuponamaninaccordancewithhisrank,258

whingorse,259

wolfhame wolfskin,185

woofwovenfabric,213

wouldwished,184–5,205

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ABOUTTHEAUTHORANDEDITOR

J.R.R.TOLKIENwasbornonJanuary3,1892,inBloemfontein.AfterservingintheFirstWorldWar,Tolkienembarkeduponadistinguishedacademiccareerandwasrecognizedasoneofthefinestphilologistsintheworld.Heis,however,bestknownasthecreatorofMiddle-earthandauthorofsuchclassicandextraordinaryworksoffictionasTheHobbit,TheLordoftheRings,andTheSilmarillion.Hisbookshavebeentranslatedintomorethansixtylanguagesandhavesoldmanymillionsofcopiesworldwide.HewasawardedaCBE,andanhonorarydoctorateoflettersfromOxfordUniversityin1972.Hediedin1973attheageofeighty-one.

CHRISTOPHERTOLKIEN,bornonNovember21,1924,isthethirdsonofJ.R.R.Tolkien.AppointedbyTolkientobehisliteraryexecutor,hehasdevotedhimselfsincehisfather’sdeathtotheeditingandpublicationofunpublishedwritings,notablyTheSilmarillionandthecollectionsentitledUnfinishedTalesandTheHistoryofMiddle-earth.Heandhiswife,Baillie,havelivedinFrancesince1975.