The Son of Curufin by Caranthol

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Chapter 2: The Eventful Hunt

Disclaimer: See chapter 1.

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Chapter 2: The Eventful Hunt 

A loud knock on the door made Celebrimbor start. He sighed irritably and rose. So much for a quiet morning of work! He left the gem he had been cutting on the table and walked to the door. Opening it he saw Curufin and Celegorm, both in hunting attire. Beside Celegorm stood Huan, the great hound which the Noldo kept in high esteem. Curufin said: 

”Good morning, son! I and your uncle are going to hunt for some days, for it is feared that wolves have come here from the north. We thought that maybe you would like to accompany us.” 

Celebrimbor hesitated. 

”I do not know if I want. I was working on a wondrous jewel when you arrived. Its cutting demands my attention.” 

Curufin smiled. 

”I am delighted to see that the skill of Mahtan and my father has descended on you. But come, it is not good to become so absorbed in your craft that you forget the joys of life. I deem that your hand would be surer and your mind clearer if you grasped the bow or spear sometimes instead of pen or silver-smith’s hammer.” 

Celebrimbor felt that his father was right. It was early spring and a little trip to the woods would be delightful indeed. Besides, if he studied the light and colours in the forest for a few days, he could maybe see how to cut the stone so it would reflect light better. Celegorm was impatient and when Celebrimbor did not answer for a moment he exclaimed: 

”Now, brother, let us go, with or without him! If he wants to spend his days like a maiden, dreaming in his chamber, then let it be so. Let us depart for works of men!” 

The insult was needless and Celebrimbor frowned slightly. Of all of his uncles he liked Celegorm the least, for the older Noldo did not think before speaking and was haughty. Sometimes he seemed to take delight in insulting others. Curufin’s face darkened and he would have rebuked Celegorm for jeering at his son, but Celebrimbor answered civilly: 

”Uncle, the works suitable for men are many, although my craft is perhaps not the greatest among them. But if you insist, I will accompany you. I indeed long now for some fresh air.” 

He went inside and changed his hunting clothes on. With a last longing look to his tools and gems he strode outside and followed Curufin and Celegorm.

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Soon Celebrimbor didn’t rue at all that he had come, since the hunting trip was indeed delightful. In the third day of the journey the sun rose red from the cloudless horizon, making the awakening forest and the banks of Narog breath-takingly lovely. He straightened in his saddle and breathed deeply. The air was full of scents of spring. Flowers bloomed and the leaves were opening, bright green. Against the dark tree-trunks and boughs they seemed strangely joyous, as if celebrating the passing of long winter. Only here and there, in the deepest shades and hollows, still were some patches of snow. They gleamed white in the growing sunlight, sparkling like diamonds. A slight and warm south wind blew, birds dancing on its wings, singing in joy and gratitude of the return of the warmth. In moment like this the world seemed to be young again, like an echo of the first Spring of Arda before the time of the Two Trees. 

Celebrimbor descended from his saddle and took a piece of parchment and a fine pen from his saddle-bag. He had separated from Curufin and Celegorm as each of the three were looking for the wolves. But there were none to be seen, so now it was a good opportunity to make some sketches. Celebrimbor was famed for his carving on silver and stone, as well as for his skill with precious stones. On trips like these he usually carried drawing-materials with him, ever in search of new ideas. 

He sat down and began to draw a mighty oak, standing far from other trees. He watched it carefully, and set the pen on the parchment. It would make a good motif for a plate, for example. He observed the patterns of shade and the filtering of the sunlight through the leaves especially carefully. He took a coloured glass lens and looked through it in different angles. He began already to have clearer ideas as how to cut the green stone he had been working on. 

After making careful sketches about the surfaces of the stone and their sizes, he began to draw the oak. He smiled, for he felt completely new thoughts for executing his artwork and handicraft growing in him. 

”This little venture was not wasted time, after all,” he thought as he drew with quick and precise fingers the last details of the tall tree. He was pleased at his own skill, every single bough and leaf was just like in reality. It would need only little finishing. But as he drew the last line, a loud horn was blown nearby. He was startled and the pen slipped, blotching the beautiful picture with ink all over. 

With a sigh of irritation Celebrimbor rose and mounted his steed after putting the pen and parchment away. He had to go, for the horn was that of his uncle’s. They had agreed that at hearing a horn-call the other two should haste to the one who had winded it. Evidently Celegorm had encountered some prey, probably the wolves. Celebrimbor spurred his horse, since obviously haste was needed. His proud uncle wouldn’t call for aid if he didn’t seriously need it. 

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After a quarter an hour Celebrimbor came to a glade, where his father and uncle already stood, Huan beside Celegorm as usually. But there was a third person as well, an elf-maiden apparently! The three seemed to be in lively conversation. When Celebrimbor rode nearer they stopped and looked at him. He jumped from the back of his steed and strode to greet them. Curufin bowed to the lady: 

”Fair maiden, this is my son Celebrimbor, a great master of working on precious stones and silver. Celebrimbor, greet Lúthien, for indeed the daughter of Thingol stands before you.” 

Celebrimbor looked at the maiden in wonder. He had heard many tales of her beauty but they fell far short of reality. Lúthien’s skin was so fair that it was almost white, yet lovely. In her grey eyes glimmered the light of wisdom. Deep blue like a summer night were her clothes except for a cloak that was like weaved from shadow, slender were her limbs and body. She smiled at Celebrimbor and he felt like the sun would have come out of clouds. Not too great was the price Thingol had demanded from Beren, for Lúthien was more like a being of Valinor than any of the Eldar. She spoke with a voice that was melodious and clear as a mountain spring: 

”I am rejoiced to meet you, lord Celebrimbor. Your gracious father and uncle have already promised to help me in my plight, even before I have had the opportunity to tell it to them. Lord Celegorm even accepted to escort me to Nargothrond.” 

Celebrimbor was puzzled. Curufin and Celegorm knew well the matter of Beren. He looked at his father and opened his mouth to speak. But Curufin warned him to be silent with his stern look and a slight gesture. So Celebrimbor said:

 ”Fair Lúthien, happy is the hour we meet. For no song can make justice to your beauty. I am gladly in your service like my relatives here.” 

Lúthien offered her hand to him and he took it, a thrill going through his body. He struggled with his emotion, reminding himself that the maiden was promised to another. Were Beren a Man or an Elf, Celebrimbor told himself that it would be low and unworthy of his high birth to rob another man’s beloved. Somehow he managed to steady his mind and turned to take the reins of his steed.

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They rode slowly towards Nargothrond, Lúthien on Celegorm’s horse and the Noldo walked beside it, conversing with her. The father and the son rode some distance behind them. Celebrimbor was thoughtful and asked Curufin: 

”Father, why did you not tell her that we already know about Beren and his Quest? I cannot understand anything of this.”

Curufin bit his lips.

”I will tell you later. Now, suffice it to say that she intends to follow Beren and it seems unwise to me. And Celegorm is wholly fascinated by her. See, how they speak and how he looks at Lúthien.” After a pause he added: 

”I thought I saw that you also were impressed by her. What would you say if you could marry her?” 

Celebrimbor answered: 

”If she was not in love with Beren, I would avoid no danger or toil to win her heart. But as she is betrothed to him, I have no intention of wooing her.”

The answer of Curufin was soft.

”And why is that so?”

”It would be petty and treacherous. No Elf-lord, if he respected his good name would chase a woman who is already bound to some other.” 

Curufin shook his head, smiling sourly. 

”Beren is only a Man and will never return from his journey. I tell you that it would not be unpleasant to me to see you having sons with her, to continue our line. Besides, betrothal is not the same as marriage, it can be broken. Who would accuse her if she cast a haggard, homeless Man aside in favour of a mighty and skillful Elf-lord?” Celebrimbor answered, a bit heatedly: 

”I respect any vow, be it betrothal or marriage. My hand will never break the bond between her and Beren.” 

Curufin said, coldly: 

”As you wish. Then she will be Celegorm’s, if he succeeds in winning her heart. I command you to say no word of this to her, or anyone else.” 

They fell silent, Celebrimbor thinking worriedly about the words of his father. 

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When they arrived to Nargothrond after a few days, Celebrimbor wondered that they entered via a small side door, not the main gates. Without knowing why, his heart had grown heavier during the journey. Curufin and Celegorm had whispered to each other when they were out of earshot, only to stop if Celebrimbor approached them. Often their glances had wandered to Lúthien, and the gleam in Celegorm’s eyes made Celebrimbor shiver. The maiden was unaware of this, seemingly wholly trusting the Noldorin lords. Respecting the will of his father Celebrimbor did not try to warn Lúthien of their intentions, though it pained him. 

Now they came to the corridor where Celegorm’s chambers were, having seen no one but the guards at the door. By chance or design they had arrived at midnight so that most of the Elves were sleeping or in the feast halls in the upper parts of the caves. They arrived to the door of Celegorm’s chamber and strode in. When inside, Celegorm bowed. 

”Lady Lúthien, let me offer my rooms to your use. I will retire to my brother’s chambers so that you will not be bothered.” 

With a gracious gesture of her hand Lúthien thanked the Noldo and set her cloak aside on a chair. She spoke: 

”Your hospitality is very welcome, lord, for my journey has been long and tiring. If you excuse me, I will now retire to sleep.”

”Fair lady, it is a pleasure to help you. I have only a few things to collect and take with me, so you can go to the bed chamber. We will leave in a moment.” 

Lúthien smiled at them and went in the inner room. Celebrimbor turned and strode out, waiting before in the corridor. Curufin and Celegorm soon returned with Huan, smiling faintly and exchanging a pleased look. Celebrimbor was surprised to see that Celegorm carried the cloak of Lúthien. Before he could say anything, Celegorm took a key and turned it in the lock silently. Celebrimbor had suspected something like this, but was shocked nonetheless that his father and uncle could trick a lone maiden to be their captive. He tried to speak, but Curufin covered his mouth with his hand.  

”Not a word, son. I will explain later.” 

Taking the arm of Celebrimbor Curufin walked away, leading his son. Once they were in Curufin’s rooms, Celebrimbor said: 

”Why did you do this? What has Lúthien done that you imprison her like this?” 

Curufin poured some wine for them and said, gesturing Celebrimbor to sit on a chair: 

”She has done nothing – yet. We did this for her own safety. She said many times that she would follow Beren. Could you see a maiden so lovely to walk in her death and not try to stop her? Our hearts told us that she could not be restrained save by a little treachery. We only keep her behind the lock as long as it takes the news of the outcome of the quest to arrive.” 

Curufin’s voice was very convincing, but he didn’t look Celebrimbor in the eyes. Instead, his gaze wandered to his feet and the wine as he swirled it, his hand a little unsteady. Still, Celebrimbor could tell that he did not tell everything because he knew his father so well. He said: 

”Father, do not try to deceive me. You told me that Celegorm fancied her. You both hope that Beren never returns. But my heart tells me this: Lúthien is destined for something greater than to be Celegorm’s wife, and Beren is a part of that fate, in good or bad. That Man could even get through Melian’s shadows and mists. Father, I fear for you. Do not try to hinder fate, no good can come of it.” 

Curufin raised his eyes, now angry. 

”You cannot tell me what I must do and what not! What do you know about fate, you who spend your days playing with shiny trinkets! Long have I hoped that you would be like me, sharing my ambitions and hopes. I thought that the day had arrived I could finally disclose my plans to you. It seems I was wrong.” 

Celebrimbor rose to leave, not desiring to anger Curufin further. He bowed. 

”I am sorry, I did not want to be impertinent. I love you, and my heart darkens for some reason whenever I think of future, for I see something evil in store for you. Perhaps I am mistaken. Do not be angry with me, for my fear and love for you speaks through my mouth. I regret if I have disappointed you with being more like my grandgrandfather than you.” 

He turned and walked to the door. But before he could leave, Curufin rose and grasped his arm. With a voice full of emotion the father spoke: 

”Wait! I did not mean everything I said. I am deeply troubled and my temper is growing short. I will not you leave thinking I do not hold you in esteem. Every father hopes that his son would be a picture of him, but it cannot be so. Like Mahtan you look, and like him and my father you have been blessed with a great skill. I try to remember that your ambition is smaller than mine and that your wisdom is younger than mine. But swear to me that whatever happens, you will obey me and stand beside me.” 

Celebrimbor looked at his father, seeing genuine tears in his eyes. So at least part of the speech was not affectation. He wanted to make the oath but feared. He said: 

”I respect you more than anyone else, but do not demand an oath from me. If I swore, I would walk in darkness, bound by own words, for you refuse to give me enough light to guide me. My love and esteem you always will have, but do not ask me to do this! I am no longer a child, I cannot utter rash promises without all the knowledge of their results. Now let us rest and speak of this tomorrow, if you will. Oft morning is wiser than evening, and we are tired and agitated.” 

Curufin released Celebrimbor’s arm, sighing: 

”So be it, then. Good night, my son.”

”Good night, father.” Celebrimbor walked to his chambers, dark thoughts forming in his mind. 

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Chapter End Notes

Read and review, please. I know that in Silmarillion it is not stated that Celebrimbor was there when Lúthien was found but nor it is said that he was not. I thought it probable that Curufin would like his son to be with him and would share some of his plans with him, even if only testing his loyalty.