Of Beren and Lúthien: The Complete Tale of “The Lay of Leithian” by LuthienHuan

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Chapter 16 Of the Return to Doriath

Beren and Lúthien make it back to Doriath where Thingol has a change of heart.

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Lúthien awoke with Gwaihir standing over and looking down at her with his two big eyes behind his huge golden beak. They are on the River Mindeb’s east banks at the northwest corner of Neldereth. She rolled to the side and saw the other two Eagles who were standing over Beren, who was unconscious lying in what looked like a large nest made of grass and weeds. She runs to him and calls his name.

“He still lives, my Lady,” Thorondor said, “though I know not for how long. His heart is very weak, but his arm is looking better. For a man, he is very strong, as is his will to live.”

“We both would already be dead if it weren’t for you and your kin,” Lúthien said. “Thank you – all of you.”

“You’re welcome, my Lady,” Thorondor said. Then he pointed toward the forest and continued, “But, you should also thank him.” There was a rustling sound coming closer and closer from within. Suddenly, Huan appeared.

Lúthien shouts with joy, “Huan!” He runs to Lúthien; she kisses his head and hugs him as he nestles against her breast.

Thorondor continued, “He deserves much thanks; for it was he who told all to watch and be ready to aid their friends Beren and Lúthien. Many birds and beasts came to Crissaegrim while others went to Manwë on Taniquetel to tell of your plight.”

“Oh, you adorable hound!” she exclaimed. “We didn’t want you to leave us, but I’m sure glad you did! Thank you so very much.”

Gwaihir walked to Thorondor. “I hate to interrupt,” he said, “but we must return to Crissaegrim, as Manwë will be anxious of further news regarding Lúthien and Beren; and I’m sure Morgoth has awakened and is none too happy. Who knows what he’s up to now, or what he will do next.”

“Yes, we must now depart,” Thorondor agreed. “Will the three of you be all right now?”

Lúthien walks to him, looks up and answers, “Yes, thanks to you. But before you go, I must tell you something very imperative.”

Lúthien motions for him to stoop down to her. He cocks his head in wonder, then slowly lowers his tilted head down to her, thinking she is about to whisper something in his ear. Lúthien, however, kisses his cheek. Gwaihir giggles loudly, as Landroval also snickers. Thorondor blushes and raises his head.

“My Lady, that was unnecessary,” Thorondor said.

“It was very necessary,” she said. “You truly are a King.” Thorondor proudly holds his head high. Lúthien looks at the other two Eagles and says, “And the rest of you are gallant Princes.”

“A compliment from you means very much. Please call if you need us again,” said Thorondor. “Farewell.”

With that the three Eagles lift off; Gwaihir again flies next to Thorondor. “Wow! A kiss from the fairest Lady Lúthien,” Gwaihir said. “Wait ’til mother hears about this.”

“Oh, be silent!” Thorondor said as they majestically turn in unison and fly out of sight.

*****

Thingol sits on his throne with Melian at his side. He has called Mablung to tell him:

“Messengers have come from Nargothrond stating that Lúthien is there, and that she agrees to wed Celegorm son of Fëanor, who wishes for my blessing. There are also some comments he sends that sound more like threats. I want you to take with you about ten others to Nargothrond to discover what is actually occurring there. Also, if Lúthien is there, attempt to persuade her to return home, but use no force.”

With a bow Mablung said, “As you wish, my King,” and he departed.

*****

As before, Beren again awakens to Lúthien’s singing while his eyes focus on leaves against the sky. She, Huan and five nightingales stand by the river. Like the last time, the other small animals have also gathered to wait for Beren’s return to consciousness. They watch as she tosses flower petals into the water. Beren tries to clear his throat, and after several attempts he succeeds and says, “This has become a bad habit.”

Lúthien and Huan come to him. Huan licks Beren’s face a couple times. “We meet again, my friend,” Beren said.

“Beren, thank goodness!” Lúthien exclaimed. “You love scaring us.”

“Believe me; I’d rather be doing something else. I again wandered on the borders of death, but your voice and your baying kept drawing me back. In my dreams I name myself anew, Erchamion – the One-handed.” He looks down at his stubbed arm. “Now I see why.”

“You again wandered long, Erchamion. Many cold nights and two seasons have passed since that horrible day.”

“How did we survive?”

“Huan again saved us, with the Eagles of Manwë. Thorondor, Gwaihir and Landroval flew to our rescue after our friend Huan alerted nearly every good bird and beast in Middle-earth about our peril.”

“That’s three, my friend,” Beren said looking at Huan, who gave a short bark.

Beren stood with a little help from Lúthien. “Do you remember that you succeeded in taking a Silmaril from Morgoth?” she asked.

He looked again at his stubbed arm. ”Yes,” he said, “but I somehow remember that I lost it as well.”

“I care not of the Silmaril.”

“You say that why?”

“Those accursed jewels have been nothing but trouble since Fëanor wrought them. The Jewels of Fëanor to me represent death and destruction to all who merely mention them; something bad always happens when the Oath of Fëanor is in motion.”

“You know who mentioned it. It is your Father’s price I must pay to be with you, so we can have a life and be free together.”

“Don’t you think we’ve paid enough, especially you? We can have a life and be free. We could stay here forever, Beren; live in the wilderness. We’ll live as we have since we journeyed together on this hateful Quest.”

“What about your family, your kin, and your friends?”

“You are all I need. I would forsake all just to be with you.” Huan barks. “And with Huan, of course.”

“I could not allow you to do such. It would not be right. You are a Princess, Lúthien – The Princess; one who is above all royalty in Middle-earth. The Vala’s blood runs through your veins. You are one who deserves to be surrounded by kin, to enjoy the playthings and trinkets of all Elven-Queens, and to be honored when your time comes. You are the one Ilúvatar made as the most beautiful of all. And as a Man, I cannot break the law of withholding a daughter from her father. Please, don’t ask me to do so.”

“I would, just to be rid of this shadow that seems to follow us wherever we go.” She then sighs and says, “Honesty, though, I would like to see my father and mother once again.”

“Then let us go home. For I promise you, Lúthien Tinúviel, one way or another, we will be together – forever.”

“But how are we to go back without a Silmaril to present to my father?”

“Leave that to me, my love. I shall rest today and through the night. Tomorrow, we shall begin our short journey home.”

*****

The next day, about an hour before dusk, Mablung walked to Thingol and Melian’s thrones. His raiment was mostly covered in blood, but he walked unscathed. With a tear in his eye, he bowed in front of them, as Thingol and Melian sat with a look of concern.

“My goodness, what happened to you?” Thingol asked with an alarming tone.

Mablung replied, “I am unharmed, my King; for this is not my blood, but from several who died in the journey from Nargothrond. The ten whom I led have perished. I am very sorry.”

“What happened? I ask that you discover information, not begin a battle.”

“It was no battle with anyone from the Kingdom of Nargothrond,” Mablung explained, “but with the Monster Wolf-hound of Morgoth, Carcharoth. He has been loosed from Angband, terrorizing the north and destroying all in his path. I was the only one who escaped his onslaught. I tried to save as many as I could, but I failed them.” Here, he could not hold his tears from streaming down his face. “I have never felt so wretched and unworthy.”

He bowed his head as if in shame. But Melian said, “We know you, Mablung. And we know you did not leave your men until there was nothing more you could do. I have read your mind, and I understand how you feel. Nevertheless, you should not accept the blame for your soldiers’ deaths. No other in Doriath’s army would have done as much as you in your attempt.”

“You know she’s right, and we blame you not for their deaths. We shall honor those soldiers’ memories later. What I want to know now is: why is Carcharoth loose?”

“I know not, my King. But what I can tell you is: he seemed to have a light beaming out from within him. He attacked us at night, and we were spelled by a radiant light coming from within the forest. It was brighter than sunlight. It blinded us, and we were unable to see him until it was too late.”

“It must have been a spell by the Enemy. Did you obtain news of my daughter?”

“Yes. Lúthien was there, but no longer. She left the Caverns long ago, as did the brothers Celegorm and Curufin; but she did not leave with them. What’s more is: before the sons of Fëanor captured her and took her there, King Finrod Felagund left Nargothrond with Beren son of Barahir.”

“I was aware of that.”

“Something has gone amiss, though, for the kingdom is lamenting bitterly Finrod’s death.”

“Felagund? Dead?”

“Yes, and now his brother Orodreth is king. I had a chance to briefly speak with Celebrimbor son of Curufin. It seems that Felagund ask his people for assistance in honoring an oath he made with Barahir father of Beren and his kin, but the people were threatened by the brothers with the Oath of Fëanor. Thus, he aided Beren in his journey to Thangorodrim with only ten of his soldiers. Celebrimbor is so angered with his father that he remained in the Caverns of Narog after Curufin and Celegorm were driven and banned from the kingdom. He said that Beren was alive when last seen, but rumor of his death has come to Nargothrond. However, he is unsure of the details.”

“That’s horrible. But how do they know Felagund’s dead; and who brought them the rumor of Beren’s death?”

Suddenly, they heard a commotion coming from the outer hallway. Several moments later a mob enters; and leading are Beren, Lúthien, Huan and Beleg. Thingol and Mablung look at them in disbelief, while Melian sits with her usual smile. Arriving in front of the thrones, Thingol rises and gives Lúthien a hug and kisses her on the forehead; she returns the hug.

“My beautiful daughter! I am so sorry – so sorry,” Thingol said. He then held her away to look at her. “Are you harmed?”

“I am fine, father,” she replied.

Thingol then looks scornfully at Beren, who hides his right arm under his cloak. Released by her father, Lúthien goes to Melian for a hug and a kiss on the cheek and then returns to Beren’s side. Thingol remains glaring at Beren as he returns to his throne and sits again. Mablung stands to the side with Beleg.

“Now tell me: how can this be?” Thingol asked. “We have just received rumor that you, Beren, were dead and that nobody has heard news of you, Lúthien. What have you to say son of Barahir? You better have a very good reason for keeping our daughter from us for so long.”

Lúthien immediately stomped her foot, and the already somewhat quiet crowd became hushed in amazed silence. “You should not speak to this man that way, my father; this man you sent on a journey of death that returns in humbleness before your throne,” she said.

“Nay,” said Beren. “He is right to ask of me why I should return in such a plight, bearing with me his only child and most cherished treasure, though she returns unscathed.”

Beren then walked to the front of Thingol’s throne, knelt and bowed his head. “I return according to my word,” he said. “I am come now to claim my own.”

“What of your quest and of your vow?” Thingol asked.

Beren raises his head and says, “It is fulfilled. Even now, a Silmaril is in my hand.”

“Show it to me!”

With the crowd watching silently, Beren stands and stretches out his left hand and shows that it’s empty. The crowd murmurs, but Thingol holds his hand up and the crowd again becomes silent. Beren then takes his right arm from under his cloak and holds it out.

“I name myself Camlost, the Empty-handed; for my hand that holds the Silmaril is not here.”

Thingol’s face instantly turned from scorn to sympathy. The crowd murmurs also in compassion. The saddest expressions are on Beleg’s and Mablung’s faces. Thingol motions for the other two travelers to sit with him before his throne. “Tell us of your journey,” Thingol said.

Huan sits before the thrones between Beren, on the left, and Lúthien.

Beren began, “It is a long tale, but its end places us before the eyes of Morgoth upon his throne. Your wise and powerful daughter used Morgoth’s own lust for her against him, and with her enchantments she felled into slumber him and all the creatures in his chamber, as I cut out a Silmaril from the Iron Crown. Yes, Thingol, I held a Silmaril; radiant with the blaze of a thousand suns; but it hurt me not. I had planned to bring you all three, but Telchar’s knife Angrist snapped, and the shard grazed Morgoth’s cheek. He gave a low moan, and that’s when we knew we had stayed over long. In terror we fled. After what seemed like forever, we again made it to the Gate.”

Lúthien continued, “But Carcharoth, who I felled into slumber to get through the Gate, had already awakened. I was spent. Therefore, Beren leaped between us and threatened him with the Silmaril. At first he appeared daunted. However, in one sudden motion he bit off Beren’s hand, swallowing it and the jewel. Then lights shot from his belly and then throughout his body. Fortunately, he turned and ran from us, slaying nearly all in his path. Beren became unconscious from the poison of the bite, and all things were awakening. The Quest would have ended in ruin and despair if it had not been for Huan and the Eagles of Manwë. Thorondor, Gwaihir and Landroval came to our rescue because of Huan’s baying that requested all things watch for us.”

Murmurs of amazement come from the crowd, and Thingol said, “It appears I owe you much, hound of Valinor. Say on.”

“After months of healing, it was time to return,” Beren said.

Lúthien added, “You must know this, Father and Mother: I was willing to wander in the wild without ever returning, forgetting house and people and all the glory of the Elf-kingdoms. But Beren would not forget his oath, nor withhold me from you, Father; holding by the law of Men, deeming it perilous to set at naught the will of the father, save at the last need. He also said that he would not deprive me of home or honor or the fair things which are the delight of the Queens of the Eldalië. It was he who persuaded me to return. This is the heart of the Man whom you questioned.”

Thingol bowed his head, as if in shame or regret. Melian remained smiling as Beren arose and knelt again before their thrones.

“I know how you feel about the race of Men,” said Beren, “and I can even understand your apprehensions; and you have every right to hate me right now because of the woes I have brought upon you, Queen Melian and the rest of Doriath because of my love for your daughter. However, Thingol, I would be honored if by your will and by your leave, I may be the first of Men to call you: My King. And I would be most honored to be the first Man to serve the King of Doriath.” He then bowed his head.

After quietly sitting with his chin down for several seconds, Thingol lifted his head, and there was a solemn look on his face. His eyes were glossy from tears that had welled up; one rolled down his cheek.

“Beren and my beloved daughter Lúthien,” he said, “I owe both of you many apologies; for I have been a fool. I have held such a low value toward Men, and I see now that I have done so unjustly. I have listened to those who come from outside my borders, with my ears more open to the negative concerning Men, even when my friend Finrod Felagund tried to tell me about the goodness of them. You have proved that goodness.

“I cannot account for others of your race, but of you, Beren son of Barahir, I see you are unlike all other mortal Men. You have proven to me to be among the great in Arda. No, Beren. It is I who would be honored to have your service.”

Nearly all present are in tears as Thingol continued, “I also confess that I became scared when I learned about Lúthien’s love for you; it was something strange and new to me. Now I perceive that whatever is the doom for the two of you might not be withstood by any power of this world, including that which is in me. Therefore…”

Thingol rose and briefly glanced at Melian giving her a smile; she returned it. He then held his hands out to Beren and Lúthien. They each took a hand, and Thingol placed Lúthien’s hand in Beren’s and held them together.

“…my daughter and only child Lúthien, if it be your will that your hand shall be given to this Man, Beren son of Barahir, then we, Thingol your father and Melian your mother, grant this union; the first between the Two Kindreds of Elves and Men. What say you… Tinúviel?”

Lúthien smiled at her father and then at Beren. “Yes,” Lúthien said, “my hand, as well as my heart, I give to Beren son of Barahir with the blessings of my father and mother, before their thrones.”

Thingol smiles at Beren and Lúthien and then lifts his head and shouts, “Hear ye all present before the thrones of Thingol King of Doriath and Queen Melian! I hereby declare the marriage of Beren son of Barahir to our daughter Princess Lúthien!”

The crowd shouted “YA!!!” and clapped and cheered as Beren kissed his bride. Then Thingol hugged Beren, while Melian hugged and kissed Lúthien. Thingol then hugged Lúthien and gave her another kiss on her forehead, as Melian hugged Beren. He is then congratulated by Mablung and Beleg, both with tears filling their eyes.

Then Thingol embraced Melian, who smiled and whispered in his ear, “O King and beloved husband, you have no idea what goodness you have done this day; ’tis more wonderful than you could ever imagine. This union will gloriously affect this Age of Middle-earth and all Ages to come.”

Thingol returned the smile to Melian and then turned to the crowd. “Let us all celebrate this most joyous occasion!” he shouted. This causes more cheering from the crowd.