The Lost Poems of Beren by Archivist

Editor's Preface

The discovery of the following translations has been a remarkable find. Hidden within the ruins of an ancient Elven outpost in Eregion, I uncovered a series of scrolls in a weathered chest. These scrolls contained what appeared to be a personal collection of poems written by none other than Beren, a mortal man whose love for Lúthien the Fair remains one of the most revered stories in all of our Elvish history. What makes this discovery particularly extraordinary is that these were not direct copies of Beren’s poems, but translations made by a forgotten archivist known as Fëanorion.

The scrolls had suffered significant damage from the elements and time. Entire sections were faded beyond recognition, leaving gaps in both the original text and the translation. I have done my utmost to preserve the integrity of Fëanorion’s work while filling in what I could from the fragments of Quenya that remained legible. You will find throughout this edition notes indicating where words or lines were too worn to be restored. In these instances, I have placed [unreadable] to signify the gaps left by the march of time.

It is my hope that this work, with its careful annotations and footnotes, will allow modern readers to appreciate the depth and subtlety of Beren’s words as they were likely intended, alongside the poetic grace that Fëanorion sought to preserve in his translation. This edition stands as a testament to both the power of love and the enduring beauty of Elven verse.

Chapter End Notes

— Archivist, Editor and Keeper of Lost Writings