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Barahir's outlaws

2023-11-15T02:05:46Z

Axanturish: The page inconsistently stated the number of men in Barahir's band. The first section said twelve (ten plus Barahir and Beren), which follows the Lay of Leithian. The second section ("History") said thirteen (twelve plus Barahir), which follows the Lay of Leithian Recommenced. I edited the page to eliminate the inconsistency and expressly note the discrepancy between the numbers given in the two versions of the Lay.

{{unnamed}}
{{organization infobox
| name=Barahir's outlaws
| image=[[File:Ted Nasmith - At Tarn Aeluin.jpg|250px]]
| caption="At Tarn Aeluin" by [[Ted Nasmith]]
| pronun=
| othernames=
| founded=c. {{FA|455}}
| founder=[[Barahir]]
| purpose=Opposing [[Morgoth]] in [[Dorthonion]]
| members=Barahir, [[Beren]], eleven others
| location=[[Dorthonion]]
| disbanded={{FA|460}}
| notablefor=
}}

{{quote|But still there lived in hiding cold undaunted, Barahir the bold of [[Ladros|land bereaved]], of lordship shorn who once a prince of Men was born and now an outlaw lurked and lay in the [[Taur-nu-Fuin (Dorthonion)|hard heath and woodland gray]] and with him clung his faithful men but [[Beren]] his son and other ten.|''[[Lay of Leithian]]'', [[Lay of Leithian Canto II|Canto II]], vv. 127-140}}

'''Barahir's outlaws''' was a group of survivors of the sack of [[Dorthonion]] who remained loyal to the exiled [[Barahir]], [[Lord of Ladros]]. Aside from Barahir himself and his son [[Beren]], they numbered either ten (as stated in the initial version of the Lay of Leithian, quoted above) or eleven (as stated in the revised later version known as the Lay of Leithian Recommenced, quoted below, which gives the names of all eleven). They were betrayed by [[Gorlim]], one of their number, in the year {{FA|460}}.

==History==
During the [[Dagor Bragollach]], in the year {{FA|455}}, [[Bregolas]], the [[Lord of Ladros]], was killed and [[Dorthonion]] overrun. His brother [[Barahir]] "the Bold" escaped the destruction of their lands with his son [[Beren]] and a number of companions. He refused to desert the land owned by his fathers, and lived as an outlaw, during which time the servants of [[Morgoth]] whittled his band down to only twelve or thirteen counting himself, as discussed above.<ref name="OBaL">[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Christopher Tolkien]] (ed.), ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of Beren and Lúthien]]"</ref>

The surviving companions are named in the ''[[Lay of Leithian]]'' thus:

{{blockquote|Twelve men beside him still there went, still faithful when all hope was spent. Their names are yet in elven-song remembered, though the years are long since doughty [[Dagnir]] and [[Ragnor]], [[Radhruin]], [[Dairuin]], and [[Gildor (outlaw)|Gildor]], [[Gorlim|Gorlim Unhappy]], and [[Urthel]], and [[Arthad]] and [[Hathaldir]] fell; since the black shaft with venomed wound took [[Belegund]] and [[Baragund]], the mighty sons of [[Bregolas]]; since he whose doom and deeds surpass all tales of [[Men]] was laid on bier, fair [[Beren|Beren son of Barahir]].|''[[The Lay of Leithian Recommenced]]'', Canto I, vv. 145-152}}

They made camp in the hidden lake, [[Tarn Aeluin]], and lived in hiding until 460, when Gorlim "the Unhappy" was tricked by [[Sauron]] into thinking that his wife [[Eilinel]] was still alive. In a vain attempt to save her life he went to the dark servant of Morgoth and betrayed the location of Barahir's camp in return for a promise that he and she would be united and set free. Sauron accepted this information gratefully, and then slew Gorlim, revealing that he had tricked him and Eilinel was dead in truth.<ref name="OBaL"/>

Sauron's [[orcs]] entered into Tarn Aeluin and [[Massacre of Tarn Aeluin|slew all they found]], including Barahir. Only Beren escaped the slaughter, for he was out hunting at the time, and, warned by the ghost of Gorlim, returned to find his father and companions all dead. Soon after he fled Dorthonion forever, and it came utterly into darkness.<ref name="OBaL"/>

== Other versions of the legendarium ==
The account found in ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' closely parallels that told in full by the ''[[Lay of Leithian]]''.

{{Outlaws}}

{{references}}

[[Category:Edain]]
[[Category:House of Bëor]]
[[Category:Organizations]]

Barahir's outlaws

2023-11-15T01:58:27Z

Axanturish: Corrected typographical error by changing "enomed" to "venomed"

{{unnamed}}
{{organization infobox
| name=Barahir's outlaws
| image=[[File:Ted Nasmith - At Tarn Aeluin.jpg|250px]]
| caption="At Tarn Aeluin" by [[Ted Nasmith]]
| pronun=
| othernames=
| founded=c. {{FA|455}}
| founder=[[Barahir]]
| purpose=Opposing [[Morgoth]] in [[Dorthonion]]
| members=Barahir, [[Beren]], eleven others
| location=[[Dorthonion]]
| disbanded={{FA|460}}
| notablefor=
}}

{{quote|But still there lived in hiding cold undaunted, Barahir the bold of [[Ladros|land bereaved]], of lordship shorn who once a prince of Men was born and now an outlaw lurked and lay in the [[Taur-nu-Fuin (Dorthonion)|hard heath and woodland gray]] and with him clung his faithful men but [[Beren]] his son and other ten.|''[[Lay of Leithian]]'', [[Lay of Leithian Canto II|Canto II]], vv. 127-140}}

'''Barahir's outlaws''' was a group of survivors of the sack of [[Dorthonion]] who remained loyal to the exiled [[Barahir]], [[Lord of Ladros]]. They numbered ten, plus Barahir and his son [[Beren]]. They were betrayed by [[Gorlim]], one of their number, in the year {{FA|460}}.

==History==
During the [[Dagor Bragollach]], in the year {{FA|455}}, [[Bregolas]], the [[Lord of Ladros]], was killed and [[Dorthonion]] overrun. His brother [[Barahir]] "the Bold" escaped the destruction of their lands with his son [[Beren]] and a number of companions. He refused to desert the land owned by his fathers, and lived as an outlaw, during which time the servants of [[Morgoth]] whittled his band down to only thirteen counting himself.<ref name="OBaL">[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Christopher Tolkien]] (ed.), ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of Beren and Lúthien]]"</ref>

The surviving companions are named in the ''[[Lay of Leithian]]'' thus:

{{blockquote|Twelve men beside him still there went, still faithful when all hope was spent. Their names are yet in elven-song remembered, though the years are long since doughty [[Dagnir]] and [[Ragnor]], [[Radhruin]], [[Dairuin]], and [[Gildor (outlaw)|Gildor]], [[Gorlim|Gorlim Unhappy]], and [[Urthel]], and [[Arthad]] and [[Hathaldir]] fell; since the black shaft with venomed wound took [[Belegund]] and [[Baragund]], the mighty sons of [[Bregolas]]; since he whose doom and deeds surpass all tales of [[Men]] was laid on bier, fair [[Beren|Beren son of Barahir]].|''[[The Lay of Leithian Recommenced]]'', Canto I, vv. 145-152}}

They made camp in the hidden lake, [[Tarn Aeluin]], and lived in hiding until 460, when Gorlim "the Unhappy" was tricked by [[Sauron]] into thinking that his wife [[Eilinel]] was still alive. In a vain attempt to save her life he went to the dark servant of Morgoth and betrayed the location of Barahir's camp in return for a promise that he and she would be united and set free. Sauron accepted this information gratefully, and then slew Gorlim, revealing that he had tricked him and Eilinel was dead in truth.<ref name="OBaL"/>

Sauron's [[orcs]] entered into Tarn Aeluin and [[Massacre of Tarn Aeluin|slew all they found]], including Barahir. Only Beren escaped the slaughter, for he was out hunting at the time, and, warned by the ghost of Gorlim, returned to find his father and companions all dead. Soon after he fled Dorthonion forever, and it came utterly into darkness.<ref name="OBaL"/>

== Other versions of the legendarium ==
The account found in ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' closely parallels that told in full by the ''[[Lay of Leithian]]''.

{{Outlaws}}

{{references}}

[[Category:Edain]]
[[Category:House of Bëor]]
[[Category:Organizations]]

Barahir's outlaws

2023-11-15T01:57:17Z

Axanturish:

{{unnamed}}
{{organization infobox
| name=Barahir's outlaws
| image=[[File:Ted Nasmith - At Tarn Aeluin.jpg|250px]]
| caption="At Tarn Aeluin" by [[Ted Nasmith]]
| pronun=
| othernames=
| founded=c. {{FA|455}}
| founder=[[Barahir]]
| purpose=Opposing [[Morgoth]] in [[Dorthonion]]
| members=Barahir, [[Beren]], eleven others
| location=[[Dorthonion]]
| disbanded={{FA|460}}
| notablefor=
}}

{{quote|But still there lived in hiding cold undaunted, Barahir the bold of [[Ladros|land bereaved]], of lordship shorn who once a prince of Men was born and now an outlaw lurked and lay in the [[Taur-nu-Fuin (Dorthonion)|hard heath and woodland gray]] and with him clung his faithful men but [[Beren]] his son and other ten.|''[[Lay of Leithian]]'', [[Lay of Leithian Canto II|Canto II]], vv. 127-140}}

'''Barahir's outlaws''' was a group of survivors of the sack of [[Dorthonion]] who remained loyal to the exiled [[Barahir]], [[Lord of Ladros]]. They numbered ten, plus Barahir and his son [[Beren]]. They were betrayed by [[Gorlim]], one of their number, in the year {{FA|460}}.

==History==
During the [[Dagor Bragollach]], in the year {{FA|455}}, [[Bregolas]], the [[Lord of Ladros]], was killed and [[Dorthonion]] overrun. His brother [[Barahir]] "the Bold" escaped the destruction of their lands with his son [[Beren]] and a number of companions. He refused to desert the land owned by his fathers, and lived as an outlaw, during which time the servants of [[Morgoth]] whittled his band down to only thirteen counting himself.<ref name="OBaL">[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Christopher Tolkien]] (ed.), ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of Beren and Lúthien]]"</ref>

The surviving companions are named in the ''[[Lay of Leithian]]'' thus:

{{blockquote|Twelve men beside him still there went, still faithful when all hope was spent. Their names are yet in elven-song remembered, though the years are long since doughty [[Dagnir]] and [[Ragnor]], [[Radhruin]], [[Dairuin]], and [[Gildor (outlaw)|Gildor]], [[Gorlim|Gorlim Unhappy]], and [[Urthel]], and [[Arthad]] and [[Hathaldir]] fell; since the black shaft with enomed wound took [[Belegund]] and [[Baragund]], the mighty sons of [[Bregolas]]; since he whose doom and deeds surpass all tales of [[Men]] was laid on bier, fair [[Beren|Beren son of Barahir]].|''[[The Lay of Leithian Recommenced]]'', Canto I, vv. 145-152}}

They made camp in the hidden lake, [[Tarn Aeluin]], and lived in hiding until 460, when Gorlim "the Unhappy" was tricked by [[Sauron]] into thinking that his wife [[Eilinel]] was still alive. In a vain attempt to save her life he went to the dark servant of Morgoth and betrayed the location of Barahir's camp in return for a promise that he and she would be united and set free. Sauron accepted this information gratefully, and then slew Gorlim, revealing that he had tricked him and Eilinel was dead in truth.<ref name="OBaL"/>

Sauron's [[orcs]] entered into Tarn Aeluin and [[Massacre of Tarn Aeluin|slew all they found]], including Barahir. Only Beren escaped the slaughter, for he was out hunting at the time, and, warned by the ghost of Gorlim, returned to find his father and companions all dead. Soon after he fled Dorthonion forever, and it came utterly into darkness.<ref name="OBaL"/>

== Other versions of the legendarium ==
The account found in ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' closely parallels that told in full by the ''[[Lay of Leithian]]''.

{{Outlaws}}

{{references}}

[[Category:Edain]]
[[Category:House of Bëor]]
[[Category:Organizations]]

Barahir's outlaws

2023-11-15T01:45:10Z

Axanturish: I changed the number given for Barahir's outlaws from "ten, plus Barahir and his son Beren" to "eleven, plus Barahir and his sone Beren." This comports with the number of companions listed in both versions of the Lay, which both describe "[t]welve men beside him" and names all twelve. It also comports with the statement in the "History" section of the same page that "the servants of Morgoth whittled" the band to "thirteen."

{{unnamed}}
{{organization infobox
| name=Barahir's outlaws
| image=[[File:Ted Nasmith - At Tarn Aeluin.jpg|250px]]
| caption="At Tarn Aeluin" by [[Ted Nasmith]]
| pronun=
| othernames=
| founded=c. {{FA|455}}
| founder=[[Barahir]]
| purpose=Opposing [[Morgoth]] in [[Dorthonion]]
| members=Barahir, [[Beren]], eleven others
| location=[[Dorthonion]]
| disbanded={{FA|460}}
| notablefor=
}}

{{quote|But still there lived in hiding cold undaunted, Barahir the bold of [[Ladros|land bereaved]], of lordship shorn who once a prince of Men was born and now an outlaw lurked and lay in the [[Taur-nu-Fuin (Dorthonion)|hard heath and woodland gray]] and with him clung his faithful men but [[Beren]] his son and other ten.|''[[Lay of Leithian]]'', [[Lay of Leithian Canto II|Canto II]], vv. 127-140}}

'''Barahir's outlaws''' was a group of survivors of the sack of [[Dorthonion]] who remained loyal to the exiled [[Barahir]], [[Lord of Ladros]]. They numbered eleven, plus Barahir and his son [[Beren]]. They were betrayed by [[Gorlim]], one of their number, in the year {{FA|460}}.

==History==
During the [[Dagor Bragollach]], in the year {{FA|455}}, [[Bregolas]], the [[Lord of Ladros]], was killed and [[Dorthonion]] overrun. His brother [[Barahir]] "the Bold" escaped the destruction of their lands with his son [[Beren]] and a number of companions. He refused to desert the land owned by his fathers, and lived as an outlaw, during which time the servants of [[Morgoth]] whittled his band down to only thirteen counting himself.<ref name="OBaL">[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Christopher Tolkien]] (ed.), ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of Beren and Lúthien]]"</ref>

The surviving companions are named in the ''[[Lay of Leithian]]'' thus:

{{blockquote|Twelve men beside him still there went, still faithful when all hope was spent. Their names are yet in elven-song remembered, though the years are long since doughty [[Dagnir]] and [[Ragnor]], [[Radhruin]], [[Dairuin]], and [[Gildor (outlaw)|Gildor]], [[Gorlim|Gorlim Unhappy]], and [[Urthel]], and [[Arthad]] and [[Hathaldir]] fell; since the black shaft with venomed wound took [[Belegund]] and [[Baragund]], the mighty sons of [[Bregolas]]; since he whose doom and deeds surpass all tales of [[Men]] was laid on bier, fair [[Beren|Beren son of Barahir]].|''[[The Lay of Leithian Recommenced]]'', Canto I, vv. 145-152}}

They made camp in the hidden lake, [[Tarn Aeluin]], and lived in hiding until 460, when Gorlim "the Unhappy" was tricked by [[Sauron]] into thinking that his wife [[Eilinel]] was still alive. In a vain attempt to save her life he went to the dark servant of Morgoth and betrayed the location of Barahir's camp in return for a promise that he and she would be united and set free. Sauron accepted this information gratefully, and then slew Gorlim, revealing that he had tricked him and Eilinel was dead in truth.<ref name="OBaL"/>

Sauron's [[orcs]] entered into Tarn Aeluin and [[Massacre of Tarn Aeluin|slew all they found]], including Barahir. Only Beren escaped the slaughter, for he was out hunting at the time, and, warned by the ghost of Gorlim, returned to find his father and companions all dead. Soon after he fled Dorthonion forever, and it came utterly into darkness.<ref name="OBaL"/>

== Other versions of the legendarium ==
The account found in ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' closely parallels that told in full by the ''[[Lay of Leithian]]''.

{{Outlaws}}

{{references}}

[[Category:Edain]]
[[Category:House of Bëor]]
[[Category:Organizations]]

Barahir's outlaws

2023-11-15T00:51:44Z

Axanturish: /* History */

{{unnamed}}
{{organization infobox
| name=Barahir's outlaws
| image=[[File:Ted Nasmith - At Tarn Aeluin.jpg|250px]]
| caption="At Tarn Aeluin" by [[Ted Nasmith]]
| pronun=
| othernames=
| founded=c. {{FA|455}}
| founder=[[Barahir]]
| purpose=Opposing [[Morgoth]] in [[Dorthonion]]
| members=Barahir, [[Beren]], eleven others
| location=[[Dorthonion]]
| disbanded={{FA|460}}
| notablefor=
}}

{{quote|But still there lived in hiding cold undaunted, Barahir the bold of [[Ladros|land bereaved]], of lordship shorn who once a prince of Men was born and now an outlaw lurked and lay in the [[Taur-nu-Fuin (Dorthonion)|hard heath and woodland gray]] and with him clung his faithful men but [[Beren]] his son and other ten.|''[[Lay of Leithian]]'', [[Lay of Leithian Canto II|Canto II]], vv. 127-140}}

'''Barahir's outlaws''' was a group of survivors of the sack of [[Dorthonion]] who remained loyal to the exiled [[Barahir]], [[Lord of Ladros]]. They numbered ten, plus Barahir and his son [[Beren]]. They were betrayed by [[Gorlim]], one of their number, in the year {{FA|460}}.

==History==
During the [[Dagor Bragollach]], in the year {{FA|455}}, [[Bregolas]], the [[Lord of Ladros]], was killed and [[Dorthonion]] overrun. His brother [[Barahir]] "the Bold" escaped the destruction of their lands with his son [[Beren]] and a number of companions. He refused to desert the land owned by his fathers, and lived as an outlaw, during which time the servants of [[Morgoth]] whittled his band down to only thirteen counting himself.<ref name="OBaL">[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Christopher Tolkien]] (ed.), ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of Beren and Lúthien]]"</ref>

The surviving companions are named in the ''[[Lay of Leithian]]'' thus:

{{blockquote|Twelve men beside him still there went, still faithful when all hope was spent. Their names are yet in elven-song remembered, though the years are long since doughty [[Dagnir]] and [[Ragnor]], [[Radhruin]], [[Dairuin]], and [[Gildor (outlaw)|Gildor]], [[Gorlim|Gorlim Unhappy]], and [[Urthel]], and [[Arthad]] and [[Hathaldir]] fell; since the black shaft with venomed wound took [[Belegund]] and [[Baragund]], the mighty sons of [[Bregolas]]; since he whose doom and deeds surpass all tales of [[Men]] was laid on bier, fair [[Beren|Beren son of Barahir]].|''[[The Lay of Leithian Recommenced]]'', Canto I, vv. 145-152}}

They made camp in the hidden lake, [[Tarn Aeluin]], and lived in hiding until 460, when Gorlim "the Unhappy" was tricked by [[Sauron]] into thinking that his wife [[Eilinel]] was still alive. In a vain attempt to save her life he went to the dark servant of Morgoth and betrayed the location of Barahir's camp in return for a promise that he and she would be united and set free. Sauron accepted this information gratefully, and then slew Gorlim, revealing that he had tricked him and Eilinel was dead in truth.<ref name="OBaL"/>

Sauron's [[orcs]] entered into Tarn Aeluin and [[Massacre of Tarn Aeluin|slew all they found]], including Barahir. Only Beren escaped the slaughter, for he was out hunting at the time, and, warned by the ghost of Gorlim, returned to find his father and companions all dead. Soon after he fled Dorthonion forever, and it came utterly into darkness.<ref name="OBaL"/>

== Other versions of the legendarium ==
The account found in ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' closely parallels that told in full by the ''[[Lay of Leithian]]''.

{{Outlaws}}

{{references}}

[[Category:Edain]]
[[Category:House of Bëor]]
[[Category:Organizations]]

Quest for the Silmaril

2023-10-28T16:09:23Z

Axanturish: /* Carcharoth comes to Doriath */

{{events
| image=[[File:Ted Nasmith - Transformed.jpg|250px]]
| event=Quest for the Silmaril
| othernames=
| location=[[Doriath]], [[Nargothrond]], [[Tol-in-Gaurhoth]], [[Angband]]
| date={{FA|465}}<ref name="GA 178">{{GA|178}}</ref> to {{FA|466}}<ref name="GA 186">{{GA|186}}</ref>
| result=A [[Silmaril]] is retrieved from Angband
| partof=
| participants=[[Beren]], [[Lúthien]], [[Huan]], [[Finrod Felagund]]
| description=
| references=
}}

{{quote|Then [[Beren|he]] drew forth the knife [[Angrist]]; and from the [[Iron Crown|iron claws]] that held it he cut a [[Silmaril]].|Of [[Beren]] in [[The Silmarillion]], ''"[[Of Beren and Lúthien]]"''}}

The '''Quest for the Silmaril''' was the pursuit of [[Beren|Beren Erchamion]] for a [[Silmaril]] from the [[Iron Crown]] of [[Morgoth]] during the [[First Age]]. This was the price set upon Beren by [[Thingol]], King of [[Doriath]], for his daughter [[Lúthien]]'s hand in marriage. Beren was aided in the Quest by Lúthien herself, King [[Finrod Felagund]] of [[Nargothrond]] and [[Huan|Huan the Hound]] of [[Valinor]].

The Quest was immortalised in the Elvish poetic epic, the ''[[Lay of Leithian]]'', and is also told in the [[Of Beren and Lúthien|nineteenth chapter]] of the ''[[Quenta Silmarillion]]''. Moreover, the Quest, and its conception and evolution by author [[J.R.R. Tolkien]], is detailed in the book [[Beren and Lúthien]] (2017), with one of the earliest iterations given in [[The Book of Lost Tales]] as [[The Tale of Tinúviel]].<ref>{{LT2|I}}</ref>

==History==
===Coming of Beren to Doriath===
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Lúthien.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.0|''Lúthien'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
In {{FA|464}} at mid-summer,<ref>{{GA|176}}</ref> Beren, son of [[Barahir]], came into [[Doriath]] and chanced upon [[Lúthien]] — daughter of [[Thingol]], King of [[Doriath]], and [[Melian]] the [[Maia]] — dancing in the woods of [[Neldoreth]]. There, a spell of dumbness fell upon Beren due to Lúthien's great beauty and he spent long wandering in Doriath seeking her. At first spring in {{FA|465}}<ref name="GA 177">{{GA|177}}</ref> Beren spoke to her, calling her Tinúviel, and doom was written for [[Beren|Man]] and [[Lúthien|Elf-maiden]], and the two fell in love with each other.<ref name="GA 177"/> But [[Daeron]] the minstrel reported this to Thingol and Beren was brought to the King in [[Menegroth]]. Before the court of Thingol, Beren declared his love for Lúthien, and in his anger, Thingol set upon Beren a task he deemed impossible: to retrieve a Silmaril from the Iron Crown of Morgoth. Only then would he would allow Beren to receive Lúthien as his bride.<ref name="GA 178"/>

===The Quest Begins===
Departing Doriath and beginning in earnest his Quest, Beren travelled to [[Nargothrond]], seeking the help of [[Finrod Felagund]], who had aforetime sworn an oath to Barahir to come to the aid of his kin in need.<ref name="GA 178"/> Upon hearing Beren's plight, Finrod was dispirited, for he perceived the [[Oath of Fëanor]] to be at work. With ten companions, Beren and Finrod set out for [[Angband]]. By the arts of the Elven-lord, they were disguised as [[Orcs]]. However, in passing [[Tol-in-Gaurhoth]], the company were captured by [[Sauron]].<ref name="GA 180">{{GA|180}}</ref> Thus befell the renowned contest of Finrod and Sauron. The two strove against each other in songs of power, but ultimately, Sauron had the mastery, and, stripping them of their disguises, he held them prisoner in [[Tol-in-Gaurhoth]].<ref name="S Beren">{{S|Beren}}</ref> But being unable to discern their identities or purpose, he sent werewolves to devour them one by one, until only Finrod and Beren were left. When the wolf came for Beren, Finrod put forth all his power, burst his bonds, and slew it with his bare hands, but alas at the cost of his own life. There ended Finrod Felagund, fairest of all the Noldor, his oath to Barahir redeemed at the last.<ref name="GA 180"/> During their confinement, a darkness fell upon the heart of Lúthien, who learned from Melian that Beren was held as Sauron’s captive. Lúthien resolved to go and free him, but Thingol forbade this, and ordered for her to be guarded in a house built for her. But using her magic, she weaved a cloak of enchantment, and escaped from [[Doriath]].<ref name="S Beren"/><ref name="GA 181">{{GA|181}}</ref>

[[File:Anke Eißmann - Beren's Trial.jpeg|250px|thumb|left|upright=1.0|''Beren's Trial'' by [[Anke Eißmann]]]]

===Lúthien meets Huan===
On her journey, Lúthien encountered [[Huan]], the hound of the [[Valar]], who brought her before his masters, [[Celegorm]] and [[Curufin]], two of the [[Sons of Fëanor]].<ref name="S Beren"/> And they were filled with wonder upon seeing her and feigned friendship with her. And Lúthien was glad. But through treachery, she was taken captive. Celegorm intended to take Lúthien as his wife, and for this purpose he sent emissaries to Thingol. For through an alliance with Doriath, Celegorm planned to become the mightiest of the princes of the [[Noldor]];<ref name="GA 181"/> he desired to unite all of the [[Elves]] of Middle-earth under one banner before beginning an assault upon [[Angband]] in the hope of reclaiming the [[Silmarils]]. But Huan took pity on Lúthien, and had grown in friendship with her. Thus, for the first time, Huan spoke, giving her counsel, and freed her from her bondage. He bore her away at speed, and the two came at last to Tol-in-Gaurhoth.

===Sauron defeated===
Sauron was aware of them, and smiled, for he knew a great reward would await him for the capture of the daughter of Melian. So he sent wolves, including the father of werewolves, [[Draugluin]], to the gate, but Huan slew them all. Then Sauron recalled the fate of Huan, foretold long ago in Valinor; that he would be slain by the mightiest wolf ever to walk the world. And Sauron, in his conceit, imagined that he himself could be the one to end Huan. So he took the form of a terrible wolf, and both Lúthien and Huan quailed before him. But, as Sauron advanced, by the power of Lúthien, he was struck by a blinding enchantment of weariness, and Huan took him by the throat. Lúthien demanded he yield the mastery of the tower, lest Huan destroy his mortal form. Sauron yielded, and fled in the form of a terrible vampire.<ref name="S Beren"/> Laying waste to the fortress and freeing many from thraldom, Lúthien found Beren and healed him. United once more, they buried the body of Finrod and departed that place, and Huan returned to the service of Celegorm.

[[File:Anke Eißmann - Death of Finrod Felagund.jpeg|250px|thumb|upright=1.0|''Death of Finrod Felagund'' by [[Anke Eißmann]]]]

===Journey to Angband===
Near Doriath, they were ambushed by Celegorm and Curufin, who knew of Beren's intentions to wrest a Silmaril from Morgoth. Curufin swept Lúthien up but [[Leap of Beren|Beren leapt]] into his saddle,<ref>{{LB|C10}}</ref> and all fell to the ground. In that hour, Huan forsook the two sons of Fëanor, and with the aid of the hound, Beren defeated them. Being humiliated, Curufin shot an arrow at Lúthien, but Beren came in front of her and was struck. Huan pursued the brothers, who fled, and returned with herbs to aid Lúthien in the healing of Beren. They returned to the borders of Doriath, where Beren left Lúthien sleeping, in the care of Huan, and continued his quest. However, Lúthien found him singing the [[Song of Parting]] at the borders of [[Anfauglith]].<ref name="GA 183">{{GA|183}}</ref> Beren sought to discourage Lúthien from continuing the Quest with him, but Huan spoke for the second time, counselling that their fates were now bound together, whether Beren willed it or not. And Beren accepted this. Then by the arts of Lúthien, the two were arrayed in the hame of [[Draugluin]], and the bat-like messenger of Sauron, [[Thuringwethil]]. Together, they passed through untold perils, and, in {{FA|466}}<ref name="GA 184">{{GA|184}}</ref> arrived finally at the [[Gates of Angband]].

===At Angband===
Guarding the gates was a creature of whom no news had yet reached the Noldor: the werewolf [[Carcharoth]]. And he denied them entry and bade them stand. Suddenly some power, descended from divine race, possessed Lúthien, and casting back her raiment she stood forth, radiant and terrible. Lifting up her hand, she commanded Carcharoth to sleep, and he was felled. Then Beren and Lúthien crossed the threshold of Angband, descended the serpentine stairs, and together wrought the greatest deed that has been dared by Elves or Men.<ref name="S Beren"/> For they came to the seat of Morgoth himself in his deepest hall, and it was full of fire and horror. Yet Lúthien was undaunted by Morgoth and began to dance and sing for him in the manner of a minstrel. Her song was of such enchantment and power that all his court fell into a deep sleep. The Silmarils in the Iron Crown suddenly blazed forth, and the burden of the jewels became too much for even the will of Morgoth to bear, for he became drowsy. Then Lúthien sprang into the air and cast her cloak before his eyes, setting upon him a dark dream.<ref name="S Beren"/><ref name="GA 184"/> And Morgoth was cast down in unconscious slumber.

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Lúthien Escapes upon Huan (1998).jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.0|''Lúthien Escapes Upon Huan (1998)'' by Ted Nasmith]]

Then Beren unsheathed [[Angrist|his knife]] and cut a Silmaril from the crown of Morgoth. It did not burn him. It came then to Beren's mind to go beyond his vow and retrieve not one, but ''all three'' Silmarils from Angband. But such was not his fate, for the knife broke, and a shard struck the face of Morgoth. He and his court stirred. Realising their immediate peril, terror unknown came upon Lúthien and Beren, and they fled, heedless and without disguise. Upon reaching the surface, they were ambushed by Carcharoth. Beren raised the Silmaril before the wolf, but Carcharoth desired it and bit off the right hand of Beren.<ref name="GA 185">{{GA|185}}</ref> The jewel seared the wolf's innards, and Carcharoth fled, in agonising pain. In his madness he passed through the [[Girdle of Melian]] into Doriath, for fate, and the power of the Silmaril, drove him.

===Return to Doriath===
With the aid of [[Thorondor]], Lúthien and Beren escaped the reach of Morgoth and came to the outer borders of Doriath. There Beren was nursed to health once more by Lúthien. After tarrying there for a time, they returned to Doriath in the spring of {{FA|466}},<ref name="GA 185"/> and Thingol marvelled to see Beren alive. Then Beren and Lúthien told their tale, and that a Silmaril was yet in his hand. The court of Menegroth was astonished;<ref name="S Beren"/> Thingol's mood was softened, and he perceived the doom of Beren and Lúthien might not be withstood by any power of the world.<ref name="GA 185"/> And, at last, he yielded Lúthien to him, and the two were married before the throne of Thingol.

[[File:Anke Eißmann - The quest fulfilled.jpg|250px|thumb|upright=1.0|''The quest fulfilled'' by [[Anke Eißmann]]]]

===Carcharoth comes to Doriath===
So there may have been peace and joy in Doriath, but Carcharoth was discovered, and a hunting party composed of Thingol, Beren, [[Beleg Cúthalion]], [[Mablung]], and Huan<ref name="GA 186"/> was sent to slay the beast. During the hunt, Thingol was nearly slain, but Beren saved him, at the cost of a mortal wound. Huan then slew Carcharoth, but was himself fatally wounded. Coming to Beren, Huan spoke for the third and final time, bidding him farewell. There died Huan, hound of the Valar.
The Silmaril was cut from Carcharoth's burned flesh, and Beren presented it at last to Thingol, saying "Now the Quest is achieved". Lúthien bade Beren await her [[Aman|beyond the Western Sea]].<ref name="GA 186"/> Looking upon her one last time, Beren died of his wounds, and his spirit found its way into the west, to the shores of the [[Outer Sea]]. Through grief, the spirit of Lúthien fled its body at the first breaking of Spring in {{FA|467}}<ref>{{GA|211}}</ref> and came to the [[Halls of Mandos]]. There she sang a song of such woe, and beauty, and lamentation, that even [[Mandos]] was moved to pity. He summoned Beren's spirit, and there the two were reunited. But it was not within the power of Mandos to change the fates of the [[Children of Ilúvatar]], so he went to [[Manwë]], who sought counsel from [[Eru]] in his innermost thought, where the will of Ilúvatar was revealed to him.

[[File:Carcharoth_Blocks_ Escape_ From_ Angband.webp|250px|thumb|left|''Ambush'' by [[Justin Gerard]]]]

===Lúthien's Choice===
Two choices were put before Lúthien. To remain in Valinor and its eternal bliss, forgetting the griefs of life, but without Beren. For to the Undying Lands, mortals were not permitted to come. The second choice was that she and Beren might return to Middle-earth as mortals, where they would both die a second death. Lúthien chose the latter, forsaking the Undying Lands for the love of Beren. So it came to pass that she and Beren returned to Doriath.<ref name="GA 214">{{GA|214}}</ref>

Many rejoiced at their return, but Melian saw in her daughter's eyes the mortal doom that was there written; she foresaw that a parting beyond the world was now due between mother and daughter. And it is told that no grief has been greater than that of Melian the Maia in that hour.<ref name="GA 214"/> But the Quest was completed; Thingol had received the Silmaril, and Beren and Lúthien had been wedded. The two went to dwell in [[Tol Galen]], in [[Ossiriand]], where their son, [[Dior|Dior Aranel]] was born.<ref name="GA 215">{{GA|215}}</ref> There they lived, to the end of their days. And where their bodies were finally laid to rest, no tale tells.

==Aftermath==

===Nirnaeth Arnoediad===
The Silmaril retrieved from Morgoth's crown brought about considerable changes in Beleriand. The deeds of Beren and Lúthien inspired [[Maedhros]] to create a [[Union of Maedhros|military Union]] against Morgoth,<ref name="S Fifth">{{S|Fifth}}</ref> resulting in the disastrous [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]]. In this battle, many perished, and [[Húrin]], father of [[Túrin Turambar]] and [[Nienor]], was captured by Morgoth.<ref name="GA 240">{{GA|240}}</ref> These events seeded the [[Of Túrin Turambar|tragedies]] that eventually befell the two children of Húrin.<ref name="GA 247">{{GA|247}}</ref>

[[File:Mysilvergreen - The Battle of Unnumbered Tears.jpg|250px|thumb|upright=1.0|''The Battle of Unnumbered Tears'' by [[Mysilvergreen]]]]

===Ruin of Doriath===
A more direct impact was the [[Ruin of Doriath]]. In naming the desire of the Silmaril, Thingol awoke the [[Curse of Mandos]] and became ensnared in the [[Oath of Fëanor]]. Just as Finrod had cautioned Beren, so it came to be. Before long, the [[Sons of Fëanor]] sent messages demanding the return of the jewel. Melian counselled Thingol to give it up, and save Doriath from its doom. But Thingol was angered by the prideful words of the Sons of Fëanor, and since the jewel had been won by the efforts of Beren and Lúthien, he refused. Indeed, his thought turned unceasingly to that jewel, and it came to his mind to combine together the beauty of the Nauglamir with the majesty of the Silmaril. And, he instructed the [[Dwarves of Nogrod]] to reconstruct the [[Nauglamir]] like so. But the Dwarves desired the Silmaril and the Nauglamir for themselves, and they slew Thingol and tried to escape with the treasure after the [[Battle of the Thousand Caves]]. Most of them were slain by Beren and the Elves of [[Ossiriand]] in the [[Battle of Sarn Athrad]] and the Silmaril was returned to Melian. But it did little to soothe her, for she had tasted the bitterness of mortality in full, and she was overcome with grief. So she departed from Middle-earth and returned [[Valinor|into the West]], and the [[Girdle of Melian]] which had fenced Doriath from evil for many long years vanished in her absence.

This was the starting point for the eventual destruction of Doriath by the sons of Fëanor, when they tried to reclaim the Silmaril from [[Dior]], slaying him in the process. They failed however, and the Silmaril was passed to [[Elwing]], daughter of Dior. Eventually the sons of Fëanor, compelled by [[Oath of Fëanor|their oath]], tracked her down, which led to the [[Third Kinslaying|assault]] on the [[Mouths of Sirion]]. Elwing still managed to escape with the Silmaril.

===War of Wrath===
Though Morgoth did not count the missing Silmaril as a great loss, it would soon result in his downfall. Elwing and her husband [[Eärendil]] [[Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath|were guided to Valinor]] by the Silmaril, and there Eärendil pleaded with the [[Valar]] on behalf of [[Children of Ilúvatar|the two kindreds]] to forgive the folly of the Noldor and put an end to the darkness that had grown in the East. The Valar granted his plea. The lone Silmaril was set in the sky as a [[Gil-Estel|star]], and the Valar assembled a mighty host in the [[War of Wrath]], which resulted in the conclusive defeat of Morgoth, and the end of the [[First Age]].

==Legacy==
The Quest of Beren and Lúthien for the Silmaril became one of the greatest tales of the [[Elder Days]] by the [[Third Age]]. It was indirectly referred to in the [[Song of Beren and Lúthien]] sung by [[Aragorn]] to the four [[Hobbits]], [[Frodo]], [[Sam]], [[Merry]], and [[Pippin]] on [[Weathertop]], after leaving [[Bree]] in {{TA|3018}}.<ref>{{FR|Knife}}</ref>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
[[File:Alan Lee - Tevildo and Tinúviel.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.0|"Tevildo and Tinúviel" by [[Alan Lee]]]]
The Quest for the Silmaril forms a key part of [[The Tale of Tinúviel]] as told in the book [[Beren and Lúthien]]. This was one of the earliest stories written by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] (circa 1917<ref name="BLUnnamedIntro">{{BL|Introduction}}</ref>) in his mythology that would later become [[The Book of Lost Tales]].<ref name="BLUnnamedIntro"/> The main story arc is essentially unchanged when compared to that which appears in the [[Quenta Silmarillion]], in that Beren and [[Tinúviel]] (Lúthien) attempt to retrieve a Silmaril from [[Melko]] (Morgoth) in his fortress [[Angamandi]] (Angband). There are however some key differences between the primitive and developed stories. Beren is not a Man in this early tale, but is instead an Elf, more specifically, a ''[[Gnome]]''; the Gnomes would later become the ''[[Noldor]]'' as Tolkien rewrote the mythology. The mistrust of [[Tinwelint]] (Thingol) towards Beren is explained by the perception of the woodland Elves towards the Gnomes of [[Dor-lómin]] as being treacherous creatures. Further, the minstrel [[Dairon]] (Daeron) is the brother of Tinúviel. Beren is set to work in the kitchens of [[Tevildo]], Prince of Cats (later replaced by the Necromancer [[Thû]], who was an early construction of Sauron), after being brought before Melko by a band of orcs who captured him as prisoner. From here was he rescued by Tinúviel who, after befriending Huan of the Dogs, used her magic to free those in thraldom in the castle of Tevildo.<ref>{{BL|Tale}}</ref>

A notable absence in [[The Tale of Tinúviel|this early iteration]] of the Quest is the character of Felagund. Moreover, there is no early incarnation of the two Sons of Fëanor, Celegorm and Curufin. After developing the mythology in later years, Tolkien tied the tale of the Quest together with the events of Nargothrond, thus maturing the story towards the form it takes in the Quenta Silmarillion.

==See also==
*[[Of Beren and Lúthien]], the relevant chapter in ''[[The Silmarillion]]''
*[[Lay of Leithian]]
*[[Beren and Lúthien]]
*[[The Tale of Tinúviel]]

{{references}}
[[Category:Events]]

Quest for the Silmaril

2023-10-28T16:08:31Z

Axanturish: /* Carcharoth comes to Doriath */

{{events
| image=[[File:Ted Nasmith - Transformed.jpg|250px]]
| event=Quest for the Silmaril
| othernames=
| location=[[Doriath]], [[Nargothrond]], [[Tol-in-Gaurhoth]], [[Angband]]
| date={{FA|465}}<ref name="GA 178">{{GA|178}}</ref> to {{FA|466}}<ref name="GA 186">{{GA|186}}</ref>
| result=A [[Silmaril]] is retrieved from Angband
| partof=
| participants=[[Beren]], [[Lúthien]], [[Huan]], [[Finrod Felagund]]
| description=
| references=
}}

{{quote|Then [[Beren|he]] drew forth the knife [[Angrist]]; and from the [[Iron Crown|iron claws]] that held it he cut a [[Silmaril]].|Of [[Beren]] in [[The Silmarillion]], ''"[[Of Beren and Lúthien]]"''}}

The '''Quest for the Silmaril''' was the pursuit of [[Beren|Beren Erchamion]] for a [[Silmaril]] from the [[Iron Crown]] of [[Morgoth]] during the [[First Age]]. This was the price set upon Beren by [[Thingol]], King of [[Doriath]], for his daughter [[Lúthien]]'s hand in marriage. Beren was aided in the Quest by Lúthien herself, King [[Finrod Felagund]] of [[Nargothrond]] and [[Huan|Huan the Hound]] of [[Valinor]].

The Quest was immortalised in the Elvish poetic epic, the ''[[Lay of Leithian]]'', and is also told in the [[Of Beren and Lúthien|nineteenth chapter]] of the ''[[Quenta Silmarillion]]''. Moreover, the Quest, and its conception and evolution by author [[J.R.R. Tolkien]], is detailed in the book [[Beren and Lúthien]] (2017), with one of the earliest iterations given in [[The Book of Lost Tales]] as [[The Tale of Tinúviel]].<ref>{{LT2|I}}</ref>

==History==
===Coming of Beren to Doriath===
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Lúthien.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.0|''Lúthien'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
In {{FA|464}} at mid-summer,<ref>{{GA|176}}</ref> Beren, son of [[Barahir]], came into [[Doriath]] and chanced upon [[Lúthien]] — daughter of [[Thingol]], King of [[Doriath]], and [[Melian]] the [[Maia]] — dancing in the woods of [[Neldoreth]]. There, a spell of dumbness fell upon Beren due to Lúthien's great beauty and he spent long wandering in Doriath seeking her. At first spring in {{FA|465}}<ref name="GA 177">{{GA|177}}</ref> Beren spoke to her, calling her Tinúviel, and doom was written for [[Beren|Man]] and [[Lúthien|Elf-maiden]], and the two fell in love with each other.<ref name="GA 177"/> But [[Daeron]] the minstrel reported this to Thingol and Beren was brought to the King in [[Menegroth]]. Before the court of Thingol, Beren declared his love for Lúthien, and in his anger, Thingol set upon Beren a task he deemed impossible: to retrieve a Silmaril from the Iron Crown of Morgoth. Only then would he would allow Beren to receive Lúthien as his bride.<ref name="GA 178"/>

===The Quest Begins===
Departing Doriath and beginning in earnest his Quest, Beren travelled to [[Nargothrond]], seeking the help of [[Finrod Felagund]], who had aforetime sworn an oath to Barahir to come to the aid of his kin in need.<ref name="GA 178"/> Upon hearing Beren's plight, Finrod was dispirited, for he perceived the [[Oath of Fëanor]] to be at work. With ten companions, Beren and Finrod set out for [[Angband]]. By the arts of the Elven-lord, they were disguised as [[Orcs]]. However, in passing [[Tol-in-Gaurhoth]], the company were captured by [[Sauron]].<ref name="GA 180">{{GA|180}}</ref> Thus befell the renowned contest of Finrod and Sauron. The two strove against each other in songs of power, but ultimately, Sauron had the mastery, and, stripping them of their disguises, he held them prisoner in [[Tol-in-Gaurhoth]].<ref name="S Beren">{{S|Beren}}</ref> But being unable to discern their identities or purpose, he sent werewolves to devour them one by one, until only Finrod and Beren were left. When the wolf came for Beren, Finrod put forth all his power, burst his bonds, and slew it with his bare hands, but alas at the cost of his own life. There ended Finrod Felagund, fairest of all the Noldor, his oath to Barahir redeemed at the last.<ref name="GA 180"/> During their confinement, a darkness fell upon the heart of Lúthien, who learned from Melian that Beren was held as Sauron’s captive. Lúthien resolved to go and free him, but Thingol forbade this, and ordered for her to be guarded in a house built for her. But using her magic, she weaved a cloak of enchantment, and escaped from [[Doriath]].<ref name="S Beren"/><ref name="GA 181">{{GA|181}}</ref>

[[File:Anke Eißmann - Beren's Trial.jpeg|250px|thumb|left|upright=1.0|''Beren's Trial'' by [[Anke Eißmann]]]]

===Lúthien meets Huan===
On her journey, Lúthien encountered [[Huan]], the hound of the [[Valar]], who brought her before his masters, [[Celegorm]] and [[Curufin]], two of the [[Sons of Fëanor]].<ref name="S Beren"/> And they were filled with wonder upon seeing her and feigned friendship with her. And Lúthien was glad. But through treachery, she was taken captive. Celegorm intended to take Lúthien as his wife, and for this purpose he sent emissaries to Thingol. For through an alliance with Doriath, Celegorm planned to become the mightiest of the princes of the [[Noldor]];<ref name="GA 181"/> he desired to unite all of the [[Elves]] of Middle-earth under one banner before beginning an assault upon [[Angband]] in the hope of reclaiming the [[Silmarils]]. But Huan took pity on Lúthien, and had grown in friendship with her. Thus, for the first time, Huan spoke, giving her counsel, and freed her from her bondage. He bore her away at speed, and the two came at last to Tol-in-Gaurhoth.

===Sauron defeated===
Sauron was aware of them, and smiled, for he knew a great reward would await him for the capture of the daughter of Melian. So he sent wolves, including the father of werewolves, [[Draugluin]], to the gate, but Huan slew them all. Then Sauron recalled the fate of Huan, foretold long ago in Valinor; that he would be slain by the mightiest wolf ever to walk the world. And Sauron, in his conceit, imagined that he himself could be the one to end Huan. So he took the form of a terrible wolf, and both Lúthien and Huan quailed before him. But, as Sauron advanced, by the power of Lúthien, he was struck by a blinding enchantment of weariness, and Huan took him by the throat. Lúthien demanded he yield the mastery of the tower, lest Huan destroy his mortal form. Sauron yielded, and fled in the form of a terrible vampire.<ref name="S Beren"/> Laying waste to the fortress and freeing many from thraldom, Lúthien found Beren and healed him. United once more, they buried the body of Finrod and departed that place, and Huan returned to the service of Celegorm.

[[File:Anke Eißmann - Death of Finrod Felagund.jpeg|250px|thumb|upright=1.0|''Death of Finrod Felagund'' by [[Anke Eißmann]]]]

===Journey to Angband===
Near Doriath, they were ambushed by Celegorm and Curufin, who knew of Beren's intentions to wrest a Silmaril from Morgoth. Curufin swept Lúthien up but [[Leap of Beren|Beren leapt]] into his saddle,<ref>{{LB|C10}}</ref> and all fell to the ground. In that hour, Huan forsook the two sons of Fëanor, and with the aid of the hound, Beren defeated them. Being humiliated, Curufin shot an arrow at Lúthien, but Beren came in front of her and was struck. Huan pursued the brothers, who fled, and returned with herbs to aid Lúthien in the healing of Beren. They returned to the borders of Doriath, where Beren left Lúthien sleeping, in the care of Huan, and continued his quest. However, Lúthien found him singing the [[Song of Parting]] at the borders of [[Anfauglith]].<ref name="GA 183">{{GA|183}}</ref> Beren sought to discourage Lúthien from continuing the Quest with him, but Huan spoke for the second time, counselling that their fates were now bound together, whether Beren willed it or not. And Beren accepted this. Then by the arts of Lúthien, the two were arrayed in the hame of [[Draugluin]], and the bat-like messenger of Sauron, [[Thuringwethil]]. Together, they passed through untold perils, and, in {{FA|466}}<ref name="GA 184">{{GA|184}}</ref> arrived finally at the [[Gates of Angband]].

===At Angband===
Guarding the gates was a creature of whom no news had yet reached the Noldor: the werewolf [[Carcharoth]]. And he denied them entry and bade them stand. Suddenly some power, descended from divine race, possessed Lúthien, and casting back her raiment she stood forth, radiant and terrible. Lifting up her hand, she commanded Carcharoth to sleep, and he was felled. Then Beren and Lúthien crossed the threshold of Angband, descended the serpentine stairs, and together wrought the greatest deed that has been dared by Elves or Men.<ref name="S Beren"/> For they came to the seat of Morgoth himself in his deepest hall, and it was full of fire and horror. Yet Lúthien was undaunted by Morgoth and began to dance and sing for him in the manner of a minstrel. Her song was of such enchantment and power that all his court fell into a deep sleep. The Silmarils in the Iron Crown suddenly blazed forth, and the burden of the jewels became too much for even the will of Morgoth to bear, for he became drowsy. Then Lúthien sprang into the air and cast her cloak before his eyes, setting upon him a dark dream.<ref name="S Beren"/><ref name="GA 184"/> And Morgoth was cast down in unconscious slumber.

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Lúthien Escapes upon Huan (1998).jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.0|''Lúthien Escapes Upon Huan (1998)'' by Ted Nasmith]]

Then Beren unsheathed [[Angrist|his knife]] and cut a Silmaril from the crown of Morgoth. It did not burn him. It came then to Beren's mind to go beyond his vow and retrieve not one, but ''all three'' Silmarils from Angband. But such was not his fate, for the knife broke, and a shard struck the face of Morgoth. He and his court stirred. Realising their immediate peril, terror unknown came upon Lúthien and Beren, and they fled, heedless and without disguise. Upon reaching the surface, they were ambushed by Carcharoth. Beren raised the Silmaril before the wolf, but Carcharoth desired it and bit off the right hand of Beren.<ref name="GA 185">{{GA|185}}</ref> The jewel seared the wolf's innards, and Carcharoth fled, in agonising pain. In his madness he passed through the [[Girdle of Melian]] into Doriath, for fate, and the power of the Silmaril, drove him.

===Return to Doriath===
With the aid of [[Thorondor]], Lúthien and Beren escaped the reach of Morgoth and came to the outer borders of Doriath. There Beren was nursed to health once more by Lúthien. After tarrying there for a time, they returned to Doriath in the spring of {{FA|466}},<ref name="GA 185"/> and Thingol marvelled to see Beren alive. Then Beren and Lúthien told their tale, and that a Silmaril was yet in his hand. The court of Menegroth was astonished;<ref name="S Beren"/> Thingol's mood was softened, and he perceived the doom of Beren and Lúthien might not be withstood by any power of the world.<ref name="GA 185"/> And, at last, he yielded Lúthien to him, and the two were married before the throne of Thingol.

[[File:Anke Eißmann - The quest fulfilled.jpg|250px|thumb|upright=1.0|''The quest fulfilled'' by [[Anke Eißmann]]]]

===Carcharoth comes to Doriath===
So there may have been peace and joy in Doriath, but Carcharoth was discovered, and a hunting party composed of Thingol, Beren, [[Beleg Cúthalion]], [[Mablung]], and Huan<ref name="GA 186"/> was sent to slay the beast. During the hunt, Thingol was nearly slain, but Beren saved him, at the cost of a mortal wound. Huan then slew Carcharoth, but was himself fatally wounded. Coming to Beren, Huan spoke for the third and final time, bidding him farewell. There died Huan, hound of the Valar.
The Silmaril was cut from Carcharoth's burned flesh, and Beren presented it at last to Thingol, saying "Now the Quest is achieved". Lúthien bade Beren await her [[Aman|beyond the Western Sea]].<ref name="GA 186"/> Looking upon her one last time, Beren died of his wounds, and his spirit found its way into the west, to the shores of the [[Outer Sea]]. Through grief, the spirit of Lúthien fled its body at the first breaking of Spring in {{FA|467}}<ref>{{GA|211}}</ref> and came to the [[Halls of Mandos]]. There she sang a song of such woe, and beauty, and lamentation, that even [[Mandos]] was moved to pity. He summoned Beren's spirit, and there the two were reunited. But it was not within the power of Mandos to change the fates of the [[Children of Ilúvatar]], so he went to [[Manwë]], who sought counsel from [[Eru]] in his innermost thought, where the will of Ilúvatar was revealed to him.

[[File:Carcharoth_Blocks_ Escape_ From_ Angband.webp|250px|thumb|left|''Carcharoth's Ambush'' by [[Justin Gerard]]]]

===Lúthien's Choice===
Two choices were put before Lúthien. To remain in Valinor and its eternal bliss, forgetting the griefs of life, but without Beren. For to the Undying Lands, mortals were not permitted to come. The second choice was that she and Beren might return to Middle-earth as mortals, where they would both die a second death. Lúthien chose the latter, forsaking the Undying Lands for the love of Beren. So it came to pass that she and Beren returned to Doriath.<ref name="GA 214">{{GA|214}}</ref>

Many rejoiced at their return, but Melian saw in her daughter's eyes the mortal doom that was there written; she foresaw that a parting beyond the world was now due between mother and daughter. And it is told that no grief has been greater than that of Melian the Maia in that hour.<ref name="GA 214"/> But the Quest was completed; Thingol had received the Silmaril, and Beren and Lúthien had been wedded. The two went to dwell in [[Tol Galen]], in [[Ossiriand]], where their son, [[Dior|Dior Aranel]] was born.<ref name="GA 215">{{GA|215}}</ref> There they lived, to the end of their days. And where their bodies were finally laid to rest, no tale tells.

==Aftermath==

===Nirnaeth Arnoediad===
The Silmaril retrieved from Morgoth's crown brought about considerable changes in Beleriand. The deeds of Beren and Lúthien inspired [[Maedhros]] to create a [[Union of Maedhros|military Union]] against Morgoth,<ref name="S Fifth">{{S|Fifth}}</ref> resulting in the disastrous [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]]. In this battle, many perished, and [[Húrin]], father of [[Túrin Turambar]] and [[Nienor]], was captured by Morgoth.<ref name="GA 240">{{GA|240}}</ref> These events seeded the [[Of Túrin Turambar|tragedies]] that eventually befell the two children of Húrin.<ref name="GA 247">{{GA|247}}</ref>

[[File:Mysilvergreen - The Battle of Unnumbered Tears.jpg|250px|thumb|upright=1.0|''The Battle of Unnumbered Tears'' by [[Mysilvergreen]]]]

===Ruin of Doriath===
A more direct impact was the [[Ruin of Doriath]]. In naming the desire of the Silmaril, Thingol awoke the [[Curse of Mandos]] and became ensnared in the [[Oath of Fëanor]]. Just as Finrod had cautioned Beren, so it came to be. Before long, the [[Sons of Fëanor]] sent messages demanding the return of the jewel. Melian counselled Thingol to give it up, and save Doriath from its doom. But Thingol was angered by the prideful words of the Sons of Fëanor, and since the jewel had been won by the efforts of Beren and Lúthien, he refused. Indeed, his thought turned unceasingly to that jewel, and it came to his mind to combine together the beauty of the Nauglamir with the majesty of the Silmaril. And, he instructed the [[Dwarves of Nogrod]] to reconstruct the [[Nauglamir]] like so. But the Dwarves desired the Silmaril and the Nauglamir for themselves, and they slew Thingol and tried to escape with the treasure after the [[Battle of the Thousand Caves]]. Most of them were slain by Beren and the Elves of [[Ossiriand]] in the [[Battle of Sarn Athrad]] and the Silmaril was returned to Melian. But it did little to soothe her, for she had tasted the bitterness of mortality in full, and she was overcome with grief. So she departed from Middle-earth and returned [[Valinor|into the West]], and the [[Girdle of Melian]] which had fenced Doriath from evil for many long years vanished in her absence.

This was the starting point for the eventual destruction of Doriath by the sons of Fëanor, when they tried to reclaim the Silmaril from [[Dior]], slaying him in the process. They failed however, and the Silmaril was passed to [[Elwing]], daughter of Dior. Eventually the sons of Fëanor, compelled by [[Oath of Fëanor|their oath]], tracked her down, which led to the [[Third Kinslaying|assault]] on the [[Mouths of Sirion]]. Elwing still managed to escape with the Silmaril.

===War of Wrath===
Though Morgoth did not count the missing Silmaril as a great loss, it would soon result in his downfall. Elwing and her husband [[Eärendil]] [[Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath|were guided to Valinor]] by the Silmaril, and there Eärendil pleaded with the [[Valar]] on behalf of [[Children of Ilúvatar|the two kindreds]] to forgive the folly of the Noldor and put an end to the darkness that had grown in the East. The Valar granted his plea. The lone Silmaril was set in the sky as a [[Gil-Estel|star]], and the Valar assembled a mighty host in the [[War of Wrath]], which resulted in the conclusive defeat of Morgoth, and the end of the [[First Age]].

==Legacy==
The Quest of Beren and Lúthien for the Silmaril became one of the greatest tales of the [[Elder Days]] by the [[Third Age]]. It was indirectly referred to in the [[Song of Beren and Lúthien]] sung by [[Aragorn]] to the four [[Hobbits]], [[Frodo]], [[Sam]], [[Merry]], and [[Pippin]] on [[Weathertop]], after leaving [[Bree]] in {{TA|3018}}.<ref>{{FR|Knife}}</ref>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
[[File:Alan Lee - Tevildo and Tinúviel.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.0|"Tevildo and Tinúviel" by [[Alan Lee]]]]
The Quest for the Silmaril forms a key part of [[The Tale of Tinúviel]] as told in the book [[Beren and Lúthien]]. This was one of the earliest stories written by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] (circa 1917<ref name="BLUnnamedIntro">{{BL|Introduction}}</ref>) in his mythology that would later become [[The Book of Lost Tales]].<ref name="BLUnnamedIntro"/> The main story arc is essentially unchanged when compared to that which appears in the [[Quenta Silmarillion]], in that Beren and [[Tinúviel]] (Lúthien) attempt to retrieve a Silmaril from [[Melko]] (Morgoth) in his fortress [[Angamandi]] (Angband). There are however some key differences between the primitive and developed stories. Beren is not a Man in this early tale, but is instead an Elf, more specifically, a ''[[Gnome]]''; the Gnomes would later become the ''[[Noldor]]'' as Tolkien rewrote the mythology. The mistrust of [[Tinwelint]] (Thingol) towards Beren is explained by the perception of the woodland Elves towards the Gnomes of [[Dor-lómin]] as being treacherous creatures. Further, the minstrel [[Dairon]] (Daeron) is the brother of Tinúviel. Beren is set to work in the kitchens of [[Tevildo]], Prince of Cats (later replaced by the Necromancer [[Thû]], who was an early construction of Sauron), after being brought before Melko by a band of orcs who captured him as prisoner. From here was he rescued by Tinúviel who, after befriending Huan of the Dogs, used her magic to free those in thraldom in the castle of Tevildo.<ref>{{BL|Tale}}</ref>

A notable absence in [[The Tale of Tinúviel|this early iteration]] of the Quest is the character of Felagund. Moreover, there is no early incarnation of the two Sons of Fëanor, Celegorm and Curufin. After developing the mythology in later years, Tolkien tied the tale of the Quest together with the events of Nargothrond, thus maturing the story towards the form it takes in the Quenta Silmarillion.

==See also==
*[[Of Beren and Lúthien]], the relevant chapter in ''[[The Silmarillion]]''
*[[Lay of Leithian]]
*[[Beren and Lúthien]]
*[[The Tale of Tinúviel]]

{{references}}
[[Category:Events]]

Quest for the Silmaril

2023-10-28T16:08:14Z

Axanturish: /* Carcharoth comes to Doriath */

{{events
| image=[[File:Ted Nasmith - Transformed.jpg|250px]]
| event=Quest for the Silmaril
| othernames=
| location=[[Doriath]], [[Nargothrond]], [[Tol-in-Gaurhoth]], [[Angband]]
| date={{FA|465}}<ref name="GA 178">{{GA|178}}</ref> to {{FA|466}}<ref name="GA 186">{{GA|186}}</ref>
| result=A [[Silmaril]] is retrieved from Angband
| partof=
| participants=[[Beren]], [[Lúthien]], [[Huan]], [[Finrod Felagund]]
| description=
| references=
}}

{{quote|Then [[Beren|he]] drew forth the knife [[Angrist]]; and from the [[Iron Crown|iron claws]] that held it he cut a [[Silmaril]].|Of [[Beren]] in [[The Silmarillion]], ''"[[Of Beren and Lúthien]]"''}}

The '''Quest for the Silmaril''' was the pursuit of [[Beren|Beren Erchamion]] for a [[Silmaril]] from the [[Iron Crown]] of [[Morgoth]] during the [[First Age]]. This was the price set upon Beren by [[Thingol]], King of [[Doriath]], for his daughter [[Lúthien]]'s hand in marriage. Beren was aided in the Quest by Lúthien herself, King [[Finrod Felagund]] of [[Nargothrond]] and [[Huan|Huan the Hound]] of [[Valinor]].

The Quest was immortalised in the Elvish poetic epic, the ''[[Lay of Leithian]]'', and is also told in the [[Of Beren and Lúthien|nineteenth chapter]] of the ''[[Quenta Silmarillion]]''. Moreover, the Quest, and its conception and evolution by author [[J.R.R. Tolkien]], is detailed in the book [[Beren and Lúthien]] (2017), with one of the earliest iterations given in [[The Book of Lost Tales]] as [[The Tale of Tinúviel]].<ref>{{LT2|I}}</ref>

==History==
===Coming of Beren to Doriath===
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Lúthien.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.0|''Lúthien'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
In {{FA|464}} at mid-summer,<ref>{{GA|176}}</ref> Beren, son of [[Barahir]], came into [[Doriath]] and chanced upon [[Lúthien]] — daughter of [[Thingol]], King of [[Doriath]], and [[Melian]] the [[Maia]] — dancing in the woods of [[Neldoreth]]. There, a spell of dumbness fell upon Beren due to Lúthien's great beauty and he spent long wandering in Doriath seeking her. At first spring in {{FA|465}}<ref name="GA 177">{{GA|177}}</ref> Beren spoke to her, calling her Tinúviel, and doom was written for [[Beren|Man]] and [[Lúthien|Elf-maiden]], and the two fell in love with each other.<ref name="GA 177"/> But [[Daeron]] the minstrel reported this to Thingol and Beren was brought to the King in [[Menegroth]]. Before the court of Thingol, Beren declared his love for Lúthien, and in his anger, Thingol set upon Beren a task he deemed impossible: to retrieve a Silmaril from the Iron Crown of Morgoth. Only then would he would allow Beren to receive Lúthien as his bride.<ref name="GA 178"/>

===The Quest Begins===
Departing Doriath and beginning in earnest his Quest, Beren travelled to [[Nargothrond]], seeking the help of [[Finrod Felagund]], who had aforetime sworn an oath to Barahir to come to the aid of his kin in need.<ref name="GA 178"/> Upon hearing Beren's plight, Finrod was dispirited, for he perceived the [[Oath of Fëanor]] to be at work. With ten companions, Beren and Finrod set out for [[Angband]]. By the arts of the Elven-lord, they were disguised as [[Orcs]]. However, in passing [[Tol-in-Gaurhoth]], the company were captured by [[Sauron]].<ref name="GA 180">{{GA|180}}</ref> Thus befell the renowned contest of Finrod and Sauron. The two strove against each other in songs of power, but ultimately, Sauron had the mastery, and, stripping them of their disguises, he held them prisoner in [[Tol-in-Gaurhoth]].<ref name="S Beren">{{S|Beren}}</ref> But being unable to discern their identities or purpose, he sent werewolves to devour them one by one, until only Finrod and Beren were left. When the wolf came for Beren, Finrod put forth all his power, burst his bonds, and slew it with his bare hands, but alas at the cost of his own life. There ended Finrod Felagund, fairest of all the Noldor, his oath to Barahir redeemed at the last.<ref name="GA 180"/> During their confinement, a darkness fell upon the heart of Lúthien, who learned from Melian that Beren was held as Sauron’s captive. Lúthien resolved to go and free him, but Thingol forbade this, and ordered for her to be guarded in a house built for her. But using her magic, she weaved a cloak of enchantment, and escaped from [[Doriath]].<ref name="S Beren"/><ref name="GA 181">{{GA|181}}</ref>

[[File:Anke Eißmann - Beren's Trial.jpeg|250px|thumb|left|upright=1.0|''Beren's Trial'' by [[Anke Eißmann]]]]

===Lúthien meets Huan===
On her journey, Lúthien encountered [[Huan]], the hound of the [[Valar]], who brought her before his masters, [[Celegorm]] and [[Curufin]], two of the [[Sons of Fëanor]].<ref name="S Beren"/> And they were filled with wonder upon seeing her and feigned friendship with her. And Lúthien was glad. But through treachery, she was taken captive. Celegorm intended to take Lúthien as his wife, and for this purpose he sent emissaries to Thingol. For through an alliance with Doriath, Celegorm planned to become the mightiest of the princes of the [[Noldor]];<ref name="GA 181"/> he desired to unite all of the [[Elves]] of Middle-earth under one banner before beginning an assault upon [[Angband]] in the hope of reclaiming the [[Silmarils]]. But Huan took pity on Lúthien, and had grown in friendship with her. Thus, for the first time, Huan spoke, giving her counsel, and freed her from her bondage. He bore her away at speed, and the two came at last to Tol-in-Gaurhoth.

===Sauron defeated===
Sauron was aware of them, and smiled, for he knew a great reward would await him for the capture of the daughter of Melian. So he sent wolves, including the father of werewolves, [[Draugluin]], to the gate, but Huan slew them all. Then Sauron recalled the fate of Huan, foretold long ago in Valinor; that he would be slain by the mightiest wolf ever to walk the world. And Sauron, in his conceit, imagined that he himself could be the one to end Huan. So he took the form of a terrible wolf, and both Lúthien and Huan quailed before him. But, as Sauron advanced, by the power of Lúthien, he was struck by a blinding enchantment of weariness, and Huan took him by the throat. Lúthien demanded he yield the mastery of the tower, lest Huan destroy his mortal form. Sauron yielded, and fled in the form of a terrible vampire.<ref name="S Beren"/> Laying waste to the fortress and freeing many from thraldom, Lúthien found Beren and healed him. United once more, they buried the body of Finrod and departed that place, and Huan returned to the service of Celegorm.

[[File:Anke Eißmann - Death of Finrod Felagund.jpeg|250px|thumb|upright=1.0|''Death of Finrod Felagund'' by [[Anke Eißmann]]]]

===Journey to Angband===
Near Doriath, they were ambushed by Celegorm and Curufin, who knew of Beren's intentions to wrest a Silmaril from Morgoth. Curufin swept Lúthien up but [[Leap of Beren|Beren leapt]] into his saddle,<ref>{{LB|C10}}</ref> and all fell to the ground. In that hour, Huan forsook the two sons of Fëanor, and with the aid of the hound, Beren defeated them. Being humiliated, Curufin shot an arrow at Lúthien, but Beren came in front of her and was struck. Huan pursued the brothers, who fled, and returned with herbs to aid Lúthien in the healing of Beren. They returned to the borders of Doriath, where Beren left Lúthien sleeping, in the care of Huan, and continued his quest. However, Lúthien found him singing the [[Song of Parting]] at the borders of [[Anfauglith]].<ref name="GA 183">{{GA|183}}</ref> Beren sought to discourage Lúthien from continuing the Quest with him, but Huan spoke for the second time, counselling that their fates were now bound together, whether Beren willed it or not. And Beren accepted this. Then by the arts of Lúthien, the two were arrayed in the hame of [[Draugluin]], and the bat-like messenger of Sauron, [[Thuringwethil]]. Together, they passed through untold perils, and, in {{FA|466}}<ref name="GA 184">{{GA|184}}</ref> arrived finally at the [[Gates of Angband]].

===At Angband===
Guarding the gates was a creature of whom no news had yet reached the Noldor: the werewolf [[Carcharoth]]. And he denied them entry and bade them stand. Suddenly some power, descended from divine race, possessed Lúthien, and casting back her raiment she stood forth, radiant and terrible. Lifting up her hand, she commanded Carcharoth to sleep, and he was felled. Then Beren and Lúthien crossed the threshold of Angband, descended the serpentine stairs, and together wrought the greatest deed that has been dared by Elves or Men.<ref name="S Beren"/> For they came to the seat of Morgoth himself in his deepest hall, and it was full of fire and horror. Yet Lúthien was undaunted by Morgoth and began to dance and sing for him in the manner of a minstrel. Her song was of such enchantment and power that all his court fell into a deep sleep. The Silmarils in the Iron Crown suddenly blazed forth, and the burden of the jewels became too much for even the will of Morgoth to bear, for he became drowsy. Then Lúthien sprang into the air and cast her cloak before his eyes, setting upon him a dark dream.<ref name="S Beren"/><ref name="GA 184"/> And Morgoth was cast down in unconscious slumber.

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Lúthien Escapes upon Huan (1998).jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.0|''Lúthien Escapes Upon Huan (1998)'' by Ted Nasmith]]

Then Beren unsheathed [[Angrist|his knife]] and cut a Silmaril from the crown of Morgoth. It did not burn him. It came then to Beren's mind to go beyond his vow and retrieve not one, but ''all three'' Silmarils from Angband. But such was not his fate, for the knife broke, and a shard struck the face of Morgoth. He and his court stirred. Realising their immediate peril, terror unknown came upon Lúthien and Beren, and they fled, heedless and without disguise. Upon reaching the surface, they were ambushed by Carcharoth. Beren raised the Silmaril before the wolf, but Carcharoth desired it and bit off the right hand of Beren.<ref name="GA 185">{{GA|185}}</ref> The jewel seared the wolf's innards, and Carcharoth fled, in agonising pain. In his madness he passed through the [[Girdle of Melian]] into Doriath, for fate, and the power of the Silmaril, drove him.

===Return to Doriath===
With the aid of [[Thorondor]], Lúthien and Beren escaped the reach of Morgoth and came to the outer borders of Doriath. There Beren was nursed to health once more by Lúthien. After tarrying there for a time, they returned to Doriath in the spring of {{FA|466}},<ref name="GA 185"/> and Thingol marvelled to see Beren alive. Then Beren and Lúthien told their tale, and that a Silmaril was yet in his hand. The court of Menegroth was astonished;<ref name="S Beren"/> Thingol's mood was softened, and he perceived the doom of Beren and Lúthien might not be withstood by any power of the world.<ref name="GA 185"/> And, at last, he yielded Lúthien to him, and the two were married before the throne of Thingol.

[[File:Anke Eißmann - The quest fulfilled.jpg|250px|thumb|upright=1.0|''The quest fulfilled'' by [[Anke Eißmann]]]]

===Carcharoth comes to Doriath===
So there may have been peace and joy in Doriath, but Carcharoth was discovered, and a hunting party composed of Thingol, Beren, [[Beleg Cúthalion]], [[Mablung]], and Huan<ref name="GA 186"/> was sent to slay the beast. During the hunt, Thingol was nearly slain, but Beren saved him, at the cost of a mortal wound. Huan then slew Carcharoth, but was himself fatally wounded. Coming to Beren, Huan spoke for the third and final time, bidding him farewell. There died Huan, hound of the Valar.
The Silmaril was cut from Carcharoth's burned flesh, and Beren presented it at last to Thingol, saying "Now the Quest is achieved". Lúthien bade Beren await her [[Aman|beyond the Western Sea]].<ref name="GA 186"/> Looking upon her one last time, Beren died of his wounds, and his spirit found its way into the west, to the shores of the [[Outer Sea]]. Through grief, the spirit of Lúthien fled its body at the first breaking of Spring in {{FA|467}}<ref>{{GA|211}}</ref> and came to the [[Halls of Mandos]]. There she sang a song of such woe, and beauty, and lamentation, that even [[Mandos]] was moved to pity. He summoned Beren's spirit, and there the two were reunited. But it was not within the power of Mandos to change the fates of the [[Children of Ilúvatar]], so he went to [[Manwë]], who sought counsel from [[Eru]] in his innermost thought, where the will of Ilúvatar was revealed to him.

[[File:Carcharoth_Blocks_ Escape_ From_ Angband.webp|250px|thumb|right|''Carcharoth's Ambush'' by [[Justin Gerard]]]]

===Lúthien's Choice===
Two choices were put before Lúthien. To remain in Valinor and its eternal bliss, forgetting the griefs of life, but without Beren. For to the Undying Lands, mortals were not permitted to come. The second choice was that she and Beren might return to Middle-earth as mortals, where they would both die a second death. Lúthien chose the latter, forsaking the Undying Lands for the love of Beren. So it came to pass that she and Beren returned to Doriath.<ref name="GA 214">{{GA|214}}</ref>

Many rejoiced at their return, but Melian saw in her daughter's eyes the mortal doom that was there written; she foresaw that a parting beyond the world was now due between mother and daughter. And it is told that no grief has been greater than that of Melian the Maia in that hour.<ref name="GA 214"/> But the Quest was completed; Thingol had received the Silmaril, and Beren and Lúthien had been wedded. The two went to dwell in [[Tol Galen]], in [[Ossiriand]], where their son, [[Dior|Dior Aranel]] was born.<ref name="GA 215">{{GA|215}}</ref> There they lived, to the end of their days. And where their bodies were finally laid to rest, no tale tells.

==Aftermath==

===Nirnaeth Arnoediad===
The Silmaril retrieved from Morgoth's crown brought about considerable changes in Beleriand. The deeds of Beren and Lúthien inspired [[Maedhros]] to create a [[Union of Maedhros|military Union]] against Morgoth,<ref name="S Fifth">{{S|Fifth}}</ref> resulting in the disastrous [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]]. In this battle, many perished, and [[Húrin]], father of [[Túrin Turambar]] and [[Nienor]], was captured by Morgoth.<ref name="GA 240">{{GA|240}}</ref> These events seeded the [[Of Túrin Turambar|tragedies]] that eventually befell the two children of Húrin.<ref name="GA 247">{{GA|247}}</ref>

[[File:Mysilvergreen - The Battle of Unnumbered Tears.jpg|250px|thumb|upright=1.0|''The Battle of Unnumbered Tears'' by [[Mysilvergreen]]]]

===Ruin of Doriath===
A more direct impact was the [[Ruin of Doriath]]. In naming the desire of the Silmaril, Thingol awoke the [[Curse of Mandos]] and became ensnared in the [[Oath of Fëanor]]. Just as Finrod had cautioned Beren, so it came to be. Before long, the [[Sons of Fëanor]] sent messages demanding the return of the jewel. Melian counselled Thingol to give it up, and save Doriath from its doom. But Thingol was angered by the prideful words of the Sons of Fëanor, and since the jewel had been won by the efforts of Beren and Lúthien, he refused. Indeed, his thought turned unceasingly to that jewel, and it came to his mind to combine together the beauty of the Nauglamir with the majesty of the Silmaril. And, he instructed the [[Dwarves of Nogrod]] to reconstruct the [[Nauglamir]] like so. But the Dwarves desired the Silmaril and the Nauglamir for themselves, and they slew Thingol and tried to escape with the treasure after the [[Battle of the Thousand Caves]]. Most of them were slain by Beren and the Elves of [[Ossiriand]] in the [[Battle of Sarn Athrad]] and the Silmaril was returned to Melian. But it did little to soothe her, for she had tasted the bitterness of mortality in full, and she was overcome with grief. So she departed from Middle-earth and returned [[Valinor|into the West]], and the [[Girdle of Melian]] which had fenced Doriath from evil for many long years vanished in her absence.

This was the starting point for the eventual destruction of Doriath by the sons of Fëanor, when they tried to reclaim the Silmaril from [[Dior]], slaying him in the process. They failed however, and the Silmaril was passed to [[Elwing]], daughter of Dior. Eventually the sons of Fëanor, compelled by [[Oath of Fëanor|their oath]], tracked her down, which led to the [[Third Kinslaying|assault]] on the [[Mouths of Sirion]]. Elwing still managed to escape with the Silmaril.

===War of Wrath===
Though Morgoth did not count the missing Silmaril as a great loss, it would soon result in his downfall. Elwing and her husband [[Eärendil]] [[Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath|were guided to Valinor]] by the Silmaril, and there Eärendil pleaded with the [[Valar]] on behalf of [[Children of Ilúvatar|the two kindreds]] to forgive the folly of the Noldor and put an end to the darkness that had grown in the East. The Valar granted his plea. The lone Silmaril was set in the sky as a [[Gil-Estel|star]], and the Valar assembled a mighty host in the [[War of Wrath]], which resulted in the conclusive defeat of Morgoth, and the end of the [[First Age]].

==Legacy==
The Quest of Beren and Lúthien for the Silmaril became one of the greatest tales of the [[Elder Days]] by the [[Third Age]]. It was indirectly referred to in the [[Song of Beren and Lúthien]] sung by [[Aragorn]] to the four [[Hobbits]], [[Frodo]], [[Sam]], [[Merry]], and [[Pippin]] on [[Weathertop]], after leaving [[Bree]] in {{TA|3018}}.<ref>{{FR|Knife}}</ref>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
[[File:Alan Lee - Tevildo and Tinúviel.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.0|"Tevildo and Tinúviel" by [[Alan Lee]]]]
The Quest for the Silmaril forms a key part of [[The Tale of Tinúviel]] as told in the book [[Beren and Lúthien]]. This was one of the earliest stories written by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] (circa 1917<ref name="BLUnnamedIntro">{{BL|Introduction}}</ref>) in his mythology that would later become [[The Book of Lost Tales]].<ref name="BLUnnamedIntro"/> The main story arc is essentially unchanged when compared to that which appears in the [[Quenta Silmarillion]], in that Beren and [[Tinúviel]] (Lúthien) attempt to retrieve a Silmaril from [[Melko]] (Morgoth) in his fortress [[Angamandi]] (Angband). There are however some key differences between the primitive and developed stories. Beren is not a Man in this early tale, but is instead an Elf, more specifically, a ''[[Gnome]]''; the Gnomes would later become the ''[[Noldor]]'' as Tolkien rewrote the mythology. The mistrust of [[Tinwelint]] (Thingol) towards Beren is explained by the perception of the woodland Elves towards the Gnomes of [[Dor-lómin]] as being treacherous creatures. Further, the minstrel [[Dairon]] (Daeron) is the brother of Tinúviel. Beren is set to work in the kitchens of [[Tevildo]], Prince of Cats (later replaced by the Necromancer [[Thû]], who was an early construction of Sauron), after being brought before Melko by a band of orcs who captured him as prisoner. From here was he rescued by Tinúviel who, after befriending Huan of the Dogs, used her magic to free those in thraldom in the castle of Tevildo.<ref>{{BL|Tale}}</ref>

A notable absence in [[The Tale of Tinúviel|this early iteration]] of the Quest is the character of Felagund. Moreover, there is no early incarnation of the two Sons of Fëanor, Celegorm and Curufin. After developing the mythology in later years, Tolkien tied the tale of the Quest together with the events of Nargothrond, thus maturing the story towards the form it takes in the Quenta Silmarillion.

==See also==
*[[Of Beren and Lúthien]], the relevant chapter in ''[[The Silmarillion]]''
*[[Lay of Leithian]]
*[[Beren and Lúthien]]
*[[The Tale of Tinúviel]]

{{references}}
[[Category:Events]]

File:Carcharoth Blocks Escape From Angband.webp

2023-10-28T15:13:32Z

Axanturish: == Summary == ==Licensing== {{Copyright-permission|Justin Gerard|[https://www.gallerygerard.com/ Official website]|Justin Gerard}} Category:Images by Justin Gerard Category:Images of Beren Category:Images of Lúthien Category:Images of Carcharoth

== Summary ==
==Licensing==
{{Copyright-permission|Justin Gerard|[https://www.gallerygerard.com/ Official website]|Justin Gerard}}

[[Category:Images by Justin Gerard]]
[[Category:Images of Beren]]
[[Category:Images of Lúthien]]
[[Category:Images of Carcharoth]]

Talk:Caranthir

2023-10-27T07:43:43Z

Axanturish: /* Changing main picture of Caranthir */ new section

== Changing main picture of Caranthir ==

May I respectfully suggest that ElfinFen has a better picture of Caranthir, and that it should be used for the main pic on that entry?

[[:Category:Images of Caranthir#/media/File:ElfinFen - Caranthir.jpg|Category:Images of Caranthir#/media/File:ElfinFen - Caranthir.jpg]] [[User:Axanturish|Axanturish]] ([[User talk:Axanturish|talk]]) 07:43, 27 October 2023 (UTC)

File:ElfinFen - Caranthir.jpg

2023-10-27T07:40:43Z

Axanturish: ==Licensing== {{Copyright-permission|ElfinFen|[https://elfinfen.tumblr.com/ ElfinFen on Tumblr]}} [[Category:Images by ElfinFen] Category:Images of Caranthir]

== Summary ==
==Licensing==
{{Copyright-permission|ElfinFen|[https://elfinfen.tumblr.com/ ElfinFen on Tumblr]}}

[[Category:Images by ElfinFen]
[[Category:Images of Caranthir]]]