Today, on Nerd of the Rings, we cover the
greatest love story in the history of Middle-earth. A story so deep and meaningful to the author
himself, that the names are forever etched on the tombstones of JRR Tolkien and his beloved
Edith. Today, we cover Beren and Luthien. A quick note - today’s video is actually
a collaboration with my friend Yoystan over at Men of the West. This weekend, he is releasing a video on Aragorn
and Arwen - a story that is greatly influenced by the story we will cover today. So be sure to check it out! Luthien is born in YT 1200 in the Forest of
Neldoreth, nearly 50 years after her father, Thingol founds the kingdom of Doriath. Her mother is Queen Melian, a maia. To give you an idea of the timeframe this
falls within, this is 100 years of the trees after Morgoth is captured by the valar and
imprisoned. It would be nearly 300 years of the trees
after Luthien’s birth that Morgoth would come to Middle-earth after having stolen the
silmarils. It is said that at the moment of Luthien’s
birth, the Niphredil flower first grew and came to be. This small white flower not only grows in
Doriath, but later in the realm of Lothlorien - where it was thickest on Cerin Amroth - the
very mound where Aragorn and Arwen would be betrothed in the late Third Age. Beren is born in 432 FA in Dorthonion. He is born to his mother Emeldir and father
Barahir, the Lord of Ladros and head of the House of Beor. When he is 23 years old, Morgoth launches
an attack - the Dagor Bragollach, which leaves the plains of Ard-Galen scorched and his home
of Dorthonion in ruins. In the aftermath, his mother leads the refugees
of Dorthonion to Brethil. Meanwhile, her husband and son are joined
by ten of their loyal followers in the highlands of Dorthonion. This group of a dozen men form an outlaw group
who seek to disrupt the plans of Morgoth at every chance they get. They cause great frustration to the Dark Lord
while living at the hidden lake of Tarn Aeluin. Unfortunately, one of their own, Gorlim is
tricked by Sauron into believing his wife, who had died in the Dagor Bragollach, was
still alive. Sauron promises Gorlim that he will be reunited
with his wife should he give him the outlaws. Gorlim betrays his fellow men by revealing
their hidden location and Sauron, thanking him for the information, kills Gorlim, revealing
they shall indeed be reunited - in death. (460FA) Sauron’s orcs are sent to Tarn Aeluin. Beren isn’t there, as he is on a mission
to spy on the forces of Morgoth. Beren has a dream of carrion crows with blood
on their beaks, he then dreams of Gorlim, who comes to him as a wraith. He confesses his treachery to Beren and warns
him that his father and their company is in danger. Beren wakes and makes his way back to Tarn
Aeluin. Beren arrives to find the entire group dead
- and his father’s hand, which had borne the ring of Barahir, having been cut off by
the orcs. Beren raises a cairn over his father’s grave,
swearing an oath of vengeance. He catches up to the orcs at Rivil’s Well,
where he finds the orc captain is holding up Barahir’s hand, boasting of their victory. In this moment, Beren leaps out from hiding
and kills the orc captain, taking his father’s hand and fleeing. For the following four years, Beren wanders
throughout Dorthonion, a lone outlaw doing great deeds against the forces of Morgoth. Eventually, Beren would be forced from his
home, making his way south, he crosses over the Ered Gorgoroth and goes south through
the valley of Dreadful Death. This is no small feat, as the offspring of
Ungoliant dwelt in this land, which even the Noldor avoided at all costs. It is said drinking from the waters of this
land would fill one with madness and despair. Beren finally comes to the forests of Neldoreth
in 464 FA. 'But wandering in the summer in the woods
of Neldoreth he came upon Lúthien, daughter of Thingol and Melian, at a time of evening
under moonrise, as she danced upon the unfading grass in the glades beside Esgalduin. Then all memory of his pain departed from
him, and he fell into an enchantment; for Lúthien was the most beautiful of all the
Children of Ilúvatar. Blue was her raiment as the unclouded heaven,
but her eyes were grey as the starlit evening; her mantle was sewn with golden flowers, but
her hair was dark as the shadows of twilight. As the light upon the leaves of trees, as
the voice of clear waters, as the stars above the mists of the world, such was her glory
and her loveliness; and in her face was a shining light. But she vanished from his sight; and he became
dumb, as one that is bound under a spell, and he strayed long in the woods, wild and
wary as a beast, seeking for her. In his heart he called her Tinúviel, that
signifies Nightingale, daughter of twilight, in the Grey-elven tongue, for he knew no other
name for her. And he saw her afar as leaves in the winds
of autumn, and in winter as a star upon a hill, but a chain was upon his limbs.' Beren and Luthien fall in love and begin meeting
in the woods in secret. However, an elf of Doriath named Daeron discovered
the two. Daeron holds an unreciprocated love for Luthien
and returns to Menegroth to tell King Thingol about Beren. Thingol, angered at the news, orders Beren
to be brought before him. There, Beren reveals to the king his desire
to wed his daughter. Then breaking the silence Thingol said: 'Go
your way therefore! Bring to me in your hand a Silmaril from Morgoth's
crown; and then, if she will, Lúthien may set her hand in yours. Then you shall have my jewel; and though the
fate of Arda lie within the Silmarils, yet you shall hold me generous.' And those that heard these words perceived
that Thingol would save his oath, and yet send Beren to his death; for they knew that
not all the power of the Noldor had availed even to see from afar the shining Silmarils
of Feanor. For they were set in the Iron Crown, and treasured
in Angband above all wealth; and Balrogs were about them, and countless swords, and strong
bars, and unassailable walls, and the dark majesty of Morgoth. But Beren laughed. 'For little price,' he said, 'do Elven-kings
sell their daughters: for gems, and things made by craft. But if this be your will, Thingol, I will
perform it. And when we meet again my hand shall hold
a Silmaril from the Iron Crown; for you have not looked the last upon Beren son of Barahir. Beren leaves Menegroth, making his way to
Nargothrond. There dwells King Finrod Felagund. It was Finrod, the brother of Galadriel, who
gifted Beren’s father Barahir with a ring, while swearing an oath of friendship between
their families. Beren seeks the aid of Finrod in his quest
for a Silmaril and the king, ten years after his gift to Beren’s father, agrees to aid
him - honoring his oath of friendship. As Finrod seeks the help of his people, two
of the Sons of Feanor - Celegorm and Curufin - speak against the mortal man. They succeed in convincing the majority of
the elves of Nargothrond to stay put. Just 10 loyal elves come forth to aid Finrod
and Beren. The King gives his crown to his nephew Orodreth,
who would succeed him should he not return. Through the magic of Finrod, the members of
the company are disguised as orcs. They make their way north, coming to Tol-in-Gaurhoth
(Isle of Werewolves), the fortress of Sauron. Finrod would no doubt have had an intimate
knowledge of the island. Before falling under Morgoth’s dominion,
the fortress was known as Minas Tirith and it was built by Finrod himself. Though their disguises succeed in cloaking
their appearance, their actions would deceive them. Sauron notices this group of a dozen orcs
doesn’t report their activities, as is required of all who pass through Tol-in-Gaurhoth. As the group is brought before Sauron, it
is said that he and Finrod fight with songs of power and while they go back and forth,
in the end, Sauron is the victor. The company is stripped of their disguises
and Sauron demands to know their names and what they are doing in his realm. They all refuse. Sauron takes the elves and one by one, throws
them into pits, where they will be killed by wolves unless they answer his questions. Despite this, not a one would betray their
mission or one another. Meanwhile, back in Doriath, Luthien learns
from her mother, Melian the Maia, that Beren has been imprisoned by Sauron. Luthien goes to Daeron for help, but he once
again turns her in to her father. Thingol imprisons his daughter to prevent
her flight. She is kept in a house within a large beech
tree called Hirilorn in the same forests where she met Beren. There, using her own enchantments, she escapes
and begins traveling toward her love. As she exits the forest, however, she is discovered
by Huan the Hound, who is hunting with Curufin and Celegorm. The pair convince her to go to Nargothrond
with them, but it is a trick. In reality, Celegorm wishes Luthien to be
his wife, and plans to seek her hand from Thingol. Luthien is once again imprisoned. This time in Nargothrond. However, Huan by this time, has come to love
and care for Luthien. Despite the fact that Celegorm is his master,
Huan does what he knows to be right - and helps Luthien to escape, and bearing her to
Tol-in-Gaurhoth. Back at the fortress, Beren and Finrod, now
the only living members of their company of twelve, are attacked by a werewolf of Sauron. Finrod uses the last of his power to break
free of his chains and save Beren from the attacking wolf. He kills the werewolf, but in the process,
is mortally wounded. As Beren mourns the loss of his friend, Luthien
and Huan come to the bridge of Tol-in-Gaurhoth. Sauron sends wolves one by one in order to
capture Luthien, but Huan kills each one in turn, including Draugluin - the first werewolf
of Morgoth. Sauron concludes that his servants are not
up to the task - he must take this fight himself. Sauron takes the form of a great wolf and
fights the hound of valinor. Huan bests the future dark lord, who is forced
to surrender Tol-in-Gaurhoth to Luthien. He once again changes his shape, becoming
a vampire and fleeing to Taur-nu-Fuin. Luthien goes into the tower and frees those
who are being held there. When she finds Beren, he is still mourning
the loss of Finrod. They bury the elven king and leave the dark
fortress, as Luthien destroys the fortress, throwing down it’s towers as they leave
the cursed island. The trio travels south, and as they come to
the borders of Doriath, they are met by Celegorm and Curufin. The brothers have just been banished from
Nargothrond for their actions both against Finrod, and for their capture of Luthien. Curufin grabs Luthien and Celegorm attempts
to trample Beren, but Beren leaps at Curufin, catching him by throat and knocking him off
his horse. As Beren defeats Curufin in single combat,
Celegorm attempts to trample him again. However, Huan stands between beren and defies
his master. Celegorms horse will go nowhere near the great
hound. Beren strips Curufin of his weapons and horse
and allows him to leave, as Luthien will not permit him to be killed. Curufin jumps on his brother’s horse and
grabs Celegorm’s bow, turning and shooting twice at Luthien as they flee. Huan catches one arrow in his teeth, while
Beren leaps in front of the other, getting shot himself in the chest. Huan chases after the elves, but returns with
an herb which Luthien uses to heal Beren. This new crisis behind them, they resume their
trip to Doriath. Beren knows Luthien will be safe within the
realm of her father, under her mother’s magical protection. So, he leaves in secret in the middle of the
night. Despite all he has gone through, he will stop
at nothing to claim a silmaril and marry his love. Beren travels north once again, coming to
Taur-nu-Fuin. However, Huan, bearing Luthien once again,
catches up to Beren. They will take on this task together. Luthien, in much the same manner as Finrod
before, disguises them. Luthien is disguised as Thuringwethil, a messenger
of Morgoth, and Beren is disguised as the deceased werewolf Draugluin. As they come to the very gates of Angband,
they are met by Carcharoth, a werewolf descended from Draugluin. He is suspicious of them, as he had received
word that his father was dead. Before he could act upon these suspicions,
Luthien places him into a deep sleep, and they enter the fortress of the Dark Lord. They come to the very throne room of Morgoth. Morgoth strips Luthien of her disguise, revealing
her true form. She offers to sing for the Dark Lord, who
- being entranced by her, agrees. "Then suddenly she eluded his [Morgoth's]
sight, and out of the shadows began a song of such surpassing loveliness , and of such
blinding power, that he listened perforce." She weaves a song, which places the entire
court into a deep sleep - even Beren, who was still in the form of a wolf. Luthien wakes him, and he makes his way to
Morgoth and cuts a Silmaril from the Iron Crown. Beren decides to take all three silmarils,
but as he is cutting the second, his knife breaks, striking Morgoth in the face. As the court begins to stir, Beren and Luthien
flee. As they come to the Gates of Angband, they
are stopped by an awakened Carcharoth. Beren holds the silmaril out toward the werewolf,
cursing the foul creature. Carcharoth is unaffected by the light and
bites off Beren’s hand, swallowing it and the Silmaril. As silmarils are known to burn those who are
unworthy, the wolf flees, howling in pain. Thorondor, the Lord of the Great Eagles, picks
up Beren and Luthien, bearing them away south to the borders of Doriath. There, Huan meets them and assists Luthien
in healing Beren. Once again, they then return to Thingol’s
domain: "So thou hast returned too - bringing a Silmaril,
beyond doubt, in recompense for all the ill thou hast wrought my land; or an thou hast
not, I know not wherefore thou art here." Then Tinúviel stamped her foot and cried
so that the king and all about him wondered at her new and fearless mood: "For shame,
my father - behold, here is Beren the brave whom thy jesting drove into dark places and
foul captivity and the Valar alone saved from a bitter death. Methinks 'twould rather befit a king of the
Eldar to reward him than revile him." "Nay," said Beren, "the king thy father hath
the right. Lord," said he, "I have a Silmaril in my hand
even now." "Show me then," said the king in amaze. "That I cannot," said Beren, "for my hand
is not here"; and he held forth his maimed arm. Thingol relents and Beren and Luthien are
married - the first ever union of an Elf and a Man. Followed only by Tuor and Idril and Aragorn
and Arwen. They soon discover that Carcharoth is in the
lands of Doriath, wreaking havoc in his agony of the silmaril burning inside him. A group of Thingol, Beren, Huan, Beleg, and
Mablung are hunting the wolf in Esgalduin. When Huan goes ahead to search for Carcharoth,
the wolf avoids the hound and leaps at Thingol. Beren jumps in front of his father-in-law,
spear in hand. Carcharoth bites Beren on the chest, wounding
him deeply. Huan runs out and fights Carcharoth - the
great hound of valinor throwing down and killing the werewolf of Morgoth. “Huan in that hour slew Carcharoth; but
there in the woven woods of Doriath his own doom long spoken was fulfilled, and he was
wounded mortally, and the venom of Morgoth entered into him. Then he came, and falling beside Beren spoke
for the third time with words; and he bade Beren farewell before he died. Beren spoke not, but laid his hand upon the
head of the hound, and so they parted. (Silm)
Mablung and Beleg came hastening to the King’s aid, but when they looked upon what was done
they cast aside their spears and wept. Then Mablung took a knife and ripped up the
belly of the Wolf; and within he was wellnigh all consumed as with a fire, but the hand
of Beren that held the jewel was yet incorrupt. But when Mablung reached forth to touch it,
the hand was no more, and the Silmaril lay there unveiled, and the light of it filled
the shadows of the forest all about them. Then quickly and in fear Mablung took it and
set it in Beren’s living hand; and Beren was aroused by the touch of the Silmaril,
and held it aloft, and bade Thingol receive it. ‘Now is the Quest achieved,’ he said,
'and my doom full-wrought’; and he spoke no more.” Beren dies of his wounds at the age of 34
(466 FA) and is borne back to Menegroth. Luthien, due to her overwhelming grief, lays
herself down and dies. Luthien’s soul travels to the Halls of Mandos. There, she sings a song of her sorrow, which
moves the heart of Mandos so greatly, that the vala grants both her and Beren another
life - a mortal life - together. Thus, the greatest love story of Middle-earth
goes on. They are sent back to Beleriand, where they
live on the island of Tol Galen in the middle of the River Adurant in Ossiriand. There, they would largely stay out of the
affairs of the world. In 470 FA, they would have a son, Dior, who
would become Thingol’s heir to the throne of Doriath. Dior is said to have been on of the fairest
beings to ever live, as in his veins flowed the blood of Elves and Men and through his
grandmother Melian - the blood of the Ainur. Beren would involve himself in the battles
of elves and men just once more. In 502 FA, Thingol is killed by the dwarves
he tasked with merging the Nauglamir with the Silmaril of Beren and Luthien. The dwarves flee east with the Nauglamir,
but they are soon waylaid and the silmaril retaken by the elves. While the Nauglamir is returned to Melian,
the two surviving dwarves return to Nogrod, weaving a tale of lies that Thingol had the
dwarves killed rather than pay them for their craftsmanship. In 503, the Dwarves of Nogrod launch an attack
on Menegroth. They plunder it’s halls and take many treasures,
including the Nauglamir. Melian sends Mablung as a messenger to Beren. Beren and his son Dior gather a group of green-elves
and they attack the Dwarves of Nogrod as they are making their way back to the mountains. They ambush the dwarves at Sarn Athrad and
while most of the dwarves are killed there, some escape and make for the mountains. However, as they come to the slopes of Mount
Dolmed, Ents charge the dwarves - driving them into the forest, from which none would
escape. In the battle, Beren kills the Lord of Nogrod,
who curses the treasure. Beren has all the treasure thrown into the
River Ascar, save the Nauglamir, which he washes and takes back to Tol Galen. There, Luthien would wear it for the rest
of her days. The beauty of the nauglamir, combined with
her own, is said to have made Luthien the fairest beauty east of Valinor. Dior goes to Menegroth, succeeding his grandfather
as King of Doriath. Later that same year, it is believed that
Beren and Luthien died together on Tol Galen. An elf-lord from Ossiriand brings to Dior
the silmaril of his parents, which he takes as a sign that they had passed from the world. In truth it is unknown when Beren and Luthien
died, as no one saw them leave it and there was no grave. In the coming centuries and millennia, their
descendants would number among the most pivotal in Middle-earth, including Elrond, Elros,
and Aragorn. Beren’s final death came at the age of 71,
while Luthien was 3,377. Their dedication to one another having earned
them a further 37 years together in Middle-earth. No other couple in Middle-earth would ever
go through so much to be together. In the end, Luthien is granted the Gift of
Men, as she and Beren journey into the mysterious afterlife that awaits men, together. The story of Beren and Luthien has many ties
with - and parallels to - the story of Aragorn and Arwen. So make sure you check out Men of the West’s
video on the love story of the Third Age when he releases it on Valentine’s Day. As always, I want to say a huge thank you
to my Patreon supporters including Gayle Elizabeth, TomDaBombadil19, skycarcass, SaleemRehman,
Jim Limber Davis, Smorzirk, Matt Schultz, Zetroc, Gimilkhad, Grand Strategy Nerd, and
Debbie. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing
and we’ll see you next time on Nerd of the Rings!
