THE LAY OF LEITHIAN, JRR Tolkien.

7/27/2019 THE LAY OF LEITHIAN, JRR Tolkien.

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THE LAY OF LEITHIAN

1. OF THINGOL IN DORIATH

A king there was in days of od! ere "en yet waked #$on the %o#d his $ower was reared in &a'erns( shade) his hand was o'er gen and gade.

Of ea'es his &rown) his %ante green) his si'er an&es ong and keen* the staright in his sheid was &a#ght) ere %oon was %ade or s#n was wro#ght. In after+day when to the shore of "idde+earth fro% ,ainor the E'en+hosts in %ight ret#rned) and -anners few and -ea&ons -#rned) when kings of Eda%ar went -y in strength of war) -eneath the sky then sti his si'er tr#%$ets -ew when s#n was yo#ng and %oon was new. Afar then in eeriand) in Doriath(s -eeag#ered and) /ing Thingo sat on g#arded throne in %any+$iared has of stone!

there -ery) $ear) and o$a $ae) and %eta wro#ght ike fishes( %ai) -#&ker and &orset) a0e and sword) and gea%ing s$ears were aid in hoard! a these he had and &o#nted s%a) for dearer than a weath in ha) and fairer than are -orn to "en) a da#ghter had he) Lthien.

OF L2THIEN THE ELO,ED

3#&h isso% i%-s no %ore sha r#n on the green earth -eneath the s#n* so fair a %aid no %ore sha -e fro% dawn to d#sk) fro% s#n to sea. Her ro-e was -#e as s#%%er skies) -#t grey as e'ening was her eyes* her %ante sewn with iies fair) -#t dark as shadow was her hair. Her feet were swift as -ird on wing) her a#ghter %erry as the s$ring* the sender wiow) the -owing reed) the fragran&e of a fowering %ead) the ight #$on the ea'es of trees) the 'oi&e of water) %ore than these her -ea#ty was and -issf#ness) her gory and her o'einess.

3he dwet in the en&hanted and whie e'en+%ight yet hed in hand the wo'en woods of Doriath! none e'er thither fo#nd the $ath

#n-idden) none the forest+ea'es dared $ass) or stir the istening ea'es. To north there ay a and of dread) D#ngorthin where a ways were dead in his of shadow -eak and &od* -eyond was Deady Nightshade(s hod in Ta#r+n#+F#in(s fastness gri%) where s#n was si&k and %oon was di%. To 3o#th the wide earth #ne0$ored* to 4est the an&ient O&ean roared) #nsaied and shoreess) wide and wid* to East in $eaks of -#e were $ied) in sien&e foded) %ist+enf#red) the %o#ntains of the o#ter word.

Th#s Thingo in his do'en ha

a%id the Tho#sand 5a'erns ta of "enegroth as king a-ode! to hi% there ed no %orta road.


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eside hi% sat his deathess 6#een) fair "eian) and wo'e #nseen nets of en&hant%ent ro#nd his throne) and s$es were aid on tree and stone! shar$ was his sword and high his he%) the king of -ee&h and oak and e%. 4hen grass was green and ea'es were ong) when fin&h and %a'is s#ng their song)

there #nder -o#gh and #nder s#n in shadow and in ight wo#d r#n fair Lthien the e'en+%aid) dan&ing in de and grassy gade.

OF DAIRON "INI3TREL OF THINGOL

4hen sky was &ear and stars were keen) then Dairon with his fingers ean) as dayight %eted into e'e) a tre%-ing %#si& sweet wo#d wea'e on f#tes of si'er) thin and &ear for Lthien) the %aiden dear.

There %irth there was and 'oi&es -right*

there e'e was $ea&e and %orn was ight* there 7ewe gea%ed and si'er wan and red god on white fingers shone) and eanor and ni$hredi -oo%ed in the grass #nfading sti) whie the endess years of E'en+and roed o'er far eeriand) #nti a day of doo% -efe) as sti the e'en+har$ers te.

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9. OF "ORGOTH : THE 3NARLING OF GORLI"

Far in the Northern his of stone in &a'erns -a&k there was a throne -y fa%e en&ir&ed* there the s%oke in &oiing &o#%ns rose to &hoke the -reath of ife) and there in dee$ and gas$ing d#ngeons ost wo#d &ree$ to ho$eess death a those who strayed -y doo% -eneath that ghasty shade. A king there sat) %ost dark and fe of a that #nder hea'ens dwe. Than earth or sea) than %oon or star %ore an&ient was he) %ightier far in %ind a-ys%a than he tho#ght of Edar or of "en) and wro#ght of strength $ri%e'a* ere the stone

was hewn to -#id the word) aone he waked in darkness) fier&e and dire) -#rned) as he wieded it) -y fire. He (twas that aid in r#in -a&k the essed Rea%s and then fed -a&k to "idde+earth anew to -#id -eneath the %o#ntains %ansions fied with %is-egotten sa'es of hate! death(s shadow -rooded at his gate. His hosts he ar%ed with s$ears of stee and -rands of fa%e) and at their hee the wof waked and the ser$ent &re$t with idess eyes. Now forth they ea$t) his r#ino#s egions) kinding war in fied and frith and woodand hoar. 4here ong the goden eanor

had gea%ed a%id the grass they -ore their -anners -a&k) where fin&h had s#ng and har$ers si'er har$s had wr#ng


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now dark the ra'ens wheeed and &ried a%id the reek) and far and wide the swords of "orgoth dri$$ed with red a-o'e the hewn and tra%$ed dead. 3owy his shadow ike a &o#d roed fro% North) and on the $ro#d that wo#d not yied his 'engean&e fe* to death and thrado% #nder he

a things he doo%ed! the Northern and ay &owed -eneath his ghasty hand.

#t sti there i'ed in hiding &od ;or(s son) arahir the -od) of and -erea'ed and ordshi$ shorn who on&e a $rin&e of "en was -orn) and now an o#taw #rked and ay in the hard heath and woodand grey.

OF THE 3A,ING OF /ING INGLOR FELAGORING3

Twe'e %en -eside hi% sti there went) sti faithf# when a ho$e was s$ent. Their na%es are yet in e'en+song

re%e%-ered) tho#gh the years are ong sin&e do#ghty Dagnir and Ragnor) Radhr#in) Dair#in) and Gidor) Gori%


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and there -y ho#seess Ae#in the h#nted ord and faithf# %en #nder the grey stones %ade their den.

OF GORLI" THE


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to -itter tor%ent he was $#t) to -reak his wi and hi% &onstrain to -#y with treason end of $ain. #t na#ght to the% wo#d he re'ea of arahir) nor -reak the sea of faith that on his tong#e was aid* #nti at ast a $a#se was %ade) and one &a%e softy to his stake)

a darking for% that stoo$ed) and s$ake to hi% of Eiine his wife. B4o#dst tho#)( he said)Bforsake thy ife. who with a few words %ight win reease

for her) and thee) and go in $ea&e) and dwe together far fro% war) friends of the /ingC 4hat wo#dst tho# %oreC( And Gori%) now ong worn with $ain) yearning to see his wife again who% we he weened was aso &a#ght in 3a#ron(s net) aowed the tho#ght to grow) and fatered in his troth. Then straight) haf wiing and haf oath) they -ro#ght hi% to the seat of stone where 3a#ron sat. He stood aone -efor that dark and dreadf# fa&e)

and 3a#ron said! B5o%e) %orta -ase@ 4hat do I hearC That tho# wo#dst dare to -arter with %eC 4e) s$eak fair@ 4hat is thy $ri&eC( And Gori% ow -owed down his head) and with great woe) word on sow word) at ast i%$ored that %er&iess and faithess ord that he %ight free de$art) and %ight again find Eiine the 4hite) and dwe with her) and &ease fro% war against the /ing. He &ra'e no %ore.

The 3a#ron s%ied) and said! BTho# tra@ The $ri&e tho# askest is -#t s%a for trea&hery and sha%e so great@ I grant it s#rey@ 4e) I wait! 5o%e@ 3$eak now swifty and s$eak tr#e@( Then Gori% wa'ered) and he drew haf -a&k* -#t 3a#ron(s da#nting eye there hed hi%) and he dared not ie! as he -egan) so %#st he wend fro% first fase ste$ to faithess end! he a %#st answer as he &o#d) -etray his ord and -rotherhood) and &ease) and fa #$on his fa&e.

Then 3a#ron a#ghed ao#d) BTho# -ase) tho# &ringing wor%@ 3tand #$) and hear %e@ And now drink the $ that I ha'e sweety -ent for thee@ Tho# foo! a $hanto% tho# didst see that I) I 3a#ron %ade to snare thy o'esi&k wits. Na#ght ese was there.

5od (tis with 3a#ron(s wraiths to wed@ Thy Eiine@ 3he is ong sin&e dead) dead) food of wor%s ess ow than tho#. And yet thy -oon I grant thee now! to Eiine tho# soon shat go) and ie in her -ed) no %ore to know of war + or %anhood. Ha'e thy $ay@(

And Gori% then they dragged away) and &r#ey sew hi%* and at ast in the dank %o#d his -ody &ast) where Eiine ong sin&e had aid in the -#rned woods -y -#t&hers sain. Th#s Gori% died an e'i death) and rsed hi%sef with dying -reath) and arahir at ast was &a#ght

in "orgoth(s snare* for set at na#ght -y treason was the an&ient gra&e that g#arded ong that oney $a&e)


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Tarn Ae#in! now a aid -are were se&ret $aths and hidden air.

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. OF EREN 3ON OF ARAHIR : HI3 E35A?EDark fro% the North now -ew the &o#d*

the winds of a#t#%n &od and o#d hissed in the heather* sad and grey Ae#in(s %o#rnf# water ay. B3on eren() then said arahir) BTho# knowst the r#%o#r that we hear of strength fro% the Ga#rhoth that is sent against #s* and o#r food nigh s$ent. On thee the ot fas -y o#r aw to go forth now aone to draw what he$ tho# &anst fro% the hidden few that feed #s sti) and what is new to earn. Good fort#ne go with thee@ In s$eed ret#rn) for gr#dgingy

we s$are thee fro% o#r -rotherhood) so s%a! and Gori% in the wood is ong astray or dead. Farewe@( As eren went) sti ike a kne reso#nded in his heart that word) the ast of his fater that he heard.

Thro#gh %oor and fen) -y tree and -riar he wandered far! he saw the fire of 3a#ron(s &a%$) he heard the how of h#nting Or& and wof a+$row) and t#rning -a&k) for ong the way) -enighted in the forest ay. In weariness he then %#st see$) fain in a -adger+hoe to &ree$) and yet he heard or drea%ed it so near-y a %ar&hing egion go with &ink of %ai and &ash of shieds #$ toward the stony %o#ntain+fieds. He si$$ed then into darkness down) #nti) as %an that waters drown stri'es #$wards gas$ing) it see%ed to hi% he rose thro#gh si%e -eside the -ri% of s#en $oo -eneath dead trees. Their i'id -o#ghs in &od a -reee tre%-ed) and a their -a&k ea'es stirred! ea&h eaf a -a&k and &roaking -ird) whose ne- a go#t of -ood et fa) He sh#ddered) str#gging then&e to &raw thro#gh winding weeds) when far away he saw a shadow faint and grey giding a&ross the dreary ake. 3owy it &a%e) and softy s$ake!

BGori% I was) -#t now a wraith of wi defeated) -roken faith) traitor -etrayed. Go@ 3tay not here@ Awaken) son of arahir) and haste@ For "orgoth(s fingers &ose #$on thy father(s throat* he knows yo#r trysts) yo#r $aths) yo#r se&ret air( Then he re'eaed the de'i(s snare in whi&h he fe) and faied* and ast -egging forgi'eness) we$t) and $assed o#t into darkness. eren woke) ea$ed #$ as one -y s#dden stroke with fire of anger fied. His -ow and sword he seied) and ike the roe hotfoot o(er ro&k and heath he s$ed -efore the dawn. ere day was dead

to Ae#in at ast he &a%e) as the red s#n westward sank in fa%e* -#t Ae#in was red with -ood)


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red were the stones and tra%$ed %#d. a&k in the -ir&hes sat a+row the ra'en and the &arrion+&row* wet were their ne-s) and dark the %eat that dri$$ed -eneath their gri$ing feet. One &roaked! BHa) ha) he &o%es too ate@( BHa) ha@( they answered) Bha@ too ate@( There eren aid his father(s -ones

in haste -eneath a &airn of stones* no gra'e r#ne nor word he wrote o(er arahir) -#t thri&e he s%ote the to$%ost stone) and thri&e ao#d he &ried his na%e. BThy death( he 'owed) BI wi a'enge. Yea) tho#gh %y fate sho#d ead at ast to Ang-and(s gate.( And then he t#rned) and did not wee$! too dark his heart) the wo#nd too dee$. O#y into night) as &od as stone) o'eess) friendess) he strode aone.

Of h#nter(s ore he had no need the trai to find. 4ith itte heed his r#thess foe) sere and $ro#d) %ar&hed north away with -owing o#d

in -raen horns their ord to greet) tra%$ing the earth with grinding feet. ehind the% -od -#t wary went now eren) swift as ho#nd on s&ent) #nti -eside a darking we) where Ri'i rises fro% the fe down into 3ere&h(s reeds to fow) he fo#nd the sayers) fo#nd his foe. Fro% hiding on the hiside near he %arked the% a! tho#gh ess than fear) too %any for his sword and -ow to say aone. Then) &rawing ow as snake in heath) he nearer &re$t. There %any weary with %ar&hing se$t) -#t &a$tains) s$rawing on the grass) drank and fro% hand to hand et $ass their -ooty) gr#dging ea&h s%a thing ra$ed fro% dead -odies. One a ring hed #$) and a#ghed! BNow) %ates)( he &ried Bhere(s %ine@ And I( not -e denied) tho#gh few -e ike it in the and. For I (twas wren&hed it fro% the hand of that sa%e arahir I sew) the ro--er+kna'e. If taes -e tr#e) he had it of so%e e'ish ord) for the ro#ge+ser'i&e of his sword. No he$ it ga'e to hi% + he(s dead. They(re $aro#s) e'ish rings) (tis said* sti for the god I( kee$ it) yea and so eke o#t ny niggard $ay. Od 3a#ron -ade %e -ring it -a&k) and yet) %ethinks) he has no a&k of weightier treas#res in his hoard!

the greater the greedier the ord@ 3o %ark ye) %ates) ye a sha swear the hand of arahir was -are@( And as he s$oke an arrow s$ed fro% tree -ehind) and forward dead &hoking he fe with -ar- in throat* with eering fa&e the earth he s%ote. Forth) then as wofho#nd gri% there ea$t eren a%ong the%. Two he swe$t aside with sword* &a#ght #$ the ring* sew one who gras$ed hi%* with a s$ring -a&k into shadow $assed) and fed -efore their yes of wrath and dread of a%-#sh in the 'aey rang. Then after hi% ike wo'es they s$rang) howing and rsing) gnashing teeth)

hewing and -#rsting thro#gh the heath) shooting wid arrows) sheaf on sheaf) at tre%-ing shade or shaking eaf.


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In fatef# ho#r was eren -orn! he a#ghed at dart and waiing horn* feetest of foot of i'ing %en) tireess on fe and ight on fen) ef+wise in wood) he $assed away) defended -y his ha#-erk grey of dwarfish &raft in Nogrod %ade) where ha%%ers rang in &a'ern(s shade.

As fearess eren was renowned! when %en %ost hardy #$on gro#nd were re&koned fok wo#d s$eak his na%e) foreteing that his after+fa%e wo#d e'en goden Hador $ass or arahir or regoas* -#t sorrow now his heart had wro#ght to fier&e des$air) no %ore he fo#ght in ho$e of ife or 7oy or $raise) -#t seeking so to #se his days ony that "orgoth dee$ sho#d fee the sting of his a'enging stee) ere death he fo#nd and end of $ain! his ony fear was thrado%(s &hain. Danger he so#ght and death $#rs#ed)

and th#s es&a$ed the doo% he wooed) and deeds of -reathess daring wro#ght aone) of whi&h his r#%o#r -ro#ght new ho$e to %any a -roken %an. They whis$ered Beren() and -egan in se&ret swords to whet) and soft -y shro#ded hearts at e'ening oft songs they wo#d sing of eren(s -ow) of Dag%or his sword! how he wo#d go sient to &a%$s and say the &hief) or tra$$ed in his hiding $ast -eief wo#d si$ away) and #nder night -y %ist or %oon) or -y the ight of o$en day wo#d &o%e again. Of h#nters h#nted) sayers sain they sang) of Gorgo the #t&her hewn) of a%-#sh in Ladros) fire in Drn) of thirty in one -atte dead) of wo'es that ye$ed ike rs and fed yea) 3a#ron hi%sef with wo#nd in hand. Th#s one aone fied a that and with fear and death for "orgoth(s fok* his &o%rades were the -ee&h and oak who faied hi% not) and wary things with f#r and fe and feathered wings that sient wander) or dwe aone in hi and wid and waste of stone wat&hed o(er his ways) his faithf# friends.

Yet sedo% we an o#taw ends* and "orgoth was a king %ore strong than a the word has sin&e in song re&orded! dark athwart the and

rea&hed o#t the shadow of his hand) at ea&h re&oi ret#rned again* two %ore were sent for one foe sain. New ho$e was &owed) a re-es kied* 6#en&hed were the fires) the songs were stied) tree feed) heath -#rned) and thro#gh the waste %ar&hed the -a&k host of Or&s in haste. A%ost they &osed their ring of stee ro#nd eren* hard #$on his hee now trod their s$ies* within their hedge of a aid shorn) #$on the edge of death at -ay he stood aghast and knew that he %#st die at ast) or fee the and of arahir) his and -eo'ed. eside the %ere -eneath a hea$ of na%eess stones

%#st &r#%-e those on&e %ighty -ones) forsaken -y -oth son and kin) -ewaied -y reeds of Ae#in.


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In winter(s night the ho#seess North

he eft -ehind) and steaing forth the eag#er of his wat&hf# foe he $assed + a shadow on the snow) a swir of wind) and he was gone) the r#in of Dorthonion) Tarn Ae#in and its water wan)

ne'er again to ook #$on. No %ore sha hidden -owstring sing) no %ore sha sha'en arrows wing) no %ore his h#nted head sha ie #$on the heath -eneath the sky. The Northern stars) whos si'er fire of od "en na%ed the #rning riar) were set -ehind his -a&k) and shone o(er and forsaked! he was gone.

3o#thward he t#rned) and so#th away his ong and oney 7o#rney ay) whie e'er oo%ed -efore his $ath the dreadf# $eaks of Gorgorath. Ne'er had foot of %an %ost -od yet trod those %o#ntains stee$ and &od)

nor &i%-ed #$on their s#dden -rink) when&e) si&kened) eyes %#st t#rn and shrink to see their so#thward &iffs fa sheer in ro&ky $inna&e and $ier down into shadows that were aid -efore the s#n and %oon were %ade. In 'aeys wo'en with de&eit and washed with waters -itter+sweet dark %agi& #rked in g#f and gen* -#t o#t away -eyond the ken of %orta sight the eage(s eye fro% diy towers that $ier&ed the sky %ight grey and gea%ing see afar) as sheen on water #nder star) eeriand) eeriand) the -orders of the E'en+and.

8

. OF THE 5O"ING OF EREN TO DORIATH*


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A -ird in di% Nan E%oth wood tried) and to isten Thingo stood a%aed* then far away he heard a 'oi&e %ore fair than fairest -ird) a 'oi&e as &rysta &ear of note as thread of si'er gass re%ote.

Of fok and kin no %ore he tho#ght*

of errand that the Edar -ro#ght fro% 5#i'Jnen far away) of ands -eyond the sea that ay no %ore he re&ked) forgetting a) drawn ony -y that distant &a ti dee$ in di% Nan E%oth wood ost and -eyond re&a he stood. And there he saw her) fair and fay! Ar+"eian) the Lady grey) as sient as the windess trees) standing with %ist a-o#t her knees) and in her fa&e re%ote the ight of Lrien gi%%ered in the night. No word she s$oke* -#t $a&e -y $a&e) a hating shadow) towards her fa&e forth waked the si'er+%anted king)

ta E# Thingo. In the ring of waiting trees he took her hand. One %o%ent fa&e to fa&e they stand aone) -eneath the weeing sky) whie starit years on earth go -y and in Nan E%oth wood the trees grow dark and ta. The %#r%#ring seas rising and faing on the shore and


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they dwe) or stronghods waed with fear defend #$on his -orders drear) ti ea&h one fas. Yet reigns there sti in Doriath -eyond his wi the Grey /ing and i%%orta K#een. No e'i in their rea% is seen* no $ower their %ight &an yet s#r$ass! there sti is a#ghter and green grass)

there ea'es are it -y the white s#n) and %any %ar'es are -eg#n.

There went now in the G#arded Rea% -eneath the -ee&h) -eneath the e%) there ightfoot ran now on the green the da#ghter of the king and 6#een! of Arda(s edest &hidren -orn in -ea#ty of their e'en+%orn and ony &hid ordained -y -irth to wak in rai%ent of the Earth fro% Those des&ended who -egan -efore the word of Ef and "an.

eyond the -o#nds of Arda far sti shone the Legions) star on star)

%e%orias of their a-o#r ong) a&hie'e%ent of ,ision and of 3ong* and when -eneath their an&ient ight on Earth -eow was &o#dess night) %#si& in Doriath awoke) and there -eneath the -ran&hing oak) or seated in the -ee&h+ea'es -rown) Dairon the dark with ferny &rown $ayed on his $i$es with e'ish art #n-eara-e -y %orta heart. No other $ayer has there -een) no other i$s or fingers seen so skied) (tis said in e'en+ore) sa'e "agor son of F;anor) forgotten har$er) singer doo%ed) who yo#ng when La#rein yet -oo%ed to endess a%entation $assed and in the to%-ess sea was &ast. #t Dairon in his heart(s deight yet i'ed and $ayed -y starit night) #nti one s#%%er+e'e -efe) as sti the e'en har$ers te. Then %erriy his $i$ing thried* the grass was soft) the wind was stied) the twiight ingered faint and &oo in shadow+sha$es #$on the $oo -eneath the -o#ghs of see$ing trees standing sient. A-o#t their knees a %ist of he%o&ks gi%%ered $ae) and ghosty %oths on a&e+wings frai went to and fro. eside the %ere 6#i&kening) ri$$ing) rising &ear the $i$ing &aed. Then forth she &a%e)

as sheer and s#dden as a fa%e of $eeress white the shadows &ea'ing) her %aiden+-ower on white feet ea'ing* and as when s#%%er star arise radiant into darkened skies) her i'ing ight on a was &ast in feeting si'er as she $assed. There now she ste$$ed with e'en $a&e) -ending and swaying in her gra&e) as haf+re#&tant* then -egan to dan&e) to dan&e! in %aes ran -ewidering) and a %ist of white was wreathed a-o#t her whiring fight. 4ind+ri$$es on the water fashed) and tre%-ing eaf and fower were $ashed with dia%ond+dews) as e'er feet

and feeter went her wingd feet.Her ong hair as a &o#d was strea%ing


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a-o#t her ar%s #$ifted gea%ing) as sow a-o'e the trees the "oon in gory of the $eni#de arose) and on the o$en gade its ight serene and &ear was aid. Then s#ddeny her feet were stied) and thro#gh the wo'en wood there thried) haf wordess) haf in e'en+to#nge)

her 'oi&e #$raised in -issf# song that on&e of nightingaes she earned and in her i'ing 7oy had t#rned to heart+enthraing o'einess) #n%arred) i%%orta) sorrowess.

Ir Ithi a%%en Er#&hJn %ene+'Mr sJa dJrie si oth a gaadh asto dMn@ A HMr Annn githonie) e innon i% Tin'ie@

O e'en+fairest Lthien what wonder %o'ed thy dan&es thenC That night what doo% of E'enesse en&hanted did thy 'oi&e $ossessC

3#&h %ar'e sha there %o %ore -e on Earth or west -eyond the 3ea) at d#sk or dawn) -y night or noon or neath the %irror of the %oon@ On Nedoreth was aid a s$e* the $i$ing into sien&e fe) for Dairon &ast his f#te away) #nheeded on the grass it ay) in wonder -o#nd as stone he stood heart+-roken in the istening wood. And sti she sang a-o'e the night) as ight ret#rning into ight #$soaring fro% the word -eow when s#ddeny there &a%e a sow d# tread of hea'y feet on ea'es) and fro% the darkness on the ea'es of the -right gade a sha$e &a%e o#t with hands agro$e) as if in do#-t or -ind) and as it st#%-ing $assed #nder the %oon a shadow &ast -ended and darking. Then fro% on high as ark fas headong fro% the sky the song of Lthien fe and &eased* -#t Dairon fro% the s$e reeased awoke to fear) and &ried in woe! BFee Lthien) ah Lthien go@ An e'i waks in the wood@ Away@( Then forth he fed in his dis%ay e'er &aing her to foow hi%) #nti far off his &ry was di% BAh fee) ah fee now) Lthien( #t sient stood she in the gen #n%o'ed) who ne'er fear had known)

ti fear then seied her) a aone) seeing that sha$e with shagged hair and shadow ong that hated there. Then s#dden she 'anished ike a drea% in dark o-i'ion) a gea% in h#rrying &o#ds) for she had ea$t a%ong the he%o&ks ta) and &re$t #nder a %ighty $ant with ea'es a ong and dark) whose ste% in shea'es #$hed an h#ndred #%-res fair* and her white ar%s and sho#ders -are her rai%ent $ae) and in her hair the wid white roses gi%%ering there) a ay ike s$attered %oonight hoar in gea%ing $oos #$on the foor. Then stared he wid in d#%-ness -o#nd

at sient trees) deserted gro#nd* he -indy gro$ed a&ross the gade to the dark trees( en&ir&ing shade)


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and) whie she wat&hed with 'ei;d eyes) to#&hed her soft ar% in sweet s#r$rise. Like started %oth fro% deathike see$ in s#ness nook or -#shes dee$ she darted swift) and to and fro with nning that e'ish dan&ers know a-o#t the tr#nks of trees she twined a $ath fantasti&. Far -ehind

en&hanted) widered and fororn eren &a%e -#ndering) -r#ised and torn! Esgad#in the e'en+strea%) in whi&h a%id tree+shadows gea% the stars) fowed strong -efore his feet. 3o%e se&ret way she fo#nd) and feet $assed o'er and was seen no %ore) and eft hi% forsaken on the shore. BDarky the s#ndering food ros $ast@ To this %y ong way &o%es at ast + a h#nger and a oneiness) en&hanted waters $itiess.(

A s#%%er waned) an a#t#%n gowed) and eren in the woods a-ode) as wid and wary as a fa#n

that s#dden wakes at r#sting dawn) and fits fro% shade to shade) and fees the -rightness of the s#n) yet sees a steathy %o'e%ents in the wood. The %#r%#ro#s war%th in weathers good) the h#% of %any wings) the &a of %any a -ird) the $attering fa of s#dden rain #$on the trees) the windy tides in eafy seas) the &reaking of the -o#ghs) he heard* -#t not the song of sweetest -ird -ro#ght 7oy or &o%fort to his heart) a wanderer d#%- who dwet a$art* who so#ght #n&easing and in 'ain to hear and see those thinga again! a song %ore fair than nightingae) a wonder in the %oonight $ae.

An a#t#%n waned) a winter aid the withered ea'es in gro'e and gade* the -ee&hes -are were ga#nt and grey) and red their ea'es -eneath the% ay. Fro% &a'ern $ae the %oist %oon eyes the white %ists that fro% earth arise to hide the %orrow(s s#n and dri$ a the grey day fro% ea&h twig(s ti$. y dawn and d#sk he seeks her sti* -y noon and night in 'aeys &hi) nor hears a so#nd -#t the sow -eat on sodden ea'es of his own feet.

The wind of winter winds his horn* the %isty 'ei is rent and torn.

The wind dies* the starry &hoirs ea$ in the sient sky to fires) whose ight &o%es -itter+&od and sheer thro#gh do%es of froen &rysta &ear.

A s$arke thro#gh the darking trees) a $ier&ing gint of ight he sees) and there she dan&es a aone #$n a freeess kno of stone@ Her %ante -#e with 7ewes white &a#ght a the rays of frosted ight. 3he shone with &od and wintry fa%e) as dan&ing down the hi she &a%e) and $assed his wat&hf# sient gae) a gi%%er as of stars a-ae. And snowdro$s s$ang -eneath her feet)

and one -ird) s#dden) ate and sweet) shried as the wayward $assed aong. A froen -rook to -#--ing song


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awoke and a#ghed* -#t eren stood sti -o#nd en&hanted in the wood. Her staright faded and the night &osed o(er the snowdro$s gi%%ering white.

Thereafter on a hio&k green he saw far off the e'en+sheen of shining i%- and 7ewe -right

often and oft on %oonit night* and Dairon(s $i$e awoke hi% on&e %ore) and soft she sang as on&e -efore. Then nigh he stoe -eneath the trees) and hearta&he %inged with hearts+ease.

A night there was when winter died* then a aone she sang and &ried and dan&ed #nti the dawn of s$ring) and &hanted so%e wid %agi& thing that stirred hi%) ti it s#dden -roke the -onds that hed hi%) and he woke to %adness sweet and -ra'e des$air. He f#ng his ar%s to the night air) and o#t he dan&ed #nheeding) feet) en&hanted) with en&hanted feet.

He s$ed towards the hio&k green) the isso% i%-s) the dan&ing sheen* he ea$t #$on the grasy hi his ar%s with o'einess to fi! his ar%s were e%$ty) and she fed* away) away her white feet s$ed. #t as she went he swifty &a%e and &aed her with the tender na%e of nightingaes in e'ish tong#e) that a the woods now in s#dden r#ng! BTin'ie@ Tin'ie@( And &ear his 'oi&e was as a -e* its e&hoes wo'e a -inding s$e! BTin'ie@ Tin'ie@( His 'oi&e s#&h o'e and onging fied one %o%ent stood she) fear was stied* one %o%ent ony* ike a fa%e he ea$ed towards her as she stayed and &a#ght and kissed that efin %aid.

As o'e there woke in sweet s#r$rise the staright tre%-ed in her eyes. A@ Lthien@ A@ Lthien@ %ore fair than any &hid of "en* O@ o'eiest %aid of Efinesse) what %adness does thee now $ossess@ A@ isso% i%-s and shadowy hair and &ha$et of white snowdro$s there* O@ starry diade% and white $ae hands -eneath the $ae %oonight@ 3he eft his ar%s and si$$ed away 7#st at the -reaking of the day.

8

I,

He ay #$on the eafy %o#d) his fa&e #$on earth(s -oso% &od) aswoon in o'erwhe%ing -iss) en&hanted of an e'ish kiss) seeing within his darkened eyes the ight that for no darkness dies) the o'einess that doth not fade)

tho#gh a in ashes &od -e aid. Then foded in the %ists of see$ hi sank into a-ysses -ee$)


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drowned in an o'erwhe%ing grief for $arting after %eeting -rief* a shadow and a fragran&e fair ingered) and waned) and was not there. Forsaken) -arren) -are as stone) the dayight fo#nd hi% &od) aone.

B4here art tho# goneC The day is -are)

the s#night dark) and &od in the air@ Tin'ie) where went thy feetC O wayward star@ O %aiden sweet@ O fower of Efand a too fair for %orta heart@ The woods are -are@ The woods are -are@( he rose and &ried. BEre s$ring was -orn) the s$ring hath died@( And wandering in $ath and %ind he gro$ed as one gone s#dden -ind) who seeks to gras$ the hidden ight with fatering hands in %ore than night.

And th#s in ang#ish eren $aid for that great doo% #$in hi% aid) the deathess o'e of Lthien) too fair for o'e of %orta "en*

and in his doo% was Lthien snared) the deathess in his dying shared* and Fate the% forged a -inding &hain of i'ing o'e and %orta $ain.

eyond a ho$e her feet ret#rned at e'e) whenin the sky there -#rned the fa%e of stars* and in her eyes there tre%-ed the staright of the skies) and fro% her hair the fragran&e fe of e'enfowers in e'en+de.

Th#s Lthien) who% no $#rs#it) no snare) no dart that h#nters shoot) %ight ho$e to win or hod) she &a%e at the sweet &aing of her na%e* and th#s in his her sender hand was inked in far eeriand* in ho#r en&hanted ong ago her ar%s a-o#t his ne&h did go) and genty down she drew to rest his weary head #$on her -reast. A@ Lthien) Tin'ie) why wentest tho# to darking de with shining eyes and dan&ing $a&e) the twiight gi%%ering in thy fa&eC Ea&h day -efore the end of e'e she so#ght hi% o'e) nor wo#d hi% ea'e) #nti the stars were di%%ed) and day &a%e gi%%ering eastward si'er+grey. Then tre%-ing+'eied she wo#d a$$ear and dan&e -efore hi%) haf in fear* there fitting 7#st -efore his feet

she genty &hid with a#ghter sweet! B5o%e@ dan&e now) eren) dan&e with %e@ For fain thy dan&ing I wo#d see. 5o%e@ tho# %#st woo with ni%-er feet) than those who wak where %o#ntains %eet the -itter skies -eyond this rea% of %ar'eo#s %oonit -ee&h and e%.(

In Doriath eren ong ago new art and ore he earned to know* his i%-s were freed* his eyes aight) kinded with a new en&hanted sight* and to her dan&ing feet his feet att#ned went dan&ing free and feet* his a#ghter weed as fro% a s$ring of %#si&) and his 'oi&e wo#d sing

as 'oi&es of those in Doriath where $a'ed with fowers are foor and $ath. The year th#s on to s#%%er roed)


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fro% s$ring to a s#%%erti%e of god.

Th#s feeting fast their short ho#r fies) whie Dairon wat&hes with fiery eyes) ha#nting the goo% of tanged trees a day) #nti at night he sees in the fi&ke %oon their %o'ing feet) two o'ers inked in dan&ing sweet)

two shadows shi%%ering on the green where oney+dan&ing %aid had -een. BHatef# art tho#) O Land of Trees@ "ay fear and sien&e on thee seie@ "y f#te sha fa fro% ide hand and %irth sha ea'e eeriand* %#si& sha $erish and 'oi&es fai and trees stand d#%- in de and dae@(

It see%ed a h#sh had faen there #$on the waiting woodand air* and often %#r%#red Thingo(s fok in wonder) and to their king they s$oke! BThis s$e of sien&e who hath wro#ghtC what we- hath Dairon(s %#si& &a#ghtC It see%s the 'ery -irds sing ow*

%#r%#ress Esgad#in doth fow* the ea'es s&ar&e whis$er on the trees) and so#ndess -eat the wings of -ees@(

This Lthien heard) and there the 6#een her s#dden gan&es saw #nseen. #t Thingo %ar'eed) and he sent for Dairon the $i$er) ere he went and sat #$on his %o#nded seat + his grassy throne -y the grey feet of the K#een of ee&hes) Hiriorn) #$on whose tri$e $iers were -orne the %ightiest 'a#t of ea'es and -o#gh fro% word(s -eginning #nti now. 3he stood a-o'e Esgad#in(s shore) where ong so$es fe -eside the door) the g#arded gates) the $ortas stark of the Tho#sand e&hoing 5a'erns dark. There Thingo sat and heard no so#nd sa'e far off footste$s on the gro#nd* no f#te) no 'o&i&e) no song of -ird) no &hoirs of windy ea'es there stirred* and Dairon &o%ing no word s$oke) sient a%id the woodand fok. Then Thingo said! BO Dairon fair) tho# %aster of a %#si&s rare) O %agi& heart and wisdo% wid) who#e ear nor eye %ay -e -eg#ied) what o%en doth this sien&e -earC 4hat horn afar #$on the air) what s#%%ons do the woods awaitC "ayha$ the Lord Ta'ros fro% his gate and tree+$ro$$ed has) the forest+god)

rides his wid staion goden+shod a%id the tr#%$ets( te%$est o#d) a%id his green+&ad h#nters $ro#d) ea'ing his deer and friths di'ine and e%erad forestsC 3o%e faint sign of his great onset %ay ha'e &o%e #$on the 4estern winds) and d#%- the woods now isten for a &hase that here on&e %ore sha th#ndering ra&e -eneath the shade of %orta trees. 4o#d it were so@ The Lands of Ease hath Ta'ros eft not %any and age) sin&e "orgoth e'i wars did wage) sin&e r#in fe #$on the North and the Gno%es #nha$$y wandered forth. #t if not he) who &o%es or whatC(

And Dairon answered! BHe &o%eth not@ No feet di'ine sha ea'e that shore) where the 3hadowy 3eas( ast s#rges roar)


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ti %any things -e &o%e to $ass) and %any e'is wro#ght. Aas@ the g#est is here. The woods are sti) -#t wait not* for a %ar'e &hi the% hods at the strange deeds they see) -#t kings see not + tho#gh 6#eens) %ay-e) %ay g#ess) and %aidens) %ay-e) know. 4here one want oney two now go@(

B4hither thy ridde $oints is $ain( the king in anger said) B-#t deign to %ake it $ainer@ 4ho is he that earns %y wrathC How waks he free within %y woods a%id %y fok) a stranger to -oth -ee&h and oakC( #t Dairon ooked on Lthien and wo#d he had not s$oken then) and no %ore wo#d he s$eak that day) tho#gh Thingo(s fa&e with wrath was grey. Then Lthien ste$$ed ighty forth! BFar in the %o#ntain+eag#ered North) %y father)( said she) Bies the and that groans -eneath /ing "orgoth(s hand. Then&e &a%e one hither) -ent and worn

in wars and tra'ai) who had sworn #ndying hatred of that king* the ast of ;or(s sons) they sing) and e'en hither far and dee$ within thy woods the e&hoes &ree$ thro#gh the wid %o#ntain+$asses &od) the ast of ;or(s ho#se to hod a sword #n&on6#ered) ne&k #n-owed) a heart -y e'i $ower #n&owed. No e'i needest tho# think or fear of eren son of arahir@ If a#ght tho# hast to say to hi%) then swear to h#rt not fesh or i%-) and I wi ead hi% to thy ha) a son of kings) no %orta thra.( Then ong /ing Thingo ooked on her whie hand nor foot nor tong#e did stir) and "eian) sient) #na%aed) on Lthien and Thingo gaed. BNo -ade nor &hain his i%-s sha %ar( the king then swore. BHe wanders far) and news) %ayha$) he hath for %e) and words I ha'e for hi%) %ay-e@( Now Thingo -ade the% a de$art sa'e Dairon) who% he &aed! B4hat art) that wiardry of Northern %ist hath this i&o%er -ro#ght #sC List@ Tonight go tho# -y se&ret $ath) who knowest a wide Doriath) and wat&h that Lthien + da#ghter %ine) what %adness doth thy heart entwine) what we- fro% "orgoth(s dreadf# has hath &a#ght thy feet and thee enthras@ +

that she -id not this eren fee -a&k when&e he &a%e. I wo#d hi% see@ Take with thee woodand ar&hers wise. Let na#ght -eg#ie yo#r hearts or eyes@(

Th#s Dairon hea'yhearted did) and the woods were fied with wat&hers hid* yet needess) for Lthien that night ed eren -y the goden ight of %o#nting %oon #nto the shore and -ridge -efor her father(s door* and the white ight sient ooked within the waiting $ortas yawning di%.

Downward with gente hand she ed thro#gh &orridors of &ar'en dread

whose t#rns were it -y anterns h#ng of fa%es fro% tor&hes that were f#ng on dragons hewn in the &od stone


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with 7eweed eyes and teeth of -one. Then s#dden) dee$ -eneath the earth the sien&es with si'er %irth were shaken and the roks were ringing) the -irds of "eian were singing* and wide the ways of shadow s$read as into ar&hd has she ed eren in wonder. There a ight

ike day i%%orta and ike night of stars #n&o#ded) shone and gea%ed. A 'a#t of to$ess trees it see%ed) whose tr#nks of &ar'en tones there stood ike towers of and en&hanted wood in %agi& fast for e'er -o#nd) -earing a roof whose -ran&hes wo#nd in endess tra&ery of green it -y so%e eaf+i%$risoned sheen of %oon and s#n) and wro#ght of ge%s) and ea&h eaf h#ng on goden ste%s. Lo@ there a%id i%%orta fowers the nightingaes in shining -owers sang o(er the head of "eian) whie water for e'er dri$$ed and ran fro% fo#ntains in the ro&ky foor.

There Thingo sat. His &rown he wore of green and si'er) and ro#nd his &hair a host in gea%ing ar%o#r fair. Then eren ooked #$on the king and stood a%aed* and swift a ring of e'ish wea$ons he%%ed hi% ro#nd. Then eren ooked #$on the gro#nd) for "eian(s gae had so#ght his fa&e) and daed there droo$ed he in that $a&e) and when the king s$ake dee$ and sow! B4ho art tho# st#%-est hitherC /now that none #n-idden seek this throne and e'er ea'e these has of stone@( no word he answered) fied with dread. #t Lthien answered in his stead! Behod) %y father) one who &a%e $#rs#ed -y hatred ike a fa%e@ Lo@ eren son of arahir@ 4hat need hath he thy wrath to fear) foe of o#r foes) witho#t a friend) whose knees to "orgoth do not -endC(

BLet eren answer@( Thingo said. B4hat wo#dst tho# hereC 4hat hither ed thy wandering feet) O %orta widC How hast tho# Lthien -eg#ied or darest tho# to wak this wood #nasked) in se&retC Reason good (twere -est de&are now if tho# %ay) or ne'er again see ight of day@( Then eren ooked in Lthien(s eyes and saw a ight of starry skies) and then&e was sowy drawn his gae

to "eian(s fa&e. As fro% a %ae of wonder d#%- he woke* his heart the -onds of awe there -#rst a$art and fied with fearess $ride of od* in his gan&e now gea%ed an anger &od. B"y feet hath fate) O king)( he said) Bhere o'er the %o#ntains -eeding ed) and what I so#ght not I ha'e fo#nd) and o'e it is hath here %e -o#nd. Thy dearest treas#re I desire* nor ro&ks nor stee nor "orgoth(s fire nor a the $ower of Efinesse sha kee$ that ge% I wo#d $ossess. For fairer than are -orn to "en A da#ghter hast tho#) Lthien.(

3ien&e then fe #$on the ha* ike gra'en stone there stood they a) sa'e one who &ast her eyes agro#nd)


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and one who a#ghed with -itter so#nd. Dairon the $i$er eant there $ae against a $iar. His fingers frai there to#&hed a f#te that whis$ered not* his eyes were dark* his heart was hot. BDeath is the g#erdon tho# hast earned) O -ase-orn %orta) who hast earned in "orgoth(s rea% to s$y and #rk

ike Or&s that do his e'i work@( BDeath@( e&hoed Dairon fier&e and ow) -#t Lthien tre%-ing gas$ed in woe. BAnd death)( said Thingo) Btho# sho#dst taste) had I not sworn an oath in haste that -ade nor &hain thy fesh sho#d %ar. Yet &a$ti'e -o#nd -y ne'er a -ar) #n&hained) #nfettered) shat tho# -e in ightess a-yrinth endessy that &ois a-o#t %y has $rofo#nd -y %agi& -ewidered and enwo#nd* tho# shat earn the $ower of Efinesse@( BThat %ay not -e@( Lo@ eren s$ake) and thro#gh the king(s words &ody -rake. B4hat are thy %aes -#t a &hain wherein the &a$ti'e -ind is sainC

Twist not thy oaths) O e'ish king) ike faithess "orgoth@ y this ring + the token of a asting -ond that Feag#nd of Nargothrond on&e swore in o'e to arahir) who shetered hi% with shied and s$ear and sa'ed hi% fro% $#rs#ing foe on Northern -attefieds ong ago + death tho# &anst gi'e #nearned to %e) -#t na%es I wi not take fro% thee of -ase-orn) s$y) or "orgoth(s thra@ Are these the ways of Thingo(s haC( ?ro#d are the words) and a there t#rned to see the 7ewes green that -#rned in eren(s ring. These Gno%es had set as eyes of ser$ents twined that %et -eneath a goden &rown of fowers) that one #$hods and one de'o#rs! the -adge that Finrod %ade of yore and Feag#nd his son now -ore. His anger was &hied) -#t itte ess) and dark tho#ghts Thingo did $ossess) tho#gh "eian the $ae eant to his side and whis$ered! BO king) forgo thy $ride@ 3#&h is %y &o#nse. Not -y thee sha eren -e sain) for far and free fro% these dee$ has his fate doth ead) yet wo#nd with thine. O king) take heed@( #t Thingo ooked on Lthien. BFairest of E'es@


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the $eeress 3i%aris* and three aone he %ade and kinded sow in the and of ,aar ong ago) and there in Tn of their own ight they shone ike %ar'eo#s stars at night) in the great Gno%ish hoards of Tn) whie Ginga fowered and ethi(s -oo% yet it the and -eyond the shore

where the 3hadowy 3eas( ast s#rges roar) ere "orgoth stoe the% and the Gno%es seeking their gory eft their ho%es) ere sorrow fe on E'es and "en) ere eren was or Lthien) ere F;anor(s sons in %adness swore their dreadf# oath. #t now no %ore their -ea#ty was seen) sa'e shining &ear in "orgoth(s d#ngeons 'ast and drear. His iron &rown they %#st adorn) and gea% a-o'e Or&s and sa'es fororn) treas#red in He a-o'e a weath) %ore than his eyes* and %ight nor steath &o#d to#&h the%) or e'en gae too ong #$on their %agi&. Throng on throng of Or&s with reddened s&i%itars

en&ir&ed hi%) and %ighty -ars and e'erasting gates and was) who wore the% now a%igst his thras. Then eren a#ghed %ore o#d than they in -itterness) and th#s did say! BFor itte $ri&e do e'en+kings their da#ghters se + for ge%s and rings and things of god@ If s#&h thy wi) thy -idding I wi now f#fi. On eren son of arahir tho# hast not ooked the ast) I fear. Farewe) Tin'ie) starit %aiden@ Ere the $ae winter $ass snowaden) I wi ret#rn) not thee to -#y with any 7ewe in Efinesse) -#t to find %y o'e in o'einess) a fower that grows -eneath the sky.( owing -efore "eian and the king he t#rned) and thr#st aside the ring of g#ards a-o#t hi%) and was gone) and his footste$s faded one -y one in the dark &orridors. BA g#ief# oath tho# sworest) father@ Tho# hast -oth to -ade and &hain his fesh now doo%ed in "orgoth(s d#ngeons dee$ ento%-ed)( said Lthien) and weing tears s$rang in her eyes) and hideo#s fears t&hed at her heart. A ooked away) and ater re%e%-ered that sad day whereafter Lthien no %ore sang. Then &ear in the sien&e the &od words rang of "eian! B5o#nse nning+wise) O king@( she said. BYet if %ine eyes

ose not their $ower) (twere we for thee that eren faied his errantry. 4e for thee) -#t for thy &hid a dark doo% and a wandering wid.(

BI se not to "en those who% I o'e( said Thingo) Bwho% a things a-o'e I &herish* and if ho$e there were that eren sho#d e'er i'ing fare to the Tho#sand 5a'erns on&e %ore) I swear he sho#d not e'er ha'e seen the air or ight of hea'en(s stars again.( #t "eian s%ied) and there was $ain as of far knowedge in her eyes* for s#&h is the sorrow of the wise.

,


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3o days drew on fro% the %o#rnf# day* the rse of sien&e no %ore ay on Doriath) tho#gh Dairon(s f#te and Lthien(s singing -oth were %#te. The %#r%#rs soft awake on&e %ore a-o#t the woods) the waters roar

$ast the great gates of Thingo(s has* -#t no dan&ing ste$ of Lthien fas on t#rf or eaf. For she fororn) where st#%-ed on&e) where -r#ised and torn) with onging on hi% ike a drea%) had eren sat -y the shro#ded strea% Esgad#in the dark and strong) she sat now and %o#rned in a ow song! BEndess ro the waters $ast@ To this %y o'e hath &o%e at ast) en&hanted waters $itiess) a hearta&he and a oneiness.(

The s#%%er t#rns. In -ran&hes ta she hears the $attering raindro$s fa) the windy tide in eafy seas)

the &reaking of the &o#ntess trees* and ongs #n&easing and in 'ain to hear one &aing on&e again the tender na%e that nightingaes were &aed of od. E&ho fais. BTin'ie@ Tin'ie@( the %e%ory is ike a kne) a faint and far+off toing -e! BTin'ie@ Tin'ie@(

BO %other "eian) te to %e so%e $art of what thy dark eyes see@ Te of thy %agi& where his feet are wandering@ 4hat foes hi% %eetC O %other) te %e) i'es he sti treading the desert and the hiC Do s#n and %oon a-o'e hi% shine) do the rains fa on hi%) %other %ineC(

BNay) Lthien %y &hid) I fear he i'es indeed in -ondage drear. The Lord of 4o'es hath $risons dark) &hains and en&hant%ents &r#e and stark) there tra$$ed and -o#nd and ang#ishing now eren drea%s that tho# dost sing.(

BThen I aone %#st go to hi% and dare the dread in d#ngeons di%* for none there -e that wi hi% aid in a the word) sa'e e'en+%aid whose ony ski were 7oy and song) and -oth ha'e faied and eft her ong.(

And no#ght said "eian thereto) tho#gh wid the words. 3he we$t anew) and ran thro#gh the woods ike h#nted deer with her hair strea%ing and eyes of fear. Dairon she fo#nd with ferny &rown sienty sitting on -ee&h+ea'es -rown. On the earth she &ast her at his side. BO Dairon) Dairon) %y tears)( she &ried) Bnow $ity for o#r od days( sake@ "ake %e a %#si& for heart(s a&he) for heart(s des$air) and for heart(s dread) for ight gone dark and a#ghter dead@(

B#t for %#si& dead there is no note)( Dairon answered) and at his throat his fingers t&hed. Yet his $i$e he took)

and sady tre%-ing the %#si& shook* and a things stayed whie that $i$ing went waiing in the hoows) and there intent


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they istened) their -#siness and %irth) their hearts( gadness and the ight of earth forgotten* and -ird+'oi&es faied whie Dairon(s f#te in Doriath waied. Lthien we$t not for 'ery $ain) and when he &eased she s$oke again! B"y friend) I ha'e a need of friends) as he who a ong dark 7o#rney wends)

and fears the road) yet dare not t#rn and ook -a&k where the &andes -#rn in windows he has eft. The night in front) he do#-ts to find the ight that far -eyond the his he seeks.( And th#s of "eian(s words she s$eaks) and of her doo% and her desire to &i%- the %o#ntains) and the fire and r#in of the Northern rea% to dare) a %aiden witho#t he% or sword) or strength of hardy i%-) where %agi& fo#nders and grows di%. His aid she so#ght to g#ide her forth and find the $athways to the North) if he wo#d not for o'e of her go -y her side a wanderer.

B4herefore)( said he) Bsho#d Dairon go into direst $eri earth doth know for the sake of %orta who did stea his a#ghter and 7oyC No o'e I fee for eren son of arahir) nor wee$ for hi% in d#ngeons drear) who in this wood ha'e &hains enow) hea'y and dark. #t thee) I wow) I wi defend fro% $eris fe and deady wandering into he.(

No %ore they s$ake that day) and she $er&ei'ed not his %eaning. 3orrowf#y she thanked hi%) and she eft hi% there. A tree she &i%-ed) ti the -right air a-o'e the woods her dark hair -ew) and straining afar her eyes &o#d 'iew the o#tine grey and faint and ow of diy towers where the &o#ds go) the so#thern fa&es %o#nting sheer in ro&ky $inna&e and $ier of 3hadowy "o#ntains $ae and &od* and wide the ands -efore the% roed. #t straightway Dairon so#ght the king and tod hi% his da#ghter(s $ondering) and how her %adness %ight her ead to r#in) #ness the king ga'e heed. Thingo was wroth) and yet a%aed* in onder and haf fear he gaed on Dairon and said! BTr#e hast tho# -een. Now e'er sha o'e -e #s -etween) whie Doriath asts* within this rea% tho# art a $rin&e of -ee&h and e%@(

He sent for Lthien) and said! BO %aiden fair) what hath thee ed to $onder %adness and des$air to wander r#in) and to fare fro% Doriath agains %y wi) steaing ike a wid thing %en wo#d ki into the e%$tiness o#tsideC( BThe wisdo%) father)( she re$ied* nor wo#d she $ro%ise to forget) nor wo#d she 'ow for o'e or threat her foy to forsake and %eek in Doriath her father(s wi to seek. This ony 'owed she) if go she %#st) that none -#t hersef wo#d she now tr#st) no fok of her father(s wo#d $ers#ade to -reak his wi or end her aid*

if go she %#st) she wo#d go aone and friendess dare the was of stone.


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In angry o'e and haf in fear Thingo took &o#nse in his %ost dear to g#ard and kee$. He wo#d not -ind in &a'erns dee$ and intertwined sweet Lthien) his o'ey %aid) who ro--ed of air %#st wane and fade) who e'er %#st ook #$onthe sky and see the s#n and %oon go -y.

#t &ose #nto his %o#nded seat and grassy throne there ran the feet of Hirirorn) the -ee&hen 6#een.


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and there in onging -owed her head) and yearned for freedo% and es&a$e.

Now Lthien doth her &o#nse sha$e* and "eian(s da#ghter of dee$ ore knew %any things) yea) %agi&s %ore than then or now know e'en+%aids that gint and shi%%er in the gades.

3he $ondered ong) whie the %oon sank and faded) and the staright shrank) and the dawn o$ened. At ast a s%ie on her fa&e fi&kered. 3he %#sed a whie) and wat&hed the %orning s#night grow) then &aed to those that waked -eow. And when one &i%-ed to her she $rayed that he wo#d in the dark $oos wade af &od Esgad#in) water &ear) the &earest water &od and sheer to draw for her. BAt %idde night)( she said) Bin -ow of si'er white it %#st -e drawn and -ro#ght to %e with no word s$oked) sienty.( Another she -egged to -ring her wine in a 7ag of god where fowers twine +

Band singing et hi% &o%e to %e at high noon) singing %erriy.( Again she s$ake! BNow go) I $ray) to "eian the 6#een) and say! thy da#ghter %any a weary ho#r sow $assing wat&hes in her -ower* a s$inning+whee she -egs thee send.( Then Dairon she &aed! BI $rithee) friend) &i%- #$ and tak to Lthien@( And sitting at her window then) she said! B"y Dairon) tho# hast &raft) -eside thy %#si&) %any a shaft and %any a too of &ar'en wood to fashion with nning. It were good) if tho# wo#dst %ake a itte oo% to stand in the &orner of %y roo%. "y ide fingers wo#d s$in and wea'e a $attern of &oo#rs) of %orn and e'e) of s#n and %oon and &hanging ight a%id the -ee&h+ea'es wa'ing -right.( This Dairon did and asked her then! BO Lthien) O Lthien) 4hat wit tho# wea'eC 4hat wit tho# s$inC( BA %ar'eo#s thread) and wind therin a $otent %agi&) and a s$e I wi wea'e within %y we- that he nor a the $owers of Dread wi -reak.( Then Dairon wondered) -#t he s$ake no word to Thingo) tho#gh his heart feared the dark $#r$ose of her art.

And Lthien now was eft aone. A %agi& song to "en #nknown

she sang) and singing then the wine with water %inged three ti%es nine* and as in goden 7ar they ay she sang a song of groth and day* and as they ay in si'er white another song she sang) of night and darkness witho#t end) of height #$ifted to the stars) and fight and freedo%. And a the na%es of things taest and ongest on earth she sings! the o&ks of the Long-eard dwar'es* the tai of Dra#g#in the werewof $ae* the -ody of G%#nd the great snake* the 'ast #$soaring $eaks that 6#ake a-o'e the fiers in Ang-and(s goo%* the &hain Angainor that ere Doo%

for "orgoth sha -y gods -e wro#ght of stee and tor%ent. Na%es she so#ght) and sang of Gend the sword of Nan*


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of Gi%i the giant of Er#%an* and ast and ongest na%ed she then the endess hair of

THE LAY OF LEITHIAN, JRR Tolkien.

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