Chapter 2: Lúthien's Capture

The season waned and autumn came with a harsh whisper of fell deeds from the north, but Lúthien heeded them not. No longer did she sing under the stars for they were veiled and long she sat by her fire and gazed upon it in silence. But one night a great wind blew out of the north and with it came storm clouds of Morgoth that flickered with lightening and sent great torrents of rain down to torment the earth. Lúthien lingered by the window and gazed out upon the fury of the great storm, but then she turned and sat by the hearth where her fire glimmered with a bright light as if in mockery of Morgoth's designs.

And Lúthien fell then into a deep slumber, but her dreams were troubled and it seemed to her that she saw Beren surrounded by wolves, defending the slain form of Dior, and about them a storm raged. And as Beren himself was slain, he cried aloud a single word, "Tinúviel," before he fell beneath the monsters that had been sent to waylay him and had completed at last their deadly work.

A sudden sound woke Lúthien from her dreadful dreams and, rousing herself, she looked about in fear and bewilderment, but then the sound came again and she knew it to be a knock at the door. But she was cautious and the dream was still heavy upon her so she opened the door but a little, fearing that it was some fell servant of Morgoth sent to catch her even as they had caught Beren in her dream.

But she saw standing there no monster, but a living man, weary as from long journeying and wet from the fierce storm. Old he seemed for his matted hair was grey and his back was bent. Grey was his raiment as well and tattered so that it gave him but little protection from the storm. Trembling he stood, cold and weary, but the glint of his eyes was of one with a proud spirit that is not easily bent to another's will. As the light of Lúthien's fire fell across his face, he looked up upon the glory of the elven maid, and spoke in a voice aged and hoarse. "Long have I wandered without food or rest and this storm should be the death of me, if I am not permitted to find comfort, however brief it may be. And so I beg you to allow me a respite from this cruel weather."

Lúthien perceived that he was old and hungry, yet proud and strong, and a small flicker of doubt came across her mind, thinking that here might be a servant of the Enemy indeed, but her own power was very great and she thought to herself that he could not overcome her in such a state as he was in so she opened wide the door and he came slowly in and seated himself close by the fire to warm himself. But as Lúthien turned to close the door, she did not see that the fire leapt up before the stranger as a dog leaps up before its master.

Turning then, Lúthien sought out food and drink for the comfort of the stranger and bade him eat with a smile and he, taking the proffered gifts, smiled and thanked her. And then she sat close by, solemn and still, waiting for him to finish so that she might question him. And when he was done, she turned her elven gaze to his eyes and asked of him, "What is your name and what brings you, wandering, to Tol Galen, which is far indeed from any dwellings of Men."

And he answered her straight ways, saying. "My name is Halmor of the house of Haleth and indeed you may ask what brings me, a weary wanderer, to this fair isle. Long years ago I fought in Dagor Bragollach, but Morgoth was the victor and had little mercy on those that he captured in his many snares. Years I spent in Angband under the Dark Lord's eyes and thus did I become as you see me know, aged beyond my years and ragged, a stranger to all and a lonesome wanderer. And yet, Morgoth may at times forget his many prisoners when his dark mind is given to more pressing matters, and thus it was that I came again into the free world and looked upon Beleriand. But my people I could not find for Haleth's folk are wanderers and so I went south. But I was pursued by this storm so that great fear came over me that my escape had been noticed and that Morgoth's anger waxed against me so I fled long and came at last blindly to this isle, seeing your light from afar."

Upon hearing his tale, pity came over Lúthien and she grieved that Morgoth should thus treat a man and yet still there was doubt in her mind, for Morgoth was cunning and if Halmor had indeed spent many years in Angband, then it was possible that the Vala might have swayed his mind as he was wont to do. But no ill had Halmor showed her as yet so she gave him all that she could think of that might be of comfort to him and he accepted her gifts with thankfulness and grace. "For you must be Lúthien, Elwë's daughter, fairest of Iluvatar's children," said he. And she answered him, saying that she was indeed and long they spoke and she questioned him concerning his people and of Angband.

At length he spoke saying. "The lord of my people gave me a task to do before I came to Angband and partly it is for this reason that I have wandered so far. I had not spoken to you of it before, but now I speak, perceiving that you may help me greatly in this mission for I desire to obey my lord's behest at all costs."

But Lúthien faltered for as Halmor spoke, she caught the glance of his eyes and it was dark. So she stood and he also stood and reached out his hand as if to take her by the wrist. But as he moved, his hand passed close by the fire and the flames leapt up in their hearth, wild and untamable, and Halmor was wreathed in them, but they harmed him not. And Lúthien leapt from him with sudden fear as she cried aloud, "I know you."

But Halmor merely laughed and, flinging back his cloak, stood, taller than he had before, and he began to change his form as one sheds a garment and, behold, his hair was long and black as a raven's wing, his face pale and proud, and his form, tall and straight. More fair than the elves was he and yet he was dark and terrible and the light that flashed from his flaming eyes smote like lightening. He was clothed in shadow, about his brow was a crown of iron and gold, and a long sword of deadly might was beside him. No longer did he seem as one powerless and frail, but as one that wields such might that may destroy all against whom it is turned.

Lúthien indeed knew him and she drew back in fear and torment of mind with a cry of, "Sauron!"

The fell spirit of Morgoth turned his terrible gaze upon her and smote her down with it as he laughed. "Indeed, Lúthien, and I know you as well for we have met before and no little pain shall you feel for the shame you forced me to suffer before the gates of Tol-in-Gaurhoth for I do not forget easily such things."

But Lúthien was indeed Thingol's daughter and had great strength of mind and body so as Sauron spoke, she seized up a sword and pointed it at the Maia, crying. "You forget that it was I that was victorious on the bridge, not you, O Evil One. You are a deceiver and a liar and yet I think I know now what mission it is that your lord sent you on. Were you not commanded to take me captive, even as you were commanded all those years ago upon Tol-in-Gaurhoth?"

But Sauron merely laughed again and said, "Stronger have I become and you do not have your hound or your husband here this day. Great may be the power of Lúthien, Thingol's daughter, but greater and older is the power of Morgoth, the power that I wield. Vengeance will be mine."

But Lúthien leapt lightly forward as a hind, her sword glinting with the wild fire glimmer to strike at Sauron while he was at ease, but the lieutenant of Morgoth caught her in his power and bound her with his will so that she was helpless before him. And Lúthien knew that she had been sorely deceived and that this then was the evil she had foreseen and she wept that her fate was at hand. But then the cold terror of darkness fell upon her and she collapsed as Sauron swept her up and bore her away from Tol Galen with a fell laugh upon his lips.