The Hunting of The Wolf (A ballad.)
The red maw goes to Menegroth
prepared to fight 'til end
those that sung of wolfen wroth;
his fangs wanting to rend
King's hands, bow, and loyal hound
rose to fight that day
a hunt to claim the dark one's crown
Carcharoth to slay
The northern of Esgalduin
The dreaded wolf did lay
The hunters now approached herein
Lured by feral bay
Huan, friend of Lúthien
Left Erchamion
To go seek the wolf out then
But Carcharoth was gone!
Out of a thicket filled with thorns
The Red Maw had spung
Filled with Melkor's hate and scorns
Upon Thingol he flung
Beren strode to fight the beast
but was smote by prey
Huan lept to stop wolf's feast
and they were led away
Huan, hound of Oromë
Fought the lupine curse
And Carcharoth, to his dismay
sunk into the earth
But in this moment, felled he was,
Erchamion near-dead.
And Huan, victor, raked by claws
Went to Mandos then.
"Farewell," he said, ere his parting
"We shall meet again.
In Valinor, they will be calling;
Live again, Beren!"
Beleg, Mablung, Doriath
Wept for him that day
Victims of Carcharoth's wrath
A small part in the play.
They slit the belly of the beast
Drawing the jewel wherein
Tinúviel's dowry was the least
To pay the wolf's own sin.
Mablung placed the light of trees
In Beren's living hand
"Now the Quest is achieved."
But his life would not withstand.
At the feet of Hírilorn
Lúthien awaited
Her lover dead, she did not mourn
Not knowing what was fated
Thus ends the Quest of Silmaril
Cut from Melkor's crown
Release from Bondage yet to end
Until Beleriand sinks down