The Quests of Middle-earth - Page 4
© Michael Martinez
The cost to Nargothrond was incalculable and ultimately the kingdom was destroyed because of its rebellion against Finrod. Had the Nargothrondrim been more faithful and supportive, Finrod might not have died at Tol Sirion, and if he had lived, perhaps he wouldn't have been as easily cowed and swayed by Turin to go forth into open battle as Orodreth eventually would be.
Beren, with and without Luthien, wandered all over the landscape. He probably ended up seeing more of Beleriand than any other man of the Edain. And Beren's actions affected everyone, not just Doriath and Nargothrond. Because of the success Beren and Luthien achieved -- storming Angband, subduing Melkor briefly, and taking a Silmaril -- Fingon and Maedhros realized that Angband could indeed be assailed. In time the Union of Maedhros was formed, and the Nirnaeth Arnoediad led to the downfall of the kingdoms of Hithlum and the March of Maedhros, and of the Falas.
The Quest of the Silmaril was therefore the most tragic of the First Age quests. Beren's sole purpose was to win the hand of Luthien. He didn't want kingdoms, power, or wealth. He didn't even ask for revenge. One can almost picture Max the Miracle Worker from "The Princess Bride" asking a forlorn Beren, "Hello! Hey! What's so important that's worth living for?" And, of course, Beren would whisper back, "Truuueeee lovvve".
For this noble cause Beren planted the seed which would bring down Elven kingdoms. It was the seed of hope, and that hope was fruitless, as the Noldor had been warned. But Beren and Luthien also brought back a Silmaril, and it would be with that Silmaril that Earendil and Elwing would find Valinor.
Earendil's quest was also briefly told in a few scanty sentences, but it covered many years and many lands. The Elves had attempted to reach Valinor before. Turgon sacrificed many braver adventurers in seven attempts. All but one of them, Voronwe, died. Voronwe was preserved by Ulmo and led to Tuor, who took Ulmo's final warning to Turgon, which Turgon ignored. But Voronwe and Tuor both survived the fall of Gondolin and they brought nearly 1,000 refugees south to join the survivors of Doriath near the Mouths of Sirion.
Tuor's son, Earendil, grew up in the south, far removed from Angband and Melkor, but ever threatened by the shadow in the north. Their people increased in number as more Elves (and Edain) came to join them, and a new generation was born. But when Tuor, Idril, and Voronwe sailed off to the west seeking Valinor, Earendil was left to cope with the perils of Middle-earth. He married Elwing, the grand-daughter of Beren and Luthien, and she brought the Silmaril with her out of the ruin of Doriath. But it never occurred to anyone that the Silmaril might be the key they needed to unlock the way to Valinor.
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