The Good, the Bad, and the Outlawed - Page 7
© Michael Martinez
Beren's quest to retrieve a Silmaril was in itself an act of outlawry. He was not executing the justice of Aman by recovering a Silmaril, nor even exacting Beleriand's repudiation against Morgoth for all the trouble he'd caused. Beren was sent to steal a Silmaril. And as an outlaw sent upon a thief's errand, he could not right expect to find any help. Nonetheless, Beren turned to Finrod, who had been his king, and Finrod did owe Beren a favor. Yet, Finrod had to answer to the will of his people, which at that time was influenced by two of the sons of Feanor. They claimed (perhaps rightly, perhaps not so) that Beren had no right to take a Silmaril, let alone give it to Thingol. If he was going after a Silmaril, he'd be doing so without their commission.
Finrod's resolve to fulfill his oath therefore led him to renounce his crown, and with only ten companions he joined Beren in outlawry. As outlaws they sought to make their way through Morgoth's territory (formerly a part of Finrod's kingdom). The whole enterprise was just one shady deal after another, as Finrod disguised himself and his companions as Orcs in order to pass through the Vale of Sirion. They did not allow for Sauron's careful watch over the comings and goings of Morgoth's servants, and so they were caught and eventually unmasked by Sauron. Finrod and his Elven companions all died, and Beren only escaped because Luthien rescued him.
Although Celegorm and Curufin were evntually driven out of Nargothrond, Beren's task remained the deed of a thief. He had no hope of recruiting an alliance of Elves and Men to help him storm Angband. And though he and Luthien succeeded in stealing the Silmaril they paid a heavy toll for their success. Both gave up their lives, Beren in the hunting of Carcharoth, the wolf which had bitten off his hand and swallowed the Silmaril, and Luthien in her grief over Beren. Beren only enjoyed a brief hiatus of acceptance among Thingol's people before he died.
And though Luthien once again intervened for Beren, winning a reprieve for him, they could not dwell among Elves and Men again. They passed eastward to Ossiriand and lived out their lives in seclusion, bereft of community. Unlike other outlaws, Beren and Luthien undoubtedly enjoyed the respect and admiration of Elves and Men alike. Even the Feanorians left them alone. Beren more than anyone else became a folk-hero throughout Beleriand, celebrated in song. What he and Luthien accomplished inspired Maedhros to form his powerful alliance.
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