Leap of Beren

From Tolkien Gateway
Ted Nasmith - Beren's Leap.jpg
Leap of Beren
Event
LocationForest of Brethil
DateF.A. 465
"Too soon; for there a spring
fiercer than tawny lion-king
maddened with arrows barbéd smart,
greater than any hornéd hart
that hounded to a gulf leaps o'er,
there Beren gave, and with a roar
leaped on Curufin
"
Lay of Leithian, Canto X, vv. 149-155[1]

The Leap of Beren was one of the renowned acts carried out by Beren Erchamion during the First Age. This deed was undertaken by Beren to save Lúthien Tinúviel from the two Sons of Fëanor, Celegorm and Curufin. It occurred during the Quest for the Silmaril in the Forest of Brethil, and is detailed in the nineteenth chapter of the Quenta Silmarillion and Canto X of the Lay of Leithian.[1]

History[edit | edit source]

After the rescue of Beren from Tol-in-Gaurhoth by Lúthien and Huan, Hound of the Valar, Beren and Lúthien travelled to the borders of Doriath, while Huan returned to his former master Celegorm, one of the Sons of Fëanor. He and his brother Curufin were staying for a time in Nargothrond, and had won the hearts of the people there, over Finrod Felagund. But many freed from thraldom returned from their bondage in Tol-in-Gaurhoth, and told of the death of Finrod Felagund. Many then turned against the two brothers and they were banished from that land. Thus they hoped to travel past Doriath towards Himring, the dwelling of their brother Maedhros, and Huan was with them.

While Beren and Lúthien were walking in the Forest of Brethil near the borders of Doriath, the two brothers came upon them at unawares, ambushing them. Curufin swept up Lúthien into his saddle, and Celegorm made to trample Beren, but at that moment, Beren leaped from in front of the charging horse of Celegorm into the saddle of Curufin, throttling him. They both fell off the horse, which reared, and Lúthien was thrown onto the grass. The Leap of Beren is renowned amongst both Elves and Men.[2]

References