Let's Read: Beren & Luthien - Part 1

This is part 1 of Beren & Luthien, by J.R.R. Tolkien. Within the 'Beren & Luthien' manuscript that Tolkien wrote, this is the first version of 'Beren & Luthien' that we are presented with: the 'Tale of Tinuviel' - which I in turn present to you. This prose story follows the entire narrative of Beren and Luthien, from their meeting, to the capture of Beren (in this tale, he is captured by Tevildo, not Sauron) and then onto the heist that sees them capture a Silmaril from Morgoth (who here is called, "Melko") and ending with the final battle with the dread wolf, Karkaras. There are many differences between this tale and the one that later appears in the Silmarillion, such as the fact that Beren is not a man (nor the son of Barahir) and is instead a "Gnome" (what Tolkien originally called the elves who he would later call, the "Noldor" - so here is also called a "Noldoli.") There are also allusions to other lays, such as the Children of Hurin, and the appearance of important characters from that lay, namely, Melian (who is called, "Gwyndoling"), Thingol (who is called, "Tinwelint") and Mablung - the chief hunter of Thingol. Beren & Luthien is not over after this tale, and I will be working my way through the book in order to bring you the full picture of this lay. Please enjoy.