Chapter 24
Lúthien's song, imbued with the might of the primordial power, not only destroyed Sauron's dark fortress but, like the purest rain, cleansed the long-sullied land of Tor-in-Golhoth. Amidst the crumbling rocky ruins, tender green grass sprouted tenaciously through the charred soil. The stench of decay and blood in the air was replaced by a fresh, earthy fragrance after rain. The stagnant waters of Sirion washed over the island's edges, as if carrying away years of filth, their currents becoming clearer. Under Lúthien's miraculous power, this horrific land once known as the "Isle of the Werewolves" began to radiate a faint new lease of life, like a fresh scab on a wound in the earth.
However, the situation for the survivors was grim. Although Finrod had been awakened from his coma by Meereen and his companions, he had exhausted himself in the magical battle with Sauron, suffering severe damage to both his soul and body. He appeared extremely weak, pale as paper, and needed assistance to stand. Beren had also suffered some injuries in the previous battle. Although the wound on Meereen's arm was slowly healing thanks to his powerful healing power, it was still painful and affected his mobility. Lúthien's long journey and the exertion of her divine power had also consumed a great deal of energy.
"We need to rest." Meereen looked at Finrod's condition and said in an unquestionable tone. Beren and Lúthien immediately nodded in agreement.
They lit a bonfire in a relatively clean, sheltered spot on the edge of the island. The warm glow dispelled the night's chill and brought a sense of security. Meereen expertly gathered some of the island's newly grown, slightly healing grasses and tended to Finrod and Beren's wounds. Lúthien sat beside Beren, watching him with concern.
Beren introduced Meereen to Lúthien, his tone full of gratitude: "Lúthien, this is Meereen. In the dark dungeon, it was he who pried open the chains, his flesh and blood burned the wolf, and even scared away the cunning Sauron."
Lúthien's eyes, pure and beautiful like the stars, turned toward Meereen, filled with surprise and deep respect. "You are Meereen, the 'Blessed One' who performed miracles in the War of Sudden Flame!" Her voice flowed like a clear spring. "News of the War of Sudden Flame has long since reached Doriath. My father, King Thingol, was amazed when he heard of your heroic sacrifice to save the High King of the Noldor and inflict a heavy blow on Morgoth. He never imagined hearing about you under such circumstances."
Lúthien paused, a complex expression on her beautiful face. "Later, my mother, Queen Melian, informed my father that because of your heroic deeds and pure nature, the Valar had recognized you and accepted you as a member of the world of Arda. My father..." She sighed softly, "He belatedly realized that he might have been deceived by Eol's sweet words and too credulous of his subjects' accusations, which led to his issuing that ban on you. He regretted it."
Meereen listened to Lúthien's story with mixed emotions. King Thingol's ban had once cast a shadow over his heart, but now, with the approval of the Valar and Thingol's remorse, that shadow seemed to have completely dissipated. He bowed slightly to Lúthien: "Your Highness, thank you for telling me. King Thingol's approval means a lot to me. As for your praise, I am unworthy. At the Black Gate of Angband, I simply made the choice any person with a conscience would make. But for your beloved, you braved the dangers alone and destroyed the dark fortress with your song. This is true courage and miracle."
Lucien returned the smile with a gentle yet resolute one.
Finrod's weak voice echoed, filled with deep doubt. "Lady Lúthien, please forgive my curiosity. How did you find this place? And... the divine dog Huan?" He glanced at the giant dog lying quietly beside Lúthien, guarding her like a small mountain. "From what I know, Huan is the hound of Celegorm, incredibly loyal to his master. Why would he follow you, even to the point of becoming an enemy of his former master?"
At the mention of Celegorm's name, a flicker of anger flashed across Lúthien's bright eyes. She took a deep breath and began to recount her terrifying journey. "After my father made Beren an impossible offer, he imprisoned me in a towering beech tree, Hiliron, and placed a heavy guard over me, hoping to sever my connection with Beren." There was a hint of bitterness in Lúthien's voice. "But he underestimated my resolve. Using my wit and a little magic, I bewildered the guards and escaped from Doriath, pursuing Beren's path."
"While crossing the Guarded Plains, I encountered Huan hunting. He spotted me and brought me to his master, Celegorm, and his brother, Curufin." Lúthien's tone grew cold. "They recognized me and feigned concern, saying Beren must be in danger. They cordially invited me to 'rest' in Nargothrond. I was concerned for Beren, and seeing they were powerful allies, I agreed. Little did I know it was another trap."
"When we arrived in Nargothrond, they immediately tore off their hypocritical mask and imprisoned me. Celegorm even arrogantly declared that he would force my father, King Thingol, to agree to marry me to him. They wanted to get their hands on Doriath through marriage." Lúthien's voice trembled slightly with anger.
Finrod's golden eyes blazed with fury at this. He clenched his fists, straining against his wounds and causing him to cough violently. Meereen quickly supported him, his own eyes filled with shock and disgust. He remembered Celegorm and Curufin's unpleasant gazes back in Nargothrond. He hadn't expected them to be so brazen. First, he had imprisoned the Elf Princess.
"How dare they!" Finrod's voice was hoarse and full of anger. "Nargothrond will not tolerate their actions!"
Lúthien gave Finrod a soothing look and continued, "They underestimated Huan, and they underestimated my heart. Huan... this divine dog with a great soul, witnessed his master's corruption and injustice, and was filled with inner struggle. During a time when Celegorm and Curufin were too complacent and neglected their guard, Huan quietly came to my cell and bit through the lock with his sharp teeth. It was Huan who gave me my second freedom."
"After I escaped from Nargothrond, Huan chose to follow me and protect me. It knew where I was going - the island of Tor-in-Golhoth, the lair of Sauron. Without its help, I would not have been able to cross the danger so quickly, nor would I have been able to fight against Sauron at the critical moment." Lúthien stroked Huan's huge head gratefully, and Huan let out a low, loyal whimper.
"As for Celegorm and Curufin," Lúthien said with a hint of satisfaction, "their evil deeds were soon exposed. Not all the Elves of Nargothrond were blind followers. After I escaped, the subjects loyal to Lord Finrod and loyal to justice discovered the truth. The angry Elves drove them both out of Nargothrond, and now they are homeless dogs."
"Well done!" Finrod gritted his teeth, a cold gleam in his eyes, "They have betrayed the friendship of their allies and trampled on the dignity of the elves. Their actions are despicable, and they will never be welcome in Nargothrond again." Meereen also nodded vigorously, and the last bit of concern for the Celegorm brothers disappeared.
After resting for several days on the island of Tor-in-Golhoth, Finrod's strength recovered a little, the wounds in Meereen had mostly healed, and Beren was even more encouraged by the arrival of Lúthien. The group decided to set off again, heading straight for Angband in the north.
Led by Lúthien's guidance and Huan's keen sense of smell, they avoided the main road and chose to pass through the relatively hidden Forest of Brethil, which was once the home of the Haladin. The trees were ancient and dense, providing good cover.
Just as they went deeper into the forest, passing through an area covered with huge ferns and gnarled tree roots, something strange happened.
"Be careful!" Juan suddenly let out a warning growl, and his huge body suddenly blocked Lúthien and Beren.
Several poisoned arrows were shot out from the dense treetops and huge roots with a shrill sound, aiming directly at Finrod, Meereen and Beren in the team.
"Enemy attack!" Beren roared, drawing his sword to deflect an arrow aimed at him. Meereen reacted quickly, rolling behind a huge tree. Finrod also managed to escape under the protection of his guards.
Then, two figures leaped out from the shadows like ghosts. They were Celegorm and Curufin, who had been expelled from Nargothrond. They were in a disarray, their eyes burning with hatred and mad anger, and it was obvious that they had been lying in ambush here for a long time.
"Lúthien! And you, you damn traitor!" Celegorm stared at Lúthien and Huan beside her, his eyes almost spitting fire, and the long sword in his hand pointed directly at the divine dog, "And Finrod, Meereen, you all pay the price for your betrayal." Curufin silently pulled the longbow and aimed again, his eyes as sinister as a poisonous snake.
"Betrayal? It is you who have truly betrayed the friendship of the Elves and abandoned their honor!" Finrod was furious. He held on to his weak body and his voice boomed like thunder in the forest. "Celegon! Curufin! You have imprisoned the daughter of our ally and plotted evil. Your actions are as despicable as those of Morgoth's minions! You deserve to be expelled from Nargothrond. Today, I, Finrod Felagund, declare in the name of the King of Nargothrond that I will sever all ties with you. You will never get any help from us again. You will only receive spit and swords."
"Stop talking nonsense!" Celegorm was completely enraged. He roared and rushed towards Finrod with his sword, and Curufin's poison arrow was released again.
At this critical moment, Huan moved. Instead of attacking Celegorm, he pounced like golden lightning at the poisoned arrow shot by Curufin, and his huge claws accurately knocked the deadly arrow away from him. At the same time, his huge body cleverly moved sideways, blocking Celegorm's path to Finrod, and he uttered a deafening, warning roar.
"Huan! You!" Celegorm was shocked and angry and was forced to stop.
Huan stood before Finrod, Lúthien, and the others, his massive body like an impassable mountain. His wise eyes gazed upon Celegorm, filled with disappointment, sorrow, but more than that, an unquestionable will to protect him. He chose justice, once again betraying his fallen master.
"Damned beast!" Celegorm raged.
"Celegon, the situation is unfavorable. Retreat first." Curufin saw that Huan was determined to protect his master, and the guards of Meereen, Beren, and Finrod had drawn their weapons and were ready for battle. He knew that the two of them had no chance of victory. He acted decisively, grabbed the rage-addled Celegorm, and quickly retreated deep into the forest.
"Don't even think about running!" Beren wanted to chase, but was gently held back by Lúthien.
"Beren, do not pursue such desperate enemies. The forest is their hunting ground. If you pursue them rashly, you will easily be ambushed," Lúthien said calmly. Finrod nodded, his physical condition not allowing him to continue fighting.
Huan watched his old master disappear into the depths of the dense forest and let out a low and long howl filled with complex emotions, but his footsteps remained firmly beside Lucien, without moving an inch.
Meereen gazed at the direction where Celegorm and his brother had vanished, then at Huan, whose gaze remained resolute as he stood guard over Lúthien, his heart filled with emotion. Huan's two choices proved that the true meaning of loyalty wasn't blind obedience, but rather the defense of light and justice. And Celegorm and Curufin's frenzied ambush completely exposed their corrupted nature.
"Let us march on," Finrod's voice was weary but resolute. "Angband awaits us, and the Silmaril must be reclaimed." With Lúthien and Huan joining them, the group, though wounded, was even more resolute. They set out on their journey north again, leaving behind the ambush in Brethil and the grudges of the Fëanorion brothers in the lingering mists.
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