the chain and trammels of the flesh of Arda。 In that form she bore to him Lúthien Tinúviel； and in that form she gained a
power over the substance of Arda； and by the Girdle of Melian was Doriath defended through long ages from the evils
without。 But now Thingol lay dead； and his spirit had passed to the halls of Mandos； and with his death a change came
also upon Melian。 Thus it came to pass that her power was withdrawn in that time from the forests of Neldoreth and
Region； and Esgalduin the enchanted river spoke with a different voice； and Doriath lay open to its enemies。
Thereafter Melian spoke to none save to Mablung only； bidding him take heed to the Silmaril； and to send word
speedily to Beren and Lúthien in Ossiriand； and she vanished out of Middle…earth； and passed to the land of the Valar
beyond the western sea； to muse upon her sorrows in the gardens of Lórien； whence she came； and this tale speaks of her
no more。
Thus it was that the host of the Naugrim crossing over Aros passed unhindered into the woods of Doriath； and
none withstood them； for they were many and fierce； and the captains of the Grey…elves were cast into doubt and despair；
and went hither and thither purposeless。 But the Dwarves held on their way； and passed over the great bridge； and
entered into Menegroth； and there befell a thing most grievous among the sorrowful deeds of the Elder Days。 For there
was battle in the Thousand Caves； and many Elves and Dwarves were slain； and it has not been forgotten。 But the
Dwarves were victorious； and the halls of Thingol were ransacked and plundered。 There fell Mablung of the Heavy
Hand before the doors of the treasury wherein lay the Nauglamír； and the Silmaril was taken。
At that time Beren and Lúthien yet dwelt in Tol Galen； the Green Isle； in the River Adurant； southernmost of the
streams that falling from Ered Lindon flowed down to join with Gelion； and their son Dior Eluchíl had to wife Nimloth；
kinswoman of Celeborn； prince of Doriath； who was wedded to the Lady Galadriel。 The sons of Dior and Nimloth were
Eluréd and Elurín； and a daughter also was born to them； and she was named Elwing； which is Star…spray； for she was
born on a night of stars； whose light glittered in the spray of the waterfall of Lanthir Lamath beside her father's house。
Now word went swiftly among the Elves of Ossiriand that a great host of Dwarves bearing gear of war had e
down out of the mountains and passed over Gelion at the Ford of Stones。 These tidings came soon to Beren and Lúthien；
and in that time also a messenger came to them out of Doriath telling of what had befallen there。 Then Beren arose and
left Tol Galen； and summoning to him Dior his son they went north to the River Ascar； and with them went many of the
Green…elves of Ossiriand。
Thus it came to 。pass that when the Dwarves of Nogrod； returning from Menegroth with diminished host； came
again to Sarn Athrad； they were assailed by unseen enemies； for as they climbed up Gelion's banks burdened with the
spoils of Doriath； suddenly all the woods were filled with the sound of elven…horns； and shafts sped upon them from
every side。 There very many of the Dwarves were slain in the first onset； but some escaping from the ambush held
together； and fled eastwards towards the mountains。 And as they climbed the long slopes beneath Mount Dolmed there
came forth the Shepherds of the Trees； and they drove the Dwarves into the shadowy woods of Ered Lindon： whence； it
is said； came never one to climb the high passes that led to their homes。
In that battle by Sarn Athrad Beren fought his last fight； and himself slew the Lord of Nogrod； and wrested from
him the Necklace of the Dwarves； but he dying laid his curse upon all the treasure。 Then Beren gazed in wonder on the
selfsame jewel of F？anor that he had cut from Morgoth's iron crown； now shining set amid gold and gems by the
cunning of the Dwarves； and he washed it clean of blood in the waters of the river。 And when all was finished the
treasure of Doriath was drowned in the River Ascar； and from that time the river was named anew； Rathlóriel； the
Goldenbed； but Beren took the Nauglamír and returned to Tol Galen。 Little did it ease the grief of Lúthien to learn that
the Lord of Nogrod was slain and many Dwarves beside； but it is said and sung that Lúthien wearing that necklace and
that immortal jewel was the vision of greatest beauty and glory that has ever been outside the realm of Valinor； and for a
little while the Land of the Dead that Live became like a vision of the land of the Valar； and no place has been since so
fair； so fruitful； or so filled with light。
Now Dior Thingol's heir bade farewell to Beren and Lúthien； and departing from Lanthir Lamath with Nimloth
his wife he came to Menegroth； and abode there； and with them went their young sons Eluréd and Elurín； and Elwing
their daughter。 Then the Sindar received them with joy； and they arose from the darkness of their grief for fallen kin and
King and for the departure of Melian； and Dior Eluchíl set himself to raise anew the glory of the kingdom of Doriath。
There came a night of autumn； and when it grew late； one came and smote upon the doors of Menegroth；
demanding admittance to the King。 He was a lord of the Green…elves hastening from Ossiriand； and the door…wards
brought him to where Dior sat alone in his chamber； and there in silence he gave to the King a coffer； and took his leave。
But in that coffer lay the Necklace of the Dwarves； wherein was set the Silmaril； and Dior looking upon it knew it for a
sign that Beren Erchamion and Lúthien Tinúviel had died indeed； and gone where go the race of Men to a fate beyond
the world。
Long did Dior gaze upon the Silmaril； which his father and mother had brought beyond hope out of the terror of
Morgoth； and his grief was great that death had e upon them so soon。 But the wise have said that the Silmaril
hastened their end； for the flame of the beauty of Lúthien as she wore it was too bright for mortal lands。
Then Dior arose； and about his neck he clasped the Nauglamír； and now he appeared as the fairest of all the
children of the world； of threefold race： of the Edain； and of the Eldar； and of the Maiar of the Blessed Realm。
But now the rumour ran among the scattered Elves of Beleriand that Dior Thingol's heir wore the Nauglamír； and
they said： 'A Silmaril of F？anor burns again in the woods of Doriath'； and the oath of the sons of F？anor was waked
again from sleep。 For while Lúthien wore the Necklace of the Dwarves no Elf would dare to assail her； but now hearing
of the renewal of Doriath and of Dior's pride the seven gathered again from wandering； and they sent to him to claim
their own。
But Dior returned no answer to the sons of F？anor； and Celegorm stirred up his brothers to prepare an assault
upon Doriath。 They came at unawares in the middle of winter； and fought with Dior in the Thousand Caves； and so
befell the second slaying of Elf by Elf。 There fell Celegorm by Dior's hand； and there fell Curufin； and dark Caranthir；
but