Beleg
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Beleg (also known as Beleg Cúthalion or Beleg Strongbow) is one of two fictional characters of that name from J. R. R. Tolkien's universe of Middle-earth. This article deals with the Sindarin elf. For the King of Arnor see Beleg of Arnor. Beleg's name meant 'might', and he wielded a strong bow named Belthronding and an arrow called Dailir. His epessë Cúthalion meant "Strongbow". Dubbed Cúthalion for his extraordinary bowmanship, Beleg was a Sindarin Elf who served in the army of King Elu Thingol of Doriath. He "followed no man", and "could not be restrained" in the Dagor Aglareb, when he alone of Doriath went forth.[citation needed] Together with Mablung he was one of the great captains of the Sindar, and he was part of the hunting of the great wolf Carcharoth.
In The Lays of Beleriand, The History of Middle-earth, Vol. III, p.25, Christopher Tolkien notes curious statements and a mystery about Beleg. Quoting from The Lays, Beleg is "a son of the wilderness who wist no sire", "ageless". Beleg himself states, "the forest is my father" and it is said "whose father was the forest". These statements strongly suggest that Beleg is not an Elf born of parents. Only Elves of the original Awakening have no parents. That Beleg may be one of these is also supported by the "ageless" description, and his phenomenal undiminished recuperative ability. Beleg may be the only named, awakened elf known, other than the original six: Imin and Iminyë, Tata and Tatië, Enel and Enelyë. If this is so, then Beleg's sacrifice for Túrin was dear indeed.
The consistent references to his independence: "he followed no man", "obeyed no man", "could not be restrained", etc. are not an indication of insubordination but rather suggest a non-subordinate or equal status . When taken with the previous quotes and the retention of the archaic ending of his name, Beleg, when other -g endings (e.g. Finwë < Finweg) have been dropped in other ancient names possibly supports an awakened status. In the 'child's tale' of the Elves' Awakening, the Elves of the first group of the two groups of Nelyar, or Thirds, were met in a grove of Birches already awake. Perhaps Beleg was one of them.[1]
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[edit] In the service of Doriath
Beleg conducted the defence of the realm of Doriath with smaller company actions along the borders as Chief of the Marchwardens. He had larger commands such as the battle in Brethil against an Orc Legion as Captain commanding the axe-armed Sindar and Halmir and the Haladin archers. He led the front line scouts in the battle against Boldog's Orc Host on the North March. He later defeated Orcs invading Dimbar. He partook in battles of the wider struggle beyond the borders of Doriath. He was said to be unequalled in woodland skills of stalking, hunting, tracking. He was master of the bow, axe, sword and spear, having considerable magical skills with weapons. His bow, Belthronding, was made of black Yew, strung with bear sinew and could only be drawn by Beleg's might and magic; an arrow called Dailir could always be found unsought; he wielded the sentient, magic sword, Anglachel[2], and honed it with a song of sharpening. He is stated to be a master of healing. Much is said of him, his character and his individual heroic feats and deeds in the various versions of the tales of Túrin and the Lays of Beleriand in particular.
[edit] With Túrin
Later he became a good friend and brother-in-arms of Túrin Turambar. When Túrin left Doriath, Beleg got permission from Thingol to follow him into exile, wielding the black sword Anglachel that Eöl had forged and given to Thingol in tribute. Beleg found Túrin at Amon Rûdh and was tortured by the outlaws, until Túrin found and released him. Together with Túrin, wearing the Dragon-helm of Dor-lómin, he became for a while a captain against Morgoth, and the land they dwelt became known as the Land of Helm and Bow. When Túrin was captured by Morgoth, Beleg was grievously wounded, yet with the knowledge and strength of an elite elven warrior he recovered and followed the Orcs. Meeting the escaped thrall Gwindor in Taur-nu-Fuin, together they rescued Túrin, but Beleg accidentally cut Túrin with his sword. Túrin awoke and did not recognize Beleg in the darkness, assuming the shape bent over him with a blade was an Orc and that he was to be tortured again. In a sudden rage of self defence, he wrested the sword from Beleg and killed him.
[edit] References
- ^ The History of Middle-earth, Vol IX p. 422. As Christopher Tolkien pointed out, there is a mystery about Beleg based on how he is described. There is no definite statement from J. R. R. Tolkien that Beleg was an awakened Elf, only the ambiguous and suggestive ones quoted. There is one statement that Ingwë is the eldest of Elves as he was first to awake in the corpus.
- ^ Anglachel is said to have been forged by Eol, in History of Middle-earth Vol. IV, p. 125, The Quenta the sword is said to be made of iron from a fallen blazing star.
[edit] King of Arnor
A later Beleg was King Beleg of Arnor.
| Weapons of Middle-earth | |
| Aeglos | Andúril | Anglachel | Anguirel | Angrist | Aranrúth | Belthronding | Black Arrow | Dagmor | Dailir | Dramborleg | Durin's Axe | Glamdring | Grond | Gúthwinë | Gurthang | Herugrim | Morgul-blade | Narsil | Orcrist | Red Arrow | Ringil | Sting | |
