Nauglamír

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In J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional universe of Middle-earth, the Nauglamír or Necklace of the Dwarves is a piece of jewellery which appears at the end of the Narn i Chîn Húrin.

The main part of this article relates to a version of Middle-earth's history that is considered canon by many Tolkien fans (see: Middle-earth canon); it may contradict parts of The Silmarillion or other texts. This subject's portrayal in other versions is discussed in the concept and creation section.

The Nauglamír was forged by the Dwarves of Belegost out of the treasure of Nargothrond, after Húrin Thalion had brought it to Doriath. The Dwarves had been invited to Menegroth by Thingol to create jewellery out of the immense treasure, and the Nauglamír was their best work.

Thingol prized it above everything else in his treasury, save the Silmaril of Lúthien and Beren. After the Nauglamír had been forged he asked the Dwarves of Nogrod to set the Silmaril in it, which they did. Together it became jewellery more beautiful than anything ever before seen in Arda.

The Dwarves were enthralled by it as well, and greedily demanded it from Thingol, claiming it as just payment for their labours. Thingol realized they just wished to gain the Silmaril, and sent them from Doriath without any payment, an event which led to the Sack of Doriath in which Thingol was slain.

After Thingol's death the Dwarves of Nogrod tried to return home with the entire treasure, but they were waylaid by Beren, leading an army of Laiquendi and Ents. The Dwarves were slain, and the treasure was cast into the river Ascar, except for the Nauglamír, which Beren took with him to Lúthien.

After Beren and Lúthien's final deaths the Necklace went to their son Dior in Doriath, and as such was the cause of the Second Kinslaying when the Sons of Fëanor attacked Doriath in an attempt to claim the Silmaril. Dior's daughter Elwing fled to the Mouths of Sirion with the Nauglamír.

During the Third Kinslaying the Sons of Fëanor attacked the Mouths of Sirion, claiming the Nauglamír with Silmaril again, but Elwing cast herself into the sea with it. The Nauglamír was lost, but Elwing and the Silmaril were saved by Ulmo.

[edit] Other versions of the legendarium

In the published Silmarillion, the Nauglamír is said to have been forged by Dwarves for Finrod Felagund, and is the only piece of the treasure of Nargothrond that Húrin takes to Doriath.

In earlier versions of the Silmarillion tradition, the Nauglamír, then called Nauglafring, is more important: it more directly causes the death of Thingol as it gets caught behind a tree branch when Thingol is riding outside the Girdle of Melian and is attacked by the Dwarves. Thingol, unhorsed, is slain, after which Melian's protection is lifted and Doriath is sacked.

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Published during his lifetime:	The Hobbit • The Lord of the Rings • The Adventures of Tom Bombadil • The Road Goes Ever On
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