Is it true? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Silmiel of Imladris · 10-11-2003, 10:55 AM

Hmmmmm.... I checked a few sources but they don't really have anything on this. I know Luthien can turn into some flying creature. I assumed it was a bird but I heard from somewhere she actually turns into a bat. Is this true?

Belin · 10-11-2003, 11:04 AM

You're thinking of the disguise she used in Angband, the skin of a giant bat named Thuringwethil. She was able to use the wings to fly around the room. This is in The Silmarillion, in the chapter on Beren and Luthien (exactly where you'd expect it to be).

FingolfintheBold · 10-11-2003, 11:09 AM

During Beren and Luthien's attempt to recover a silmaril, Luthien wove disguises using her formitable elven magic.She disguised herself as a bat-like creature called Thuringwethil and flited above the werewolf-clad Beren, whos creature was called Draugluin.

Silmiel of Imladris · 10-11-2003, 11:12 AM

Ahh thanks for clearing it up. I haven't read the Sil yet so I didn't know it was in there. Just that some of my friends told me she could fly.

The Squatter of Amon Rûdh · 10-11-2003, 11:17 AM

Here's the scene from the Lay of Leithian in which Beren and Lúthien assume their disguises:

Quote:

His dreadful counsel then they took,
and their own gracious forms forsook;
in werewolf fell and batlike wing
prepared to robe them, shuddering.
With elvish magic Lúthien wrought,
lest raiment foul with evil fraught
to dreadful madness drive their hearts;
and there she wrought with elvish arts
a strong defence, a binding power,
singing until the midnight hour.

Swift as the wolvish coat he wore,
Beren lay slavering on the floor,
redtongued and hungry; but there lies
a pain and longing in his eyes,
a look of horror as he sees
a batlike form crawl to its knees
and drag its creased and creaking wings.
Then howling undermoon he springs
fourfooted, swift, from stone to stone,
from hill to plain - but not alone:
a dark shape down the slope doth skim,
and wheeling flitters over him.

Or, if you prefer, the version in the Silmarillion is

Quote:

By the counsel of Huan and the arts of Lúthien he was arrayed now in the hame of Draugluin, and she in the winged fell of Thuringwethil. Beren became in all things like a werewolf to look upon, save that in his eyes there shone a spirit grim indeed but clean; and horror was in his glance as he saw upon his flank a bat-like creature clinging with creased wings. Then howling under the moon he leaped down the hill, and the bat wheeled and flittered above him.

[ October 11, 2003: Message edited by: The Squatter of Amon Rûdh ]

10-11-2003, 10:55 AM	#1
Silmiel of Imladris Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Looking into a crystal ball- still see nothing Posts: 395	Is it true? Hmmmmm.... I checked a few sources but they don't really have anything on this. I know Luthien can turn into some flying creature. I assumed it was a bird but I heard from somewhere she actually turns into a bat. Is this true? __________________ Legolas 20 ales later: I feel something, a slight tingling in my fingers. I think it's affecting me. Figwit on his name: Are you suggesting that I have the wit of a fig?

10-11-2003, 11:04 AM	#2
Belin Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: all the wide unfriendly pathways of the world Posts: 330	You're thinking of the disguise she used in Angband, the skin of a giant bat named Thuringwethil. She was able to use the wings to fly around the room. This is in The Silmarillion, in the chapter on Beren and Luthien (exactly where you'd expect it to be). __________________ "I hate dignity," cried Scraps, kicking a pebble high in the air and then trying to catch it as it fell. "Half the fools and all the wise folks are dignified, and I'm neither the one nor the other." --L. Frank Baum

10-11-2003, 11:09 AM	#3
FingolfintheBold Haunting Spirit Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Somewhere between knowing my path and walking it Posts: 69	During Beren and Luthien's attempt to recover a silmaril, Luthien wove disguises using her formitable elven magic.She disguised herself as a bat-like creature called Thuringwethil and flited above the werewolf-clad Beren, whos creature was called Draugluin. __________________ There long the golden leaves have grown, upon the branching years, while here beyond the sundering seas, now fall the Elven-tears... but if of ships I now would sing, what ship would come to me, what ship would bear me ever back, across so wide a sea?

10-11-2003, 11:12 AM	#4
Silmiel of Imladris Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Looking into a crystal ball- still see nothing Posts: 395	Ahh thanks for clearing it up. I haven't read the Sil yet so I didn't know it was in there. Just that some of my friends told me she could fly. __________________ Legolas 20 ales later: I feel something, a slight tingling in my fingers. I think it's affecting me. Figwit on his name: Are you suggesting that I have the wit of a fig?