More ''release from bondage...''

When, by the foul arts of Sauron, Beren, Finrod and company were stripped of their hideous réaf, Sauron had them thrown into the pits of Tol-in-Gaurhoth, but he could not discover their names or purposes. He threatened to slay them with torture, but the companions were faithful to Felagund and to Beren and none betrayed them to Sauron. Often, though, two eyes would be seen kindled in the dark and a great werewolf would devour one of the prisoners, until only Beren and Felagund were left.

Eventually, only Beren and Felagund were left, and Sauron purposed to keep Felagund to the last, seeing that he was a Gnome of great might and wisdom, and he deemed that in Felagund lay the purpose of their quest. But when the great werewolf came for Beren, Felagund put forth his powers and burst his bonds, and killed the werewolf. But Felagund was himself wounded to the death, and dying he said unto Beren: ''I go now to my long rest in the timeless halls beyond the seas and the Mountains of Aman. It will be long ere I am see among the Noldor again; and it may be that we shall not meet a second time in death or life, for the fates of our kindreds are apart. Farewell!'' He died then in the cold dark of Sauron's Isle, whose great tower he himself had wrought. Thus died King Finrod Felagund, fairest and most beloved of the House of Finwë, in the redemption of his oath to Barahir, and Beren mourned beside his friend in despair.

In that very hour came Lúthien, and standing upon the bridge she sang a song of power that came even to Beren in the pits of despair. Beren heard (though I daresay he thought he dreamed), and he sang in answer a song in praise of the Sickle of the Valar, those Seven Stars set in the North by Varda as a sign for the fall of Morgoth; but all strength left him and he remembered no more. Lúthien, hearing his voice, then sang a song of greater power, and the Wolves howled and the Isle trembled. Sauron in his high tower heard that voice, and he smiled to hear her voice, knowing her to be Lúthien the daughter of Melian. The rumour of the beauty of Lúthien had long gone forth out of Doriath, and he purposed to make her captive and hand her over to the power of Morgoth, for his reward would be great...