In the universe of The Lord of the Rings, there are not only imaginary creatures, but also pets like dogs populate Middle-earth. Long before the events of the films, an animal became a mighty ally, one that could even take on Sauron.
Dogs play no significant role in The Lord of the Rings films, yet they exist in Tolkien’s stories. In the First Age, several thousand years before the Fellowship’s journey, a special dog even became an ally of the Valar. These are ancient beings created by the divine being Ilúvatar.
Huan was a wolfhound, whose true age is unknown. He was chosen by the Valar and granted special abilities, including immortality and the ability to never need sleep. According to a prophecy, he would speak three times before his death.
Originally, he was a hunting dog of Oromë, a Valar known as a hunter and one of the strongest of his kind. He later gave Huan to Celegorm, one of the sons of Fëanor. He too was a hunter and a friend of Oromë, who taught him many things.
Huan was not only a strong hunting dog but a true hero.
Mightier than Many Warriors
What was Huan’s life like? Along with Celegorm and other Noldor, he traveled to Middle-earth. One day, while hunting with Celegorm and Curufin (another son of Fëanor), Huan found Lúthien, the daughter of King Thingol, who ruled in Doriath.
She was searching for her great love Beren. At that time, he was on a suicide mission with Finrod, the king of Nargothrond: Since Lúthien’s father did not truly accept their love, he sent Beren to retrieve a Silmaril, one of the three powerful gemstones, which were at that time in the possession of the true villain Morgoth.
Celegorm and Curufin were aware of this and captured Lúthien to use her as leverage against Thingol, to convince him to agree to an alliance. However, Huan helped Lúthien. During her captivity, she often talked to the dog.
Huan spoke for the first time, helped her escape, and traveled with her to Tol-in-Gaurhoth, a fortress of Sauron, who was then still a lieutenant. There, Beren was imprisoned.
In keeping with the other name of the fortress, Isle of Werewolves, Lúthien and Huan had to fight against them. Once that was done, even Sauron himself transformed into a werewolf, as a prophecy stated that Huan would die by a werewolf. But with Lúthien’s help, Huan was able to defeat him. Sauron fled, and the lovers were reunited.
On their way back to Doriath, Beren and Lúthien encountered Curufin and Celegorm again, to whom Huan also returned. The now exiled Elves attacked Lúthien, but Huan defended her. They fled in fear.
The Death of Huan
How does the story of Huan end? Beren decided to continue searching for the Silmarils and sneaked away alone. Huan and Lúthien naturally followed Beren on the way to Angband. When they met, Huan spoke for the second time and informed Beren that he must face his fate together with Lúthien.
Beren, disguised as the werewolf Draugluin, and Lúthien, disguised as the bat Thuringwethil, made their way to Angband, initially without Huan. To defend Angband and protect himself from Huan, Morgoth created a powerful werewolf of his own.
Carcharoth is a descendant of Draugluin, the first werewolves, and was fed living flesh by Morgoth.
Beren and Lúthien managed to steal a Silmaril, but the great evil wolf of Morgoth was waiting. He bit off Beren’s hand that held the gem. But Huan helped the two by sending the Eagles for their rescue (as seen in the films). The lovers returned to Lúthien’s father, who accepted their love after hearing what had happened.
However, Carcharoth had a problem: The Silmaril in his stomach caused him endless pain, driving him mad as he tried to hunt the heroes. Just before he reached Thingol’s kingdom, Thingol sent a troop (himself included) out to hunt the werewolf.
A final great battle between the two creatures ensued. Beren and Huan were able to kill the werewolf, but both died. Huan spoke for the last time and said goodbye to Beren and Lúthien.
Huan is proof that not only humans, elves, or dwarves have resisted evil, but also animals. Furthermore, he represents a central element of the story: loyalty. If you want to learn more about The Lord of the Rings and Middle-earth, you can find an overview here: The Lord of the Rings: Everything About the Lore and History of Middle-earth
