By the time of the events of The Lord of the Rings, Sauron is one of the most powerful figures in Middle-earth. Even faced with such formidable foes as Finrod Felagund and Gil-galad, Sauron never relents, ultimately remaining the world’s single greatest threat to peace for centuries upon centuries. That doesn’t mean he’s invincible, though. In fact, Sauron suffers several defeats over the years that force him into hiding and occasionally even deprive him of his physical body. And one of his most humiliating losses happens at the hands, or rather paws, of a certain very good dog.
This dog is none other than Huan, a great wolfhound of the First Age and no ordinary canine. He plays a key role in one of the most important chapters in Tolkien’s legendarium, the epic love story of the brave mortal Beren and the valiant Elven princess Lúthien. The tale of Huan’s life is quite a ride, featuring sudden betrayals, surprising twists and one important prophecy.
Who Is Huan in The Lord of the Rings?
Huan hails from Valinor, the Edenic home of the divine Valar. One of the hounds of the hunting god Oromë, Huan’s superiority to ordinary animals is evident in his formidable stature, described as equal to that of a horse, and his Valar-granted exceptional strength and speed. Also of note is a well-known prophecy, never explicitly attributed to anyone but accepted by all as fact, that Huan will speak three times in his life, and that the greatest wolf to ever live will someday kill him.
In the early days of Arda’s history, Oromë is the first of the secluded Valar to meet the Elves due to his regular hunting trips in Middle-earth. Thereafter, he maintains close bonds of friendship with many of the Elves, including Celegorm, the third son of Fëanor, to whom he eventually gifts Huan as a hunting companion. Owning such a creature is an honor few in Middle-earth can lay claim to, and Huan soon becomes famous in his own right, known across the lands as the Hound of Valinor.
Celegorm and Huan spend a long stretch of years together, fleeing with the rest of the Noldor from Aman and eventually establishing a new rule in Middle-earth alongside Celegorm’s brother, Curufin. It isn’t till Beren and Lúthien enter the picture, on a quest to obtain a Silmaril so that Lúthien’s father Finrod will allow them to marry, that Huan’s character development truly begins. When Celegorm and Curufin manipulate Beren into being captured by Sauron and sent to almost certain death and kidnap Lúthien for their own nefarious purposes, the great hound becomes disillusioned with his master’s character and actions. In a memorable turn of events, Huan decides to help Lúthien instead, speaking for the first time to tell her of a secret escape route from Nargothrond. Thereafter, Huan is Lúthien and Beren’s loyal companion, a role he occupies until his death.
How Huan Defeated Sauron in a Fight
Huan and Lúthien turn out to be quite a formidable pair. After successfully escaping Celegorm and Curufin, they launch a new attack on the werewolf-occupied stronghold Tol-in-Gaurhoth, taking on Sauron’s forces one by one till all are soundly defeated. At this point, Sauron himself is forced to wade into the fray. Aware of the prophecy regarding Huan’s doom, he transforms himself into a wolf of unbelievable size and strength, arrogantly attempting to fill the role of Huan’s killer.
Unfortunately for the Dark Lord, his strategy goes awry — Lúthien manages to distract him at a critical moment, leaving an opening for Huan to subdue him with a powerful hold that can’t be broken. Sauron desperately tries a number of tricks and transformations but finally has no choice but to cede to Lúthien’s demands, giving over control of his tower and releasing his prisoners, including Beren.
Huan stays by Lúthien and Beren’s side from then on, accompanying them on perilous quests and always watching their backs. Eventually, he’s struck down by the great werewolf Carcharoth while fighting alongside his beloved master and mistress, fulfilling the prophecy of his demise. As he lies dying, he speaks for the third and final time in his life, bidding a fond farewell to the equally injured Beren, who silently lays his hand on Huan’s head in response. As expected of the glorious Hound of Valinor, Huan is truly a loyal, loving and excellent boy until the very end.
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