Huan

Huan was known to be the magnificent hound dog during the First Ages. Huan was as big as a miniature stallion. The huntsman, Vala Aldaron, offered it to his comrade, Feanor's son, Celegorm. Celegorm the Fair was fond of hunting, and he brings Huan whenever he does. He was loyal to his master that when Noldor had a rebellion, Huan did not hesitate to join him. Huan was no ordinary wolfhound. He had Valar-given unique strengths. Before his death, he was granted to speak at least three times. According to the prophecy, only the most magnificent wolf is capable of killing him.

Celegorm, the third son of Feanor, was the second owner of Huan. Orome first owned him. Both of them were exiled during the Noldor flight. They later retreated to Nargothrond following their downfall of the Battle of the Sudden Flame. [1] Huan stayed by him in East Beleriand. He became part of the crusade to obtain Silmaril. Erchamion chose to be with Felagund going to the Iron Prison, abandoning Tinúviel behind. They were unexpectedly seized when they reached Tol Sirion. Tinúviel was on her way to free them from captivity. Celegorm and the crafty Curufin cut her off on her trail. They were incidentally hunting near Elven underground fortress. The wolfhound scented her, leading to her capture. She was carried to Celegorm.

The craft and Celegorm were the ones who ordered Erchamion to face his death from Sauron. She was clueless, and they did not share this information. Instead, she became their prisoner. They said that it was for her security, but little did she know, they had a hidden agenda. They were plotting to let Celegorm take her hand in marriage. It would result in a forged allegiance with her father, Elu. The wolfhound was feeling sympathetic for her. He spoke for the very first time and led her to a way out. They were on their way to Tol Sirion. It is where they fought and slaughtered the werewolves of Sauron. They showed no mercy and demolished them all. Sauron wanted revenge for what they did. He knew about the wolfhound's prophecy. He turned himself into the most potent wolf that walked the earth. With his fate seemingly doomed, the wolfhound accomplished to conquer Sauron. Sauron had no choice but to retreat. Beren and Luthien were together again and traveled to an Elven realm, Doriath.

The craft and Celegorm intercepted them. That's when they found out that the Noldorin Elf banished the two from the Elven underground fortress. A fight was bound to happen between the two groups. Surprisingly, the wolfhound defended Luthien and Beren instead of his master. This was the second incident the wolfhound was able to speak; he informed them about his master's plans. Celegorm was planning to take over the Angband's entryway.

Huan gave them the first werewolf's skin and Sauron's vampire servant's skin. The skins were their camouflage to enter Angband undetected. Luthien and Beren were the victors of the quest. The Red Maw werewolf was responsible for Beren losing his limb in the battle. Strongbow, Beren, Mablung of the Heavy Hand, and Huan sought out the wolf. Beren and the wolfhound slaughtered the werewolf, Red Maw. It resulted in Huan's fatal injuries. Before dying, the wolfhound's last time of speaking, he bid goodbye to Luthien and Beren.

The term Huan was derived from the Elvish language Sindarin, "hu," translating to hound. In the Common Eldarin language, Huan translates to hound. It came from the two terms hunen or khugan. The term Huan precisely translates to great hound or dog.

Huan was more commonly known as the dogs' captain. He was the famous opponent of Sauron, who was the Cat Prince. He met Luthien, who was frightened of him. This was the incident when he first spoke using the ancient language of the elves. It was initially suggested that the wolfhound and the eagles came from the race of Maiar. These plots were repurposed into Luthien and Beren's whole story.

In the writings, it was never mentioned about the wolfdog's presentation. He was compared to a wolfdog originating from Ireland. There were rumors about the Silmaril's quest's similarity to Dante's Inferno. A wolf was blocking his path. It was said that the Greyhound was the only creature that could confront the wolf and let it return to the inferno. In pictures, Huan bears a resemblance to a mix of wolf and a dog.

1. ^The Battle of Sudden Flame.