Myth of Tolkien

In Britain ways are wild and long,
and woods are dark with danger strong;
and sound of seas is in the leaves,
and wonder walks the forest-eaves.

- J.R.R. Tolkien

Something as of late has captured my imagination in the form of myths and legends. There is the mystery in the stories passed down, the characters, the decisions they make and how that shapes their future. Tales that teach and inspire more stories.

Tolkien gathers most of the attention for the well-known tales of Middle-earth, but this poem rests in the tradition of old Celtic myths, written during a short time period in his life where he was focused on studying the Celtic traditions. This is well before he wrote any lines of Middle-earth's stories.

It reads almost like a fairy tale of a decision made and the consequences of that one decision. Lord Aotrou and Lady Itroun desire to have children, but are unable to. Aotrou makes the choice to go on a journey to see the Corrigan, a 'Celtic fairy', living in a cave. The Cotrrigan tradition is that they are known to be crafty. She gives him a vile of liquid that will help, and won't receive any payment. She taunts him that she will collect payment if he sees results, and she won't say what she will require. 

Aotrou goes back home, and mixes the elixir into his wife's drink. With a glad heart, he seems to feel that good is on the horizon. Itroun ends up having twins, and they appear to be doubly blessed. They wish to celebrate such a good tiding. Aotrou goes out to hunt to bring back a prize to help celebrate, and is drawn to a white doe that lures him. It turns out to be the Corrigan, who then says her payment is due. Aotrou is to leave his wife, and be with her. Aotrou refuses immediately and tells her he'll be going home. The Corrigan says he will die in three days...a kind of spell is on him that he cannot escape...

It is a complex mix of choice and consequence. The poem is quite short, and there are a few different drafts included in the book, which is not at all surprising, knowing how many times Tolkien would write and re-write his stories. He was a perfectionist, and a story never seemed to be finished. There were always some details to clarify.

As I read this, I could see hints of tales of Middle-earth that haven't yet fully brewed in Tolkien's mind (elves like Galadriel, and their mysterious abilities). He liked to write tales that told of some tragedy but that have a deep sense of moral at the core (especially with marriage, such as this story), and it causes us to think about lessons to be learned in the choices we make.