The Spell of Bottomless Dread[1] is an evil enchantment laid by Melko on his slaves which binds them to his will according to the early version of the legendarium in The Book of Lost Tales.
Depiction
It is described that Noldoli who were under this "wandered as in a dream of fear, doing his ill bidding" and that "they felt the eyes of Melko burn them from afar".[2] Further, it caused their hearts to quake and "they fled not even when they could", something which "Melko trusted often".[3]
After Meglin was captured by Melko's Orcs, he willingly betrayed Gondolin in order to save his own life, but was placed under the Spell of Bottomless Dread before being bidden to return before he would be missed. He thereafter had neither joy nor quiet in his heart and a dread possessed him that Melko was ever at hand. He was, however, still able to feign gaiety, even to the point that his people (save Idril) thought better of him than before.[3]
Similar concepts in later works
This concept continued throughout the later versions of the legendarium.
Following his loss in the Dagor Aglareb, Morgoth changed his tactics and bid his Orcs to take alive any Eldar they could and bring them to Angband. Of them, it is stated that "some indeed he so daunted by the terror of his eyes that they needed no chains more, but walked ever in fear of him, doing his will wherever they might be. These he would unbind and let return to work treason among their own kin."[4] This appears to have been less effective against the Noldor, however, as they were "a mighty race yet, and few of them could he so daunt that they would do his will, but escaping they became oft his deadliest foes".[5]
Prior to the battle of Unnumbered Tears, emissaries of Morgoth went among the Elven camps, and they were thrall-Gnomes or things in Elvish form. They spread foreboding of evil and the suspicion of treason among all who would listen to them.[6]:§9
In Myths Transformed, the Battle of the Powers ends with the Valar confronting Melkor directly after dealing with his agents piecemeal. To Melkor's amazement, he realises he has disbursed so much of his personal force that he can no longer daunt Manwë with his gaze.[7]
A similar association is with Eöl. On his encounter with Isfin (Aredhel) she "came into the enchantments of Ëol the Dark-elf" who took her to wife and "suffered her not to stray far, nor to fare abroad save in the dark or the twilight".[8]
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, "I. The Tale of Tinúviel": "Notes and Commentary"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, "II. Turambar and the Foalókë"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, "III. The Fall of Gondolin"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part One. The Grey Annals": §81
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part One. The Grey Annals": §82
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, "Part Two: Valinor and Middle-earth before The Lord of the Rings, VI. Quenta Silmarillion"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Five. Myths Transformed", "[Text] VII"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part One. The Grey Annals": §118