[The Squatter of Amon Rûdh]

That's very true, Lord Elrond: Morgoth always takes pleasure in warping and corrupting the purity of Eru's creation. However, my reading of the text above is that Morgoth's mind was simply filled with lustful thoughts (which incidentally are what prompt him to allow Lúthien to sing and dance for him), and that these lead to whatever 'dark design' he was pondering.

Bearing in mind that his lust comes first and foremost, he could be considering any number of horrible alternatives: he might simply be thinking about rape. On the other hand he might be considering that if he were to marry Lúthien it would torture Thingol, and possibly prompt him into a rash attack on Angband in which he and his army would be destroyed. Almost certainly Morgoth realised that any offspring of himself and Lúthien would be very powerful and a valuable asset for that reason alone. However, not only would any child of his and Lúthien's be a natural legal heir to the throne of Doriath, but also Morgoth himself, as Thingol's son-in-law, would become Thingol and Melian's heir apparent. This would leave him in an almost unassailable position for negotiating a surrender (the terms of which would be honoured on one side alone), and provide a lever for use on Thingol's people. It could also be used to goad and torment Thingol in the meantime, prompting him to rash action.

For Morgoth, this is a win-win situation. He can gratify his lust and in so doing create a situation that is to his advantage alone. Unfortunately for him, Lúthien perceives some of his thoughts and uses that knowledge to beguile him, the rest being 'history'.

You're right, Phantom: the idea of the best and brightest of the Firstborn being used as a concubine by the marrer of Arda himself is a horrible thought.

[ 1:26 PM December 04, 2003: Message edited by: The Squatter of Amon Rûdh ]