The Price on Beren's head

It says in the Silmarillion that Morgoth set a price on Beren's head no less then High King Fingon.What would Morgoth give to the assasin?

[Sharkû]

It was Morgoth. He most likely would kill the assassin, fearing he might be a threat to him and his cause.

[Lord of Angmar]

I agree. He certainly would not give the assassin any material reward. A cruel laugh followed by torture until death would probably ensue, whatever Morgoth actually promised.

[MLD-Grounds-Keeper-Willie]

I highly doubt that would happen. I don't think that Morgoth would do that because if he ever needed anyone assassinated after that, no one would want to do it. He probably gave him something of value like gold or whatever. And he might have wanted to call on the assassin again later some time, and that way, they grow to trust each other to some extent.

[Lord of Angmar]

Well, let's reevaluate the question. Morgoth would not hire an 'assassin' to kill Beren or Fingon. It simply means that whatever orc or dragon or troll who comes upon and kills Beren or Fingon and provides proof will get a reward. I doubt Morgoth would be true to his word if it was a lowly orc who sought the reward.

[MLD-Grounds-Keeper-Willie]

Well, assuming if it's a lowly orc, then maybe it might get some riches, and possibly a higher rank. That might encourage other orcs.

But I do see what you mean now, and its seems like the orc would get played for the fool. I don't know if it would turn out like you said, but he might be under-rewarded, and if so, the orc might say something along the lines of, "Hey, I deserve more than this!" And maybe then his life might be taken.

But this would still apply:

if he ever needed anyone assassinated after that, no one would want to do it

[The Squatter of Amon Rûdh]

Morgoth just doesn't think that way. To negotiate and to honour one's agreements is to acknowledge that the other party has some value. Morgoth sees all others as tools, nothing more. Indeed, such is his contempt for humanity especially that he offers Húrin a captaincy of balrogs in The Lay of the Children of Húrin, even though scant pages ago, that warrior had been the Elves' most loyal follower. Besides, his orcs could always kill people for him, and he ruled them by fear, not rewards.

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

I don't think the Hurin example is too relevant. Hurin was an old foe of Morgoth's so undoubtedly he would have double-crossed him.

However, if an Orc killed Beren or Fingon, I'm pretty sure he would be rewarded. Why not? What is the harm of promoting that particular Orc to captain of his platoon, or whatever?

Surely it would be counterproductive to kill an Orc who has proved to be very useful to you.

I think its pretty unlikely that an Orc would be getting ideas so far above his station that Morgoth should be worried.

[ August 16, 2003: Message edited by: Eomer of the Rohirrim ]

[The Squatter of Amon Rûdh]

My point was rather that Morgoth thinks it likely that Húrin will accept his bribe. The audacity of offering it in the first place to such a determined enemy is an indication of Morgoth's contempt for the faith of men. In the Lay, his motivation is the prophecy that treachery will be the undoing of the Noldor, as we can see in these lines:

Lo! Morgoth remembered***the mighty doom,
the weird of old***that the Elves in woe,
in ruin and wrack***by the reckless hearts
of mortal Men***should be meshed at last;
that treason alone***of trusted friend
should master the magic***whose mazes wrapped
the children of Côr

However it is to a later reference that I turn for the perceived worth of Morgoth's word:

Therefore Morgoth had him chained and set in slow torment; but after a while he came to him, and offered him his choice to go free whither he would, or to receive power and rank as the greatest of Morgoth's captains, if he would but reveal where Turgon had his stronghold, and aught else that he knew of the King's counsels. But Húrin the Steadfast mocked him, saying: 'Blind you are Morgoth Bauglir, and blind shall ever be, seeing only the dark. You know not what rules the hearts of Men, and if you knew you could not give it. But a fool is he who accepts what Morgoth offers. You will take first the price and then withhold the promise; and I should get only death, if I told you what you ask.'

(Narn I Hîn Húrin - The Words of Húrin and Morgoth)

As for rewarding his Orcs, yes that is possible; but I doubt that a great deal would be given to any Orc that killed his enemy. Perhaps a promotion or some small recognition, but not a great deal. After all the Orcs were Morgoth's slaves, and he is not known for his great generosity with others. Even Ungoliant he only rewards grudgingly, and he withholds her full share of their ill-gotten gains because of his greed for the Silmarils. If a powerful ally with whom he has an agreement cannot expect fair treatment, how much less could one of his servants expect it?

No, I doubt that Morgoth would kill an Orc for good service, but I doubt that he would reward one richly either. For the same reasons (ie they are inferior beings) I too doubt that he would be worried about them getting above themselves, but it would not be in character for him to treat inferior creatures with any respect, even those that served him well.