New J.R.R. Tolkien book, 'Beren and Luthien,' to be published in 2017

NEW YORK, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- A new book from author J.R.R. Tolkien, Beren and Luthien, is set to be published next year, 100 years after it was written.

Tolkien, the prolific author who penned the Lord of the Rings series, first wrote the story of Beren and Luthien -- a mortal man and immortal elf who fall in love -- in 1917.

Tolkien wrote several versions of the story, including one that appeared in The Fellowship of the Ring as a story passed down to the hobbits by Aragorn.

The names Beren and Luthien appear on the headstone of the grave Tolkien shares with his wife, Edith.

"I never called Edith Luthien -- but she was the source of the story," Tolkien wrote to his son Christoper.

Christopher Tolkien will edit the book which is slated for publication in May of next year.