Finrod

2022-03-27T16:31:52Z

162.158.90.56: /* Life in Beleriand */

{{noldor infobox
| name=Finrod Felagund
| image=[[File:Elena Kukanova - Finrod - First Encounter with Edain.jpg|250px]]
| caption="Finrod - First Encounter with Edain" by [[:Category:Images by Elena Kukanova|Elena Kukanova]]
| pronun=
| othernames=''Findaráto''/''Artafindë'' ([[Telerin|T]]/[[Quenya|Q]], [[Father-name|fn]]) ''[[Ingoldo]]'' ([[Quenya|Q]], [[Amilessë|mn]]) ''[[Nóm]]'' or ''Nómin'' ([[Taliska|T]]) ''Felakgundu'' ([[Khuzdul|K]])
| titles=[[King of Nargothrond]]
| position=
| location=[[Tirion]]; [[Nargothrond]]
| affiliation=[[Quest for the Silmaril]]
| language=[[Quenya]], [[Telerin]], [[Sindarin]] and [[Taliska]]
| birth={{YT|1300}}
| birthlocation=[[Tirion]]
| rule={{FA|52}} - [[First Age 465|465]]
| death={{FA|465}}
| deathlocation=[[Tol-in-Gaurhoth]]
| age=c. 2381 years<ref group="note">Years of the Sun. Each Year of the Tree is equal to 9.582 Years of the Sun, and the Years of the Trees ended in the year 1500.</ref>
| notablefor=
| house=[[House of Finarfin]]
| parentage=[[Finarfin]] & [[Eärwen]]
| siblings=[[Angrod]], [[Aegnor]] and [[Galadriel]]
| spouse=Lover of [[Amarië]]
| children=
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=Golden
| eyes=
| clothing=[[Ring of Barahir]]
| weapons=
| steed=
}}
{{Quote|King Finrod Felagund, fairest and most beloved of the [[house of Finwë]].|''[[Quenta Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of Beren and Lúthien]]"}}
'''Finrod''' was an [[Elves|Elven]] king of the [[Noldor]], eldest son of [[Finarfin]] and older brother to [[Angrod]], [[Aegnor]] and [[Galadriel]]. Finrod was like his father in his fair face and golden hair, and also in his noble and generous heart.

In [[Beleriand]], Finrod became the ruler of [[Nargothrond]], taking the [[Epessë|after-name]] of '''Felagund'''. He was a wise, just and powerful Elf, and a great traveller.<ref>[[Robert Foster]], ''[[The Complete Guide to Middle-earth]]'', p. 144</ref>

== History ==
Finrod was born in [[Eldamar]] in the [[Year of the Trees 1300]], the same as his cousin [[Turgon]].<ref>{{AA|85|note}}</ref> They were friends, and his beloved was [[Amarië]] of the [[Vanyar]].

Finrod was among those who opposed [[Fëanor]] and the [[Exile of the Noldor]]. However, when the Noldor were set to depart from [[Aman]], he joined them, for he would not be sundered from his friends and his people who were eager to go. Also, he had no wish to abandon his people to Fëanor's rule.<ref>{{S|Flight}}</ref>

=== Return of the Noldor ===
Finrod, along with his father, led the rear of the host along with many of the noblest and wisest of the Noldor; and often they looked behind them to see their fair city, especially Finrod, for he had to leave Amarië behind. With him, he brought along many treasures from [[Tirion]],<ref name=return>{{S|Return}}</ref> including [[Ring of Barahir|his Ring]].<ref name=beren>{{S|Beren}}</ref>

Finrod and his people did not participate in the [[Kinslaying at Alqualondë]]. While they were travelling up the coast of [[Araman]], the [[Valar|Vala]] [[Mandos]] appeared and pronounced the [[Doom of the Noldor]], and in that hour, Finarfin forsook the march and returned to [[Valinor]] with many of his people. However, Finrod and his siblings went forward still and led their people on the long and perilous march to [[Middle-earth]].

=== Leben in Beleriand ===
Nach ihrem Sieg in [[Dagor-nuin-Giliath]] begannen die Noldor mit dem Bau ihrer zahlreichen Reiche. Finrod errichtete den Turm von [[Minas Tirith (Beleriand)|Minas Tirith]] auf der Insel [[Tol Sirion]]. Einmal, als Finrod und sein Freund [[Turgon]] entlang des Flusses [[Sirion]] nach Süden reisten, lagerten sie an seinen Ufern. [[Ulmo]], der den Fluss heraufkam, sagt ihnen einen tiefen Schlaf und schwere Träume auf; und jedem schien es, als wäre er befohlen worden, sich auf einen Tag des Bösen zu erheben und einen Rückzug zu errichten, damit [[Morgoth]] nicht aus [[Angband]] stürmen und die Armeen des Nordens stürzen könnten.

[[File:Mysilvergreen - Finrod Felagund.jpg|left|thumb|''Finrod Felagund'' von [[:Category:Images by Mysilvergreen|Mysilvergreen]]]]
Nun waren Finrod und seine Schwester [[Galadriel]] einmal Gäste von König [[Thingol|Elu Thingol]], ihren Verwandten in [[Doriath]]. Dort erzählte Finrod Thingol von seiner Bewunderung für die Hallen von [[Menegroth]]; und Thingol sprach zu ihm über die tiefe Schlucht des Flusses [[Narog]] und erzählte ihm von den Höhlen unter dem [[High Faroth]] an seinem tiefen Westufer. So kam Finrod zu den [[Höhlen von Narog]] und errichtete dort tiefe Hallen und Waffenkammern; und diese Festung wurde [[Nargothrond]] genannt. Dabei wurde er von den [[Zwergen]] aus den [[Blauen Bergen]] unterstützt, und Finrod belohnte sie mit vielen Juwelen aus Valinor. Damals wurde für ihn das [[Nauglamír]] angefertigt, die Halskette der Zwerge. Nachdem Nargothrond erschaffen worden war, übergab Finrod Minas Tirith der Obhut von [[Orodreth]], seinem Bruder,

Das Reich erstreckt sich von Nargothrond bis zum Meer, mit Ausnahme der [[Falas]]. Finrod war ein Freund und Verbündeter von [[Círdan]] und hatte auch den Turm [[Barad Nimras]] auf dem Kap gebaut.<ref>{{S|14}}</ref>

=== Encounter with Men ===
[[File:Steamey - Finrod, Beor and the Green-elves of Ossiriand.jpg|thumb|''Finrod, Beor and the Green-elves of Ossiriand'' by [[:Category:Images by Steamey|Steamy]]]]
When over three hundred years had passed since the Noldor came to Beleriand, Finrod journeyed east of Sirion and went hunting with [[Maglor]] and [[Maedhros]], two of the [[sons of Fëanor]]. But he wearied of the hunt and passed on alone towards the mountains of [[Ered Lindon]]. There, in the lands of [[Thargelion]], in [[East Beleriand]], Finrod was the first of the Noldor to come across [[Men]]. These were the kindred and followers of [[Bëor]] [[The Old]]. He went among them while they were sleeping and, picking up a harp which Bëor had laid aside, played music upon it such as the ears of men had not heard. When the men awoke and listened to his song, each thought that he was in some fair dream. He long stayed with them, learning [[Taliska|their language]] and teaching them [[Sindarin]]. He also intervened on behalf of the [[Laiquendi]] of [[Ossiriand]], who feared Men would destroy their home, and he got permission of [[Thingol]], who held rule over all [[Beleriand]], to guide the Men to [[Estolad]].<ref name=West>{{S|West}}</ref>

Finrod had a close friendship with [[Andreth]] of the [[House of Bëor]], whom he often visited during the [[Siege of Angband]] to converse with her on the matters of Elves and Men. One such conversation was written down and later known as ''[[Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth]]''.

Finrod participated in the [[Dagor Bragollach]], fighting in the [[Fen of Serech]], when he was surrounded by [[Orcs]]. It was [[Barahir]] of the [[House of Bëor]] who saved his life, and Finrod swore an oath of abiding friendship and aid in every need to Barahir and all his kin. As a token he gave Barahir his ring, which became known as the [[Ring of Barahir]].<ref>{{S|Fingolfin}}</ref>

=== Quest for the Silmaril ===
[[File:Anke Eißmann - Finrod is reminded of his oath.jpeg|thumb|''Finrod is reminded of his oath'' by [[Anke Eißmann]]]]
When, ten years later, Barahir's son [[Beren]] came to Nargothrond seeking help, Finrod went with him on the [[Quest for the Silmaril]] to repay his debt. [[Celegorm]] and [[Curufin]], who were living in Nargothrond at the time, persuaded (using barely veiled threats related to their [[Oath of Fëanor|Oath]]) most of Nargothrond to stay behind. Only ten warriors, headed by one [[Edrahil]], were faithful and came with them. Beneath the [[Shadowy Mountains]] they came upon a company of [[Orcs]], and slew them all in their camp. They took their gear and weapons, and by the magic of Finrod, their own forms and faces were changed to the likeness of Orcs. Thus disguised, they came far upon their northward road between [[Ered Wethrin]] and the highlands of [[Taur-nu-Fuin (Dorthonion)|Taur-nu-Fuin]]. However, the twelve were captured and imprisoned by [[Sauron]] on [[Tol-in-Gaurhoth]] ("Isle of Werewolves").<ref name=beren></ref>

[[File:KuraiGeijutsu - And Finrod fell before the Throne.jpg|thumb|''And Finrod fell before the Throne'' by [[:Category:Images by KuraiGeijutsu|Kurai Geijutsu]]]]

Thus befell the contest of Finrod and Sauron. Finrod strove with Sauron in songs of power, and the power of the Elven King was very great. But in the end, Sauron had the mastery. It is told in the ''[[Lay of Leithian]]'':
{{blockquote|He chanted a song of wizardry, 
Of piercing, opening, of treachery, 
Revealing, uncovering, betraying. 
Then sudden Felagund there swaying 
sang in answer a song of staying, 
Resisting, battling against power, 
Of secrets kept, strength like a tower, 
And trust unbroken, freedom, escape; 
Of changing and of shifting shape, 
Of snares eluded, broken traps, 
The prison opening, the chain that snaps, 
Backwards and forwards swayed their song. 
Reeling and foundering, as ever more strong 
The chanting swelled, Felagund fought, 
And all the magic and might he brought, 
Of Elvenesse into his words. 
Softly in the gloom they heard the birds 
Singing afar in Nargothrond, 
The sighing of the sea beyond, 
Beyond the western world, on sand, 
On sand of pearls in Elvenland. 
Then the gloom gathered; darkness growing 
In Valinor, the red blood flowing 
Beside the sea, where the Noldor slew 
The Foamriders, and stealing drew 
Their white ships with their white sails 
From lamplit havens. The wind wails, 
The wolf howls. The ravens flee. 
The ice mutters in the mouths of the sea. 
The captives sad in Angband mourn, 
Thunder rumbles, the fires burn- 
And Finrod fell before the throne.|[[Lay of Leithian Canto VII|Canto VII]], vv. 2173-2205}}

[[File:Anke Eißmann - Death of Finrod Felagund.jpeg|thumb|''Death of Finrod Felagund'' by [[Anke Eißmann]]]]
Then Sauron stripped from them their disguise, but though their kinds were revealed, he could not discover their names or their purposes.

Sauron imprisoned them and one by one they were killed by werewolves until only Beren and Felagund were left, but none of the companions betrayed them. When the werewolf came to kill Beren, Felagund put forth all his power and burst his bonds. He wrestled with the werewolf, and slew it with his hands and teeth. Yet he himself was mortally wounded, and he died in the dark, in Tol-in-Gaurhoth, whose great tower he himself had built. Thus King Finrod Felagund, the fairest and most beloved of the house of [[Finwë]], redeemed his oath.

=== Reincarnation ===
[[File:Donato Giancola - Lore.jpeg|thumb|An Elf loremaster ponders at a mural of Finrod leading his House in battle. Art by [[Donato Giancola]]]]
Because of Finrod's noble actions in life, and his reluctance to journey to Middle-earth, he was reincarnated after only a short time. He and [[Glorfindel]] were the only elves who were known to have been reincarnated. It is noted in the ''Lay of Leithian'' that Finrod was soon allowed to return to life in Valinor, and "now dwells with Amarië.”{{fact}} It is also noted in ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' that "''Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in [[Eldamar]]''".<ref name=beren>{{S|Beren}}</ref>

== Etymology ==
{{seealso|#Other versions of the legendarium}}
{{Pronounce|Finrod Felagund.mp3|Ardamir}}
The name ''Finrod'' is the [[Sindarin]] form of his [[father-name]] '''''Findaráto''''' ("[Golden-]Haired Champion"). It is possible he and his brother [[Angrod]] were first called ''[[Aráto]]'', and later differentiated adding ''find-'', referred to the golden hair derived from [[Indis]]. This name was of [[Telerin]] origin, so the proper [[Quenya]] form would be '''''Artafindë'''''.<ref name=Finwe>{{PM|Finwe}}</ref>{{rp|346-347}}

===Felagund===
'''''Felagund''''' was an [[epessë]] given to him by the [[Dwarves]] that expanded the caves of Nargothrond, and meant "Hewer of Caves". It is not Sindarin, but rather [[Sindarinized]] [[Khuzdul]], from '''''Felakgundu'''''. The name was Eldarized by other as '''''Felagon''''' (in relation with Fin''gon'', Tur''gon'').<ref>{{PM|Felagund}}, p. 352</ref>

While revising his [[Elvish]] languages in later years, [[Tolkien]] reinterpreted ''Felagund'' as "den-dweller, brock, badger", from [[Sindarin]] ''fela'', wich was used for dens made by wild animals or temporary dwellings of wandering folks, unrelated to big carved caves. The west bank of Narog had many dens of badgers, some of them occupied by [[Petty-dwarves]]. It was thus probable that ''Felagund'' was actually given by the [[Sons of Fëanor]] as a mockery to Finrod, and transmitted by the Dwarves.<ref>{{NM|P3vii}}, p. 304</ref>

An early etymology for ''Felagund'' was "Lord of Caves" in [[Noldorin]], from ''[[fela]]'' ("caverns") + ''[[cunn]]'' ("prince").<ref>{{LR|P3}}, entries "KUNDU", "PHELEG"</ref>

==Other names==
His [[Amilessë|mother-name]] was '''''[[Ingoldo]]''''', which was also the mother-name of his father Finarfin. It meant "''the'' Ñoldo", 'one-eminent of the kindred' which is in simpler words 'the wise'. It was a name used by his brothers and sister, who loved him.<ref name=Finwe>{{PM|Finwe}}</ref>{{rp|346, 360}}

Finrod was also called '''''[[Nóm]]''''' ("Wisdom") by [[Bëor]] and his [[House of Bëor|people]].<ref name=West>{{S|West}}</ref> His other titles include "the Faithful", "the Friend of Men", "[[King of Nargothrond]]", "[[Lord of Nargothrond]]".<ref>{{S|Index}}, entry "Finrod"</ref><ref>{{App|B1}}</ref>

He was often called by the Eldar '''''Edennil''''' or '''''Atandil''''', which means "Friend of Men" in [[Sindarin]] and [[Quenya]] respectively.<ref>{{MR|P4k}}, p. 349 (cf. p. 306)</ref> A variant for ''Atandil'' was ''Firindil''.<ref>{{VT|41c}}, p. 14</ref>

== Genealogy ==
<div style="overflow-x: scroll; overflow-y: hidden; border: 1px solid #AAAAAA; padding: 3px; background: #EEEEEE;">
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree| MIR |y|~|~|~|~|~|~| FIN |y| IND | | | | | | | | OLW | | | | | | | |MIR=[[Míriel]]''d. {{YT|1170}}''|FIN=[[Finwë]]''d. {{YT|1495}}''|IND=[[Indis]]''b. {{YT}}''|OLW=[[Olwë]]''b. {{YT}}''}}
{{familytree| | | |!| | | |,|-|-|-|v|-|^|-|v|-|-|-|.| | | |,|-|^|-|.| | | | | | |}}
{{familytree| | | FEA | | FDS | | FNG | | IRM | | FRF |y| EAW | | SON | | | | | |FEA=[[Fëanor]]''{{YT|1169}} - {{YT|1497|n}}''|FDS=[[Findis]]''b. {{YT}}''|FNG=[[Fingolfin]]''{{YT|1190}} - {{FA|456}}''|IRM=[[Írimë]]''b. {{YT}}''|FRF=[[Finarfin]]''b. {{YT|1230}}''|EAW=[[Eärwen]]''b. {{YT}}''|SON=''unknown sons''}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | | | | | | |,|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|^|-|-|-|v|-|-|.| | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | | | | | | FRD | | ANG |y| ELD | | AEG | | GAL |y| CEL | |FRD='''FINROD'''''{{YT|1300}} - {{FA|465}}''|ANG=[[Angrod]]''d. {{FA|455}}''|AEG=[[Aegnor]]''d. {{FA|455}}''|GAL=[[Galadriel]]''b. {{YT|1362}}''|ELD=[[Eldalótë]]''b. {{YT}}''|CEL=[[Celeborn]]''b. {{FA}}''}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |!| | | | | | | | | | | |!| | | | |}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ORO | | | | | | ELR |y| CLB | | | |ORO=[[Orodreth]]''d. {{FA|495}}''|CLB=[[Celebrían]]''b. {{SA}}''|ELR=[[Elrond]]''b. {{FA|532}}''}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |,|-|^|-|.| | | |,|-|-|-|+|-|-|-|.| | |}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | GIL | | FIL | | ELL | | ELO | | ARW | |GIL=[[Gil-galad]]''d. {{SA|3441}}''|FIL=[[Finduilas]]''d. {{FA|495}}''|ELL=[[Elladan]]''b. {{TA|130}}''|ELO=[[Elrohir]]''b. {{TA|130}}''|ARW=[[Arwen]]''{{TA|241}} - {{FoA|121}}''}}
{{familytree/end}}
</div>

== Other versions of the legendarium ==
In earlier versions of the Middle-earth myths, and when ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' was published, the name '''Finrod''' was given to the character later known as [[Finarfin]]. Finrod Felagund was then named '''[[Inglor Felagund]]'''. However, that changed in later drafts, and the character who had the name [[Gildor Inglorion]], in ''The Lord of the Rings'', was unrelated to Finrod despite having a name that means Gildor son of Inglor. Finrod was childless and unmarried during the events of ''The Silmarillion'' because his lover, Amarië, remained in Valinor.<ref>{{S|15}}</ref>

In the published ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', Orodreth is Finrod's brother: this was an editorial decision by [[Christopher Tolkien]] and an admitted mistake. Orodreth was actually the son of Angrod and thus Finrod's nephew.

{{references|Notes}}
{{seq-start}}
{{seq-head
|race=noldor
|house=[[House of Finarfin]] Cadet branch of [[House of Finwë]]
|born={{YT|1300}}
|died={{FA|465}}
}}
{{seq
|pvac=None
|prev=New title
|next=[[Orodreth]]
|list=1st [[King of Nargothrond]]
|dates={{FA|52}} – {{FA|465|n}}
}}
{{seq-end}}

[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:First Age characters]]
[[Category:House of Finarfin]]
[[Category:Noldor]]
[[Category:Noldorin names]]
[[Category:Rulers in Beleriand]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[de:Finrod]]
[[fi:Finrod]]

Tolkien Gateway - User contributions [en]

Finrod