Finwë

"Finwe" by Kimberly
Noldo
Finwë
Biographical Information
Pronunciation	Q, [ˈfinwe]
Other names	Ñoldóran (Q)
Titles	King of the Noldor
Location	Eldamar (Tirion)
Language	Common Eldarin Quenya
Birth	Between Y.T. 1050 and 1102 Cuiviénen
Rule	Y.T. 1105 - 1490
Death	Y.T. 1495 (aged between 4,263 and 3,765 years) Formenos
Family
House	Founded the House of Finwë
Parentage	Unknown (descendant of Tata & Tatië)
Spouse	Míriel Indis
Children	Fëanor (by Míriel) Findis, Fingolfin, Írimë and Finarfin (by Indis)
Physical Description
Gender	Male
Hair colour	Black and long
Eye colour	Bright blue-grey
Gallery	Images of Finwë

”

Next came the Noldor, a name of wisdom. They are the Deep Elves, and the friends of Aulë. Their lord was Finwë, wisest of all the children of the world. His kindred are renowned in song, for they fought and laboured long and grievously in the northern lands of old.

Morgoth's Ring, "Of the Coming of the Elves"

Finwë was the first King of the Noldor and establisher of the House of Finwë from which branched three other great houses: the House of Fëanor, the House of Fingolfin, and the House of Finarfin.

Finwë was descended of Tata and Tatië, and thus of the Tatyar clan. In his youth at Cuiviénen he was gallant and adventurous, and great friends with Elwë of the Nelyar clan. Due to the lies of Melkor, he was initially suspicious of the Valar, but after visiting Valinor as one of the Three Ambassadors, he became ardently in favour of accepting their invitation for the Quendi to relocate and join them. On his return, he strongly advocated for migration and convinced many to accept. The Tatyar who chose to follow Finwë became known as the Noldor and he became their first King.

Finwë led his people through the Great Journey and in Eldamar established the great city Tirion. He further played a significant role in bringing the Falmari to Aman, and constructing their city of Alqualondë.

After the birth of his great son, Fëanor, his wife, Míriel became tired of life and chose to die. Finwë long waited and pleaded for her to return, but eventually lost hope that she would. By leave of the Valar, Finwë was permitted to re-marry and took Indis of the Vanyar as his second wife: from her he had many additional children, including Fingolfin and Finarfin.

Eventually Melkor was released and he slowly fomented discontent among the Noldor; an especial target of Melkor's was the existing friction between Fëanor and his half-brothers. This finally erupted as a threat of violence by Fëanor against Fingolfin, and Fëanor was subsequently banished from Tirion; Finwë, holding himself unkinged, followed him. Soon after, Melkor returned, with Ungoliant, during a great feast and first slew the Two Trees, then slew Finwë, who alone was willing to stand against them.

After Finwë's death, he voluntarily forfeited any chance of reincarnation in exchange for Míriel being returned to life.

History

Early life in Middle-earth

At the beginning of the First Age, the Elves awoke at Cuiviénen. Long they dwelt there, walking the world in wonder, making speech and naming what they perceived; all of Arda they loved.

Within time though, the Elves were discovered by Melkor, and their natural happiness was dimmed by fear as he sent his shadows to spy on and waylay them, and often Elves who went too far abroad would vanish and never return. The younger Elves, in their pride, came to believe that it was their mission to fight the Dark, and ultimately to posses the world of Arda. Following this, the Elves were then found by the Vala Oromë, who dwelt with them awhile before returning back to Valinor to bring tidings of his discovery.

Finwë, an Elf of the Tatyar clan, and a direct descendant of Tata, was born shortly after Oromë's departure. In Oromë's absence, Melkor had his emissaries spread lies among the Elves that the Valar had previously abandoned Middle-earth and now, jealous to re-posses it, intended to subjugate the Elves as their vassals. Finwë, then a gallant and adventurous young Elf, was much taken with these ideas. Less taken was Finwë's friend Elwë, a descendant of Enel^:98-99 who otherwise shared his adventurous spirit.^:132

Serving as an Ambassador

Ingwe, Finwe and Elwe by Peter Xavier Price

The Valar, both desiring to protect the Elves from the dangers of the world, and filled with the love of their beauty and desiring their companionship, issued a summons inviting the Elves to Aman and dwell in the light of the Two Trees. Oromë returned to Cuiviénen with this invite and the Three Ambassadors — Ingwë, Finwë, and Elwë — were elected from their respective kindreds to first journey with him to Valinor and represent their people. At the time of Finwë's departure he was betrothed to Míriel, an Elf maiden devoted to crafts.^:99

On arriving in Valinor, Finwë, like the other Ambassadors, was dazzled and overawed. While he had initially been the most skeptical, he became the most converted, and longed for Míriel to have the marvelous chance of learning new skills. Elwë, though he preferred the “lesser light, and shadows” of Endor, would follow Finwë his friend. The Ambassadors tarried in Valinor for several years, as Ingwë and Finwë were reluctant to hurry away.^:99

On the return of the Ambassadors, the Elves held a great debate where the Three Ambassadors advocated to relocate to Valinor, while the Three Fathers were against it. Finwë spoke after Ingwë — with less deference towards Tata than Ingwë had showed towards Imin — and articulated both the riches of knowledge and crafts in Valinor, and the perils of staying in Cuiviénen; he did not, however, disclose his thoughts of the enhancement of his lover Míriel’s skill. Finwë's speech was very effective, as large numbers of the Quendi who could not conceive of Valinor’s attraction were nonetheless frightened of what may befall them if they remained. Elwë declared that he would go with Finwë, but that he chose for none other than himself. After all had finished speaking the Elves held a vote and the majority chose to depart for Valinor, though a very sizable minority chose to remain behind.^:99-105

From this came the first sundering of the Elves. Those that chose to depart came to be known as the "Eldar", while those that remained became known as "Avari". Among the Eldarin members of the Tatyar clan the name "Noldor" was accepted and used as their regular and proper name throughout their later history.^:507 Ingwë, Finwë, and Elwë were preeminent and obvious leaders: the light of Aman was in their faces and the other Elves were in awe of them.^:62 Finwë was thereafter known as the first king of the Noldor.

Great March

The Eldar thus began their Great Journey and went forth in three hosts, one for each kindred. First came Ingwë's people, the Vanyar; next were Finwë's, the Noldor; and last were Elwë's, the Teleri. The Teleri were the greatest host in numbers, and they therefore had a two lords, both Elwë and his younger brother Olwë. Riding before them all went Oromë.

Over the course of many years the Eldar crossed west through Middle-earth. While there were weddings and begetting of children during the Great March, Finwë was among the few who abstained from doing so as he had seen Aman, and desired to have his children there.^:62

Eventually the Eldar reached the Great Sea, but on beholding it a great fear come upon them, and many withdrew into the woods and highlands of Beleriand. Many of the Noldor dwelt in the forests that were afterwards named Neldoreth and Region. During this time Finwë was often visited by Elwë, whose people dwelt further east; on the journey home from one such visit though, Elwë vanished, and his people sought for him in vain.^:§65

Ulmo, through the music of his horns, turned the Eldar's fear of the sea into desire, and both the Vanyar and the Noldor were then ferried over the sea on an island, eventually arriving at Aman.

Establishment in Aman

In Y.T. 1133 the Vanyar and Noldor arrived in Aman and took possession of Eldamar where they began building the green hill of Túna; upon Túna they then raised the city Tirion.^:§67 By 1140 Tirion was full-wrought, but Ingwë and many of the Vanyar, yearning for the Light of the Trees, departed to Valinor to reside with the people of Manwë.^:§68

In 1149 Ulmo hearkened to the prayers of Finwë and went again to Middle-earth to bring Elwë and his people to Aman.^:§70 By 1151 Ulmo brought the Teleri, under Olwë their new king, within sight of Aman where at their request he fastened the island Tol Eressëa.^:§72 Finwë grieved when the Teleri came not, and yet more when he learned that Elwë was forsaken, and knew that he should not see him again unless it were in the Halls of Mandos.^:§73

In 1161 the Teleri, drawn towards the Light of Aman, changed their hearts and came to Aman where the Noldor welcomed them with joy^:§75 and aided them in the building of their city Alqualondë.^:§76 By 1165 the last of the Vanyar departed from Tirion, and the Noldor's converse and friendship thereafter was rather with the Teleri of Aman (Falmari).^:§77

Birth of Fëanor and death of Míriel

In 1169 Finwë's first child, Fëanor, was born to himself and Míriel. In the bearing of their son, however, Míriel was so consumed in spirit and body that nearly all her strength seemed to have passed from her. Míriel expressed this to Finwë, stating that she would never again bear child, as the strength that would have nourished many had been spent on Fëanor. Finwë grieved at this, as he desired to bring forth many children into the bliss of Aman. Finwë therefore sought the counsel of Manwë, who then delivered Míriel to the care of Irmo in Lórien. Finwë was saddened by the departure of Míriel, and that she would miss the childhood days of their son. Míriel went to Lórien and laid down to sleep under a silver tree; there her fëa departed and passed in silence to the Halls of Mandos.

Though many Elves had previously been slain in Middle-earth, and their fëar summoned to Mandos to keep them from the Darkness, Míriel's was the first death in Aman, and it troubled the Valar greatly. Therefore, Manwë consulted directly with Ilúvatar, and from Him received the authority to re-house those among the houseless who so consented.

Yet, Finwë's grief at Míriel's passing remained great, and he often went to the gardens of Lórien to sit beside her body and call to her; and for a while, Fëanor joined his father in vigil by his mother's body. The Valar and all the Eldar, while they grieved Finwë's sorrow, were not dismayed: they believed that all things could be healed in Aman, and that once rested, her fëa and body could be reunited and returned to life. Ingwë, desiring to lift up Finwë's heart and withdraw him from vain mourning in Lórien, sent messages bidding him to leave Túna for a while, and dwell for a season in the full light of the Trees. Finwë thanked him but did not go, as he yet hoped that Míriel would return.

Finwë Mourning Míriel by Steamey

But Míriel was reluctant, and to all the pleas reported to her, and to the counsels of the Valar, she would say no more than "not yet". Each time she was approached, however, she became more determined, until at last she would listen no more and declared to leave her in peace where she was, and that she would not return. After a while Finwë went to Lórien no more, for it only increased his grief to see the fair form of Míriel that would not hear his call. All of Finwë's love was then given to his son, for Fëanor in childhood was like Míriel in voice and countenance, and Finwë was to him both father and mother, and there was a double bond of love between them.

Yet Finwë, being young and eager and desiring more children, was not content. Therefore, after a few years, Finwë again spoke to Manwë of his bereavement. He exclaimed that he alone among the Eldar had no wife, and could hope for no more children save the one son, while both Ingwë and Olwë had begat many children in the bliss of Aman. Finwë then asked if he must remain ever thus, for his heart warned him that Míriel would not return, and if there was not healing of his grief in Aman.

Manwë was moved with pity for Finwë, but the coming of death and such sorrow into Aman was of grave portent, and he thus summoned the Valar to council where they held a great debate on the issue which resulted in the making of the Statute of Finwë and Míriel. This Statute declared that if one spouse died and refused to be reembodied, then after a set number of years the living spouse would be permitted to remarry and the deceased spouse would forever forfeit their ability to return. Manwë then called Finwë back before him and informed him of this, but noted that while Finwë would have permission to remarry if Míriel did not return, it was not counsel to do so. Finwë responded that he was in no haste, and only desired that once the doom was made clear to Míriel she would relent and set a term to his bereavement. Míriel was informed of this doom, but she maintained her desire to never return: her life had gone out into Fëanor, and she believed healing was not possible within Arda.

In the following years, Fëanor dwelt in the care of Finwë and began to display the skills in hand and mind of both his parents. In stature he became ever more like Finwë, but in mood he resembled Míriel as his will was strong and determined; also like her, he could also become wholly absorbed in his works and devices, and he thus provided little comfort to the sorrow of Finwë.

By 1182, the span of years prescribed by the Statue had passed, and the doom of disunion was spoken. It thus became clear at last to Finwë that Míriel would never return within any span of time that could give him hope, and his sorrow became embittered. He sought to take up his own life again, and wandered far and wide, but in his loneliness he found no joy in anything that he did.

Remarriage to Indis

Finwe and Indis by Alystraea

Two years later, in 1184, Finwë, reconsidering Ingwë's offer, thought that perhaps healing might be found in the light of Laurelin and hope in the blossom of Telperion, and decided to seek Ingwë's council.

On a day, while Fëanor was abroad walking in the mountains, Finwë, travelling alone, passed through the Calacirian, and towards the house of Ingwë upon the west slopes of Oiolossë. His coming was unheralded, and as he climbed the paths of the Mountain, he heard the joyous singing of Indis, kinswoman of Ingwë, and he looked up and beheld her, face lit by the the golden light of Laurelin. In that moment he then knew that she loved him, and had long done so, and his heart turned to her. This, he deemed was a chance that had been granted to them both, and he declared that there was indeed healing of grief in Aman.

In 1185, one year from their meeting, Finwë and Indis were wed. Finwë loved her dearly, and was glad again, and together they had four additional children: Findis, Fingolfin, Irimë, and Finarfin. Yet, the shadow of Míriel remained in both Finwë's house, and in his heart.

For Fëanor, the matter of Finwë and Indis was met with anger and resentment: by their marriage Míriel, who he loved dearly, was now condemned to never return, and he to never see or visit her again. Fëanor thus grudged the happiness of Finwë and Indis, and disliked their children before they were even born. As soon as he could, Fëanor lived apart from them: exploring the land of Aman, or busying himself with lore and crafts.

The estrangement between Fëanor and Indis and her children did not lessen the love between Finwë and Fëanor however; indeed, of all whom Finwë loved, Fëanor had ever the chief share of his thought.

Unrest of the Noldor

For a time, the Noldor continued to dwell in Aman in happiness. The craftsmen of the Noldor worked with delight, foreseeing no end to their labours, while Fëanor became of all them, then or after, the most subtle in mind and the most skilled in hand. Finwë's sons by Indis likewise grew to their full stature. During this happy time Finwë's house expanded greatly, with many grandchildren through the House of Fëanor (including Fëanor's unprecedented seven sons), the House of Fingolfin, and the House of Finarfin.

In 1400, after three ages of imprisonment, the Chaining of Melkor was ended and he was granted freedom by Manwë.^:§87-88 Though he feigned repentance, Melkor despised the Elves, and sought to estrange them from the Valar. And of the Elves, Melkor despised Fëanor most, and lusted after his great creations, the Silmarils. Long and slow, Melkor gradually inflamed the Noldor with pride and jealousy, with visions of mighty realms to be had in Middle-earth, and of their supposed usurpation by Men who were more easily controlled by the Valar.

Though Fëanor hated and took no counsel from Melkor, in him burned most fiercely the desire for freedom and wide-realms by returning to Middle-earth. Seeing that both Fëanor and Fingolfin had grown proud and jealous of their rights and possessions, Melkor set new lies against them. To Fëanor, whispers came that Fingolfin and his sons were plotting to usurp Finwë, and the elder line of Fëanor, by leave of the Valar who were ill-pleased that Fëanor's Silmarils had not been committed to their keeping. To Fingolfin and Finarfin, however, it was said that Fëanor, having become great, bore little love for the children of Indis, and with Finwë in his hand, was making ready to drive them forth from Túna.^:§52

With pride and anger thus awakened, the houses of the Noldor began to quarrel and vie with one another. Melkor then spoke to them of weapons, which the Noldor secretly began to smith. In this time, Fëanor began to speak openly of rebellion against the Valar, and of delivering the Noldor from thralldom by returning to Middle-earth.

Amidst this unrest, Finwë grew concerned, and called a great council of all his lords. Fingolfin, arriving before the council began, spoke to Finwë and urged him to restrain Fëanor, and that if Finwë did not repent leading the Noldor to Aman, he still had at least two sons who honoured that. At this moment however, Fëanor suddenly appeared, fully armed, and rebuked Fingolfin before drawing his sword and demanding him to go. As Fingolfin left, Fëanor followed him and at the door of the king's house publicly threatened him at sword-point; as Finwë's house was in the Great Square, these words were heard by many.

Finwe in Formenos by Irsanna

Wroth at these deeds, Manwë summoned Fëanor, along with all others who had any part in the unrest, to the Ring of Doom to stand before Mandos. After all testimony had been given, Melkor's role became apparent, and Tulkas was sent to retrieve him. Fëanor was not held guiltless though, and he was banished from Túna for twelve years. Fëanor thus departed to Formenos where he was joined by his sons as well as by Finwë, who would not be parted from him. The rule of the Noldor who remained in Tirion was then committed to Fingolfin by Manwë.

After two years Melkor, who had hidden himself, came secretly to Formenos, disguised as a traveller seeking lodging, and spoke with Fëanor before his door. Melkor feigned friendship and urged Fëanor to his former thoughts of flight, but then overreached when he spoke of the Silmarils, causing Fëanor to turn him away and shut the door in his face. Finwë was filled with great dread on learning of this, and in haste sent messengers to Manwë.^:§54

Death and aftermath

Seeking to heal the griefs between the lords of the Noldor, Manwë prepared a great high feast for all to join. To Formenos he sent a messenger specifically bidding the attendance of Fëanor, which Fëanor interpreted as a command, and thus he went.^:§58c Along with the sons of Fëanor, Finwë refused the invitation, saying that "while the ban lasts upon Fëanor my son, that he may not go to Túna, I hold myself unkinged, and will not meet my people, nor those that rule in my stead".^:§112

After the departure of Fëanor, Finwë was heavy with grief, and a foreboding was upon him. Soon, Melkor, along with Ungoliant, assaulted Formenos, enveloping it as a black cloud. While all others fled, Finwë remained and stood alone defiant against them, and was slain; his head was crushed though with a great mace of iron, his body burned and destroyed, and his sword twisted and untempered as if by lightning-stroke.^:§§9-10

In the subsequent flight of the Noldor, the slaying of Finwë was a key motivator in their decision to depart from Aman. During Fëanor's speech he declared that he "would not dwell longer in the same land with the kin of my father’s slayer",^:§132 while Fingolfin, prior to Fëanor's theft of the ships, stated that he had "an errand in Middle-earth, the avenging of the blood of my father upon Morgoth, whom the Valar let loose among us."^:33

In the unhappy events which latter came to pass, many judged that if Finwë had endured the loss of Míriel and been content with the fathering of his mighty son Fëanor, then Fëanor's courses would have been different, and much sorrow and evil would not have been.^:§28

Forfeiture of return

After Finwë's death, his fëa departed to Mandos where he met again with Míriel. Míriel was glad of the meeting, but moved to sadness once she learned all that had transpired since her departure. She accepted that she erred in leaving Finwë and Fëanor, or at least in not returning soon after a brief repose, and bore no grudge against Indis for cherishing what she had abandoned. Míriel then expressed a desire to return to her body, and record the deeds of their people, including Finwë and his children, into tapestry.

Finwë then went to Vairë and requested Míriel be returned to life, offering instead for he himself to forever remain in Mandos in her place. When Vairë remarked that Finwë seemed to now be considering Míriel only, and to have forgotten about Indis and his children with her, Finwë retorted that was unjust; he was able to love two women without the love for one diminishing the love for the other. Additionally, he stated that he had been apart from Indis for many years, that her love was now mostly for Fingolfin, and that most of all she longed to return to the peace of the Vanyar and be away from the strife of the Noldor.

When Mandos was approached he declared Finwë making this offer of his own free will a counsel of healing, and consented to Míriel's return with Finwë's abnegation as her ransom. On waking, Míriel entered the House of Vairë and became her chief handmaid, and there recorded all tidings of the Noldor into great tapestries. Of these Finwë was at times permitted to look upon.

Characteristics

Finwe device by Quentandil

Finwë had black hair and brilliant grey-blue eyes.^:19

In his youth, before becoming King of the Noldor, Finwë was gallant and adventurous, but also rebellious and independent. Before serving as an ambassador, he had "heretical" leanings and was much taken by the lies of Melkor that the Valar had, rightly, previously abandoned Endor as the appointed realm of the Quendi, but became jealous and sought to re-posses it and to control the Quendi as their vassals. Once he arrived in Valinor, however, he was dazzled and overawed, and thus became the most converted and ardent for accepting the invitation of the Valar to dwell there.

He became known as the "wisest of all the children of the world".^:§26

When Indis's heart had turned towards Finwë, in the days when the Vanyar still dwelt at Tirion, "he seemed to her fairest and noblest of the Eldar, dark-haired and white of brow, eager of face but with eyes full of thought; and his voice and mastery of words delighted her."^:§24

Etymology

Finwë, is one of the oldest recorded names of the Eldar, and it is not certain that it had any meaning beyond the stem "fin-" followed by the suffix "-wë".^:419

The second element was explained by loremasters as an old word for 'person', derived from the stem √EWE, but survived in Quenya only as a final element in names. The first element (fin-) was often later explained as related to Common Eldarin √PHIN ("hair"), as in Quenya finë ("a hair"), findë ("hair", especially of the head), finda ("having hair", "-haired"), but it was doubtful. All the Eldar had beautiful hair, but the Noldor were not specially remarkable in this respect, and there is no reference to Finwë as having had hair of exceptional length, abundance, or beauty beyond the measure of his people.^:419

Alternatively, √PHIN has the meaning of [("clever", "fine", "delicate"), ("nimbleness", "skill"), or ("skilful", "neat", "clever")].^:181 With this interpretation, Finwë is defined as "man of manual skill".^:17

"fin" having meanings of both "skill" and "hair" may be explained by √SPIN [("fine thread", "filament") or ("a single hair")], being distinct, though probably ultimately connected, from √PHIN, and eventually itself becoming "phin-" in Quenya.^:17

In the Qenya Lexicon (QL) the root FINI is used in finwa ("acute", "sagacious"); finië and findë ("cunning"); and fint ("a trick", "notion"). These are provided to be compared with "Finwë".^:38

Being king of the Noldor, Finwë was styled as Ñoldóran, which is a compound of Ñoldo and aran 'king', where o+a assimilated into a long ó.

Other names

In the Book of Lost Tales, the lord of the Noldoli was Finwë Nólemë (also Nólemë Finwë, and most commonly simply Nólemë)^:168. In QL, Nólemë is defined as ("deep lore", "wisdom").^:67 His name in Gnomish was initially Golfinweg, then Fingolma, and they are noted as containing the same elements.

The name of Fëanor's father (a separate character from the King of the Noldoli) was initially Bruithwir which was emended from Maron. The character also had a second name, Felegron, which was emended to Feleor.

In The Earliest 'Silmarillion' he is given a Gnomish cognate of Finn.

Genealogy

Tata awoke in Y.T. 1050

Tatië awoke in Y.T. 1050

Míriel d. Y.T. 1170

FINWË d. Y.T. 1495

Indis b. Y.T.

Fëanor Y.T. 1169 - 1497

Findis b. Y.T.

Fingolfin Y.T. 1190 - F.A. 456

Írimë b. Y.T.

Finarfin b. Y.T. 1230

House of Fëanor

House of Fingolfin

House of Finarfin

Other versions of the legendarium

The Book of Lost Tales

In The Book of Lost Tales, Finwë Nólemë was the lord of the Noldoli, though he was called Golfinweg in Gnomish. He was one of the first awakened Elves, and when Nornorë, herald of the Valar, bid for a few of them to come to Valinor, Finwë was one of the three who came forward. In Valinor, the three Elves were "utterly dazed and astonied" by the splendor of the lights of the Two Trees, and bowed in reverence. When Manwë then asked of them from where they came to the world, and what desires it filled them with, Nólemë responded "Lo! Most mighty one, whence indeed come we! For meseems I awoke but now from a sleep eternally profound, whose vast dreams already are forgotten". He then returns to his people and leads them to Valinor, on the second ferrying of the island after the Teleri (Vanyar) took the first.

When Melko began to sow discord among the Gnomes, Nólemë spoke against him in efforts to calm their restlessnes and discontents. Eventually he took council with Fëanor (a great craftsman, not his son), Inwë (Ingwë), and Ellu Melemno (Olwë) and decided to send an embassy to Manwë on the matter; when his embassy arrived however, Melko was already there, having spoken to Manwë and giving a false account before they arrived. Manwë chided both parties: to Melko he bid to dwell in penitence in Mandos; and to the Gnomes, "fearing lest the pollution of their discontent spread among the other kindreds", he banished from their city of Kôr to new dwellings further away. Following this, Melko first used the Feast of Double Mirth as an opportunity to steal the Silmarils, murdering Fëanor's father Bruithwir in the process, and then, with Gloomweaver (Ungoliant), slew the Two Trees.

After the darkening of Valinor, Fëanor was able to rally the Gnomes to follow him in departing. Nólemë spoke against this rashness and, when his people wouldn't hear him, he pleaded to at least send an embassy to Manwë for due farewell and perhaps receive goodwill and council; even this "moderate wisdom", however, Fëanor turned the Gnomes against. Even though he was unable to persuade his people through council, Nólemë would not be separated from them, and aided them in all their preparations. The Noldoli then departed Kôr, stole ships from the Solosimpi (Falmari), and crossed the frozen wastes in the north to reach the Great Lands.

In earlier outlines of The History of the Exiled Gnomes the Noldoli then encamped at the Waters of Asgon (Lake Mithrim), and Nólemë (now also known as Fingolma) begot his son Turundo (Turgon in Gnomish), who was was born to 'prophecies'. In one version, Nólemë perished when his small boat vanished down a hidden-way as he was sailing to an islanded rock in Asgon to offer sacrifice (it is not said to whom he was sacrificing). In an emended version, Nólemë's host left Asgon, fought with the Orcs, and then encamped at Sirion where they met the Ilkorins. When the hosts of Melko approached, the Noldoli retreated to Gorfalon (Valley of the Fountains) where they made the acquaintance of Men and, after sending embassies to Túvo, Tinwelint (Thingol), and Ermon, Fingolma marshalled a great host. Melko, however, beguiled many of the Men, and they abandoned or betrayed the Elves, resulting in "the terrible Battle of Unnumbered Tears". While Nólemë's fate is not explicitly stated, it's implied he was slain as his son Turgon escaped and quarrelled with the Sons of Fëanor for leadership.

In later outlines of The History of the Exiled Gnomes the Noldoli bested the Orcs in their first battle with them, capturing the pass of the Bitter Hills, and escaping from the Land of Shadows. They entered the Forest of Artanor (Doriath) and the Region of the Great Plains and Nólemë's host grew to a vast size. Their chief camp was about Sirion and they drove the Orcs into the foothills of the Iron Mountains. Melko suborned many Men and, in the ensuing Battle of Unnumbered Tears, Nólemë was isolated, slain, and the Orcs cut out his heart; Turgon however rescued Nólemë's body and recaptured his heart. When the Sons of Fëanor eventually arrived they found a stricken field; they buried the body of Nólemë and erected the greatest cairn in the world over it, called by the Gnomes the Hill of Death. Turgon later took his heart, encased it in gold, and took it for his emblem^{:note 11}

Prior to his death Fingolma, as well as the Sons of Fëanor, favoured Eöl because he was the leader of the Miners and searched after hidden jewels; Eöl loved from afar Fingolma's daughter Isfin, though she in return loathed him.

Later versions

In the Prose Fragments Following the Lost Tales, Gelmir is the King of the Gnomes. He led his people back to the Great Lands, with his three sons — Golfin, Delin, and [Oleg >] Lúthien — each captaining one of his armies.

In Ælfwine’s translation of the Quenta into Old English; Old English equivalents of Elvish names, Finwë has a fourth child named, in Old English, "Finrún Felageómor".

In rejected emendations to The Annals of Aman, Finwe's wife, Indis, bore him a son, Fëanor, during the Great March while in a forest near the Anduin in Middle-earth; Fëanor was the first Elf-child to be born via parents (vs awakened by Eru).^{:note 3} When the Noldor soon after crossed the Misty Mountains, Indis fell into a deep gorge and perished; Finwë would then not go forward until Oromë told him of Elvish reincarnation in Aman, at which point Finwë was eager to continue.^{:note 5}

In The Earliest Version of the Story of Finwë and Míriel, Finwë and Indis have five children as they have a third daughter: Faniel.

Key dates in early life

In The Nature of Middle-earth, multiple considerations for key dates of Finwë's life are considered. As Tolkien fluctuated between different year lengths, when years are preceded by "VY" (Valian Years) that corresponds to yén (each being 144 solar years) after the creation of the trees; when preceded by "FA" (First Age), that corresponds to löa after the Elves awoke.

In Aging of Elves, Finwë awakened around VY 1050, the Finding (when the Elves were found by Oromë) in 1085, and Finwë wedded Míriel somewhere about 1150.^:80

In Key Dates: Text 2A, the Finding was in FA 864 and Oromë departed back to Valinor in 912; he returned briefly between 1008-1018, and again in 1058 to invite the Three Ambassadors. Finwë was either the grandson or great-great-grandson of Tata, and born in either FA 1100 or 1022.

In Key Dates: Text 1, the Finding was in FA 2016 and Oromë departed back to Valinor in 2064. Finwë was a 25th generation descendent of Tata and born in 2120. He accompanied Oromë as an Ambassador in 2212. A brief consideration was also for Imin, Tata, and Enel to be the Three Ambassadors; and for Ingwë, Finwë, and Elwë to join them as assistants and representatives of the younger Elves.

In Generational Schemes: Text 3: Scheme 2, Finwë was a 6th generation and born in FA 772. The Finding was in 864, and the Great March in 1070. At the time of the March, he already loved Míriel, and would have married around 1084 if he hadn't postponed until its end.

In Generational Schemes: Text 3: Scheme 3, the Finding was in FA 2016. Finwë was a 25th generation and born in 2120. The Embassy was in 2212. Míriel, also in the 25th generation, was born around 2130; and Indis (the first child of Ingwë) was born in 2181.

References

Born Between Y.T. 1050 & 1102	Finwë House of Finwë	Died Y.T. 1495
None Tata, as Chieftain of the Tatyar	1st King of the Noldor Y.T. 1105 - 1490	Followed by Fingolfin