Finrod Felagund

From the One Wiki to Rule Them All, the Lord of the Rings Encyclopedia.

The main part of this article relates to the last versions of Middle-earth's history, and as such may controvert parts of The Silmarillion. See Middle-earth canon for a discussion. This subject's portrayal in earlier or alternative versions is discussed in the other versions of the legendarium section.

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Finrod with Beren

Finrod Felagund

Biographical information

Other names

Nóm, Faithful, Friend-of-Men

Titles

Lord of Nargothrond

Date of birth

YT?, during the Noontide of Valinor

Year ascended to the throne

Date of death

FA 465

Realms ruled

Spouse

Loved Amarië, but they never married

Weapon

Sword, Bow

Physical description

Race

Elf

Culture

Ñoldor (House of Finarfin), Elves of Nargothrond

Gender

Male

Height

Hair color

Golden

Eye color

Peter Jackson's Film Trilogy

Actor

Voice

Character

Finrod Felagund (d. FA 465) also known as Nóm was a Ñoldorin elf, the eldest son of Finarfin and Eärwen of Alqualondë in Aman. He was the brother of Galadriel, Angrod and Aegnor.

Finrod founded the original Minas Tirith in the Pass of Sirion, and was later Lord of Nargothrond.

While hunting in the lands of Thargelion in East Beleriand Finrod was first of the Ñoldor to come across men, and he long stayed with them, learning their language (Taliska) 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.

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".

Barahir of the House of Bëor saved Felagund's life at the Dagor Bragollach, and Finrod gave him his ring, which became known as the Ring of Barahir. When, years later, Barahir's son Beren came to Nargothrond seeking help, Finrod went with him on the Quest of 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) most of Nargothrond to stay behind; only ten warriors, headed by one Edrahil, were faithful and came with them. The twelve were captured and taken to Tol-in-Gaurhoth (Isle of Werewolves), formerly Minas Tirith. Finrod and Sauron battled with songs of power but Sauron eventually won. Sauron imprisoned them seeking to learn their errand and identities. Sauron sent a werewolf to devour them one by one until they told their secret. None did. Eventually when the wolf came for Beren, Finrod broke his chains and killed the wolf barehanded, but was mortally wounded himself.

Finrod loved Amarië, a Vanyarin elf who didn't follow him to Middle-earth. She and Finrod were betrothed, and Finrod never married while in Middle-earth. It is noted in the Lay of Leithian that Finrod was soon allowed to return to life in Valinor, and "now dwells with Amarië", so they probably were wed later - but there is no such information in The Silmarillion.

[edit] Etymology

The name Finrod is a Sindarin form of his Telerin (Quenya) name Findaráto, with the approximate meaning "Mighty descendant of Finwë". (More fully it was Findaráto Ingoldo, including the name given by his mother which was never translated.) 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 Sindarized Khuzdul. Another name given to Finrod was Nóm ("Wisdom"). It was given to him by Bëor and his followers and was also known as possibly given to him by the same personFriend-of-Men.

[edit] Other versions of the legendarium

In earlier versions of the Middle-earth myths (see: History of Middle-earth), and in the first edition of The Lord of the Rings, the name Finrod was given to the character later known as Finarfin. Finrod Felagund was then named Inglor Felagund. Because of that, some people speculate that Gildor Inglorion was Finrod's son, but there is much evidence to the contrary (see: Gildor Inglorion).

In the published 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.

[edit] The House of Finarfin

       Finwë = Indis
             |
       --------------
       |            |
   Fingolfin     Finarfin = Eärwen
                          |
         ------------------------------
         |          |         |       |          
      Finrod      Angrod   Aegnor   Galadriel = Celeborn
                    |                         |
                 Orodreth                 Celebrían
                    |
                Finduilas
          

[edit] External links

• Finrod Felagund at the Tolkien Gateway
• Finrod Felagund at the Encyclopedia of Arda