Finrod Felagund
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In J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth fictional universe, Finrod Felagund 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 King 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 imprisoned by Sauron on Tol-in-Gaurhoth (Isle of Werewolves), where they were killed one by one by wolves (Sauron had not been able to discover who exactly they were and was hoping to make them talk) until only Finrod and Beren were left; finally, Finrod saved Beren's life, but lost his own in doing so.
The name Finrod is a Sindarin form of his Telerin (Quenya) name Findaráto Ingoldo, with the approximate meaning 'Mighty descendant of Finwë'. 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. His other titles include: King of Nargothrond, Lord of Nargothrond, Friend-of-Men.
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.
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 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.
External link
- Finrod Felagund (http://www.glyphweb.com/arda/f/finrod.html) at the Encyclopedia of Ardafr:Finrod