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Finwë is a fictional character in the fantasy universe of J.R.R. Tolkien. He was the first High King of the Ñoldor (as such he is sometimes surnamed Ñoldaran) who led his Elven people on the journey from Middle-earth to Valinor in the blessed realm of Aman. He was a great friend of Elu Thingol, the King of Doriath.
Finwë had two wives. His first was Míriel, who passed away soon after bearing their only child, Fëanor. His second wife was Indis, of the Vanyar, who bore him two sons: Fingolfin and Finarfin, and two daughters: Findis and Irimë.
During Melkor's attempt to corrupt the Ñoldor, Finwë attempted to moderate his people and lead them back to the Valar. When Fëanor was exiled from Tirion, Finwë went with him to Formenos. There he was the first to be killed in Valinor when Melkor slew him at the doors of Formenos seeking the Silmarils. This act was the catalyst that led to the Revolt of the Ñoldor.
Finwë's name is not fully translated. The glossary in the Silmarillion translates Fin as "hair"; other sources say it means "skill".
The House of Finwë
(1) (2) Míriel ========= Finwë ========= Indis | | | ------------------------------------------ Fëanor = Nerdanel | | | | | Findis Fingolfin = Anairë Irimë Finarfin = Eärwen Maedhros | | Maglor Fingon Finrod Celegorm Turgon Angrod** Caranthir Aredhel Aegnor Curufin* Argon Galadriel Amrod Amras
(* Father of Celebrimbor) (** Father of Orodreth, who was the father of Gil-galad)
Earlier versions of the legendarium
In the first drafts of the genealogy, Finwë had four sons: the youngest was named Finrun, but he was dropped after that, thus Finrod (later Finarfin) was Finwë's youngest son from then on.
In a later version Finwë had three daughters added by Indis, Findis (as their first child) Faniel (as their third), and Finvain (as their youngest). In yet later versions, Faniel was apparently dropped, while Findis and Finvain were kept. Finvain (renamed Irimë) was moved to after Fingolfin, thus Finarfin was once again the youngest child of Finwë.