Finrod Felagund
In
J. R. R. Tolkien's
legendarium,
Finrod Felagund was a
Noldorin
Elf, the eldest son of
Finarfin and
Eärwen of
Alqualondë in
Aman. He was the brother of
Galadriel,
Angrod and
Aegnor.
Finrod means "hair-eminent one" in
Sindarin.
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. His other titles include: King of Nargothrond, Lord of Nargothrond, Friend-of-Men.
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 the first of the Noldor 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. He imprisoned them seeking to learn their errand and identities. Sauron sent a werwolf 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 did not 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.
*In earlier versions of the Middle-earth myths, 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.
*
House of Finwë*
Finrod Felagund at the Encyclopedia of Arda
