Finrod Felagund

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Character from J. R. R. Tolkien's Legendarium
Name	Finrod
Other names	Findaráto Artafinde Ingoldo, Nóm, Felagund
Titles	King/Lord of Nargothrond, Hewer of Caves, Friend-of-Men
Race	Elf
Culture	Noldor
Date of death	Y.S. 468
Realm	Nargothrond
Book(s)	The Silmarillion

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Finrod Felagund is a fictional character in the fantasy-world Middle-earth of the English author J. R. R. Tolkien. He appears in The Silmarillion, the epic poem The Lay of Leithian and the Grey Annals, as well as other material.

1 Character Overview
2 Etymology
3 Biography
4 Earlier versions
- 4.1 The House of Finarfin
5 See also
6 External links

[edit] Character Overview

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.

[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.) Artafinde was the proper Noldorin Quenya version of Findarato. Felagund was an epessë given to him by the Dwarves who 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/Lord of Nargothrond, Friend-of-Men.

[edit] Biography

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 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 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 werewolf to devour them one by one until they told their secret. None did. 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. 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. The Silmarillion briefly mentions Finrod's return to life and reunion with his father.

[edit] Earlier versions

In earlier versions of Tolkien's writings, 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).^{[citation needed]} 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.^{[citation needed]}

Finrod Felagund House of Finarfin Born: Years of the Trees 468 FA
Preceded by None; Kingship established	King of Nargothrond	Succeeded by Orodreth
Preceded by None; Kingship established	Lord of West Beleriand	Succeeded by None