Word of the Day: Fëanor

Word of the Day: Fëanor – the eldest and most prized son of Finwë as he succeeded his father’s kingship of the Noldor. He also created the Silmarils.

His name had an unusual combination of Quenya and Sindarin, in Fëa- (‘spirit’ or ‘soul’) and -naur (‘fire’), which has changed since the early days of the legendarium. (The proper Sindarin form was Faenor.)

Fëanor summary

He was a smith and craftsman, which led him to the making of the Silmarils, as well as the palantiri and the Fëanorian lamps. While still in his youth, he married Nerdanel and had seven sons: –

• Maedhros,
• Maglor,
• Celegorm,
• Caranthir,
• Curufin,
• Amrod, and
• Amras.

However, Melkor deceived the Valar into thinking that he was repented, in order to corrupt the Noldor and make them his servants, including Fëanor – but he was skeptical at the time. He captured the light of the Two Trees to make the Silmarils, and later prized them above all else displaying them in feasts.

He had a feud with Fingolfin, which led to the Valar wanted to reconcile them and he accepted. It started when Melkor greatly desired the Silmarils and convinced Fëanor that his brother Fingolfin was planning to take his place and his Silmarils. He eventually threatened Fingolfin’s life, as he was so attached to them. This led to his exile.

Then, the Valar realized it was from Melkor, and Fëanor found out that Melkor desired the Silmarils and shut the door in his face. Melkor left and fled from Valinor, and the Valar wanted to reconcile Fëanor with Fingolfin.

After the theft of the Silmarils, Melkor had come to Formenos, where Finwë fought and lost – and was the first to be slain in Valinor.