#I think it's easiest to make him Orodreth's son in this scenario and that's my headcanon

[polutrope]

On the assumption that there were close relations between Balar and the Havens of Sirion, thinking about the implications of the leading Gil-gaDad theories for the political and personal dynamics surrounding the sack of Sirion.

Gil-galad Fingonion: Maedhros leads (?) an attack against a settlement allied with (?), possibly under the protection of (?), the friend (?) he "got killed" (ish) in the Nirnaeth. Imagine those ships hastening from Balar being commanded by Fingon's son. (And if he's Gil-galad Russingonion? Well, now those ships are being commanded by Maedhros' son.) And whether or not Maedhros/anyone knows he's Fingon's son, the personal drama is still insane.

Gil-galad Orodrethion: This one I have an existing headcanon about, which is that the Feanorians (esp. their followers, whether or not the sons feel this way is largely irrelevant) don't acknowledge the claim to kingship by an heir of Finarfin's line. Based on their attitude towards the Arafinweans in canon (even if Maedhros and Maglor seem a little better about it), I don't think they'd feel much personal connection to this grandson of Angrod they've probably never met. I think the drama here is far less personal on both sides. In fact, there might be open political animosity. Still very high drama.

As I've posted about before, Gil-galad and Cirdan "hastening to the aid" of the Sirionites was an editorial insertion to the published Silm. I'm fairly convinced that Tolkien would have made the same decision about this as his son (where else would he be? what kind of guy would he be if he didn't try to help?) but there is So Much I want to know about how it changes the story. And of course Gil-galad's parentage has to be folded into the whole issue.

How would the dynamics change with your favourite (or crackiest) Gil-galad parentage theory?