#the sons of fëanor

[musingsinmiddleearth]

In my mind, seven memorials form a neat line, silent and solemn. For these were not of good people, but of those whose hearts had been turned to malice (though not of their design), yet their actions won great glory and forever affected the courses of the world. And on their stony surface, the following words are written.

First: alone of his kin took no part in the abandonment of his friends and his people. Endured torment at the designs of the Great Foe. Reconciled his people afterwards in the name of goodwill. Nonetheless partook in murder, menace, and conspiracy to steal in the name of his oath. Believed himself deserving of death for his crimes and was so killed for it. Maedhros the Tall.

Second: a singer, set forth his voice to uplift the hearts of others and to record the peril of his people for posterity and lament. Put down a treasonous leader in fair battle. Nonetheless partook in murder, menace, and conspiracy to steal in the name of his oath, alongside his older brother. Found peace in heartache and in weariness thereafter. Maglor the Minstrel.

Third: he studied of birds and beasts and the nature of their languages. Conspired to overthrow a King to whom he swore loyalty for his own ends. Sought to force marriage upon another in the pursuit of power. Commanded cruel treatment of the defenceless and was slain for it. Celegorm the Fair.

Fourth: adjudged as lesser those less fair upon the eyes than he. Offered refuge and protection in generosity to those in need among his own lands. Was betrayed in this endeavour. Accounted as the quickest to wrath of his siblings. Slain in assault upon his own kind. Caranthir the Dark.

Fifth: sided against a problem husband in the pursuit of a fleeing wife. Conspired (with his brother) to overthrow a King to whom he swore loyalty for his own ends. Attempted abduction and then murder of a Princess from her love. Slain in assault upon his own kind. Curufin the Crafty.

Sixth: of whom little and less is written, alongside his twin brother. Took in the people of his brothers for a time when their own lands were laid to ruin. In distance and in peace took on perhaps less of the evil of his siblings. Nonetheless partook in murder, menace, and conspiracy to steal in the name of his oath, and was so slain in the doing of this. Amrod the Twin.

Seventh: of whom little and less is written, alongside his twin brother. Took in the people of his brothers for a time when their own lands were laid to ruin. In distance and in peace took on perhaps less of the evil of his siblings. Nonetheless partook in murder, menace, and conspiracy to steal in the name of his oath, and was so slain in the doing of this. Amras the Twin.

[a-world-of-whimsy-5]

The five kingdoms of the sons of Fëanor: part 1

Himring and the March of Maedhros

Warning. This post contains mentions of weapons use | animal death | orc death | use of animal parts | use of alcohol

✴️ Maedhros's lordship ushers in a culture that centers on highly trained warriors and military service. Himring and the March of Maedhros are soon dotted with heavily fortified fortresses made of rough-hewn stone. 

✴️ The interiors of these buildings are decorated with animal pelt rugs and antlers, featherbeds that are mostly made out of softer animal furs, and furniture that is more practical than elegant. Maedhros's own fortress has a map carved onto the table in his council chamber. 

✴️ There is no discrimination when it comes to military service. Any elf, irrespective of their gender, can take up arms if they have the necessary skills for wielding weapons. Those with exceptional skills are sometimes invited to learn under Meadhros himself. 

✴️ Military training, while taking up the majority of most elves' time, is not the only activity in their day-to-day lives. Given the harshness of the terrain, there is very little farming. Foraging for root vegetables and wild berries is quite common, along with hunting and fishing. Mountain goats are eventually captured and domesticated for their meat and milk. Diary-based foods such as cream, berries, meat, and fish make up the majority of the diet for those who live in Himring and the March. Mares’ milk is fermented to make an alcoholic beverage that the elves drink in the absence of wine. 

✴️ In the beginning, the fashions in and around Himring consisted of fur and leather decorated with beads and bones and feathers. Later on, when order fully set in, colors obtained from natural dyes found their way onto clothes worn by elves in the form of elaborate embroidery. This embroidery would take the form of the lands that Hithrim sits on, its animals, and the tales of valor of the elves who live within. 

✴️ Of the smithies, there are only three, with the largest found in Maedhros' fortress; cutting down trees for reasons other than warmth and cooking and the making of spears, bows, and arrows is not seen as wise. 

✴️ While there are riders who take messages between fortresses and outposts and homes, great signal fires are also used, in case orc movements are sighted.

✴️ What jewels are there in elven families are carefully kept, and lent out to kin only when needed. Because of this, elves turn to feathers, animal bones, and teeth for bodily adornments, especially the parts of an animal that are killed during an elf's first hunt. 

✴️ A similar attitude is adopted towards weapons and armor made in Valinor. These are treated with great care, and elves routinely take metal arrowheads, swords, shields and anything else they can make use of from dead orcs. 

✴️ Life in Himring and the March is quite restrictive due to the nearness of Angband and the constant attacks by its forces. Elves have to always be on guard. Because of this, feasts and frolics are few and far between and, if held, are kept to a modest scale. Storytelling is the highlight of the evening. Elflings who were born after the crossing into Middle Earth often ask for stories of Valinor. 

[hairaimo]

rest in peace maedhros you would have loved chain smoking cigarettes

[inthehouseoffinwe]

Thingol, Luthien, and Dior’s claim to the silmaril bugs the living daylights outta me and I’m gonna break down why. This goes a bit beyond ownership laws.

Starting with basics. What are the silmarils? Gems created by Fëanor that hold the light of the Two Trees. Who in Beleriand saw the light of the trees and no doubt misses it like a limb? Are here in part to avenge their destruction? The Noldor.

The Sindar never went to Valinor. They might find the gems beautiful but that’s it. There’s no cultural or emotional connection to them beyond ‘pretty stone, look how awesome our princess was.’ There’s no appreciation for what they hold. No understanding that this stone is one of the *last* things that holds the ancient light of the Trees.

The Noldor meanwhile not only saw the Light, they had entire festivals surrounding it. Grew their entire culture, their lives, under and around it. Now the trees are destroyed, their king killed defending these jewels. And this last beacon of hope, a piece of the home they can never return to, a piece of light that will never come back, is being kept by people who can’t even begin to understand the significance of what they keep.

Now imagine being the sons of the one who made this jewel from a culture of people who value craft above all else.

Not only is it light, it’s the result of years of toil and experimentation of your father, the one who managed to do what no one had ever even thought of. Fëanor’s sons would have been the first to see these jewels, probably saw him make prototypes, work equations whilst they worked on their own crafts. Provided what relief they could to his ever working mind and inadvertently gave him ideas that helped solve problems he encountered along the way. Suddenly it’s not only a key part of their culture, it’s something core to their family.

Then Fëanor is killed and in many ways it’s the most important thing they have left of their father. Now it’s a source of memory too, for someone doomed to the Halls for eternity. Who they’ll likely never see again unless they’re killed.

Now from what I’ve heard, Tolkien says the Fëanorions lost their right to the Silmarils when they killed for them. Which makes no sense considering the Silmarils were *created* by Fëanor. Yes the light was created by the Valar, but what, you’re gonna say ‘I created electricity so that lightbulb you made is actually mine.’ That’s not how it works. Fëanor made the casing for the stones and figured out how to hold the light, without aid from the Valar. It doesn’t matter what actions they take, the right to the Silmarils remain theirs and theirs alone. The jewels hold no power of their own, they’re literally objects. Healing objects at most. Morals do not dictate their ownership, hallowed or not.

Tolkien going on to say the right of Doriath’s Silmaril actually goes to Beren and Luthien for taking it from Morgoth gives me frankly coloniser vibes.

‘Oh this thing I stole was originally stolen from you? Too bad. I took it so it’s mine now. Don’t care how important it is to you, your entire culture, and your people.’

Get where I’m coming from?

All in all the whole situation gives me Bad Vibes and I really don’t like the attitude the Sindar have to the Silmaril. In terms of Elwing, I can partly forgive her purely based on trauma response. Fine. Doesn’t make it right, but I understand. But that never would’ve been a problem if her father, grandmother, or great grandfather had the sense to acknowledge the silmaril was never theirs to keep. Don’t like the Fëanorions, (too bad) at least give it back to the Noldor.

[havenotwillnotreadthebooks]

Okay but consider; The Sons of Elrond reminding people of the Sons of Feanor.

Like, in Middle-Earth (ME) it wasn’t a big deal that E&E followed their dad around because it was just accepted as Harmless Peredhel Oddness.

But in Valinor, all these relatives keep visiting The House of Elrond because he’s the baby of every Finwion branch in existence. So these Finweans come around and just see Elrond’s sons somewhat hovering around him or staying in the general vicinity. Furthermore, Elrond isn’t just their dad, he’s also their lord-father and to Elrohir & Elladan, Elrond’s authority is above all else. Anyone, else.

Elrond casually tells his sons to do something simple and they do it without protest because it’s just getting a teapot or something, they may whine or groan like elflings for fun, but they get the teapot without question. That’s just how that relationship is. When the twins protest it’s loud and rare, and usually they just wanna follow their family members around (Arwen, Estel, Elrond, Celebrian).

But it’s just Elrond and Celebrian in Valinor, with Glorfindal, Lindir, and Erestor settling their own business elsewhere for a bit.

So these Finweans just see The Sons of Elrond (which they are canonically called) following their father around loyally, and mostly down to do anything for him (they swore an oath against all orcs for their mom, c’mon), and these Finweans start getting flashbacks to the Sons of Feanor in their youth.

The average Middle-Earth elf just sees the very close Peredhel Fam being a close family. The average Valinorean elf looks at the twins following Elrond around like ducklings and starts seeing ghosts.

It’s worse if Elrond is Feanorian, but even without that headcanon, it’s an uncanny likeness and it disturbs the Finweans that visit The House of Elrond.

(Celebrian, personally, thinks it’s funny).

[stellavesperis]

Do you think for a moment, before the Silmarils burned, that Maedhros and Maglor felt like they were home?

That light was the light of Aman, all that was left of the Two Trees (aside from the distant sun and moon). It was the same light that they had seen their father shape into gems when they were young. I sometimes forget that there was a time when the Silmarils really were theirs, when they didn’t burn their hands at the touch, when Fëanor wore them openly about and let his sons behold them too.

And then, all these years later, when they were finally in possession of their father’s gems, their eyes were filled once more with the same light that had illuminated Valinor before its darkening.

Do you think, for a moment, they felt like they were home?

[dfwbwfbbwfbwf]

Macalaurë is the spitting image of Fëanáro, even more so than Curufinwë.

At a first glance, Curvo looks more like their father, but that is in large part because he has Fëanáro's RBF, and Cáno smiles more. Macalaurë is closer to Fëanáro's height (there weren't many tall genes left for Curvo after Nelyo, Tyelko, and Moryo, and as such Curufinwë is the shortest of the Sons at Nerdanel's height). Macalaurë's hair has the same wavy pattern whereas Curvo's is straight. His eyes are the same mithril compared to Curvo's iron hue. Macalaurë has Fëanáro nose, chin, judgemental eyebrows, even hands and toes!

This is because Nelyo took a lot out of Nerdanel, so much so that Fëanáro was worried she'd Fade. It took her until Nelyo was nearly full grown to convince her husband to have another, and he did most of the work in creating their second son. (He would've done everything save carry Cáno if he had his way.)

Macalaurë Cánafinwë popped out a little clone of baby Fëanáro, only even louder.

By the time they got to Tyelko, Nerdanel and Fëanáro had figured out the best way to craft their children. Their five other sons were about a 50/50 split effort.

Anyone who knew Fëanáro can see him in Cána. When he laughs, one of those rich belly laughs and not a polite chuckle. When he's enraged and his lips curl into a snarl. When his face is empty and expressionless.

(Upon meeting Maglor in Middle Earth, Fingolfin believed him to be his brother until Maglor spoke.)

[edennill]

The house of Fëanor at the airport:

Fëanor:

still making hasty additions to his luggage ten minutes before leaving

incurably absentminded in the terminal because he just had a new idea for a project enter his mind and is upset he hasn't got time to take out his notebook

still tries to wrote something down every time there's a queue

lost the twins twice

Nerdanel:

annoyed

"some of us have also got stuff we'd rather be doing and can manage to put it aside for a moment, Fëanor"

frighteningly efficient

still stops every few minutes to remark that she would like to sculpt this or that random passerby

Maedhros:

assigned third parent™

will do everything he's tasked with without question

responsible for the well-being of at least two of the younger ones

inwardly exasperated and outwardly an example of patience

small, efficiently packed suitcase

Maglor:

has taken 3 different musical instruments with him

whines if you tell him to take care of his younger brothers

walks three yards before the rest of the family

has quarelled twice with Celegorm and once with Caranthir since they started check-in

wants to go into souvenir shops

Celegorm:

was planning to smuggle his pets into his luggage but was informed they might be confiscated at the airport

dressed way too cold for the weather

teases his brothers and gets yelled at by everyone

runs circles around the rest of the group

tries to get on the luggage conveyor belt

finds souvenir shops boring; crashes a vase in one

Caranthir:

tired and cranky

lags behind the rest

nose in a book

terrified he will forget something made of metal at security

packed way too much but later people will always ask to borrow stuff from him

Curufin:

model child

unless he's running after Celegorm

or teasing Caranthir

insists on pulling his own luggage but quickly gives up

thankfully can be trusted to keep next to his father at all times

pulls his father into souvenir shops

Amrod and Amras:

seem to be attempting to roleplay Home Alone in New York

categorically forbidden from entering souvenir shops

try to poke inside the security scanner

Bonus - Celebrimbor:

model child no.2

makes new friends who don't even speak the same language as him

bought reams of overpriced stuff in souvenir boutiques by the rest of the family

has no concept of stranger danger

[cuthalions]

Maedhros answered: ‘But how shall our voices reach to Ilúvatar beyond the Circles of the World? And by Ilúvatar we swore in our madness, and called the Everlasting Darkness upon us, if we kept not our word. Who shall release us?’ ‘If none can release us,’ said Maglor, ‘then indeed the Everlasting Darkness shall be our lot, whether we keep our oath or break it; but less evil shall we do in the breaking.’ Yet he yielded at last to the will of Maedhros, and they took counsel together how they should lay hands on the Silmarils. [...] But the jewel burned the hand of Maedhros in pain unbearable; and he perceived that it was as Eönwë had said, and that his right thereto had become void, and that the oath was vain. And being in anguish and despair he cast himself into a gaping chasm filled with fire, and so ended; and the Silmaril that he bore was taken into the bosom of the Earth. And it is told of Maglor that he could not endure the pain with which the Silmaril tormented him; and he cast it at last into the Sea, and thereafter he wandered ever upon the shores, singing in pain and regret beside the waves.

— THE SILMARILLION, CH. 24: OF THE VOYAGE OF EÄRENDIL AND THE WAR OF WRATH (insp. by middle-earth-mythopoeia)

[mahtariel-of-himring]

In the early ages of Valinor there was a festival celebrated by the Noldor. It was very secretive and secluded ceremony so that not many outsiders knew a lot about it.

It was called the starlight festival, a ceremony in celebration of their first guides. The stars.

The first elves were born underneath starlight and lived under it for many years, the stars were their guiding light for long, before they came to Valinor.

The tradition was started by Queen Míriel, who loved the stars most of all her people, for her own hair shone like them and made her feel a special connection to the lights in the night sky.

Traditionally the Noldor wore pure white gowns with detailed silver embroidery which where very light and easy to move in to make it easier to the dance.

The embroidery was personalized for every single elf, making every piece uniquely fitted and decorated to represent said elf.

It showed whatever represented them most and was often connected to their craft.

A mariner or fisher would wear some type of waves, a weaver string and needle, a smith, depending on his specialty, gems, jewelry or whatnot. Those who took to other physical labor would often wear their tools, modeled after the real thing.

Additional to the white robes a flower crown made of pure white flowers was worn atop the head or, if someone wished, braided into the hair.

The flowers used to make them were unique and shone like the light of the stars themselves. Of great beauty and with soft, silky petals. They came in all sizes so it wasn’t uncommon for someone to have dainty small ones and another large ones that came down into their face.

The festival happened under the first clear night of the year, all light would be put out so the stars could be seen particularly well and the Noldor would dance beneath the sky that first welcomed them into the world.

After Queen Míriel died the tradition was largely abandoned due to King Finwë being unable to handle the grief of being reminded of his late wife.

Years later during Fëanor‘s exile to Formenos he brought the starlight festival back to life, teaching his son‘s and wife the traditional dances, helping them design their robes and make their flower crowns.

After the flight of the Noldor the tradition was lost a second time. Thought the son‘s of Fëanor carried on with it the war made it as good as impossible.

As battle and bloodshed slowly took over Beleriand they took to making flower crowns out of paper if they could or had the time for it, if not they simply thought of it, remembering the peace and quiet of the near sacred night their people used to celebrate and longed for the flowing robes and soft crowns.

When Elrond and Elros were kidnapped from Sirion Maedhros made an effort of making sure they knew of this tradition, in fear that if Maglor and he died no one would remember it any longer, and their grandmother’s legacy would fade.

After Maedhros died and Maglor disappeared the world seemed to have forgotten about the starlight festival, the great joy of Queen Míriel of the Noldor, who‘s hair shone like the light of the sky and who loved the nightly glow above all others.

But if you visited Lindon in the second age, and were around at the right time, looking out your window at the correct moment, you might saw a figure, dancing on the rooftops of the elves city, dressed in white, with flowers atop their head and gaze turned towards the stars.

[silmarillion-ways-to-die]

"Oh, what are you doing, And where are you going? Your ponies need shoeing, The river is flowing! Oh, tra-la-la-lally Here down in the valley, ha! ha!" – Elves of Rivendell, The Hobbit

“You are more worthy to wear the armour of elf-princes than many that have looked more comely in it.” – Thranduil, The Hobbit

“May your shadow never grow less (or stealing would be too easy)!” – Thranduil, The Hobbit

"A Elbereth Gilthoniel, silivren penna miriel. 0 menel aglar elenath!" – Elves of Rivendell, The Fellowship of the Ring

"Such is of the course of deeds that move the wheels of the world: small hands do them because they must, while the eyes of the great are elsewhere." – Elrond Halfelven, The Fellowship of the Ring

"Farewell, and may the blessing of Elves and Men and all Free Folk go with you. May the stars shine upon your faces!" – Elrond Halfelven, The Fellowship of the Ring

"Yes, they are elves, and they say that you breathe so loud they could shoot you in the dark." – Legolas Greenleaf, The Fellowship of the Ring

"And now at last it comes. You will give me the Ring freely! In place of the Dark Lord you will set up a Queen. And I shall not be dark, but beautiful and terrible as the Morning and the Night! Fair as the Sea and the Sun and the Snow upon the Mountain! Dreadful as the Storm and the Lightning! Stronger than the foundations of the earth. All shall love me and despair!" – Galadriel, The Fellowship of the Ring

"In this phial is caught the light of Eärendil’s star, set amid the waters of my fountain. It will shine still brighter when night is about you. May it be a light to you in dark places, when all other lights go out." – Galadriel, The Fellowship of the Ring

"Get thee gone from my gate, thou jail-crow of Mandos!" – Fëanor, The Silmarillion

"...neither law, nor love, nor league of swords, dread nor danger, not Doom itself, shall defend him from Fëanor, and Fëanor's kin, whoso hideth or hoardeth, or in hand taketh, finding keepeth or afar casteth a Silmaril." – Fëanor and His Sons, Morgoth's Ring

[musingsinmiddleearth]

One of the quotes from Baldur's Gate 3 (a game I have hundreds of hours in and subsequently have not played enough of) that always gets me thinking of the sons of Fëanor is the Dark Urge quote "Was I sweet, once?"

"Was I sweet, once?"

It a little bit breaks my heart. The sons of Fëanor are all so stained with the cost of their oath and the deeds they are compelled to do in its name and in the name of the Everlasting Dark. But nevermind the blood of others on their hands, do they not surely feel that their own blood is on their hands too?

Imagine the later days of the wars in Beleriand. The struggle of the Elves against Morgoth has been going on for such a length of time, and the quest for the Silmarils just as long. Does there ever come a day, for even just one of the sons of Fëanor, when they look in the mirror and can't see the face of youth that they wore in Aman? Has that light not died somewhat, burnt through by a fire of fury they recognised from only their father's eyes? And when they have that moment of realisation, do they not look at their swords and their armour and the callouses on their skin and have to ask if they were ever sweet and gentle, because it's been so long that the memories of peace don't feel like theirs anymore?

[a-world-of-whimsy-5]

The five kingdoms of the sons of Fëanor: part 2

Maglor's Gap

Himring and the March of Maedhros

Warning. This post contains mentions of weapons use | animal death | orc death | use of animal parts | use of alcohol

🌟 Much like Himring and the March of Maedhros, Maglor’s Gap is dotted with stone fortresses made of rough stone.

🌟 However, in stark contrast to the more no-frills approach in Himring and the March, there is some semblance of elegance to be found in the keeps dotting the Gap due to Maglor’s own influence. Besides the usual pelts and furs and bone, furniture is more elaborately decorated, and the first weavings and tapestries were made with whatever could be found and easily assembled. Once order settles in, the elves of the Gap craft their own furnishings using feathers and animal teeth and tails from small animals such as ermine and sable.

🌟 Again, much like Himring and the March, garments worn by those living in the Gap consist of fur and leather. Beads, bones, feathers, and, in this instance, ermine tails, are used to decorate clothes. The pelts of smaller animals, such as pallas cats and foxes, are used to make mittens, hoods, and fur caps. Once a way is found to extract natural dyes from leaves and berries, color is used without restraint. The most commonly used decorative motifs in embroidery are horses, animals, birds, and flowers found in the Gap, sometimes even family mottoes. Any jewels that were brought over during the crossing are fiercely guarded and lent only for special occasions. On all other occasions, flowers, ferns, berries, and thin strips of ribbon are used for beautification.

🌟 Smithies are far more common due to a greater abundance of fuel for burning. Nevertheless, elves still make good use of anything and everything they can take off of dead orcs after skirmishes. Very little is allowed to go to waste by those living in the Gap, especially weapons and armor.

🌟 Military service comes in the form of several years of cavalry duty. As it is quite exposed, the Gap has to be patrolled all day and night, and on horseback, for both speed and convenience. The horses bred here are quite strong and heavy, capable of carrying heavily armored elves into battle, and are trained to withstand the noise and chaos of battle.

🌟 Elven males take up duties on the field. Elven women stay closer to home and see to the defenses of the keeps they live in. Many of the Elven women take up the bow and arrow for weapons.

🌟 Besides the standard sword and shield, bow and arrow and spear, a lance-like weapon makes its first appearance among the mounted warriors patrolling the Gap.

🌟 The meat of wild game, wild berries, root vegetables, and mare’s milk make up many, if not all, meals. Meat is often cured and preserved to last longer. Dried meat is reserved for those having to go on patrol. Horseflesh is also consumed. Alcoholic beverages made out of fermented mare’s milk are drunk in the absence of wine.

🌟 There is very little in the way of public feasts and frolics, as the Gap is a frequent target for Orc raids. If there are celebrations, they are quite simple and held only in a private capacity by individual families. Maglor, however, will host the captains that serve him at least every two to three weeks to develop rapport, and to learn more of the comings and goings in his domain.

[chaos-of-the-abyss]

um actually ☝🤓 i believe the real creator of the silmarils is morgoth ☝🤓 and he was just taking back what belonged to him by property rights ☝🤓 and feanor and his sons were just throwing a hissy fit that the silmarils' rightful owner took them back ☝🤓 which btw morgoth was right to kill finwe while reclaiming the silmarils because finwe ☝🤓 was violating his property rights ☝🤓 that's ridiculous you say? why? because feanor is canonically the creator of the silmarils as per the source material? um actually ☝🤓 the silmarillion is a tertiary source ☝🤓 and pengolodh is biased against morgoth ☝🤓

[silmawensgarden]

Maitimo sketch for today ♡

I felt like reevaluating my design for him and this comes close to how I see him ^^

[the-hobbits-to-isengard]

Maedhros : Everyone, calm down! We're grown-ups, let's deal with this like adults!

Curufin: So, we're just going to wing it and hope for the best?

Maedhros : Obviously. Now, Maglor, pass the shovel.