Fingolfin is a major character in The Silmarillion. He is the son of Finwë and Indis of the Vayar and the brother of Fëanor and Finarfin (the former whose mother instead was Miriel Serindë), being the strongest, the most steadfast, and the most valiant amongst his brothers. After a series of unfortunate events he went through that stemmed from Fëanor's actions, he would become King of the Noldor who would at one point engage in a major battle against Morgoth using brilliance and strategy that is, while a battle he lost in the end, isn't without its benefits on his end due to it leaving eternal injuries on Morgoth.
What Makes Him Magnificent?[]
- He requested to Finwë that he restrain the pride of Curunfinwë, asking by what right he speaks for all their people as if he were king, telling him that it was Finwë who bid the Quendi accept the summons of the Valar to Aman and led the Noldor upon the long road through the perils of Middle-earth to the light of Eldamar before telling him that him he does not now repent of it, two sons he will at least have to honour his words.
- During Fëanor's banishment for his actions, Fingolfin declared that he will release him so that he shall be sent in peace and held redressed and when he encounters him years later, he honours his word and reconciles with him, telling him that he will let him lead while he follows and no new grief shall divide them.
- He manages to help overcome the Teleri that Fëanor and his forces were fighting against when they were driving Fëanor's forces thrice back.
- He successfully leads his host across the Helcaraxë with their valour and endurance growing with hardship due to being mighty people through the North, managing to make it to the Outer Lands of Middle-earth albeit at the cost of many of their lives.
- He would host a great feast called the Mereth Aderthad, the Feast of Reuniting, where many counsels would be taken in good will, oaths would be sworn of league and friendship, the tongue of the Grey-elves would be most spoken even by the Noldor who had learned swiftly the tongue of Valinor, with the word of Fëanor seeming to many of them to be justified, bidding them seek freedom and fair kingdoms in Middle-earth.
- When Morgoth sent Orcs pouring forth across the plain of Ard-galen across the Pass of Sirion in the west, Fingolfin and Maedhros came upon the main host from either side as it was assaulting Dorthonion, defeating the servants of Morgoth and pursuing them across Ard-Galen and destroying them utterly.
- Taking it as a warning, Fingolfin and the other princes would take heed of it, strengthen and order their watch, and activate the Siege of Angband, which lasted for about four hundred years where for a long time, no servant of Morgoth would venture from the gates, fearing the lords of the Noldor, allowing the Noldor to be safe for some time.
- Out of love of him, Fingolfin gave Hador Lorindol the lordship of Dor-lomin and into that land he gathered most of the people of his kin, becoming the mightiest of the chieftains of the Edain.
- Seeing that his people have become numerous and strong and that the Men allied to them were many and valiant, Fingolfin pondered once more an assault upon Angband, knowing that they lived in danger as long as the circle of the siege was incomplete and Morgoth was free to labour in his deep mines devising what evils none could foretell ere he should reveal them. This counsel was wise according to the measure of his knowledge, for the Noldor didn't yet comprehend the full power of Morgoth nor understand that their unaided war upon him was without final hope whether they hasted or delayed.
- After the destruction of Noldor at the hands of an army of Balrogs and Orcs led by Glaurung, Morgoth's servant, Fingolfin courageously rode forth to Angband's gates and boldly challenged Morgoth to a duel, sounding his trumpet and calling him craven and the lord of slaves in front of his captains. Throughout the duel, he uses his skill and knowledge in battle to hold his own against Morgoth, dodging many of his strikes of Grond and even manages to wound him several times severely, straight up kicking his ass in the process, and even as Morgoth finishes him off through crushing his neck with his left foot, he manages to deliver one last stroke by hewing it with his sword, Ringil, crippling him in the process as blood gushed forth black and smoking to the point of filling the pits created by his hammer, Grond. While he ended up losing the fight due to Morgoth killing him, he at least managed to inflict eternal wounds on him throughout the fight and even left him crippled forever by hewing his left leg with Morgoth having to limp on one foot for the rest of his days.
What Makes Him A Baddie?[]
- While with reluctance, he went with Fëanor and a majority of the Noldor on their conquest of revenge against Morgoth involving winning freedom and great realms in the lands of the East despite this being against the Valar.
- Upon arriving at the scene of Fëanor fighting against the Teleri misjudging the ordeal as the Teleri having sought to waylay the march of the Noldor at the bidding of the Valar and instead of trying to peacefully put a stop to the battle, he joins in with his forces before they could know rightly the cause of the quarrel, causing the Teleri to be overcome and a great part of their mariners that dwelt in Alqualondë to be wickedly slain, contributing to the Second Kinslaying in the aftermath.
- Desiring to meet Fëanor again, he leads his host on a crossing through the Helcaraxë instead of returning to Valinor in order to be able to meet Fëanor again despite how dangerous it is, causing the deaths of many amongst them before finally setting foot in the Outer Lands.
Trivia[]
- He and Uglúk are the only characters from the Middle-earth franchise to count as Magnificent Baddies.
External Links[]
- Fingolfin on the One Wiki to Rule Them All
- Fingolfin on the Tolkien Gateway