Maedhros

Maedhros was a Ñoldor prince. He was the first of Fëanor’s seven sons [1] and the ultimate head of Fëanor’s House after the death of Fëanor in the Middle-earth (Endor). He was extraordinary in the skill of warfare and war strategy. For many years, he fought in the front lines with armies from his household and others against Morgoth’s servants. He took an oath along with his six brothers to recover Fëanor’s Silmarils. This decision determined his fate in later years, and consequently, his end.

Maedhros was the first son born from the union of Fëanor to Nerdanel in Eldamar (most likely in Tirion). Fëanor and his sons explored all over Valinor, and were often guests in the house of Aulë. [2] After Fëanor disturbed the peace in Valinor by threatening his half-brother Fingolfin, the Valar banished him from Tirion, and Maedhros and his brothers followed Fëanor to Formenos. There, they stored up treasures and carefully guarded Fëanor's Silmarils.[3]

When Morgoth killed Finwë, Fëanor's father, he also took possession of the Silmarils. Maedhros then joined his father and brothers in taking the Oath of Fëanor, which swore to pursue with vengeance anyone who withheld a Silmaril from them. They named Eru Ilúvatar, Manwë and Varda as witnesses, calling the Eternal Darkness upon themselves if they failed.[4] The Oath affected the later years of Maedhros' life as he sought to fulfill it by all means, committing deeds he never would have done otherwise. Because of the Oath, Maedhros was involved in the first Kinslaying at Alqualondë, alongside his brothers and Fëanor.

At Alqualondë, Fëanor and his sons stole the great swan boats of the Teleri elves, and used them to sail to Middle-Earth. Upon their arrival, Maedhros asked Fëanor which ships would be sent back to Fingolfin and his sons. He had a close friendship with his cousin, Fingolfin's son Fingon, and wanted to ensure he would arrive safely. But Fëanor, bitter towards Fingolfin, refused to send the ships back. He and the rest of his sons burned the ships, but Maedhros alone stood aside and did not participate in this evil deed.[5]

Once they reached Endor, the Noldor elves were attacked by some Orcs of Morgoth in the events that led to Dagor-nuin-Giliath. Despite being outnumbered, the Noldor were victorious, and even destroyed many of the Orcs who managed to escape. As the army that went after the orcs nearly reached Angband, the balrogs came from Angband and killed the small party that stayed with Fëanor. Fëanor was severely wounded because the head of the balrogs, Gorthmog, targeted him in particular. But he was rescued by the timely intervention of his sons.[6] The pain from the harm was too much for Fëanor, leading to the loss of his life. Before he died, he called on Maedhros and his brothers to avenge his death.

Shortly after the Dagor-nuin-Giliath, Morgoth sent an embassy to Maedhros to acknowledge defeat, and offer terms that included promises to return one of the Silmarils. Maedhros was suspicious of the offer and directed his men to feign a treaty with Morgoth, but to meet him with a greater force than what was agreed upon. Unfortunately, Morgoth sent an even greater force, which included Balrogs, and ambushed Maedhros and his men. Maedhros was captured, while the rest of the Elves with him were killed.

Morgoth sent a message to Maedhros’ brothers, informing them that the terms of Maedhros’ release would be that they forsake any plans to be at war against Morgoth. The elves understood that Morgoth was not honorable with his words and did not agree to these terms. Therefore, Morgoth put Maedhros to torment by hanging him off the cliff of Thangorodrim, suspended by an unbreakable steel chain around his right wrist.[7]

When the host of Fingolfin finally reached Endor, they had the memory of the betrayal of Fëanor fresh in their minds and were filled with bitterness. The shame of these deeds discouraged the host of Fëanor from welcoming the host of Fingolfin on their arrival.[8]

Fingon, Maedhros’ cousin, was a close friend of Maedhros before the separation of Noldor’s houses. Fingon heard about the captivity of Maedhros and planned to rescue his friend from Morgoth, despite the tension between their houses. Fingon did this for two reasons: to save his friend and to take a step into healing the bitter division among the two hosts.

Once the sun and the moon were created, Morgoth prevented himself and his creatures of darkness from the light by raising thick clouds of smoke and ashes over the sky of Angband. Fingon managed to use this creation of Morgoth to his advantage, using the dark smoke to conceal himself so that none of Morgoth's servants found him. Unable to find an entrance into the fortress of Angband, Fingon sang a song of Valinor, in defiance of the Orcs hiding nearby.

Maedhros heard the voice of Fingon from where he hung and sang with him. His voice reached Fingon, who was then able to see where Maedhros hung, but could not climb high enough to reach him. Maedhros lost hope and begged Fingon to kill him so his suffering would end. Fingon decided to do what his friend wished, and he prayed to Manwë for mercy and aimed his arrow. Manwë heard Fingon's prayer and sent the Eagles’ King, Thorondor, who flew Fingon up to the top of the cliff so he could reach Maedhros.[9]

Fingon tried to free Maedhros but failed to have any impact on the metal band that bound him. Maedhros again pleaded with Fingon to slay him, but instead, Fingon cut off his right hand above the wrist. Thorondor flew them back to Mithrim. Maedhros was eventually fully healed, but the memory of his torment stayed with him and motivated him to become a deadlier swordsman using his left hand than he had ever been with his right. The division amongst the Noldor was also healed due to Fingon's valiant deed.

Maedhros begged Fingolfin's forgiveness for the way his family deserted them in Araman. He renounced his claim to the kingship and passed it on to Fingolfin, arguing the kingship was rightfully his. Maedhros’ brothers did not all agree with this decision. [10]

The Sons of Fëanor then explored the eastern lands of Beleriand, but Thingol was not pleased to see so many new princes rising to power in the land. He sent word to the Sons of Fëanor claiming he ruled over all Beleriand, and warning them not to cross him or his people. The Sons of Fëanor were angered by these words, and Maedhros laughed at the message and responded that he and his brothers would go wherever they wished. Caranthir, though, spoke harsh insults to Angrod, who had delivered Thingol's message. Violence could have stirred up between the houses of Fëanor and Finarfin, but Maedhros restrained his brothers and departed to the eastern lands. [11]

Maedhros and his people settled in the northeastern regions of Beleriand, around the Hill of Himring, and that region was called the March of Maedhros. He ruled that land and fought alongside Fingolfin, aiding him in the Dagor Aglareb. The Noldor then had a time of peace until the Battle of the Sudden Flame (Dagor Bragollach) and the beginning of Morgoth’s dominion.

His strong foundation ensured that Himring remained while other realms of elves fell. Maedhros was displeased with Morgoth’s dominion over the elves and men since Dagor Bragollach and hoped to find a way out. When he heard about Beren and Luthien’s success in recovering one of the Silmarils, he renewed his hope against the dark lord Morgoth. The event confirmed that Morgoth was not as invincible as he projected. Maedhros gathered his brothers in what he intended to be the final assault on Morgoth but failed terribly. As a result of this failed attack, he lost Himring and fled south to safety on the Hills of Ereb. Many years passed, but Maedhros and his brothers still longed for the Silmaril.

The brothers heard that Luthien’s granddaughter and her husband had the jewel as an inheritance from her grandparents. Maedhros and his brothers marched to Doriath to fulfill their oath to recover the Silmaril upon the advice of Celegorm. They met armies that were determined to protect the Silmarils. Dior, the son of Beren, killed Celegorm, Curufin, and Caranthir before he was fallen too. Celegorm’s servants abandoned the sons of Dior, Elurin, and Elured in the forest to die. Their fate in the forest remained unknown afterward as Maedhros searched for them but found no traces.

Maedhros later heard that the elves escaped to the Havens of Sirion. He rallied his other Noldorin princes and went there, but Elwing escaped with her husband, Earendil, and the jewel. However, their twin sons were captured. Maedhros saw that he had involved himself in many unlikely acts to fulfill his oath and was displeased, so he took custody of Elwing’s sons and raised them with love. Following the War of the Wrath, Maedhros and his only surviving brother, Maglor, humbly demanded that the Silmaril be returned. The maia turned down their request as they were now deemed unworthy of bearing the Silmaril.

This was due to the cruelty that they caused due to their desperation to fulfill their oath. Maedhros was restless from his oath and convinced his brother that stealing the Silmaril was the only option. They entered the camp of the host of Valinor, where they killed the guard and took the Silmaril. The camp was alarmed, and they were soon surrounded. The brothers were determined to die. Eonwe intervened, and they were spared. They were able to leave the camp with the Silmaril unharmed. But since they were not worthy, the Silmaril later burned their hands. Both Maedhros and his brother tried to keep it but failed. When Maedhros could not bear the pain any longer, he cast himself into one of the fiery chasms with the jewel.

Maedhros' father-name in Quenya was Nelyafinwë, which means "Third of Finwë,"[12] referring to his position as heir. Nerdanel, his mother, named him Maitimo (which means “well-formed one”), because he was of beautiful bodily form.[13] His epessë, or nickname, was Russandol (“Coppertop”), which referred to his auburn hair. After coming to Middle-Earth, he took a Sindarin name, Maedhros, which means "pale glitter."[14] Other versions of his Sindarin name include Maedros and Maidros, which are Sindarin translations of Maitimo and Russandol, derived from Sindarin maed (“shapely”) and ross (“red-haired”).[15]

Maedhros was a soft-hearted, self-restraining Noldorin prince that had a fierce nature when it comes to war. He was further hardened by experience and torment in the realm of Morgoth on the slopes of Thangorodrim. He was extraordinarily skilled on the battleground and fearless. Outside the battleground, Maedhros was more lenient than his father. He was known for his wisdom, honor, and strategic planning. Maedhros was also known for his attractive appearance. He had auburn colored-hair while his kinsmen had dark hair, which made him stand out immediately. He was approachable and prudent in his actions but was involved in many things that he would not have done if he did not make an oath for the Silmaril. In his lifetime, he used both the right hand and then the left on the battlefield. He saw the division in the house of Fëanor. He helped improve the relationship between members of the household after a union seemed impossible.

1. ^The Silmarillion, Chapter 5, page 50
2. ^The Silmarillion, Chapter 5, page 52
3. ^The Silmarillion, Chapter 7, page 61
4. ^The Silmarillion, Chapter 9 , page 73
5. ^The Silmarillion, Chapter 9, pages 79-80
6. ^The Silmarillion, Chapter 13, page 97
7. ^The Silmarillion, Chapter 13, page 98
8. ^The Silmarillion, Chapter 13, page 99
9. ^The Silmarillion, Chapter 13, page 100
10. ^The Silmarillion, Chapter 13, page 101
11. ^The Silmarillion, chapter 13, page 102
12. ^The Peoples of Middle-Earth, The Shibboleth of Fëanor, page 352
13. ^The Peoples of Middle-Earth, The Shibboleth of Fëanor, page 353
14. ^The Lost Road and Other Writings, The Etymologies, page 371
15. ^The Peoples of Middle Earth, The Shibboleth of Fëanor, page 366