Maedhros the Tall Nelyafinwë Maitimo Russandol

"Maedhros did deeds of surpassing valour, and the Orcs fled before his face; for since his torment upon Thangorodrim his spirit burned like a white fire within, and he was as one that returns from the dead." The Heir to the House of Fëanor Maedhros is one of the most recognizable characters in The Silmarillion. Among the princes of the Noldor of his generation, the three who are most often mentioned in the published Silmarillion are Maedhros (88 times), Fingon (77), and Finrod (66). Even his popular brother Maglor the mighty singer is only mentioned 35 times. Given his level of recognition among enthusiasts of the First Age of Middle-earth, Maedhros's initial introduction in the text of The Silmarillion is a modest one. The eldest son of Fëanor is mentioned, along with his six brothers, in an early paragraph in the chapter "Of Eldamar and the Princes of the Eldalië."6 Therein he is only distinguished among Fëanor's sons as the first in a list of names and by the use of the epithet "the tall": The seven sons of Fëanor were Maedhros the tall; Maglor the mighty singer, whose voice was heard far over land and sea; Celegorm the fair, and Caranthir the dark; Curufin the crafty, who inherited most his father's skill of hand; and the youngest Amrod and Amras, who were twin brothers, alike in mood and face.7 Maedhros, along with his six brothers, was born in Valinor in the realm of the Valar across the sea during the Age of the Trees. His father Fëanor, the eldest son of Finwë, the first king of the Noldor, created the Silmarils, which hold the light of the Two Trees. The story of the theft of those magical jewels by Melkor sets the framework for the glorious victories and tragic defeats of The Silmarillion. Maedhros and his brothers unwisely bind themselves when, at their father's behest, they swear and uphold the infamous oath to regain the stolen jewels. Fëanor and his sons invoke even Ilúvatar to witness their oath to avenge the theft and swear to fight anyone whether "Elf, Man, Maia, or Vala" who withholds the Silmarils from them.8 This oath, of course, leads to nothing but disaster for Maedhros and his kinsmen. Death of Finwë and the Flight of the Noldor Fëanor, the greatest craftsman in the history of the Eldar, created his three brilliant jewels to capture a part of the pure light of Valinor's Two Trees, Laurelin and Telperion. The Silmarillion describes these jewels as "the most renowned of all the works of the Elves." It is not uncommon in discussions of The Silmarillion that some readers choose to casually remark that the fight for Fëanor's artifacts seems a mighty struggle over three rocks. One could write a book about the nature of these jewels, their symbolism, and their relevance. For the moment, it suffices to note that they are considerably more than simply three magnificent gemstones. When Melkor began to seed dissent among the Noldor in Valinor, his lies fell upon fertile ground. Mistrust and leadership cliques flourished. Fëanor suspected his half-brother Fingolfin worked to usurp his position as Finwë's favored son and heir apparent. He confronted Fingolfin in Tirion, drawing his sword against him. Rather than leaving the Noldor to solve their problems internally, the Vala Manwë intervened when Finwë sought to resolve the differences within the Noldor (arguably not his wisest decision). Manwë asserted his authority as King of Arda and accused Fëanor of drawing his sword in a threat of violence against his brother, saying "for twelve years thou shalt leave Tirion where this threat was uttered."9 Maedhros and his brothers joined him there, though Nerdanel refused to follow: With him into banishment went his seven sons, and northward in Valinor they made a strong place and treasury in the hills; and there at Formenos a multitude of gems were laid in hoard, and weapons also, and the Silmarils were shut in a chamber of iron. Thither also came Finwë the King, because of the love that he bore to Fëanor.10 Meanwhile, Melkor burned with hatred and envy of Fëanor and a growing lust to possess the Silmarils: "[E]ven in the darkness of the deepest treasury the Silmarils of their own radiance shone like the stars of Varda; and yet, as were they indeed living things, they rejoiced in light and received it and gave it back in hues more marvellous than before."11 After some time had passed since the Fëanorians and Finwë had withdrawn to Formenos, Fëanor was called by Manwë to return to a festival to be held in his halls on Taniquetil: "Manwë designed to heal the evil that had arisen among the Noldor; and all were bidden to come . . . to put aside the griefs that lay between their princes." Maedhros and his brothers did not attend. And Finwë chose not to present himself before the Valar, saying, "'while the ban lasts upon Fëanor my son, that he may not go to Tirion, I hold myself unkinged, and I will not meet my people.'"12 One can easily understand why Maedhros remained loyal to his father when even his much-esteemed grandfather and king supported Fëanor. The entire situation between Manwë and Finwë leads one to understand how the king would feel he would no longer be a true sovereign to the Noldor but Manwë's puppet if he did not protest being overruled and treated like an incompetent schoolboy in the management of not only his own people but within his own family. Meanwhile, back at the festival, Fingolfin and Fëanor prepare, at Manwë's urging, to make peace. Fingolfin adopts an appropriately conciliatory tone while Fëanor more reluctantly accepts his brother's expression of loyalty. At that very moment, darkness falls upon Aman. Melkor and his co-conspirator Ungoliant, a light-sucking, treasure-eating giant spider of insatiable appetite, have destroyed the Two Trees. Horrified and devastated, the Valar turn to Fëanor and request he turn over the Silmarils to Yavanna so that she can attempt to use their light to restore life to the trees. While Fëanor refuses and the Valar debate with him, Ungoliant and Melkor flee northward to Formenos. They encounter Finwë alone in the stronghold. He refuses to turn the Silmarils over but was no match for the strength of Melkor and Ungoliant. When word reaches Taniquetil that Melkor has killed Finwë and taken the Silmarils, the Valar sit in silent council but do not immediately act.13 Fëanor, grief-stricken by the loss of his beloved father and enraged by theft of the jewels, is energized by his fury and immediately takes steps to organize his people to avenge his father and reclaim the Silmarils. In the darkness of Tirion, he gathers his people by torchlight, speaking with great eloquence and stirring them to action. He calls upon them to overtake Melkor, avenge their king, and win back their greatest artifact. Although the decision to act is met with debate, Fëanor stirs the Noldor to take action, for "Fëanor was a master of words, and his tongue had great power over hearts when he would use it; and that night he made a speech before the Noldor which they ever remembered."14 No one amongst even the Valar or the Maiar could replicate these artifacts, not even Melkor who lusted after them and plotted to steal them. The Noldor, great smiths, artisans, builders, as a people recognized the phenomenal stones as the pinnacle of creativity and scientific achievement among the Eldar. One ought not to underestimate the effect of Melkor's lies and Manwë's previous, clumsy attempts at peacemaking. It is not surprising that Fëanor was able to persuade the vast majority of his people to follow him from Aman to avenge both the murder of their King and to regain these inimitable artifacts: "Against the will of the Valar Fëanor forsook the Blessed Realm and went in exile to Middle-earth, leading with him a great part of his people; for in his pride he purposed to recover the Jewels from Morgoth by force."15 At last, in the end, Fëanor overplays his hand when he calls upon his people to take his blasphemous and disastrous oath: His seven sons leapt straightway to his side and took the selfsame vow together, and red as blood shone their drawn swords in the glare of the torches. They swore an oath which none shall break, and none should take, by the name even of Ilúvatar, calling the Everlasting Dark upon them if they kept it not; and Manwë they named in witness, and Varda, and the hallowed mountain of Taniquetil, vowing to pursue with vengeance and hatred to the ends of the World Vala, Demon, Elf or Man as yet unborn, or any creature, great or small, good or evil, that time should bring forth unto the end of days, whoso should hold or take or keep a Silmaril from their possession. Thus spoke Maedhros and Maglor and Celegorm, Curufin and Caranthir, Amrod and Amras, princes of the Noldor; and many quailed to hear the dread words. For so sworn, good or evil, an oath may not be broken, and it shall pursue oathkeeper and oathbreaker to the world's end.16 Maedhros must have thought that this torchlit scene marked the end of the world as he had known it. In fact, it was only the beginning of a new phase that would be distinguished by unspeakable torment, glorious victories, and devastating losses and betrayals. Oath-bound until the end, Maedhros would not turn back. The Exodus Turns Ugly: The Kinslaying at Alqualondë The port city of Alqualondë was the home of the Teleri, late arriving to Aman under the leadership of Olwë. The Teleri chose to settle on the sea. They built their city with aid from the Noldor, where they became known for their shipbuilding skills: And many pearls they won for themselves from the sea, and their halls were of pearl, and of pearl were the mansions of Olwë at Alqualondë, the Haven of the Swans, lit with many lamps. For that was their city, and the haven of their ships; and those were made in the likeness of swans, with beaks of gold and eyes of gold and jet.17 Maedhros and his brothers depart from Tirion with their father, heading first to the north. Doubtless, Fëanor's sons serve as lieutenants to their father on the road. Despite Fëanor's warning about traveling fast and light, the vast majority of the Noldor stretch out farther and farther behind them, burdened with luggage. Fëanor "perceived over-late that all these great companies would never overcome the long leagues to the north, nor cross the seas at the last, save with the aid of ships."18 Knowing he would need transportation to Middle-earth unless he were to cross those menacing frozen wastes to the north, Fëanor turns his eyes to the ships of the Teleri. When the vanguard of the Noldor reaches Alqualondë, Fëanor decides "to persuade the Teleri, ever friends to the Noldor, to join with them."19 When Olwë refuses, Fëanor asks him to give the Noldor their ships. Olwë is dumbfounded. By now Fëanor is visibly losing control. One can imagine the mortification of Maedhros, who managed at his worst to keep a civil tongue in his head. Fëanor shouts at Olwë, 'You renounce your friendship, even in the hour of our need,' he said. 'Yet you were glad indeed to receive our aid when you came at last to these shores, fainthearted loiterers, and wellnigh emptyhanded. In huts on the beaches would you be dwelling still, had not the Noldor carved out your haven and toiled upon your walls.'20 Negotiations go downhill from there. When Fëanor orders his people to seize the ships, the Teleri defend them with their bows. The Noldor draw swords and the battle is on. Blood is shed on both sides, with the Noldor eventually receiving reinforcement from newly arriving Fingon leading the foremost of the host of Fingolfin. Seeing their kinsmen falling, Fingon and others jump into the fray. Of course, they do not realize how the fracas started or they might have reconsidered. This bloody skirmish is called the First Kinslaying and the details are said to have been recounted in Maglor's Noldolantë. The oath has claimed first blood, and—one might think, to Maedhros' sorrow—has drawn under its shadow, among others, his best friend of old Fingon. Losgar: "Maedhros Alone Stood Aside" When Fëanor is finally prepared to cross over to Middle-earth, he decides that, since the ships are not large enough to carry everyone, he will slip away by night, leaving Fingolfin and Finrod's followers behind. He does not share this scheme with Maedhros, and when they were landed, Maedhros the eldest of his sons, and on a time the friend of Fingon ere Morgoth's lies came between, spoke to Fëanor, saying: "Now what ships and rowers will you spare to return, and whom shall they bear hither first? Fingon the valiant?" Then Fëanor laughed as one fey, and he cried: "None and none! What I have left behind I count now no loss; needless baggage on the road it has proved. Let those that cursed my name, curse me still, and whine their way back to the cages of the Valar! Let the ships burn!" Then Maedhros alone stood aside, but Fëanor caused fire to be set to the white ships of the Teleri.21 The language "stood aside" indicates Maedhros disagreed with his father and refused to participate in the burning of the ships and desertion of the House of Fingolfin, though neither is there any indication that he attempted to actively try to stop his father. Importantly, it also introduces the relationship between Fingon and Maedhros, which will become a major part of the events of the First Age. Megan Fontenot notes in an article on the Tor website that "[t]his is also the moment in which we first learn that Maedhros and his cousin Fingon had been dear friends before Fëanor's rash words came between their families. This is a powerful moment in the text, and one that Tolkien uses to heal the breach between the two clans."22 The main actors in the lead-up to the departure of the Noldor from Aman do not include Maedhros. But after the arrival of the self-exiled Noldor in Middle-earth, Maedhros will take upon himself the role as one of the significant protagonists of the ongoing wars of the peoples of Middle-earth against Melkor. Does Maedhros or Maglor Most Resemble Nerdanel? Shortly after the burning of the ships at Losgar, the Fëanorians set up camp on the northern shore of Lake Mithrim. Before they are fully established, Melkor attacks, and Fëanor is killed in the attack, leaving Maedhros as the head of his house. In considering his leadership style—distinctively different from his father's impetuous and passion-fueled command—the question arises of where he learned the measured approach that would mark the next several centuries of his rule over the House of Fëanor. The answer was left behind on the shores of Aman: Nerdanel. Readers are fond of discussing whether Maedhros most resembles his mother or perhaps his brother Maglor does. It is interesting to note that the names given by his parents to Maedhros reflect aspects of their attitudes towards their eldest son. His mother-name could be seen to reflect motherly love and affection, while the name his father bestowed upon him is a statement of ambition and expectation. Nerdanel gave Maedhros the mother-name of Maitimo, which means "well-shaped one." His father-name, Nelyafinwë, meaning "third Finwë," is presumably based upon Fëanor's desire to assert that the line of succession from Finwë passes through him to Maedhros. One epessë (Quenya for nickname) used by his family is Nelyo and another is Russandol, which is derived from "red," referring to the color he inherited from his maternal grandfather Mahtan.23 Both Maedhros and Mahtan are said to prefer to wear circlets of copper.24 Tolkien captures many readers' imagination with his physical descriptions of Maedhros, resulting in a virtual deluge of artwork featuring Fëanor's eldest son over the past twenty years. (One could spend a pleasant evening looking at Maedhros artwork on the internet.) Tolkien writes him as having an unusual red-brown hair inherited from his mother's family.25 Writers of fanfiction and artists often prefer to represent Maedhros with a brighter hair color than the darker auburn color that more closely matches Tolkien's description. (Flame red, carrot top, or Disney-fox-colored seem innocent enough departures in one's imagination from hard canon.) His mother Nerdanel, known as a wise woman and celebrated sculptor and artist, is said to be the only person who could restrain the dangerous impulsivity and fiery temperament of Fëanor. The fact that Maedhros is described as physically resembling his mother's family leads some readers (this one included) to identify Maedhros with her positive qualities and disposition as well, stated forthrightly in The Silmarillion as: "Seven sons she bore to Fëanor; her mood she bequeathed in part to some of them, but not to all."26 We are not told which among the brothers most resembled their mother in character and temperament. In a series of biographical sketches of Tolkien characters published on the Tor website, Megan Fontenot notes in her article on Maedhros that not only does Maedhros choose to carry his mother-name—he also bears in some respect the image of his mother and her people. And again, given that Nerdanel was a sculptor, to whom image and physicality would have been of utmost symbolic importance, it seems possible that in marking Maedhros as like his mother's kin in form, Tolkien was subtly commenting on the son's inclinations. Maedhros could be seen as a work of Nerdanel that has been brought under Fëanor's possessive control.27 The most detailed description of Nerdanel herself is to be found in Morgoth's Ring:28 But she was strong and free of mind, and filled with the desire of knowledge. . . . She also was firm of will, but she was slower and more patient than Fëanor, desiring to understand minds rather than to master them. When in company with others she would often sit still listening to their words and watching their gestures and the movements of their faces.29 Many readers compare Maglor and Nerdanel, noting that they are both artists—her preference being representational art while his is the performance and composition of music. Maglor is generally recalled by readers as being more passive and gentle of spirit than his other brothers. Maglor is not the model of determined leadership that Maedhros is, and more importantly, he certainly is a warrior and not a pacifist. He is able to securely maintain control of one of the most vulnerable passages (known as Maglor's Gap) between the lands controlled by the Noldor and those of Morgoth. The marches of Beleriand were most open to attack, and only hills of no great height guarded the vale of Gelion from the north. In that region, upon the March of Maedhros and in the lands behind, dwelt the sons of Fëanor with many people; and their riders passed often over the vast northern plain, Lothlann the wide and empty, east of Ard-galen, lest Morgoth should attempt any sortie towards East Beleriand. . . .

Between the arms of Gelion was the ward of Maglor, and here in one place the hills failed altogether; there it was that the Orcs came into East Beleriand before the Third Battle. Therefore the Noldor held strength of cavalry in the plains at that place; and the people of Caranthir fortified the mountains to the east of Maglor's Gap.30 Maedhros positioned himself, his brothers, and their supporters in strategic locations where they formed the first line of defense against any breakthrough of Morgoth. They were all fierce and determined warriors—Maglor perhaps most of all. Nevertheless, the Tolkien Gateway website asserts in their biographical notes—without a footnote or any exposition—that Maglor "had more of his mother Nerdanel's gentle spirit than any of his brothers."31 Tolkien refers to Maglor as "the mighty singer." Mighty in this case does not likely refer only to a strong voice but much more. He is no entertainer in the medieval tradition of courtly love limited to crooning love songs at the feet of a lovely maiden. Music within the world of Middle-earth carries more than a whiff of warriors and battle about it. Fingon rides off to rescue Maedhros with a sword, a bow, and a harp. Finrod duels Sauron in a song battle and nearly wins. And Maglor is considered mightier as a bard than both Fingon and Finrod.32 Maglor does not stand back at Losgar as does Maedhros to protest the burning of the ships. It is Maglor who, without hesitation, slays Uldor the traitor at the Nirnaeth Arnoediad.33 Later, Fëanor's second son wins a lot of fan votes when he steps forward even with his sword still dripping blood to rescue and raise Elros and Elrond (winning their love and affection) after the sacking of Havens of Sirion.34 But earlier, following the Second Kinslaying at Doriath, when Maedhros desperately sought to save Dior's sons, Maglor did not assist him.35 Despite medieval courtly (and modern) notions of dreamy-eyed poets and songsters, nothing in The Silmarillion suggests that Maglor should be counted among their number. Rather, his characterization as a singer and warrior calls to mind early medieval Northern tradition: the scops of Anglo-Saxon courts and the skalds that attended the Norse kings. As poets and musicians, they not only served as living records of their people's history but interpreted current events and thus wielded the power to make and unmake kings. It is near-impossible to imagine the original composers of Beowulf or the Norse sagas wilting behind closed doors to write about battles they never witnessed. Rather, they were on the field of battle, muddied and bloodied right alongside the soldiery. Harp in one hand and sword in another, Maglor ranks most easily among their numbers. As will be seen in the second part of their biography, Maedhros is also a fearsome warrior. However, he also held together a tumultuous family and led a nearly successful campaign against Melkor. He did not do so barreling heedless and headlong into situations as Fëanor had done. Rather, in his approach to situations familial, political, and military, we see marks of Nerdanel's patient observation and careful consideration. Conclusion For many Silmarillion readers, some elements of Maedhros's character make him uniquely relatable in a human way. The familial conflicts and loyalties with which he struggles make sense within both a psychological and sociohistorical perspective. The fighting amongst the Noldor in Aman before the exile is reminiscent of centuries of interfamilial conflicts of interest, succession disputes, and dynastic struggles, which make real-world history fraught, interesting, and complicated. The resentments and bitterness within the factions of the Noldor are something that Maedhros struggled to mediate during the long years of the restive peace following the defeat of Morgoth's forces after the Dagor Aglareb. His collaboration with Fingon, conciliation toward Fingolfin, and cultivation of friendship with Finrod contributed to peace. But always the Oath pops up as a deal-breaker. The relationships within the family of Fëanor and more broadly among the Finweans ring true for anyone coming from a large family—if more violent and world-shattering than average. Among his brothers Maedhros manifests a higher, nobler nature. As the eldest son, he accepts his role as his father's heir and, thus, is more tightly bound by the oath in the tradition of a tragic hero. Yet, he is endowed with free will, an important characteristic for Tolkien, who maintains that Maedhros could have made different choices right up until the end. It is that free will that makes him so fascinating. Like many people in our real world, he brings enormous potential constantly beset by poor choices that only magnify—essentially construct—the oath he took on that terrible firelit night in Tirion. Maedhros, the eldest son of Fëanor, remains one of Tolkien's most tragic characters, one whose kind and cooperative nature often seems contrary to his ruthless actions. Rational and diplomatic where his kinsmen were impetuous and wrathful, he was nonetheless driven by the oath of the Fëanorians to perform terrible deeds, and because of his oath, even his greatest accomplishments always fell just shy of bringing defeat to Morgoth.

Maedhros was born in Aman and followed his brilliant and fey father to Middle-earth, joining his father and brothers in an oath of pursuit and vengeance that would torment him until the end of his days. In The Shibboleth of Fëanor, he is described as having rare red-brown hair and being "of beautiful bodily form," a detail that is expressed in his epithet the Tall. Once arrived in Beleriand, Maedhros alone stood against the burning of the ships, remembering his old friendship with Fingon, but his disapproval was not enough, and the people of Fingolfin were driven to cross the Helcaraxë by the treachery of the Fëanorians. Maedhros's belief in the value of unity among not only the Noldor but the people of Middle-earth would shape his life ... but would be thwarted always by the shadow of his oath.

Following the Battle-under-stars, Maedhros and his brothers intervened to save Fëanor's life but not soon enough. In the same hour, Maedhros--suddenly foisted into place as the High King of the Noldor--attempted to trick Morgoth into defeat but was himself captured and hung from Thangorodrim by his right hand. A character previously described as being exceptionally beautiful (HoMe 12), Maedhros would then bear signs of his torment, both physically and spiritually, for the remainder of his life.

Maedhros's friendship with his cousin Fingon is one of the most beloved and written-about elements of his story. Following his capture, Fingon alone--without an inkling of an idea that Maedhros had attempted to prevent the betrayal of Fingolfin's people--endeavored to rescue his cousin from Thangorodrim. Being unable to reach Maedhros upon the precipice, he agreed to kill Maedhros and end his pain, but as he was stringing his bow, was visited by Thorondor of the Great Eagles and borne to where he cousin hung. Being unable to loosen or break the steel, Fingon was forced to amputate Maedhros's hand at the wrist. Ever after, Maedhros fought with his sword in his left hand and grew to be more skilled than he'd been with his right, and it is said that he was "as one that returns from the dead," of unsurpassed valor and a terror to behold in battle.

To heal the long-standing feud between his father's house and the House of Fingolfin, Maedhros relinquished the crown of the High King of the Noldor to his uncle Fingolfin. Throughout the rest of the story, Maedhros would use friendship and alliance with his kinsmen to fulfill his quest to recover a Silmaril. He and his brother Maglor, alone of the sons of Fëanor, attended Fingolfin's feast Mereth Aderthad, and he remained friends with both the Houses of Fingolfin and Finarfin. Despite his brothers' attempts to undo this allegiance--most notably Caranthir's treatment of the sons of Finarfin and Celegorm and Curufin's antics in Nargothrond--Maedhros managed for the most part to keep the people of Middle-earth allied against Morgoth, until their eventual undoing at the Battle of Unnumbered Tears.

With his brothers, Maedhros departed to the eastern lands of Beleriand and there defended the most treacherous realm: the March of Maedhros, a cold and barren stretch of land just south of Angband. His fortress was built upon a hilltop and called Himring, meaning "the ever-cold." In the centuries that followed, Maedhros remained friendly with the people of Fingolfin and Finarfin, and along with Fingolfin, helped lead to victory during the Glorious Battle, which resulted in four hundred years of peace in Beleriand. During the Battle of Sudden Flame, Maedhros alone of his brothers managed to hold his fortress against Morgoth and continued to hinder the Dark Lord's plans with his constant vigilance.

It was with hopes of a similar victory through allegiance that Maedhros forged the Union of Maedhros, seeking the assistance of others of the Elves as well as Dwarves and Men in the defeat of Morgoth. However, he showed his strength too soon, and Morgoth was given time enough to install spies in the ranks of the House of Fëanor. The treachery of the Men who rode in Maedhros's ranks proved too much for the allied forces of Elves, Men, and Dwarves, and they met terrible defeat that day.

With a Silmaril out of Morgoth's clutches and possessed instead by Beren and Lúthien's son Dior, the Fëanorians' oath began to haunt them. Though Maedhros made attempts at peacefully retrieving the Silmaril, the lust for the jewel was too strong on all sides, and the kinslayings of Doriath and Sirion followed. All of the sons of Fëanor were lost save Maedhros and Maglor, and still, the Silmaril eluded them. When they attempted to wrest it from Elwing, she was borne away with it to Valinor.

After the tragedy at Sirion, the oath still pursued the two remaining sons of Fëanor. After the Valar finally chose to join with the peoples of Middle-earth to defeat Morgoth, Maedhros convinced Maglor to make one final attempt at retrieving the Silmarils from Eonwë, the herald of Manwë, though both brothers were embittered by and wearied of the oath. Eonwë would not willingly yield the Silmarils, but neither would he permit his guard to kill Maedhros and Maglor, and they each took one of the remaining jewels and fled. The Silmaril burned Maedhros's remaining hand, and in agony because of the deeds he had done in its name--knowing that they had indeed been for naught--he jumped into a chasm in the earth and took his own life.

Maedhros's character was present in varying forms throughout the long course of J.R.R. Tolkien's work on The Silmarillion. Maedhros makes his first appearance as Maidros--the name by which he is known throughout most of the early work on The Silmarillion--in The Book of Lost Tales 1. Here, he is first identified as Fëanor's grandfather in The Theft of Melko and the Darkening of Valinor. By Gilfanon's Tale at the end of the same book, however, his place has been changed to that of Fëanor's son, and first mention is made of his capture and torment by Morgoth. Thus, by Tolkien's earliest work on his legendarium, the beginnings of the character of Maedhros were already in place.

In the years to come, J.R.R. Tolkien demonstrated some doubt as to Maedhros's eventual role in the House of Fëanor. While always the eldest son and always proclaimed the leader of the Fëanorians, Tolkien vacillated between having Maedhros as one of the more aggressive brothers or the most passive and repentant, and from this latter version, he evolved to the tragic character of The Silmarillion that is known and admired by fans.

In Volume Four, The Shaping of Middle-earth, Tolkien portrayed Maedhros as the gentlest of the brothers, going so far as to forswear his oath prior to the attack on Doriath and taking Maglor's role as the rescuer of Elrond and Elros. In the earliest Silmarillion, Tolkien reverses the roles of Maedhros and Maglor completely for the final scene with Eonwë and even makes Maedhros responsible for the breaking of the Silmarils to restore the Two Trees. Through these subtle character changes, the Maedhros set forth in The Silmarillion emerges: a character of great personal strength who values peace and unity whose hand is forced to ruthless deeds by his oath, a tragic character who continues to inspire seemingly endless contemplation and creativity. BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION OTHER NAMES Maedhros the Tall, Maedhros the Dispossessed, Nelyafinwë, Maitimo, Russandol, Maidros TITLES Prince of the Ñoldor, High King of the Ñoldor (abdicated), Lord of the House of Fëanor, Lord of Himring or the March of Maedhros BIRTH During the Noontide of Valinor RULE YT 1497 - FA 5 (High King of the Ñoldor) YS 7 - FA 472 (Lord of Himring) DEATH FA 587[1] SPOUSE None CHILDREN None PARENTAGE Fëanor and Nerdanel SIBLINGS Maglor, Celegorm, Caranthir, Curufin, Amrod, Amras WEAPON Elven sword PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION RACE Elves HEIGHT Over 6'5- Presumably within the 7 foot range HAIR Dark red[2] EYES Grey CULTURE Ñoldor (House of Fëanor) Maedhros, also called Maedhros the Tall,[3] was a prince of the Ñoldor, eldest of the seven Sons of Fëanor, and head of the House of Fëanor following the death of his father in Middle-earth. He was highly renowned for his skills as warrior and diplomat. For centuries, he led his House against the forces of Morgoth, but the Oath that he and his six brothers had sworn to recover the Silmarils constrained him and ultimately brought his demise. Maedhros was born in Eldamar, probably in Tirion, to Fëanor and Nerdanel sometime during the Noontide of Valinor. It was noted that, of all Fëanor's sons, he alone bore semblance to his mother by way of his red hair. It would be seen throughout his life that he inherited too some significant portion of her temperament, as unlike most of his brothers, he generally was neither quick to anger nor rash in his actions.

After the flight of Fëanor from Tirion in Valinor, he went with his father to Formenos. When Morgoth killed Finwë and stole Fëanor's beloved Silmarils, Maedhros was the first son to take the terrible Oath of Fëanor to recover the holy jewels.[4]

Maedhros participated in the First Kinslaying alongside his father and brothers. He was, however, the only one of Fëanor's sons to not participate in the burning of the Teleri ships, and he advocated for ships and oarsmen to return to Aman to ferry Fingolfin's host. When his father instead destroyed the ships, Maedhros did not object aloud, but instead stonily watched as the vessels burned.[4] After landing in Middle-earth, the Ñoldor were attacked by an army of Orcs, leading to the Dagor-nuin-Giliath. The Elves were victorious and the remnants of the Orcish army retreated to Angband, pursued by Fëanor and a small vanguard. But Fëanor's force encountered a number of Balrogs as they approached Angband, and were quickly slain. Fëanor himself was dealt a mortal wound by Gothmog, the Lord of the Balrogs, but Maedhros and his brothers arrived with a relief force to rescue him. However, Fëanor died from his wounds soon thereafter. Soon after the Dagor-nuin-Giliath and the death of Fëanor, an embassy came from Morgoth acknowledging defeat, and offering terms which included the possibility of surrendering a Silmaril. Maedhros did not trust Morgoth, and so went to meet his embassy with more force than agreed upon. But Morgoth too expected treachery, and so sent further more troops, and amongst them were Balrogs. When the two groups met, the Elves were quickly slain by the Balrogs and Maedhros was captured. Morgoth then sent word to the Elves that if they forsook their war against him, Maedhros would be released. But the Elves knew that Morgoth would not honor his word and sent no reply. In response, Morgoth hung Maedhros by the wrist of his right hand to the face of a precipice of Thangorodrim with a band of unbreakable steel.[5] Shortly thereafter the host of Fingolfin, betrayed by Fëanor and abandoned in Aman, came at last to Middle-earth. The people of Fingolfin, harboring great anger over Fëanor's betrayal, were not welcomed by Fëanor's host for shame, and the two groups remained bitterly divided. However, Maedhros's cousin Fingon decided to set out alone in the hope of rescuing him. Though Fingon did not know of Maedhros's objection to the burning of the ships at Losgar, the two had been dear friends before Fëanor's betrayal, and Fingon wished to both heal the division between the two hosts and to rescue his cousin. The recent appearance of the Sun and Moon had prompted Morgoth to blanket the sky above Angband with nigh-impenetrable clouds of ash and smoke, to shield his servants. However, his legions were at that time still too daunted by the new lights to emerge from Angband, and remained underground. Aided by the ashen darkness and absence of Morgoth's servants above ground, Fingon reached Thangorodrim unassailed. Seeing that he could not enter Angband by any means, he began to sing a song in defiance of the Orcs hiding within Angband. Maedhros heard this song, and began to sing with Fingon, and thus Fingon located him upon Thangorodrim's slopes. But when he reached the foot of the precipice from which Maedhros hung, Fingon found that it was completely sheer, and he could not reach his cousin. In agony without hope of respite, Maedhros begged Fingon to shoot him. Fingon made to do, and prayed to Manwë to grant speed to his arrow for Maedhros's sake. Fingon's plea was heard by Thorondor, King of Eagles, who appeared swiftly and stayed Fingon's hand, and lifted him up to Maedhros. But Fingon was neither able affect the metal band from which Maedhros hung nor draw it from the precipice. Maedhros again begged Fingon for death, but Fingon instead severed Maedhros‘s hand above the wrist, and Thorondor bore them both away. Maedhros swiftly recovered but never forgot his torment, which drove him to become an even deadlier swordsman with his left hand than he had ever been with his right. In gratitude for his rescue and in atonement for Fëanor's betrayal, Maedhros relinquished all claim as Finwë's heir, and made his uncle Fingolfin, Fingon's father, High King of the Ñoldor. Maedhros' brothers resented this, but he openly defended this decision as being proper, as Fingolfin was the oldest living son of Finwë and was therefore next in line. Seeing that the more ill-tempered of his brothers were likely to cause feuds with their kinsmen, Maedhros moved all of them and their people out of Hithlum, and later ruled the lands around the Hill of Himring,[6] which became known as the March of Maedhros. He established there a mighty fortress, not only to separate his rash and fiery brothers from the people of Fingolfin, but because he wished to have any attack from Angband fall first upon him. Allied with Fingolfin, he helped the High King win the battle of Dagor Aglareb. He stood with Fingolfin for nearly 300 years until the Dagor Bragollach, and thanks to his daring deeds during the battle, Himring stood while many other Elven realms fell. After a time, he even managed to re-secure the Pass of Aglond over which the fortress of Himring stood, and denied the forces of Morgoth entry into Beleriand through the March.

Soon after, he learned of Beren and Lúthien's successful quest to liberate a Silmaril from Morgoth's crown. Realizing that Morgoth was not invincible, he took hope and gathered his brothers and united with other Elven Houses to create the Union of Maedhros, hoping to end the dominion of Morgoth forever. However, the Union was utterly broken during the Nírnaeth Arnoediad. Himring was captured by Orcs, and Maedhros and his brothers fled south, taking refuge upon the hill of Amon Ereb. Several years later, Maedhros and his brothers learned that Dior of Doriath, son of Lúthien and Beren, had inherited the Silmaril that her grandparents had recovered from Morgoth. Still driven by the Oath, Maedhros allowed Celegorm to convince him to attack Doriath. During the battle, Celegorm, Caranthir, and Curufin were slain, as was Dior, King of Doriath. Dior's sons, Eluréd and Elurín, were captured and abandoned by Celegorm's cruel servants in the forests around Doriath. Maedhros bitterly regretted this deed, and he long searched for the innocent youths but could not find them.[8] After learning that Dior's daughter Elwing had survived and had taken the Silmaril with her, he and his surviving brothers descended with an army upon the remnants of the people of Doriath living in the Havens of Sirion. The Ñoldorin princes killed many Elves and captured Elwing's sons Elrond and Elros in the sack, but she and her husband Eärendil escaped to the West with the jewel.[9] Heartsick with the burden of the Oath and the deeds he had participated in to see it fulfilled, Maedhros and his brother Maglor took Elwing's sons under their protection.After the War of Wrath, he and his last surviving brother, Maglor, demanded the jewels from Eönwë but were denied, as they were judged by the Maia to be unworthy of the jewels due to their heinous acts. However, driven onward by the Oath, Maedhros convinced Maglor of the necessity of fulfilling it. As such, one night the two brothers snuck into the camp of the victorious Host of Valinor, slew the guard around the jewels and laid hands upon them. The camp was roused, and the brothers prepared to die defending their claim, but Eönwë ordered the brothers to be spared, and they left the camp unharmed. But because of the evil deeds committed by the brothers to regain the jewels, they burned Maglor's and Maedhros' hands. Unable to bear the suffering, Maedhros cast himself and the Silmaril he carried into a fiery chasm in the Earth.[9] Etymology

Maidhros is Quenya for "Pale-glitter",[10] and is pronounced MY-thros. His father-name was Nelyafinwë ("Finwë the Third"), from the Quenya nelya ("third")[11] and its shorter form was Nelyo.[2]

His mother Nerdanel called Maedhros Maitimo ("Well-shaped one") for he was "of beautiful bodily form". His first epessë was Russandol ("Copper top"), referring to his auburn hair.[2] The second epessë Maedhros is the Sindarin translation of Maitimo and Russandol, from maed ("shapely") and ross ("red-haired").[12] Character

Maedhros had a fierce spirit, hardened by his torment by Morgoth on Thangorodrim, but was more temperate than his father. He was an exceptionally skilled swordsman despite the loss of his right hand. He was well known for his handsome, comely appearance,[2] especially his auburn hair, which was a contrast with his royal kin's dark hair. He was also known for his skill in diplomacy, as he was able to keep the peace between the House of Fëanor and the rest of his kinsmen for hundreds of years despite the rash and fiery nature of most of his brothers.