Editing Fëanor (section)

== Fictional history ==

=== Early life ===

Fëanor's father is [[Finwë and Míriel|Finwë]], the first King of the [[Noldor]]; his mother, Míriel, dies, "consumed in spirit and body", shortly after giving birth to him.{{sfn|Dickerson|2013}} Fëanor "was made the mightiest in all parts of body and mind: in valour, in endurance, in beauty, in understanding, in skill, in strength and subtlety alike: of all the Children of Ilúvatar, and a bright flame was in him." Finwë remarries and has several children, including Fëanor's half-brothers [[Fingolfin]] and [[Finarfin]]. Fëanor studies under his father-in-law Mahtan, who was a student of the godlike Vala [[Aulë]]. He becomes a craftsman and gem-smith, inventor of the [[Tengwar]] script, and the creator of the magical seeing-stones, the [[palantír]]s.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1977}}, Chapter 6 "Of Fëanor and the Unchaining of Melkor"</ref>

=== Silmarils ===

{{further|Silmarils}}

Fëanor, "in the greatest of his achievements, captured the light of the [[Two Trees]] to make the three [[Silmaril]]s, also called the Great Jewels, though they were not mere glittering stones, they were alive, imperishable, and sacred."<ref name="Of the Silmarils" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1977}}, Chapter 7, "Of the Silmarils and the Unrest of the Noldor"</ref> Even the [[Vala (Middle-earth)|Valar]] with their godlike powers could not copy them. In fact, Fëanor himself could not copy them, as part of his essence goes into their making. Their worth is close to infinite, as they are unique and irreplaceable. The Vala "[[Varda (Middle-earth)|Varda]] hallowed the Silmarils so that thereafter no mortal flesh, nor hands unclean, nor anything of evil will might touch them, for it would be scorched and withered."<ref name="Of the Silmarils" group=T/>

Fëanor prizes the Silmarils, and grows suspicious of the Valar and [[Elves in Middle-earth|Elves]] who he believes covet them. The Vala [[Melkor]], recently released from imprisonment and now residing in [[Valinor]], sees an opportunity to sow dissent among the Noldor. Fëanor refuses to communicate with Melkor, but is still caught in his plot. Fëanor angrily warns Fingolfin not to spread lies, and threatens to kill him. As punishment, the Valar exile Fëanor to his remote home Formenos for twelve years. Finwë too withdraws to Formenos.<ref name="Of the Silmarils" group=T/>

The Valar learn that Melkor is manipulating Fëanor, and send one of their number, [[Tulkas]], to capture Melkor, but he has already escaped. Fëanor wisely realises that Melkor's goal is to obtain the Silmarils, "and he shut the doors of his house in the face of the mightiest of all the dwellers in [[Eä]]."<ref name="Of the Silmarils" group=T/> The Valar invite Fëanor and Fingolfin to Valinor to make peace. Fingolfin offers a hand to his half-brother, recognising Fëanor's place as the eldest. Fëanor accepts, but soon Melkor and [[Ungoliant]] destroy The Two Trees,<ref name="Of the Darkening of Valinor" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1977}}, ch. 8, "Of the Darkening of Valinor"</ref> leaving the Silmarils as the only surviving light of the Trees. The Valar ask Fëanor to give them up so that they can restore the Trees. Fëanor replies: "It may be that I can unlock my jewels, but never again shall I make their like; and if I must break them, I shall break my heart."<ref name="Of the Flight of the Noldor" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1977}}, Chapter 9, "Of the Flight of the Noldor"</ref> He refuses to give up the Silmarils of his own free will. Messengers from Formenos tell him that Melkor has killed Finwë and stolen the Silmarils. [[Yavanna]] is thus unable to heal the Two Trees.<ref name="Of the Flight of the Noldor" group=T/>

For this deed, Fëanor names Melkor "Morgoth", "Black Enemy".<ref name="Of the Flight of the Noldor" group=T/> Fëanor rails against the Great Enemy, blaming the Valar for Morgoth's deeds.<ref name="Of the Flight of the Noldor" group="T"/> He gives a speech in the Elvish city of Tirion, persuading most of his people to return to [[Middle-earth]] to avenge Finwë and free themselves from the Valar. Together with his seven sons, they swear the Oath of Fëanor:<ref name="Of the Flight of the Noldor" group="T"/>

{{blockquote|text=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... ...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.}}

=== Return to Beleriand ===

{{anchor|Kinslaying}}

[[File:Elvish_Migrations_and_Kindreds.svg|thumb|upright=2|[[Arda (Middle-earth)|Arda]] in the [[First Age]]. The Elves migrated across [[Middle-earth]]; many of them travelled to [[Valinor]] (green arrows to the left). Finwë's killing by [[Melkor]] led in turn to the [[Flight of the Noldor]] (red arrows to the right) back to [[Beleriand]] in Middle-earth.<!--<ref name="Clark Timmons 2000">{{cite book |first1=George |last1=Clark |first2=Daniel |last2=Timmons |title=J. R. R. Tolkien and his Literary Resonances |publisher=Greenwood Press |year=2000 |isbn=978-0-313-30845-1 |page=176 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ES0Hs75IVg0C&q=Finwe&pg=PA176}}</ref>-->]]

To get to Middle-earth, Fëanor goes to the shores of Aman, and asks the seafaring [[Teleri]] for their aid. When they refuse, Fëanor orders the Noldor to steal the ships. The Teleri resist, and many of them are killed. The battle became known as the Kinslaying at Alqualondë, or the first kinslaying.<ref name="Of the Flight of the Noldor" group=T/><!--<ref name="Fontenot 2019">{{cite web |last=Fontenot |first=Megan |url=https://www.tor.com/2019/03/07/exploring-the-people-of-middle-earth-miriel-historian-of-the-noldor-pt-1/|title=Exploring the People of Middle-earth: Míriel, Historian of the Noldor (Part 1) |date=7 March 2019 |website=[[Tor.com]] |access-date=19 March 2021}}</ref>--> His sons later commit two other acts of warfare against Elves in [[Middle-earth]] in his name. In repentance, Finarfin, Finwë's third son, takes his host and turns back. They are accepted by the Valar, and Finarfin rules as High-King of the Noldor in Valinor. The remaining Elves, those who follow Fëanor and [[Fingolfin]], become subject to the Doom of [[Mandos]], that they will come to harm if they continue their rebellion against the Valar. There are not enough ships to carry all the Noldor across the sea, so Fëanor and his sons lead the first group.<ref name="Of the Flight of the Noldor" group=T/> Upon arriving in the far west of [[Beleriand]], they decide to burn the ships and leave Fingolfin and his people behind. Fingolfin, furious, returns to Beleriand by the long and hard land route, via the northern ice.<ref name="Of the Flight of the Noldor" group=T/>

Morgoth summons his armies from his fortress of [[Angband (Middle-earth)|Angband]] and attacks Fëanor's encampment in Mithrim. This battle was called the Battle under the Stars, or ''[[Dagor-nuin-Giliath]]'', for the Sun and Moon had not yet been made. The Noldor win the battle. Fëanor presses on toward Angband with his sons. He comes within sight of Angband, but is ambushed by a force of [[Balrog]]s, with few Elves about him. He fights mightily with [[Gothmog]], captain of the Balrogs. His sons come upon the Balrogs with a great force of Elves, and drive them off; but Fëanor knows his wounds are fatal. He curses Morgoth thrice, but with the eyes of death, he sees that his Elves, unaided, will never throw down the dark towers of [[Thangorodrim]].<ref name="Of the Flight of the Noldor" group="T"/>

=== Aftermath ===

The Oath of Fëanor affects the lovers [[Beren]] and [[Lúthien]]. They steal a Silmaril from Morgoth, leading to Kinslaying and years of strife among the Elves,<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1977}}, Chapter 19, "Of Beren and Lúthien"</ref> until [[Eärendil]] carries the Silmaril off into the West.<ref name="Of the Voyage of Eärendil" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1977}}, Chapter 24, "Of the Voyage of Eärendil"</ref> That Silmaril is lost to the Sons of Fëanor, but the other two remain in the crown of Morgoth. They too are stolen, one ending in the earth, one in the sea.<ref name="Of the Voyage of Eärendil" group=T/>

According to Mandos' prophecy, following Melkor's final return and defeat in the [[Dagor Dagorath]], the world will be changed and the Valar will recover the Silmarils. Fëanor will be released from the [[Halls of Mandos]] and will give Yavanna the Silmarils. Fëanor will break them, and Yavanna will revive the Two Trees. The [[Pelóri Mountains]] will be flattened and the light of the Two Trees will fill the world in eternal bliss.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1986}}, ch. 3: "Quenta Noldorinwa"</ref><ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1994}}, Part 2, "The Later Quenta Silmarillion", "The Last Chapters of the Quenta Silmarillion"</ref>

=== House of Fëanor ===

{{further|Finwë#House of Finwë}}

{{Tree chart/start|align=center}}
{{Tree chart|MHT| |MIR|y|FIN|y|IND| | | | | | | | | | | | |MHT=Mahtan |MIR=[[Finwë and Míriel|Míriel]] |FIN=[[File:Cib-gov-uk (CoreUI Icons v1.0.0).svg|20px]]<br/>[[Finwë]]<br/>of the [[Noldor]] |IND=Indis<br/>of the [[Vanyar]]
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{{Tree chart| |!| | | | | |!| | | |)|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|.| | | |}}
{{Tree chart|NRD |~|y|~|FEA | |FDS | |FNG | |IRM | |FRF | | |NRD=Nerdanel|FEA=[[File:Cib-gov-uk (CoreUI Icons v1.0.0).svg|20px]]<br/>'''Fëanor'''<br/>maker of [[Silmarils]]|FDS=Findis|FNG=[[File:Icon crown.png|20px]]<br/>[[Fingolfin]]|IRM=Lalwen|FRF=[[File:Cib-gov-uk (CoreUI Icons v1.0.0).svg|20px]]<br/>Finarfin
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{{Tree chart|MDH | |MAG | |CEL | |CUR | |CAR | |AMR | |AMD |MDH=Maedhros|MAG=Maglor|CEL=Celegorm|CAR=Caranthir|CUR=Curufin|AMD=Amrod|AMR=Amras
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{{Tree chart| | | | | | | | | | | | |CLB| | | | | | | | | | | | |CLB=[[Celebrimbor]]<br/>maker of [[Rings of Power|Rings]]
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{{Tree chart/end}}

<p align=left>[[File:Cib-gov-uk (CoreUI Icons v1.0.0).svg|20px]]    Kings of the Noldor in [[Valinor]]</p>

<p align=left>[[File:Icon crown.png|20px]]    High Kings of the Noldor in Exile (in Middle-earth)</p>

All the characters shown are [[Elf (Tolkien)|Elves]]. The above tree follows the late note ''[[The Shibboleth of Fëanor]]''.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1996}}, "[[The Shibboleth of Fëanor]]"</ref> In the published Silmarillion, the birth order of Fëanor's sons is Maedhros, Maglor, Celegorm, Caranthir, Curufin (father of Celebrimbor), Amrod, and Amras; Fëanor's half-sisters Findis and Lalwen do not appear.<ref name="Temp Silm I" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1977}}, "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age": Family Tree I: "The house of Finwë and the Noldorin descent of Elrond and Elros"</ref>