Descendents of Finwë Part 3: Maglor
Oct. 14th, 2005 03:48 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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silwritersguildIt's Maglor's turn today. I was shocked at how little the Silm has to say about him.
Maglor
Potted History
*Also known as Kanafinwë (Káno) and Makalaurë (HoME Vol.12)
*The second greatest singer of the Elves of old
*Was married but his wife stayed in Valinor (HoME Vol.12) ETA It isn't in HoME 12! (Thanks Rhapsody11)
*His heart was sick and weary of the burden of the oath after the Third Kinslaying
*Wanted to submit to the judgement of the Valar rather than take the Silmarils from Eönwë after the War of Wrath
Alqualondë
But Uinen wept for the mariners of the Teleri; and the sea rose in wrath against the slayers, so that many of the ships were wrecked and those in them drowned. Of the enslaving at Alqualondë more is told in that lament which is named Noldolantë, the Fall of the Noldor, that Maglor made ere he was lost.
Feast of Reuniting
Thither came many of the chieftains and people of Fingolfin and Finrod; and of the sons of Fëanor Maedhros and Maglor, with warriors of the eastern March
The Singer
But the Sindar had the fairer voices and were more skilled in music, save only Maglor son of Fëanor
Maglor's Gap
Between the arms of Gelion was the ward of Maglor, and here in one place the hills failed altogether
Battle of Sudden Flame
Maglor joined Maedhros upon Himring
Nirnaeth Arnoediad
The sons of Bór were Borlad, Borlach, and Borthand; and they followed Maedhros and Maglor, and cheated the hope of Morgoth, and were faithful.
Maglor slew Uldor the accursed, the leader in treason
Third Kinslaying
Maedhros and Maglor won the day, though they alone remained thereafter of the sons of Fëanor, for both Amrod and Amras were slain. Too late the ships of Círdan and Gil-galad the High King came hasting to the aid of the Elves of Sirion; and Elwing was gone, and her sons. Then such few of that people as did not perish in the assault joined themselves to Gil-galad, and went with him to Balar; and they told that Elros and Elrond were taken captive, but Elwing with the Silmaril upon her breast had cast herself into the sea.
Thus Maedhros and Maglor gained not the jewel; but it was not lost.
Maglor took pity upon Elros and Elrond, and he cherished them, and love grew after between them, as little might be thought; but Maglor's heart was sick and weary with the burden of the dreadful oath.
Silmaril in the Sky
And Maglor answered: 'If it be truly the Silmaril which we saw cast into the sea that rises again by the power of the Valar, then let us be glad; for its glory is seen now by many, and is yet secure from all evil.'
Regaining the Silmarils
Then Eönwë as herald of the Elder King summoned the Elves of Beleriand to depart from Middle-earth. But Maedhros and Maglor would not hearken, and they prepared, though now with weariness and loathing, to attempt in despair the fulfilment of their oath; for they would have given battle for the Silmarils, were they withheld, even against the victorious host of Valinor, even though they stood alone against all the world. And they sent a message therefore to Eönwë, bidding him yield up now those jewels which of old Fëanor their father made and Morgoth stole from him.
But Eönwë answered that the right to the work of their father, which the sons of Fëanor formerly possessed, had now perished, because of their many and merciless deeds, being blinded by their oath, and most of all because of their slaying of Dior and the assault upon the Havens. The light of the Silmarils should go now into the West, whence it came in the beginning; and to Valinor must Maedhros and Maglor return, and there abide the judgement of the Valar, by whose decree alone would Eönwë yield the jewels from his charge. Then Maglor desired indeed to submit, for his heart was sorrowful, and he said: The oath says not that we may not bide our time, and it may be that in Valinor all shall be forgiven and forgot, and we shall come into our own in peace.
But Maedhros answered that if they returned to Aman but the favour of the Valar were withheld from them, then their oath would still remain, but its fulfilment be beyond all hope; and he said: 'Who can tell to what dreadful doom we shall come, if we disobey the Powers in their own land, or purpose ever to bring war again into their holy realm?'
Yet Maglor still held back, saying: 'If Manwë and Varda themselves deny the fulfilment of an oath to which we named them in witness, is it not made void?'
And 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. And they disguised themselves, and came in the night to the camp of Eönwë, and crept into the place where the Silmarils were guarded; and they slew the guards, and laid hands on the jewels. Then all the camp was raised against them, and they prepared to die, defending themselves until the last. But Eönwë would not permit the slaying of the sons of Fëanor; and departing unfought they fled far away. Each of them took to himself a Silmaril, for they said: 'Since one is lost to us, and but two remain, and we two alone of our brothers, so is it plain that fate would have us share the heirlooms of our father.'
Ouch!
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. For Maglor was mighty among the singers of old, named only after Daeron of Doriath; but he came never back among the people of the Elves.
Maglor
Potted History
*Also known as Kanafinwë (Káno) and Makalaurë (HoME Vol.12)
*The second greatest singer of the Elves of old
*Was married but his wife stayed in Valinor (HoME Vol.12) ETA It isn't in HoME 12! (Thanks Rhapsody11)
*His heart was sick and weary of the burden of the oath after the Third Kinslaying
*Wanted to submit to the judgement of the Valar rather than take the Silmarils from Eönwë after the War of Wrath
Alqualondë
But Uinen wept for the mariners of the Teleri; and the sea rose in wrath against the slayers, so that many of the ships were wrecked and those in them drowned. Of the enslaving at Alqualondë more is told in that lament which is named Noldolantë, the Fall of the Noldor, that Maglor made ere he was lost.
Feast of Reuniting
Thither came many of the chieftains and people of Fingolfin and Finrod; and of the sons of Fëanor Maedhros and Maglor, with warriors of the eastern March
The Singer
But the Sindar had the fairer voices and were more skilled in music, save only Maglor son of Fëanor
Maglor's Gap
Between the arms of Gelion was the ward of Maglor, and here in one place the hills failed altogether
Battle of Sudden Flame
Maglor joined Maedhros upon Himring
Nirnaeth Arnoediad
The sons of Bór were Borlad, Borlach, and Borthand; and they followed Maedhros and Maglor, and cheated the hope of Morgoth, and were faithful.
Maglor slew Uldor the accursed, the leader in treason
Third Kinslaying
Maedhros and Maglor won the day, though they alone remained thereafter of the sons of Fëanor, for both Amrod and Amras were slain. Too late the ships of Círdan and Gil-galad the High King came hasting to the aid of the Elves of Sirion; and Elwing was gone, and her sons. Then such few of that people as did not perish in the assault joined themselves to Gil-galad, and went with him to Balar; and they told that Elros and Elrond were taken captive, but Elwing with the Silmaril upon her breast had cast herself into the sea.
Thus Maedhros and Maglor gained not the jewel; but it was not lost.
Maglor took pity upon Elros and Elrond, and he cherished them, and love grew after between them, as little might be thought; but Maglor's heart was sick and weary with the burden of the dreadful oath.
Silmaril in the Sky
And Maglor answered: 'If it be truly the Silmaril which we saw cast into the sea that rises again by the power of the Valar, then let us be glad; for its glory is seen now by many, and is yet secure from all evil.'
Regaining the Silmarils
Then Eönwë as herald of the Elder King summoned the Elves of Beleriand to depart from Middle-earth. But Maedhros and Maglor would not hearken, and they prepared, though now with weariness and loathing, to attempt in despair the fulfilment of their oath; for they would have given battle for the Silmarils, were they withheld, even against the victorious host of Valinor, even though they stood alone against all the world. And they sent a message therefore to Eönwë, bidding him yield up now those jewels which of old Fëanor their father made and Morgoth stole from him.
But Eönwë answered that the right to the work of their father, which the sons of Fëanor formerly possessed, had now perished, because of their many and merciless deeds, being blinded by their oath, and most of all because of their slaying of Dior and the assault upon the Havens. The light of the Silmarils should go now into the West, whence it came in the beginning; and to Valinor must Maedhros and Maglor return, and there abide the judgement of the Valar, by whose decree alone would Eönwë yield the jewels from his charge. Then Maglor desired indeed to submit, for his heart was sorrowful, and he said: The oath says not that we may not bide our time, and it may be that in Valinor all shall be forgiven and forgot, and we shall come into our own in peace.
But Maedhros answered that if they returned to Aman but the favour of the Valar were withheld from them, then their oath would still remain, but its fulfilment be beyond all hope; and he said: 'Who can tell to what dreadful doom we shall come, if we disobey the Powers in their own land, or purpose ever to bring war again into their holy realm?'
Yet Maglor still held back, saying: 'If Manwë and Varda themselves deny the fulfilment of an oath to which we named them in witness, is it not made void?'
And 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. And they disguised themselves, and came in the night to the camp of Eönwë, and crept into the place where the Silmarils were guarded; and they slew the guards, and laid hands on the jewels. Then all the camp was raised against them, and they prepared to die, defending themselves until the last. But Eönwë would not permit the slaying of the sons of Fëanor; and departing unfought they fled far away. Each of them took to himself a Silmaril, for they said: 'Since one is lost to us, and but two remain, and we two alone of our brothers, so is it plain that fate would have us share the heirlooms of our father.'
Ouch!
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. For Maglor was mighty among the singers of old, named only after Daeron of Doriath; but he came never back among the people of the Elves.
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no subject
Date: 2005-10-15 03:12 pm (UTC)I don't recall anything in canon about how fear experience time in Mandos, but the Halls of Mandos are in Aman and therefore in time.
no subject
Date: 2005-10-15 03:56 pm (UTC)Though it sounds like another geas, not a real Maglor's choice.
The Halls of Mandos are in Aman, but the same the houses of Valar remind paces out of Arda... Kind of. f I remember well embodied Miriel stays in the House of Vairë where no other alive being abodes (other than Mayar/Valar). So I understand that the time is different there as it goes different in Aman compared to mortal Arda, in Golden Woods vs the rest of ME. Tolkien must have red the stories of the Celtic Immortal Isles of the West, where a while spent there coasted a mortal years in our lands. Or such legends of the other ancient nations.
I bet a spirit in Mandos felt ages has past while they were embodied after some years and felt that there was just a short time, while they happen be back to the world after ages. Really subjective depending on deeds and the best time for an elf to appear back :)
no subject
Date: 2005-10-15 03:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-15 07:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-15 09:39 pm (UTC)Anyway time in mortal and immortal lands is different since the Sun appeared.
no subject
Date: 2005-10-15 07:27 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-15 08:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-15 09:46 pm (UTC)But if he really faded and became housless spirit we could hear him on the sea shores today...
I guess nothing is certain in that matter, IMHO Maglor wasn't really conscious when he wandered, so maybe he wasn't even eating? But he would hear the calls of Mandos after death and probably answer, for madness is rather a domain of body, than spirit ;)
no subject
Date: 2005-10-16 12:06 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-15 09:48 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-15 08:43 pm (UTC)From the Silm:
n into the Miss of Aman; and he said: 'Surely there is healing in Aman? Here all weariness can find rest.' But when Míriel languished still, Finwë sought the counsel of Manwë, and Manwë delivered her to the care of Irmo in Lórien. At their parting (for a little while as he thought) Finwë was sad, for it seemed an unhappy chance that the mother should depart and miss the beginning at least of the childhood days of her son.
'It is indeed unhappy,' said Míriel, 'and I would weep, if I were not so weary. But hold me blameless in this, and in all that may come after.'
She went then to the gardens of Lórien and lay down to sleep; but though she seemed to sleep, her spirit indeed departed from her body, and passed in silence to the halls of Mandos. The maidens of Estë tended the body of Míriel, and it remained unwithered; but she did not return.
no subject
Date: 2005-10-15 09:35 pm (UTC)Anyway she was embodied, but - of course - 'never came back to her people'. Now she weaves with Vairë great live tapestry with the history of Noldor (or elves at all).
Sice both of wives are alive Finwë stays in Mandos.
Another change - Fëanor was almost adult or adult when she left to Lorien.
OK, I've got quotations (from one board to another ;) ):
Edit - the post is too long, need to part them; second part:
"Then the fe'a of Miriel was released and came before Manwe and received his blessing; and she went then to Lorien and re-entered her body, and awoke again, as one that cometh out of a deep sleep; and she arose and her body was refreshed. But after she had stood in the twilight of Lorien a long while in thought, remembering her former life, and all the tidings that she had learned, her heart was still sad, and she had no desire to return to her own people. Therefore she went to the doors of the House of Vaire and prayed to be admitted; and this prayer was granted, although in that House none of the Living dwelt nor have others ever entered it in the body.(18) But Miriel was accepted by Vaire and became her chief handmaid; and all tidings of the Noldor down the years from their beginning were brought to her, and she wove them in webs historial, so fair and skilled that they seemed to live, imperishable, shining with a light of many hues fairer than are known in Middle-earth. This labour Finwe is at times permitted to look upon. And still she is at work, though her name has been changed. For now she is named Firiel,* which to the Eldar signifies 'She that died',(19) and also 'She that sighed'. As fair as the webs of Firiel is praise that is given seldom even to works of the Eldar."
[J.R.R Tolkien, Morhoth's Ring, 'Of The Severance of Marriage']
(From the discussion of Finwë at JRRT board, we didn't find any evidence that he has left Mandos :( )
no subject
Date: 2005-10-15 09:35 pm (UTC)""And the body of Miriel lay at rest in Lorien, until the escape of Melkor the Marrer and the Darkening of Valinor. In that evil time Finwe was slain by the Marrer himself, and his body was burned as by lightning stroke and was destroyed. Then Miriel and Finwe met again in Mandos, and lo! Miriel was glad of the meeting, and her sadness was lightened; and the will in which she had been set was released.
And when she learned of Finwe all that had befallen since her departure (for she had given no heed to it, nor asked tidings, until then) she was greatly moved; and she said to Finwe in her thought: 'I erred in leaving thee and our son, or at the least in not soon returning after brief repose; for had I done so he might have grown wiser. But the children of Indis shall redress his errors and therefore I am glad that they should have being, and Indis hath my love. How should I bear grudge against one who received what I rejected and cherished what I abandoned.
Would that I might set all the Tale of our people and of thee and thy children in a tapestry of many colours, as a memorial
brighter than memory! For though I am cut off now from the
world, and I accept that Doom as just, I would still watch and
record all that befalls those dear to me, and their offspring also.
[Added: I feel again the call of my body and its skills.]'
And Finwe said to Vaire: 'Dost thou hear the prayer and desire of Miriel? Why will Mandos refuse this redress of her griefs, that her being may not be void and without avail? Behold! I instead will abide with Mandos for ever, and so make amends. For surely, if I remain unhoused, and forgo life in Arda, then his Doom will be inviolate.'
'So thou may deem,' answered Vaire; 'yet Mandos is stern, and he will not readily permit a vow to be revoked. Also he will consider not only Miriel and thee, but Indis and thy children, whom thou seemest to forget, pitying now Miriel only.'
'Thou art unjust to me in thy thought,' said Finwe. 'It is unlawful to have two wives, but one may love two women, each differently, and without diminishing one love by another. Love of Indis did not drive out love of Miriel; so now pity for Miriel doth not lessen my heart's care for Indis. But Indis parted from me without death. I had not seen her for many years, and when the Marrer smote me I was alone. She hath dear children to comfort her, and her love, I deem, is now most for Ingoldo.(16) His father she may miss; but not the father of Feanaro! But above all her heart now yearns for the halls of Ingwe and the peace of the Vanyar, far from the strife of the Noldor. Little comfort should I bring her, if I returned; and the lordship of the Noldor hath passed to my sons.' "
no subject
Date: 2005-10-15 08:47 pm (UTC)From the Silm:
But Eönwë answered that the right to the work of their father, which the sons of Fëanor formerly possessed, had now perished, because of their many and merciless deeds, being blinded by their oath, and most of all because of their slaying of Dior and the assault upon the Havens. The light of the Silmarils should go now into the West, whence it came in the beginning; and to Valinor must Maedhros and Maglor return, and there abide the judgement of the Valar, by whose decree alone would Eönwë yield the jewels from his charge. Then Maglor desired indeed to submit, for his heart was sorrowful, and he said: The oath says not that we may not bide our time, and it may be that in Valinor all shall be forgiven and forgot, and we shall come into our own in peace.
But Maedhros answered that if they returned to Aman but the favour of the Valar were withheld from them, then their oath would still remain, but its fulfilment be beyond all hope; and he said: 'Who can tell to what dreadful doom we shall come, if we disobey the Powers in their own land, or purpose ever to bring war again into their holy realm?'
Yet Maglor still held back, saying: 'If Manwë and Varda themselves deny the fulfilment of an oath to which we named them in witness, is it not made void?'
And 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.'
*snif* And yet he yielded to Maedhros... my hands are itching to write that... one day..
no subject
Date: 2005-10-15 09:58 pm (UTC)One more thing - in the later developments of the history of Galadriel and Celeborn in UT there is info, that she was the only alive of the rebellion leaders and she was not allowed to come back to Aman till she passed her test. I am not sure if it was the last version, but she is passing the test with the ring in LotR, so maybe Maglor wasn't really allowed, especially after the last kinslaying while Silmarili theft?
That's only speculation. For sure it has appeared to explain why she had to pass the test, the same her role in the Silmarillion was deepen after the LotR was published, before she was that much rebell as Aredhel - almost not mentioned at all ;)
It was discussed in the
no subject
Date: 2005-10-16 12:09 am (UTC)