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Maglor
Fingolfin is the second son of Finwë and the half-brother of Fëanor. Though he publicly quarrels with Fëanor, he later follows him to Middle-earth. Calm and steadfast, Fingolfin leads his group of Noldor elves across a treacherous field of ice to reach Middle-earth after Fëanor’s people depart on the ships and leave them behind. When the two groups reunite in Middle-earth, Fëanor is dead and Fingolfin, who settles in Hithlum, becomes the first High King of the Noldor. During the fourth battle of the Wars of Beleriand, when Melkor suddenly attacks the elven kingdoms, Fingolfin fights him in single combat. Driven by his rage, Fingolfin wounds Melkor seven times and cleaves off half of his foot before Melkor kills him. The eagle Thorondor rescues his body, and Melkor’s wounds never heal.
Fingolfin Quotes in The Silmarillion
The The Silmarillion quotes below are all either spoken by Fingolfin or refer to Fingolfin. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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Chapter 13 Quotes
Then Fingon the valiant, son of Fingolfin, resolved to heal the feud that divided the Noldor […] Long before, in the bliss of Valinor, before Melkor was unchained, or lies came between them, Fingon had been close in friendship with Maedhros; and though he knew not yet that Maedhros had not forgotten him at the burning of the ships, the thought of their ancient friendship stung his heart. Therefore he dared a deed which is justly renowned among the feats of the princes of the Noldor: alone, and without the counsel of any, he set forth in search of Maedhros; and aided by the very darkness that Morgoth had made he came unseen into the fastness of his foes.
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Fingolfin Character Timeline in The Silmarillion
The timeline below shows where the character Fingolfin appears in The Silmarillion. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 5. Of Eldamar and the Princes of the Eldalië
Finwë’s sons are Fëanor, high-spirited, Fingolfin, valiant and steadfast, and Finarfin, wise and fair. Fëanor’s sons are Maedhros, Maglor, Celegorm, Caranthir,...
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Chapter 6. Of Fëanor and the Unchaining of Melkor
Fëanor has “no great love” for his father’s second wife, Indis, and their two sons Fingolfin and Finarfin. It’s said later that if Finwë hadn’t divided his house by remarrying, Fëanor...
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Chapter 7. Of the Silmarils and the Unrest of the Noldor
...seeing them and forgetting that their light doesn’t belong to him. Melkor spreads lies that Fingolfin and Finarfin plan to usurp Fëanor as Finwë’s heir with the support of the Valar....
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...the Noldor back to Middle-earth. When Finwë holds a council, Fëanor walks in—fully armed—to hear Fingolfin speaking against him. Fëanor publicly threatens Fingolfin, who ignores him and leaves the council.
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...12 years as punishment. Mandos promises that, after those years, everything will be resolved if Fingolfin forgives him, and Fingolfin is quick to promise that he will.
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Fëanor leaves silently for exile with his sons, and Finwë also follows him, leaving Fingolfin to rule the Noldor in his absence. In doing so, Finwë accidentally convinces Fëanor that...
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Chapter 8. Of the Darkening of Valinor
...and his brothers. Fëanor comes—though Finwë refuses to meet the Noldor while Fëanor is banished—and Fingolfin forgives Fëanor as he promised. They shake hands, and Fingolfin (not knowing what his words...
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Chapter 9. Of the Flight of the Noldor
Fingolfin and Turgon speak against Fëanor, nearly leading to a fight, but Finarfin calms them down....
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...The Noldor are split—the followers of Fëanor leave without looking back, and the followers of Fingolfin are slow and reluctant to depart, burdened by possessions to remind them of Valinor.
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...battle three times, with many deaths on both sides. Fingon, leading the Noldor loyal to Fingolfin, joins the fight before he knows what caused it and overcomes the Teleri, killing most...
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...his people and is pardoned by the Valar, but his sons stay with Fëanor and Fingolfin’s sons. Fëanor leads the Noldor to the Helcaraxë, the treacherous bridge of grinding ice that...
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...Noldor across the strait. Fëanor laughs, refuses to go back for “needless baggage” and, assuming Fingolfin will return to Valinor, burns the Teleri’s ships. Fingolfin’s people see the fires and realize...
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Chapter 11. Of the Sun and Moon and the Hiding of Valinor
...to the amazement of Morgoth’s servants and the delight of the elves. As it rises, Fingolfin marches into Middle-earth.
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Chapter 13. Of the Return of the Noldor
As the sun rises, Morgoth’s armies flee into Angband and Fingolfin leads his Noldor up to the gates of Angband unopposed. Maedhros calls out to them,...
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Fingon, Fingolfin’s son, decides to resolve the feud so they can unite against Morgoth by seeking out...
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...praised for his heroism—through their friendship, the Noldor are reunited. Maedhros begs forgiveness for abandoning Fingolfin’s followers and supports Fingolfin’s claim to kingship, though not all of his brothers approve. As...
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...the dwarves against Morgoth, despite their mutual dislike. Maedhros remains friendly with the houses of Fingolfin and Finarfin but doesn’t forget his oath.
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Morgoth attacks suddenly, believing that the elves aren’t prepared, but Maedhros and Fingolfin drive them back. Still, the elves can’t breach Angband or take back the Silmarils. Morgoth...
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Chapter 14. Of Beleriand and its Realms
West of Thangorodrim is the Land of Mist, called Hithlum, ruled by Fingolfin and Fingon. It’s separated from the rest of Beleriand by the Mountains of Shadow. Most...
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Chapter 15. Of the Noldor in Beleriand
...kin-slaying on Fëanor and his sons. Thingol promises to remain friends with the followers of Fingolfin but forbids Quenya, the language of the Noldor, in Beleriand. The Noldor are forced to...
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Chapter 17. Of the Coming of Men into the West
...visits the men often, and other elves become friendly with them, naming them the Edain. Fingolfin sends messengers welcoming them, and many men travel away to serve the kings of the...
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...their own lands and leadership. Hador Lórindol, a descendent of Malach and a servant of Fingolfin, is given lordship over Dor-lómin and becomes the greatest ruler of the Edain. Sindarin is...
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Chapter 18. Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin
With his own people growing strong, and with the aid of the houses of men, Fingolfin considers attacking Angband to destroy Morgoth’s threat to them. However, the Noldor aren’t eager to...
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...swears an oath of friendship to him and his family and gives him his ring. Fingolfin and Fingon, driven back into their fortresses, are unable to aid the sons of Finarfin....
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...of the south. When news arrives that the sons of Finarfin and Fëanor are overthrown, Fingolfin believes it means the ruin of the Noldor and rides alone to Angband, so enraged...
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Morgoth swings Grond, the giant hammer, and it cleaves a hole in the earth when Fingolfin jumps aside. As Morgoth swings the hammer, Fingolfin wounds him seven times but eventually grows...
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...great eagles to Gondolin and Hithlum. Thorondor files down and scratches Morgoth’s face before rescuing Fingolfin’s body. The pain of Morgoth’s wounds can’t be healed, so he walks after that with...
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