Feanor's Fate

When Feanor set aflame the ships of the Teleri Fingolfin was not the only one who saw. For Feanor had landed in the Firth of Dengrist where the Echoing Hills were where Melkor had cried out when Ungoliant attacked him. The noise of Feonor's people and noise of the great burning alearted the Orcs of Morgoth who quickly attacked. Even though Feanor was unprepared he and the Noldor fought bravely during Dagor-nuin-Giliath (Battle-under-Stars). The outnumbered Noldor were victorious sending the host of Morgoth fleeing. The Orcs that had assailed Cirdan were caught up in battle, to their ruin, as Celegorm waylaid them.

Feanor in his wrath hotly pursued the remaining Orcs. He supposed they would lead him face-to-face with Morgoth. "Nothing did he know of Angband or the great strength of defence that Morgoth had so swiftly prepared; but even had he known it would not have deterred him, for he was fey, consumed by the flame of his own wrath" (p. 107, The Silmarillion). Feanor overpursued the Orcs and found himself nearly alone as Balrogs issued from Angband and surrounded him. "Long he fought on, and undismayed, though he was wrapped in fire and wounded with many wounds; but at last he was smitten to the ground by Gothmog, Lord of Balrogs..." (p. 107, The Silmarillion). Feanors seven sons arrived and drove the Balrogs back to Angband. 

As they bore their father back to camp he knew the wounds were mortal. Before dying he cursed Morgoth three times over and commanded his sons to maintain his oath. "Then he died; but he had neither burial or tomb, for so fiery was his spirit that as it sped his body fell to ash, and was borne away like smoke; and his likeness has never again appeared in Arda, neither has his spirit left the halls of Mandos. Thus ended the mightiest Noldor, of whose deeds came both their greatest renown and their most grievous woe" (p. 107, The Silmarillion). Feanor's Noldor settled back in Beleriand and met the Grey Elves of Mithrim and learned of the power of Thingol. The Grey Elves thought the Noldar had been sent by the Valar to aid them against the growing strength of Morgoth.

Morgoth sent parlay to the Feanor's sons offering a Silmaril for the end of the war and Maedhros, the eldest, persuaded his brothers to feign a treaty and meet. He was, of course, lying. Maedhros' company was slaughtered and Maedhros take captive to Angband. Morgoth demanded Feanor's sons should leave Middle-earth in return for Maedhros's safe return. Knowing Morgoth's cunning, Maedhros' brothers knew he would not be released no matter what they did. Plus they could not abandon Feanor's oath so they refused Morgoth's demands. "Therefore Morgoth took Maedhros and hung him from the face of a precipice upon Thangorodrim, and he was caught to the rock by the wrist of his right hand in a band of steel" (p. 108, The Silmarillion). 

Middle-earth timeline: End of the Age of the Two Trees
Today's reading comes from: The Silmarillion, pages 106-108
Relevant map: Beleriand