Of Feanor and Galadriel

Here lies the tale of how Feanor came to be. Now all three kindreds of the Firstborn dwell in Valinor: the Vanyar, Noldor, and Teleri and Aman was at the height of its glory. During this time Feanor, Spirit of Fire, son of Finwe and Miriel was born. "The love of Finwe and Miriel was great and glad, for it began in the Blessed Realm in the Days of Bliss" (p. 63, The Silmarillion). It did not last however. Miriel was consumed in body and spirit giving birth to Feanor. Finwe was grieved and it was decided by the Valar that she be taken to Lorien in hopes of healing. There she went and seemed to sleep but her spirit departed for the Halls of Mandos. Often Finwe went to see her body in Lorien but she was gone and he was full of sorrow. This must have been a cause of concern for the Valar no such grief and sorrow had touched those lands before.

"All his love he gave thereafter to his son; and Feanor grew swiftly, as if a secret fire were kindled in him" (p. 64, The Silmarillion). He became very skilled both in mind and deeds. He took the runes of Rumil and devised letters which were used by Eldar (Elves) though out the ages. He also became quite skilled at taking gems of the earth and making them even more beautiful. He married Nerdanel, the daughter of Mahtan who was dear to Aule, and she bore him seven sons. As Feanor began his own family Finwe decided to take another wife: Indis the Fair of the Vanyar. Finwe was glad again but still thought of Miriel and his love for Feanor lessened not. "The wedding of his father was not pleasing to Feanor; and he had no great love for Indis, nor for Fingolfin and Finarfin, her sons" (p. 65, The Silmarillion). Many felt later, of the strife to come, events may have been averted had Finwe not remarried.

Also during the bliss and glory of Valinor Galadriel was born, the daughter of Finarfin. "Galadriel was the greatest of the Noldor, except Feanor maybe, though she was wiser than he, and her wisdom increased with the long years" (p. 229, Unfinished Tales). Galadriel's history is perhaps the most complicated of anyone in Middle-earth.  She was beautiful and her golden hair was like the twining of the Laurelin and Telperion's lights. Many thought her hair was the inspiration of Feanor's greatest work, the Silmarils. "For Feanor beheld the hair of Galadriel with wonder and delight. He begged three times for a tress, but Galadriel would not give him even one hair. These two kinsfolk, the greatest of the Eldar in Valinor, were unfriends forever" (p. 230, Unfinished Tales). Interesting when thinking of Fellowship of the Ring: a Dwarf, his race did not exactly love Elves, asks the Lady Galdriel for a single hair, and she gives him three. Why would she not oblige her own kin?

"From her earliest years she had a marvelous gift of insight into the minds of others, but judged them with mercy and understanding, and she withheld her goodwill from none save only Feanor. In him she perceived a darkness that she hated and feared..." (p. 230, Unfinished Tales). I must admit I am struck by the description of Galadriel that she judged by mercy and understanding. I was reflecting on this very idea this morning: how do I view people and how do I judge them? A bit more mercy and understanding would do us all some good. But this is not to say that Galadriel was perfect: she proud and self-willed; "she had dreams of far lands and dominions that might be her own to order as she would without tutelage" (p. 230, Unfinished Tales). Yet even with her faults she carried with her a deep reverence for the Valar.

In the midst of these pride-filled Noldor Melkor is judged again. Though he hated the Firstborn of Iluvatar he feigned repentance and was pardoned and released. "For Manwe was free from evil and could not comprehend it..." (p. 65, The Silmarillion). Not all the Valar agreed with this decision. Ulmo though was not deceived and Tulkos did not forget what Melkor had done. "But they obeyed the judgement of Manwe; for those who will defend authority against rebellion must not themselves rebel" (p. 66, The Silmarillion). That is a convicting thought for me when applied to my spiritual life. For a season Melkor helped and served the Elves and Vala. This was only an act so that he could earn greater freedom and less watch.

Even though he hated the Elves Melkor told some of his secrets of making to the Noldor. For the Vanyar lived closest to the Valar and distrusted him. And Melkor saw little worth in the Teleri. The Nolder, in their pride, delighted in Melkor's secret knowledge. Later, as things unravel, Melkor claims he gave special knowledge to Feanor, but that too was a lie. Know one hated Melkor more than Feanor. Rather, "...Feanor was driven by the fire of his own heart only, working ever swiftly and alone; and he asked the aid and sought the counsel of none that dwelt in Aman, great or small, save only and for a little while of Nerdanel the wise, his wife" (p. 66, The Silmarillion).

Wow, and with that the story is heating up. I am reminded when recapping that in a fallen world good things rarely last. It does not mean we cannot have enjoyment but we should not be surprised when those things do not last. Also, I'm marked by this "fire of the heart", this pride that will be the undoing of the Noldor. It's subtle and it's consuming. Galadriel can perceive it in Feanor but misses it in herself. Nothing like focusing on the speck and missing the log, a good reminder of being too quick to judge.

Middle-earth timeline: Age of the Two Trees

Today's reading comes from: The Silmarillion, pages 63-66 and Unfinished Tales, pages 229-230