F.A. 5-6

Matters of kinship

Nov 26, 2022

F.A. 5

Fingon sets out to rescue Maedhros from Thangorodrim. They had been close friends in Valinor before the Unrest of the Noldor. Fingon climbs high up Thangorodrim, as none of Morgoth's orcs or other creatures are outside of it because they are hiding from the new Sun. When he cannot find Maedhros, or any way into Thangorodrim, he sings a song of Valinor in defiance, and Maedhros answers him, joining in the song. Fingon cannot reach him, and prepares to shoot him in answer to Maedhros' plea, and seeing no better hope cries out to Manwë, who sends the great eagle Thorondor to him. Thorondor carries Fingon up the cliffside to Maedhros. Fingon cannot release the bond on Maedhros' wrist holding him to the cliff, so he cuts off his hand, and Thorondor carries them back to Mithrim.
By this action the Noldor are reconciled. Maedhros begs forgiveness of Fingolfin for abandoning him in Araman, and waives his claim to kingship, saying: “If there lay no grievance between us, lord, still the kingship would rightly come to you, the eldest here of the house of Finwë and not the least wise.” Fingolfin becomes King of the Noldor; but Maedhros' brothers are not all in agreement with this.
The Noldor, now united, send out scouts and messengers to explore Beleriand and to treat with the people living there.

F.A. 6

Angrod son of Finarfin goes to Menegroth to speak with Thingol, as a messenger of Finrod; he tells Thingol of recent events in Hithlum, but not of the Kinslaying, or the events of the Flight of the Noldor, or the Silmarils. Thingol grants permission for the Noldor to inhabit Hithlum (northwest), Dorthonion (north-central) and the lands to the east of Doriath, as there are relatively few Sindar there; but not elsewhere, as he is unwilling for the Sindar to be ruled by Noldor or to be displaced from their homes. And only those Thingol personally invites (such as the sons of Finarfin, who are his relatives - their mother is his niece), or who seek to enter in great need, may enter Doriath itself.

“O King to whom all birds are dear, speed now this feathered shaft, and recall some pity for the Noldor in their need!” (The Silmarillion, Chapter 13, “Of the Return of the Noldor”)