An important elf from the texts of J.R.R. Tolkien accomplished some great feats as a blacksmith. He forged three powerful gems that brought war to Middle-earth – long before the events of the movies.
Which elf is it about? We are talking about Fëanor. The elf also bears the title “High King of the Noldor” because he led the eponymous clan of elves.
Fëanor lived before the events of The Lord of the Rings and was the uncle of Galadriel. He came from Valinor, the realm of the Valar in the world of Arda, where Middle-earth is also located. His parents were his father Finwë and his mother Míriel, who died shortly after the birth of her son.
Fëanor was already tall as a child and stood out because of his fiery character. He knew exactly what he wanted and was hardly deterred by anyone. At that time, no one guessed the deeds he would accomplish. Especially the encounter with the smith Mahtan brought about an important change.
The Forging of the Silmarils
What changed? Fëanor married Nerdanel, who was the daughter of Mahtan. Mahtan was a great and renowned smith who taught his son-in-law much about the craft.
Subsequently, Fëanor created some significant works. Gandalf believed that the elf was also behind the mysterious Palantíri – the seeing stones also used by Saruman.
Fëanor also invented his own script, called Tengwar, which was used among other things for the inscription of the One Ring. However, his greatest masterpiece was the Silmarils.
What were the Silmarils? These are three gems that Fëanor created to capture the light of the Two Trees of Valinor.
These trees, which were named Laurelin and Telperion, ensured that the world of Arda, where Tolkien’s stories take place, received light. When the trees were created, the First Age also began.
Fëanor’s Stones Were Stolen
What happened to the Silmarils? The evil Melkor, who would later become Morgoth, wanted to destroy the Two Trees. He succeeded with the help of the spider Ungoliant, one of the most terrifying beings of all.
When he learned of the Silmarils that had stored the light of the trees, he stole them and fled to Middle-earth. In the course of these events, he also killed Fëanor’s father. The elf swore revenge and initiated a rebellion of his people – which led to the War of the Jewels.
Fëanor and his sons swore an oath: They would pursue every being that had taken a Silmaril to the end of the world. The Noldor followed Melkor to Middle-earth, which led to the tragic end of Fëanor.
During the war, the Noldor were able to achieve some successes, but Fëanor himself took his own paths during a battle, was attacked by Balrogs, and died from his injuries. Others from Fëanor’s kin also fell victim to their oath.
In the end, after many more battles and intrigues, the Silmarils came back into the possession of the last surviving sons of Fëanor – before they were lost forever. On MeinMMO you can find more interesting information about Melkor, who later became Morgoth: The true villain in the “Lord of the Rings” universe is far more powerful and dangerous than Sauron
