After about the sixth time reading
The Silmarillion, I believe I noticed something I had not before. I now believe that Finrod son of Finarfin took part in the Kinslaying at Alqualondë, whereas before I would have thought him unable of such deeds, based solely on his good nature.
The evidence I have for his participation might be called sketchy. It comes from one passage in
The Silmarillion as published by Christopher Tolkien. I don't know if the Flight of the Noldor is dealt with in
The History of Middle Earth, but at any rate I don't know the series that well. Being a sporting chap, I'll also provide some of the best evidence
against my theory. I think you'll find it has about the same level of reliability. For that reason, I hope we can get somewhere with a discussion of the Kinslaying, although I have a feeling that
Maédhros and I may have to agree to disagree on this one!
I retell now the contest in songs of power fought between Sauron and Finrod at Tol-in-Gaurhoth (
Of Beren and Lúthien).
Quote:
He chanted a song of wizardry,
Of piercing, opening, of treachery,
Revealing, uncovering, betraying.
Then suddenly Felagund there swaying
Sang in answer a song of staying,
Resisting, battling against power,
Of secrets kept, strength like a tower,
And trust unbroken, freedom, escape;
Of changing and of shifting shape,
Of snares eluded, broken traps,
The prison opening, the chain that snaps.
Backwards and forwards swayed their song.
Reeling and foundering, as ever more strong
The chanting swelled, Felagund fought,
And all the magic and might he brought
Of Elvenesse into his words.
Softly in the gloom they heard the birds
Singing afar in Nargothrond,
The sighing of the Sea beyond,
Beyond the western world, on sand,
On sand of pearls in Elvenland.
Then the gloom gathered; darkness growing
In Valinor, the red blood flowing
Beside the Sea, where the Noldor slew
The foamriders, and stealing drew
Their white ships with their white sails
From lamplit havens. The wind wails,
The wolf howls. The ravens flee.
The ice mutters in the mouths of the Sea.
The captives sad in Angband mourn.
Thunder rumbles, the fires burn,
And Finrod fell before the throne.
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The first stanza opens the battle. Sauron brings the disguised Orcs before him, and weaves a spell to discover their true identities. Finrod responds with his own song, trying to keep their disguises intact. In the second stanza, Finrod gains the upper hand. His song recalls the beauty of the unstained land of Aman. Starting in Nargothrond, he takes us out across the Sundering Seas to the shores of Valinor. Then, just as he is about to win the day, the vision turns to the events at Alqualondë. The misdeeds of the Noldor are recalled, then the Helcaraxë and the wars of Beleriand. Finrod is defeated by Sauron once these evil deeds are revealed.
Had Finrod been entirely blameless, I believe that he would have won this contest. In the past he has been considered as going along with Fëanor and the rebellious Noldor, but not having any part to play at Alqualondë. If this was the case, would Sauron have been able to turn the song contest to the events of the Kinslaying? I believe that guilt felt by Finrod may be a large factor. I also interpret the final line:
Quote:
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And Finrod fell before the throne.
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to have a twofold meaning. Firstly the literal meaning; that he physically falls, defeated, in front of Sauron, and the disguises are broken. But secondly that he, along with most of the rebellious Noldor, "fell" when they took part in the Kinslaying, and shed blood in the Undrying Lands. How could Finrod have "fallen" if he had not actually participated in the events at Alqualondë? Remember that unlike the last Kinslaying at the Mouths of Sirion, no Noldor changed sides and fought against the Fëanorians. They were mad, I tells ya, maaad!!
