Maedhros, grandfather of Feanor

[Huinesoron]

Originally Posted by Arvegil145

My only problem is that the term russa refers to Maedros' red(ish) hair color (see also the twins), which he inherited from his other grandfather Mahtan.

In fact, the only time we ever see Elves with this type of hair color is in Mahtan and his kin - so why would Finwe's father have this epesse, unless he too was related to Mahtan in some way? (Which, to be fair, given the fact that there's anything between 4-23 generations separating Finwe from the OG Elves, it is certainly possible if not even likely.)

It does, and this gave me pause; but it wasn't until you asked that I came up with an answer that satisfied me. Maedhros and the twins have red hair, from their mother - but red (at least in humans) is a recessive hair colour. You have to receive it from both your parents, though they can be "carriers" rather than having red hair themselves.

Which means Finwe must have had at least one red-haired ancestor; that 'red' gene was passed to Feanor (along with a black from Miriel), and then to Maedhros and the twins. It would be unusual for the red gene to be passed for many generations un-expressed, so the simplest solution is that Maedhros had a red-haired paternal great-grandparent.

hS