Of Maeglin: Difference between revisions

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But Aredhel, having sought long for her companions, was fearless and decided to press on and after exiting that land of evil, eventually arrived in [[Himlad]], where two of the Sons of Fëanor -- Celegorm and Curufin -- dwelt in those days. There for a while she was satisfied, but as the year lengthened, she took to riding further afield, seeking new and unknown paths and fields. And so, by chance, she crossed into the forest of [[Nan Elmoth]], where the trees were the tallest and darkest in all of [[Beleriand]], and the sun never came. There dwelt [[Eöl]], who was named the Dark Elf. In earlier days, he was of the kin of Thingol, but felt unease in Doriath, and after the setting of the [[Girdle of Melian]], fled to the deep shadows of Nan Elmoth. He loved not the Noldor, blaming them for the return of Morgoth and the wars of the world, but took a liking to the [[Dwarves]], and went often as a guest to the halls of [[Nogrod]] and [[Belegost]], learning much metalwork and devising a metal "as hard as the steel of the Dwarves, but so malleable that he could make it thin and supple; and yet it remained resistant to all blades and darts", and clad himself in it whenever he left Nan Elmoth. With his keen eyes, he espied Aredhel from afar and desired her, and ensnared her in enchantments so she could not find the way out, but instead came deeper into Nan Elmoth, closer and closer to his abode. Being weary, she finally came to the halls of Eöl, and he welcomed her, and took her for his wife, and it was a long time before any of her kin heard any rumour of her again.  
But Aredhel, having sought long for her companions, was fearless and decided to press on and after exiting that land of evil, eventually arrived in [[Himlad]], where two of the Sons of Fëanor -- Celegorm and Curufin -- dwelt in those days. There for a while she was satisfied, but as the year lengthened, she took to riding further afield, seeking new and unknown paths and fields. And so, by chance, she crossed into the forest of [[Nan Elmoth]], where the trees were the tallest and darkest in all of [[Beleriand]], and the sun never came. There dwelt [[Eöl]], who was named the Dark Elf. In earlier days, he was of the kin of Thingol, but felt unease in Doriath, and after the setting of the [[Girdle of Melian]], fled to the deep shadows of Nan Elmoth. He loved not the Noldor, blaming them for the return of Morgoth and the wars of the world, but took a liking to the [[Dwarves]], and went often as a guest to the halls of [[Nogrod]] and [[Belegost]], learning much metalwork and devising a metal "as hard as the steel of the Dwarves, but so malleable that he could make it thin and supple; and yet it remained resistant to all blades and darts", and clad himself in it whenever he left Nan Elmoth. With his keen eyes, he espied Aredhel from afar and desired her, and ensnared her in enchantments so she could not find the way out, but instead came deeper into Nan Elmoth, closer and closer to his abode. Being weary, she finally came to the halls of Eöl, and he welcomed her, and took her for his wife, and it was a long time before any of her kin heard any rumour of her again.  


Though at Eöl's command she was required to shun sunlight, it is not said that she was completely unwilling to their union, and they often wandered far together under the stars or the light of the crescent moon. And in the darkness of Nan Elmoth was born their son, who, in her heart, she named Lómion, which means ''"Child of the Twilight"'' in [[Quenya]]. But the child's father gave him no name until he was twelve years old, at which time having perceived that the eyes of his son were more piercing than his own, he named him [[Maeglin]], that is ''"Sharp Glance"''.  
Though at Eöl's command she was required to shun sunlight, it is not said that she was completely unwilling to their union, and they often wandered far together under the stars or the light of the crescent moon. And in the darkness of Nan Elmoth was born their son, who, in her heart, she named [[Maeglin|Lómion]], which means ''"Child of the Twilight"'' in [[Quenya]]. But the child's father gave him no name until he was twelve years old, at which time having perceived that the eyes of his son were more piercing than his own, he named him [[Maeglin]], that is ''"Sharp Glance"''.  


As Maeglin grew to full maturity, he resembled, in face and form, one of the Noldor. He was tall, with black hair, and his eyes were dark, and yet bright and sharp. But speaking few words, except in matters important to him, he resembled his father in mood and spirit. Often he went with Eöl to the cities of the Dwarves, and learned much from them, especially the craft of finding ores and metals in the mountains. Yet for all appearances, he loved his mother more and would often sit long and listen to her regarding the deeds of the Noldor, and the valour of the House of Fingolfin, while Eöl was abroad.  
As Maeglin grew to full maturity, he resembled, in face and form, one of the Noldor. He was tall, with black hair, and his eyes were dark, and yet bright and sharp. But speaking few words, except in matters important to him, he resembled his father in mood and spirit. Often he went with Eöl to the cities of the Dwarves, and learned much from them, especially the craft of finding ores and metals in the mountains. Yet for all appearances, he loved his mother more and would often sit long and listen to her regarding the deeds of the Noldor, and the valour of the House of Fingolfin, while Eöl was abroad.  

Revision as of 17:08, 27 November 2021

"We have a long way to go, and there is time ahead for thought." — Treebeard
This article or section is in the early stages of construction and should not be viewed as complete, or even close to being finished.
The Silmarillion chapters
  1. Ainulindalë
  2. Valaquenta
  3. Quenta Silmarillion
    1. Of the Beginning of Days
    2. Of Aulë and Yavanna
    3. Of the Coming of the Elves
    4. Of Thingol and Melian
    5. Of Eldamar
    6. Of Fëanor
    7. Of the Silmarils
    8. Of the Darkening of Valinor
    9. Of the Flight of the Noldor
    10. Of the Sindar
    11. Of the Sun and Moon
    12. Of Men
    13. Of the Return of the Noldor
    14. Of Beleriand and its Realms
    15. Of the Noldor in Beleriand
    16. Of Maeglin
    17. Of the Coming of Men
    18. Of the Ruin of Beleriand
    19. Of Beren and Lúthien
    20. Of the Fifth Battle
    21. Of Túrin Turambar
    22. Of the Ruin of Doriath
    23. Of the Fall of Gondolin
    24. Of the Voyage of Eärendil
  4. Akallabêth
  5. Of the Rings of Power

Of Maeglin is the sixteenth chapter of the Quenta Silmarillion section within The Silmarillion.

Synopsis

Eöl welcomes Aredhel by Ted Nasmith

Aredhel, who was also called Ar-Feiniel or the White Lady of the Noldor, was the daughter of Fingolfin. She resided awhile in Nevrast with her brother Turgon, but later went with her people to dwell in the hidden city of Gondolin. However, she soon wearied of her hidden life in Gondolin and set out for Fingon in Hithlum with three lords of the household of Turgon. Upon reaching the Ford of Brithiach, she commanded her companions to instead turn south in the hope of passing through Doriath to eventually find the Sons of Fëanor, "her friends of old".

Upon arriving at the borders of Doriath, they were refused entry, since Thingol, king of Doriath, would not allow any of the Noldor to pass through his lands, except his kin of the House of Finarfin. And so Aredhel and her companions instead sought the quickest -- but dangerous -- route between the haunted valley of Ered Gorgoroth and the northern edge of Doriath. This passed through the land of Nan Dungortheb, where the fell spawn of Ungoliant lived and bred in the darkness. It was here where Aredhel was separated from her companions. They searched long for her but could not find her and barely escaped death, and when they eventually returned to Gondolin to share their tale, there was great sorrow at the (assumed) fate of Aredhel.

But Aredhel, having sought long for her companions, was fearless and decided to press on and after exiting that land of evil, eventually arrived in Himlad, where two of the Sons of Fëanor -- Celegorm and Curufin -- dwelt in those days. There for a while she was satisfied, but as the year lengthened, she took to riding further afield, seeking new and unknown paths and fields. And so, by chance, she crossed into the forest of Nan Elmoth, where the trees were the tallest and darkest in all of Beleriand, and the sun never came. There dwelt Eöl, who was named the Dark Elf. In earlier days, he was of the kin of Thingol, but felt unease in Doriath, and after the setting of the Girdle of Melian, fled to the deep shadows of Nan Elmoth. He loved not the Noldor, blaming them for the return of Morgoth and the wars of the world, but took a liking to the Dwarves, and went often as a guest to the halls of Nogrod and Belegost, learning much metalwork and devising a metal "as hard as the steel of the Dwarves, but so malleable that he could make it thin and supple; and yet it remained resistant to all blades and darts", and clad himself in it whenever he left Nan Elmoth. With his keen eyes, he espied Aredhel from afar and desired her, and ensnared her in enchantments so she could not find the way out, but instead came deeper into Nan Elmoth, closer and closer to his abode. Being weary, she finally came to the halls of Eöl, and he welcomed her, and took her for his wife, and it was a long time before any of her kin heard any rumour of her again.

Though at Eöl's command she was required to shun sunlight, it is not said that she was completely unwilling to their union, and they often wandered far together under the stars or the light of the crescent moon. And in the darkness of Nan Elmoth was born their son, who, in her heart, she named Lómion, which means "Child of the Twilight" in Quenya. But the child's father gave him no name until he was twelve years old, at which time having perceived that the eyes of his son were more piercing than his own, he named him Maeglin, that is "Sharp Glance".

As Maeglin grew to full maturity, he resembled, in face and form, one of the Noldor. He was tall, with black hair, and his eyes were dark, and yet bright and sharp. But speaking few words, except in matters important to him, he resembled his father in mood and spirit. Often he went with Eöl to the cities of the Dwarves, and learned much from them, especially the craft of finding ores and metals in the mountains. Yet for all appearances, he loved his mother more and would often sit long and listen to her regarding the deeds of the Noldor, and the valour of the House of Fingolfin, while Eöl was abroad. In speaking of her kin to Maeglin, Aredhel desired once again to see them, and was amazed that she had once wearied of the city of Gondolin, with its shining light and many fountains that glimmered in the sunlight. These tales stirred also in Maeglin the desire to see the Noldor, but upon revealing his inner wishes to Eöl, his father became infuriated, saying "You are of the House of Eöl, Maeglin, my son, and not of the Golodhrim. I will not have my son deal with the slayers of our kin. In this you shall obey me, or I will set you in bonds". And so Maeglin became cold and silent, and no longer went abroad with Eöl, and Eöl mistrusted him.

One midsummer, the Dwarves -- as was their custom -- invited Eöl to a feast in Nogrod, and he went away. During this time, the desire grew hot in the heart of Maeglin to leave Nan Elmoth and look upon his mother's people and to seek the city of Gondolin. Seeing this, Aredhel was glad and looked with pride upon her son, and they departed Nan Elmoth, telling the servants of Eöl that they went to seek the sons of Fëanor.

However, Eöl returned from the east sooner than Maeglin had anticipated and found his wife and son two days gone. Such was his wrath that he pursued them even under the light of the sun. On entering Himlad, Eöl was ambushed by the riders of Curufin, and was taken to their lord, who loved Eöl not at all. Curufin mockingly asked Eöl what urgent matter has "one so sun-shy" travelling in haste in broad daylight, and Eöl, knowing his peril restrained himself from speaking the insolent words of his mind, and told that he wanted to join his wife and son on their visit to him. Upon learning from Curufin that they turned westward, travelling along the northern fence of Doriath, Eöl asked leave to discover their purpose, saying "it is good, Lord Curufin, to find a kinsman thus kindly at need". Curufin bids him go back to Nan Elmoth, stating that "those who steal the daughters of the Noldor and wed them without gift or leave do not gain kinship with their kin".

Thus Eöl rode off in haste, full of shame and anger. He perceived that Aredhel and Maeglin were heading towards Gondolin and rode hard in following them. As the two arrived at the Outer Gate of Gondolin, they were received joyfully and passed inside the Hidden Kingdom, where Turgon listened with wonder to the story of his sister, and gave Maeglin the highest honour in his realm. Eöl espied them from afar and found the secret path leading to the city, but was taken in by the Guard, and was brought before Turgon after claiming to be husband and father to Aredhel and Maeglin. Aredhel confirmed this to be the case, and Turgon welcomed Eöl as his kinsman, offering his hand, showing him great honour, and giving him leave to stay in Gondolin. But Eöl, still full of rage at his shaming by Curufin, withdrew his hand and insulted the King, and bid Maeglin to "leave the House of the slayers of his kin, or be accursed". Maeglin answered nothing. Turgon then spoke in a stern voice, giving him the choice of either abiding in Gondolin, or dying in Gondolin, with the same choice set before Maeglin. Eöl then stood a long time in silence. All of a sudden, he took a spear from under his cloak and threw it at Maeglin, crying "the second choice I take, and for my son also! You shall not hold what is mine!" But Aredhel, sensing peril came between the spear and Maeglin, and was struck. Eöl was restrained, set in bonds and led away, however the tip of the spear was poisoned, and Aredhel succumbed to illness and died in the night. And so Eöl was brought before Turgon and no mercy was shown to him; he was led to the Caragdûr, a precipice upon the northern side of the city, and was set to be cast down. Maeglin stood by in silence, and Eöl cried out "so you forsake your father and his kin, ill-gotten son! Here shall you fail of all your hopes and here may you yet die the same death as I". And he was cast over the cliff-edge. Thus ended Eöl, Dark Elf, of the shadows of Nan Elmoth.

Though Idril was uneasy, and mistrusted Maeglin from that day forward. But Maeglin grew great in Gondolin, and was high in the favour of Turgon. He became wise in counsel, and wary, and yet hardy and valiant at need. And so all seemed well with the fortunes of Maeglin. He had risen to be mighty indeed amongst the Princes of the Noldor, and was the greatest other than Turgon in the realm of Gondolin. And yet not all things went as he would have liked, though he did not reveal his heart, and he hid his mind from all except Idril Celebrindal, his first cousin. For from his first days in Gondolin, he bore a private grief that slowly drained all joy from him; he loved Idril and desired her, but without hope. For the Eldar did not wed with kin so close, and further, Idril loved him not at all, and knowing his thought of her, she loved him even less. As time passed, the love in Maeglin's heart turned to darkness, and he sought more to have his will in all matters, no matter the cost to him, if it might grant him more power as a result.

And so it came to be that in Gondolin, at the height of all its bliss, majesty, and beauty, a dark seed of evil was sown in the heart of Maeglin.

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