::WHO::

• Námo (Mandos)

  

  Lúthiens Lament Before Námo

  • Námo (Q: “Judge” or “Ordainer”) was called the Doomsman of the Valar and keeper of the slain in his Halls in the West of Valinor. Vairë the Weaver is his wife. The Sindarin equivalent of Námo is Badhron. Námo was more commonly known as Mandos (Q: “Prison-fortress”), which is more correctly the name of his dwelling. The Sindarin name for Mandos is Bannoth.Námo was the brother of the Vala Irmo (also called Lórien). Together, Námo and Irmo are called the Fëanturi (Q: “Masters of Spirits”). Their sister is Nienna.

    Námo is said to be the grimmest of the Valar. However, this in no way implies that Námo is dark or evil. His grimness is wholly part of his nature, coming (one must assume) from that part of the mind of Ilúvatar from which he was created. Neither is Námo willful or malevolent in declaring the fates of Arda. Only at the bidding of Manwë will Námo ever pronounce his dooms. Námo and Manwë have always been allied since their entering into Eä, and together they understand most clearly the Vision of Ilúvatar more than any of the other Valar. Together they know nearly all of what is to come within the realm of Arda, though not all. Only Ilúvatar knows with full certainty what the full doom of Arda will be, and he will not reveal it all, even to Námo or Manwë.

• Oromë

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  Oromë

  Oromë (Q: “Loud Trumpeter”) (from the Valarin Arōmēz) was a Vala. His Sindarin name is Araw. He is also known as Aldaron (Q: “Lord of Trees”), Tauron (S: “Lord of Forests”), The Huntsman of the Valar, the Great Rider. His name among the Northmen is Béma. He is the brother of Nessa and the husband of Vána.During the Years of the Trees, after most of the Valar had withdrawn completely from Middle-earth and hidden themselves in Aman, Oromë still hunted in the forests of Middle-earth on occasion. Thus, he was responsible for finding the Elves when they awoke at Cuiviénen, and the first to name them the Eldar. Being a powerful huntsman, he was active in the struggles against Morgoth. He has a great horn (the Valaróma) and a great steed (Nahar).

• Fëanor

  

  Fëanor before Gothmog, Lord of the Balrogs

  • Fëanor was a prince of the Noldor, eldest and most beloved son of Finwë. He had the greatest skill of word and hand, a renowned craftsman, gem-smith, and warrior. Fëanor created the Silmarils, which was his most famous deed, and also wrought the palantíri and the Fëanorian lamps. In addition, he invented the widely-used Tengwar script. His passionate hatred of Morgoth and terrible oath led directly to the great triumphs and tragedies of the First Age.
  • “For Fëanor was made the mightiest in all parts of body and mind: in valour, in endurance, in beauty, in understanding, in skill, in strength and subtlety alike: of all the Children of Ilúvatar, and a bright flame was in him.“
  • …
    Learning of the Noldor’s arrival, Morgoth summoned his armies from his fortress of Angband and attacked Fëanor’s encampment in Mithrim. This battle was called the Dagor-nuin-Giliath (“Battle under the Stars”), for the Sun and Moon had not yet been made. The Noldor managed to win the battle and disperse Morgoth’s armies. Fëanor, still in a great rage, pressed on toward Angband with his sons. He came even within sight of Angband, but was ambushed by a force of Balrogs, with few elves about him. He fought mightily, hewing even after receiving several wounds from Gothmog, Lord of Balrogs.His sons came upon the balrogs with great force of elves, and were able to drive them off. However, as Fëanor was being carried off the battlefield, he knew his wounds were fatal. He cursed Angband thrice, but with the eyes of death, he knew that his elves, unaided, would never throw down the dark towers. At the moment of his death the passing of his fiery spirit reduced his body to ashes.

    His sons were still bound by the Oath to recover the Silmarils, which would determine the events of Middle-earth during the First Age.