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Old 05-23-2005, 06:11 AM   #1
Anguirel
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Silmaril Did Maedhros fight in the War of Wrath?

After the flight (ha ha) of Elwing, Maedhros was left the most powerful Elven force in Beleriand-not that, by that stage, that's saying all that much. He is, except for Cirdan's survivors, the last bulwark against the inevitable victory of Morgoth.

When Earendil takes to the sky in Vingilot, Maedhros sees the Silmaril:

"Surely that is a Silmaril that now shines in the west?"

Maglor replies: "If it truly be the Silmaril which we saw cast into the sea that rises again by the power of the Valar, then let us be glad; for its glory is now seen by many, and yet is secure from all evil."

So far so good. We are then told that Morgoth wasn't expecting anyone to face his armies in open battle again-i.e., he thought Maedhros had a much too reduced army to attack him, and in this he was probably right.

But when the host of Eonwe, Ingwe and Finarfin arrived out of the West, we do not know whether Maedhros did the right thing, put differences aside, and helped them, as the Three Houses of the Edain did. He certainly didn't hinder them. Could he have kept to one side, ashamed of the Elven blood staining him, and watched the greatest battle in history impotently?

The next we hear of Maedhros and Maglor, they seem to be "alone against the world", yet ready to take on Eonwe's host for the Silmarils. Does this imply that they didn't help the Host of the West? Their army has dispersed too; perhaps their remaining followers largely returned west by the command of the Valar?

So the evidence seems to point to Maedhros and Maglor not helping fight Morgoth. But why didn't they? Surely their Oath dictates that they should? Does shame and injured pride, even fear, hold them back? Or did they take part, but on the understanding that the Silmarils would be given to them afterwards-an agreement Eonwe was not authorised to fulfill? If they did take part, this could explain the sudden loss of their retinue-extremely heavy losses.

Is there any more evidence pointing either way in the Grey Annals, the Shibboleth of Feanor, or something of the sort?
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Old 06-13-2005, 05:48 PM   #2
lindil
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All my books are packed up in preperation for a move but...

I recall a live in the last chapter of the Silm that says something like, " and of those who had fought against Morgoth only the Edain stood with the Armies out of the West.

I think Maedhros and Maglor were full of shame at the third Kinslaying and their army was probably best seen as a remnant of a remnant. Remember that in the 3rd kinslaying some of the armies of the sons of feanor went over to the other side 'such was the confusion of hearts'.
Or something like that.

edit:

There is a little additonal info on the War of the wrath, not all of it canonical, in Home 4 and/or 5.
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Old 03-30-2011, 04:09 PM   #3
Galadriel55
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I agree that Maedhros didn't participate because of shame.

As for him and Maglor trying to get the Silmarilli from Eonwe, well, only they were left out of those who made the oath. Their army didn't have to do it, it had the choice to say enough is enough. (Maedhros Maglor had that choice too, though, but not in the full extent)
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Old 03-31-2011, 09:57 AM   #4
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The War of Wrath is put into a notable framework within QS...

Quote:
'Of the march of the host of the Valar to the north of Middle-earth little is said in any tale; for among them went none of those Elves who had dwelt and suffered in the Hither Lands, and who made the histories of those days that still are known; and tidings of these things they only learned long afterwards from their kinsfolk in Aman.'
Of course we are still within the 'Aelfwine framework' when this was written, but anyway.
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