He is the son of Feanor most like his father in appearance,
temperament, and skill. While he would develop a friendship with the dwarves,
his actions against both elves and men would cost lives - including his own.
Today, on Nerd of the Rings, we cover the life and travels of Curufin.
Like his six brothers, Curufin is born during the Years of the Trees,
in the elven city of Tirion in Valinor. He is the sixth son of Feanor and while his
more commonly used name is the Sindarized Curufin, the name his father gave him
is Curufinwe. Meaning “skillful Finwe,” this is the same father-name that had been given to Feanor
by Finwe himself. As Curufin was Feanor’s favorite son, he chose to give him the same name.
His mother-name was Atarinke meaning “little father”
as he was so alike in appearance and mind to Feanor.
Among all Feanor’s sons, Curufin is the only one who does not prefer to use his mother-name.
During his life in Valinor, Curufin married and had a son named Celebrimbor. Like his brothers,
Curufin swears the Oath of Feanor after the Silmarils are stolen by Morgoth. This oath
would lead to many sorrows among the elves. Curufin takes part in the Kingslaying of Teleri
elves at Alqualonde and the subsequent sailing to Middle-earth in pursuit of Morgoth. Following him
in his exile is Celebrimbor, however, his wife did not take part and stays behind in Valinor.
The House of Feanor come to the shores of Beleriand near the Firth of Drengist and in
the night, Feanor rouses his followers and orders the burning of the ships,
leaving the followers of Fingolfin, including Galadriel and her brothers,
stranded across the sea. Unlike his brother Maedhros
who refuses to take part in the burning, Curufin and his remaining brothers obey their father.
Curufin takes part in the Dagor-nuin-Giliath, the Battle under Stars where the host of his father
fights against the orcs and balrogs of Morgoth. While the Noldor would win the victory, Feanor
is mortally wounded, the first of his house to die in pursuit of his Silmarils.
After his father’s death, Curufin and his brother Celegorm settle in the Pass of Aglon, fortifying
the pass and in turn protecting the lands of Himlad and Doriath from potential assault.
During his time in Aglon, Curufin develops a friendship with the Dwarves of the Blue Mountains.
He becomes the only elf among the Noldor to earn their friendship
and even shows interest in their language of Khuzdul.
Curufin enters into various great stories of the First Age in small ways. In the tale
of Eol the dark elf, when Eol’s wife and son flee to Gondolin, Curufin intercepts Eol as he
attempts to pursue them. Curufin declares he will slay Eol, but remembering the laws of the Eldar,
he decides against it. Instead, he foresees a evil future for Eol,
warning him to turn back, lest he lead to his own death. Indeed Eol would die in Gondolin
after tracking down his wife and son, but that tale shall be told in a future video.
Curufin would next fight in the Dagor Bragollach in 455 FA, when Morgoth breaks the siege of
Angband with Glaurung and the balrogs. After this defeat and the subsequent destruction of
the great dragon, Curufin and Celegorm flee with their people to Nargothrond. Their cousin Finrod
of the house of Finarfin welcomes them to his realm. A move that would cost the king dearly.
Ten years later, in the fall of 465 FA, the mortal man Beren comes to Nargothrond seeking
Finrod’s help. For Luthien’s father Thingol had sent Beren on a quest
to steal a silmaril from Morgoth’s crown if he should wish to have the hand of Luthien.
Presented with the Ring of Barahir and reminded of his oath to aid this mortal family, Finrod agrees.
However, Curufin and Celegorm, driven by the oath they swore centuries earlier, persuade the people
of Nargothrond not to follow their king. Finrod is forced to leave with only a handful of elven
warriors, and the king would die protecting Beren in the dungeons of Sauron’s fortress.
In the days to come, Luthien would leave Doriath looking for Beren. Curufin and Celegorm come
across her while on a hunt with the hound Huan. Pretending to help her, they instead
take her captive to Nargothrond. For Celegorm was enamored with her and plotted to receive her hand
from Thingol. However, Huan instead helps Luthien to flee and coming to Tol-in-Gaurhoth,
they drive off Sauron and rescue Beren and set free the thralls of Morgoth’s chief servant.
When these captives return to Nargothrond, the people finally learn of Finrod’s death, and
perceive the treachery of Celegorm and Curufin. Finrod’s nephew Orodreth, now the rightful king
of Nargothrond, would not permit them to be slain, but instead banishes them from the realm.
Here we have a parting of the ways for Curufin and his son. For Celebrimbor did not follow his father
in his banishment, instead staying in Nargothrond and later Gondolin.
As Curufin and Celegorm flee Nargothrond, they come across Beren and Luthien in
the forest of Brethil. The brothers attack, with Curufin grabbing Luthien
and hoisting her onto the saddle of his horse and Celegorm charging Beren.
Then Beren sprang from before Celegorm full upon the speeding horse of Curufin that had passed him;
and the Leap of Beren is renowned among Men and Elves. He took Curufin by the throat from behind,
and hurled him backward, and they fell to the ground together. The horse reared and fell,
but Lúthien was flung aside, and lay upon the grass. Then Beren throttled Curufin;
but death was near him, for Celegorm rode upon him with a spear. In that hour Huan
forsook the service of Celegorm, and sprang upon him, so that his horse swerved aside,
and would not approach Beren because of the terror of the great hound.
Arising from the grass, Luthien forbids Beren from killing Curufin. Instead,
Beren takes from Curufin his gear and weapons, including his knife
Angrist. The very blade he would use to pry a Silmaril from Morgoth’s crown.
Then Beren lifting Curufin flung him from him, and bade him walk now back to his noble kinsfolk,
who might teach him to turn his valour to worthier use. ‘Your horse,’ he said,
‘I keep for the service of Lúthien, and it may be accounted happy to be free of such a master.’
Then Curufin cursed Beren under cloud and sky. ‘Go hence,’ he said, ‘unto a swift and bitter death.’
Curufin joins Celegorm on his horse and filled with shame and malice, he takes his brother’s bow
and shoots at Luthien as they ride off. The first arrow is caught by Huan, but the second
hits Beren as he shields his love. Beren would be healed of his wound by Luthien,
and Curufin would next join his brothers in the Union of Maedhros
in 468 FA - a great alliance of men, elves, and dwarves meant to make a final war upon Morgoth.
However, due to the evil deeds of Curufin and Celegorm, neither Thingol of Doriath
nor Orodreth of Nargothrond would join the alliance. In addition to claiming many lives
and victory in this battle of unnumbered tears (472 FA), Morgoth gains control of the entire
north of Beleriand, and the Sons of Feanor flee to the southeastern lands of Ossiriand.
Over thirty years later, the Oath of Feanor would awaken once more. In the preceding years,
Luthien had worn the silmaril which she and Beren had stolen from Morgoth.
And it is said that she appears more fair than any other among elves, men, or even
maiar of the blessed realm. None would dare to pursue this silmaril while in Luthien’s care.
However, Luthien would die a mortal death in 503 FA, and the Nauglamir necklace which held
the silmaril is sent to her son Dior, who now rules his grandfather’s realm.
Hearing rumors of a silmaril burning again in the forests of Doriath,
the oath is awakened from its slumber, and the Sons of Feanor demand Dior turn over the jewel.
Dior refuses, and the seven sons gather their followers and launch a surprise attack upon
Doriath in the middle of winter. There, within the realm of the Thousand Caves,
there was the second kinslaying of elf against elf. Curufin is killed in the attack
as well as his brothers Celegorm and Caranthir. Dior and his wife Nimloth are also killed
and their sons are taken by the cruel servants of Celegorm into the forest and left to starve.
Curufin’s brother Maedhros repented of this wicked act
and searched for the children, but Dior’s sons were never found and their fate is unknown.
The legacy of Curufin is one of wicked deeds bringing destruction and death
to those around him, and ultimately himself. Like his father, his temperament and his oath
would bring ruin. However, there would yet come greatness from Curufin in the form of his son.
Celebrimbor would live to become the greatest craftsman since Feanor himself, though,
like his father and grandfather, his pride and ambition would also bring about great evil…
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