Fíriel

Fíriel was the last Queen of Arthedain and wife of Arvedui, the last King of Arthedain.

Biography[]

Fíriel was the only daughter of King Ondoher of Gondor. She had two elder brothers, Artamir and Faramir. Fíriel was wedded to Prince Arvedui of Arthedain in TA 1940 during a time when Arvedui's father Araphant made an alliance with Ondoher. They had one son named Aranarth. The alliance came to nothing and was a failure because both of the Dúnedain Kingdoms were under attack: Arnor by Angmar under the Witch-king, and Gondor by the Wainriders from the east.

During the invasion, Ondoher was killed, along with both Artamir and Faramir, and this meant that according to the Law of Númenor, Fíriel was now the Ruling Queen of Gondor. Arvedui used this to his advantage, as well as the fact that he was a direct descendant of the High King Isildur. He used this argument to claim the crown of Gondor in an attempt to unite the two kingdoms, but this was refused by the Steward Pelendur and the Council of Gondor.

Fíriel remained with her husband in Arthedain, and when the kingdom fell to Angmar in TA 1974 after the Battle of Fornost, she probably fled with her son Aranarth to Lindon. Her son continued the Line of Isildur as first Chieftain of the Dúnedain in secret in the wilds of Eriador. Her fate afterwards was not recorded.^[2][3]

Etymology[]

Fíriel is a Quenya name meaning 'mortal woman'.^[4]

House of Anárion[]

Translations[]

References[]