Maedhros and Fingon:
These are mostly my thoughts on their relationship, plus a little info and a few quotes. Therefore, this may not be an accurate interpretation of Tolkien's original words.Okay. First of all, what Tolkien said in The Silmarillion has hinted that these two elves share (at least) a very strong friendship. Here are some quotes from the book:
"But when they were landed, Maedhros the eldest of his sons, and on a time the friend of Fingon ere Morgoth's lies came between, spoke to Feanor, saying: 'Now what ships and rowers will you spare to return, and whom shall they bear hither first? Fingon the valiant?'" ... (the burning of the ships) ... "Then Maedhros alone stood aside..."
"On a time" gives the impression that Maedhros and Fingon embarked on the journey to Middle-Earth as unfriends. "Ere...between" only serves to emphasize that point. However, after the host of Feanor landed, the first person whom Maedhros thought of to return and "bear hither" first was Fingon. Not Fingolfin, the leader of his host, but his son. I wonder if Maedhros would have followed his father had he known of Feanor's real intentions. Also, he was the only one who stood aside and didn't participate in the burning of the ships. Even Maglor joined in, and he seems the nicest of Feanor's sons. I don't know if it is because of Fingon (and the rest of the Elves who were left behind) that stopped Maedhros from joining in, though. Anyway, my impression was that Maedhros was still concerned about Fingon although their friendship was apparently strained at that time.
"Then Fingon the valiant, son of Fingolfin, resolved to heal the feud that divided the Noldor, before their Enemy should be ready for war..."
"Long before, in the bliss of Valinor, before Melkor was unchained, or lies came between them, Fingon had been close in friendship with Maedhros; and though he knew not yet that Maedhros had not forgotten him at the burning of the ships, the thought of their ancient friendship stung his heart."
Here, Tolkien explicitly stated that Fingon and Maedhros had been close friends for a long time. The "lies that came between them" are probably the lies of Morgoth, when everyone was still in Valinor, which he spread first among the sons of Finwe. The reason for Maedhros's and Fingon's apparent un-friendship was probably due to the influence of their fathers, and not really caused by themselves. Both are the eldest among the "children", and thus must set an example for their younger siblings to follow. Therefore, I think the behaviour of Feanor played a large part in this. Also here we are reminded that Maedhros didn't forget Fingon.
"Maedhros it was that sang amid his torment. But Fingon climbed to the foot of the precipice where his kinsman hung, and then could go no further; and he wept when he saw the cruel device of Morgoth."
He actually wept when he saw Maedhros in that state. Well I suppose seeing your friend in such a situation would make many people weep, but still.
"Moreover in the west Fingon, ever the friend of Maedhros, took counsel in..."
"Ever the friend of Maedhros". Again, affirmation of their friendship.
Various other thoughts...
I think that the relationship between these two is quite intriguing. How many people would ignore the advice of others, and go alone somewhere seeking your friend by following the trail of darkness into a place of doom? When the chances of coming out alive, let alone alive and with your friend are practically like negative? However, Tolkien also said that Fingon went in search of Maedhros because he wanted to heal the feud between the Noldor elves. So maybe it wasn't solely because of their friendship that he went in search of him, but he was still shaken to see his friend (or ex-friend) in such a state. There's quite a bit to explore in this 'ship, and alot to imagine about too.. There are also many other tales of various relationships shared between various people (and races) which might arguably be more significant or touching to most people, but somehow this was one of those that really left an impression on me. I don't really know why.As for slash, well... The slashy element was largely created by fanfiction writers, and I don't think Tolkien intended for these two to be involved in a romantic relationship - given his religion and the time period when he wrote this - but we never know. If I harbour any slashy thoughts or opinions of them (and I do), it's because of the fanfiction I read which influenced me. Hmm.. to think I used to dislike slash.
Anyway, If you would like to share your thoughts on the relationship between Maedhros and Fingon (all aspects...), feel free to email me (info under contact). I'd love to hear the thoughts of a fellow fan.