I think that 'canon' here is more than a bit vague. So, yes, there's the published Silm version with Maglor raising them, and the older version of the story in which it was Maedhros who raised them (or really just Elrond at that point?). Since that older version also implied different roles for Maedhros and Maglor when it came to sneaking into Eonwe's camp and final fates, it's not really a toss up as to which version you go with. Picking the older version changes a lot! And then there is the explanation of the names Elros and Elrond where Maglor finds the twins playing by a waterfall. So, I have a hard time saying that 'Maedhros raised them' is canon, but Tolkien did write that, and certainly Maedhros could have been around and helping while Maglor raised them.
But this time period in general (leading up to the 'war to end all wars' of the First Age) is so vague in Tolkien's writings. So, I think that authors have a *lot* of leeway in interpretting the story, while still calling it 'canon.'
For instance - I do not think Tolkien ever mentions or implies that the twins were held as hostages. But...the surviving elves on the Isle of Balar and the Feanoreans are hardly going to be on friendly terms, so the fact that Maglor just so happens to have the sons of the (permanently missing) lord of the Havens with him certainly opens up political possibilities. Tolkien makes an offhanded remark that can be read as all the surviving elves retreating to the Isle of Balar, which would mean Green Elves and whatever was left of the Feanoreans. But...I don't see either of those groups being welcomed there, so I read that as too much strict interpretation of what was meant as hyperbole. That's not the only possible reading, though. If Maglor and Maedhros showed up on Balar - they'd need insurance, I think.
I think that most people's view of Maglor taking in Elrond and Elros is colored in good part by Kasiopeia's evocative artwork - And Maglor Took Pity Upon Them certainly implies that Maglor had to restrain Maedhros from slaying the boys, though it doesn't actually depict that.
Canonically, Maedhros was torn up over the loss of the sons of Dior in Doriath (though there are about 3 different versions of *that* story as well!), so I think it very unlikely that he would have personally executed (or attempted to kill) 2 young boys who were the first victims' nephews. But conflict makes for good drama, so in a story, it works better to have them argue over this before he agrees, rather than writing: "I want to keep them!" ~ Maglor "Okay." ~ Maedhros :)
Maglor follows Maedhros in all things from his return from Thangorodrim until the end. He argues before Eonwe's camp (but still concedes), and only fails to follow his older brother when Maedhros kills himself. So, I have great difficulty seeing him defy Maedhros here, but I could see it as the seeds of him defying Maedhros later. Maedhros had to concede, even if there was 'discussion' of some sort over it. I do not see any evidence within the story that Maglor raised the boys in defiance of Maedhros - though of course fanfic authors may write what they want!
I have my own version how all of this went down, and plenty of it has nothing to do with canon. So, quite possibly that is coloring my view of what is stated, implied or hinted at in Tolkien's words. In the interest of transparency, this was written by me: A Bitter Truth
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rosecarmine
ooh, I love this time period!
Date: 2008-11-12 08:59 pm (UTC)I think that 'canon' here is more than a bit vague. So, yes, there's the published Silm version with Maglor raising them, and the older version of the story in which it was Maedhros who raised them (or really just Elrond at that point?). Since that older version also implied different roles for Maedhros and Maglor when it came to sneaking into Eonwe's camp and final fates, it's not really a toss up as to which version you go with. Picking the older version changes a lot! And then there is the explanation of the names Elros and Elrond where Maglor finds the twins playing by a waterfall. So, I have a hard time saying that 'Maedhros raised them' is canon, but Tolkien did write that, and certainly Maedhros could have been around and helping while Maglor raised them.
But this time period in general (leading up to the 'war to end all wars' of the First Age) is so vague in Tolkien's writings. So, I think that authors have a *lot* of leeway in interpretting the story, while still calling it 'canon.'
For instance - I do not think Tolkien ever mentions or implies that the twins were held as hostages. But...the surviving elves on the Isle of Balar and the Feanoreans are hardly going to be on friendly terms, so the fact that Maglor just so happens to have the sons of the (permanently missing) lord of the Havens with him certainly opens up political possibilities. Tolkien makes an offhanded remark that can be read as all the surviving elves retreating to the Isle of Balar, which would mean Green Elves and whatever was left of the Feanoreans. But...I don't see either of those groups being welcomed there, so I read that as too much strict interpretation of what was meant as hyperbole. That's not the only possible reading, though. If Maglor and Maedhros showed up on Balar - they'd need insurance, I think.
I think that most people's view of Maglor taking in Elrond and Elros is colored in good part by Kasiopeia's evocative artwork - And Maglor Took Pity Upon Them certainly implies that Maglor had to restrain Maedhros from slaying the boys, though it doesn't actually depict that.
Canonically, Maedhros was torn up over the loss of the sons of Dior in Doriath (though there are about 3 different versions of *that* story as well!), so I think it very unlikely that he would have personally executed (or attempted to kill) 2 young boys who were the first victims' nephews. But conflict makes for good drama, so in a story, it works better to have them argue over this before he agrees, rather than writing:
"I want to keep them!" ~ Maglor
"Okay." ~ Maedhros :)
Maglor follows Maedhros in all things from his return from Thangorodrim until the end. He argues before Eonwe's camp (but still concedes), and only fails to follow his older brother when Maedhros kills himself. So, I have great difficulty seeing him defy Maedhros here, but I could see it as the seeds of him defying Maedhros later. Maedhros had to concede, even if there was 'discussion' of some sort over it. I do not see any evidence within the story that Maglor raised the boys in defiance of Maedhros - though of course fanfic authors may write what they want!
I have my own version how all of this went down, and plenty of it has nothing to do with canon. So, quite possibly that is coloring my view of what is stated, implied or hinted at in Tolkien's words. In the interest of transparency, this was written by me:
A Bitter Truth