#Which as flattering as it was just made Fingon feel awkward

[aureentuluva70]

Talking about Fingon as a symbol of hope for the Noldor in the silmarillion has got me thinking about the title given to him, the Valiant.

The Valiant in Quenya is Astaldo, which as @softlysilverfountainsfall pointed out is one of the titles of Tulkas himself. The one whose very laughter sent Melkor running, later defeated Melkor, and who is prophesied to help beat Melkor in the Dagor Dagaroth. They're comparing Fingon to a Vala. And it was Maedhros who presumably first called him that.

First off, no wonder Morgoth put such an insanely high price on Fingon's head, besides him rescuing Morgoth's most prized prisoner of course(and no doubt Fingon's death was one he especially gloried in and enjoyed rubbing in everybody's faces, the Noldor specifically). Second, there is no way that everybody comparing him to a literal god didn't put some serious pressure on Fingon.

How that title must have helped build up that image of Fingon as a symbol of hope, loyalty and friendship whether Fingon himself liked it or not. How the pressure of that name weighed on his mind, especially after he becomes High King following the tragic death of his father. How the Union of Maedhros was likely filled to the brim with people who thought this, who were so sure they were going to win because we've got Fingon the Valiant.

Maedhros and soon enough the rest of the Noldor make him their idol, put him on a pedestal so high it's disorienting, put so much faith in this symbol, in this man-made Tulkas they've created that when Fingon falls-it's like the Vala himself has fallen.