Finarfin was the most restrained of the sons of Finwë, seeking to calm the Noldor after Fëanor and his sons swore their terrible oath and were planning to leave Eldamar. He attempted to persuade the Noldor to think before they did anything that would be regretted later. However, Orodreth alone of his children agreed with this council: Finrod wished to remain with Turgon, Galadriel desired to rule a realm of her own in the Great Lands, and Angrod and Aegnor wished to journey with Fingon. As it was, Finarfin's council was ignored and the Noldor left the Blessed Realm. Finarfin journeyed with them until Mandos proclaimed the Doom of the Noldor, when Finarfin forsook the march and returned to Valinor. There he received the pardon of the Valar and he became the ruler of the Noldor that remained in Tirion upon Túna. Finarfin led the Noldor that never left Valinor in the army of the Valar when they marched against Morgoth in the War of Wrath.
Before Fingolfin was killed by Morgoth after the Dagor Bragollach, Fingon and his father ruled the Noldor from the lands of Hithlum, Fingon living in Dor-lómin. After his father's death Fingon became the High King of the Noldor and sent his son, Ereinion (Gil-galad) to the Havens in the south.
Fingon's kingship of the Noldor came to a bloody end in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad. Maedhros planned to destroy Morgoth's armies once and for all by forming the Union of Maedhros, whereby Fingon had command of the Western elves, as well as the men of Dor-lómin. However, Morgoth was aware of their plans, and by the treachery of the sons of Ulfang managed to stop the West and East armies from giving each other support. Thus it was that Fingon's army was three times outnumbered and Fingon faced Gothmog, Lord of Balrogs alone. During the fight, another Balrog came behind Fingon and trapped him with a thong of fire, enabling Gothmog to strike Fingon with his black axe.
After Fingon's death, Turgon became the High King of the Noldor.
