J.R.R. Tolkien>
The Lord of the Rings /
The Silmarillion
His words were proud, and all eyes looked upon the ring; for he held it now aloft, and the green jewels gleamed there that the Noldor had devised in Valinor. For this ring was like to twin serpents, and their heads met beneath a crown of golden flowers, that the one upheld and the other devoured; that was the badge of Finarfin and his house.
-J.R.R. Tolkien
The Silmarillion
The Ring of
Barahir was a gift to
Barahir and his descendents by
Finrod after Barahir saved his life in the
Dagor Bagollach. The ring was
not was of the
Rings of Power. It was made in
Valinor by the Noldor and was given with a
pledge to aid Barahir and his
kin whenever it was needed. When Barahir was slain in
Dorthonion, the hand that bore the ring was cut of as proof of his
death. Later, his son
Beren recovered both hand and ring.
But when the wolf came for Beren, Felagund put forth all his power, and burst his bonds; and he wrestled with the werewolf, and slew it with his hands and teeth; yet he himself was wounded to the death....Thus King Finrod Felagund, fairest and most beloved of the house of Finwë, redeemed his oath; but Beren mourned beside him in despair.
-J.R.R. Tolkien
The Silmarillion
During the quest of the
Silmarils, Beren brought the ring to
Finrod, who fulfilled his pledge and died saving
Beren in the dungeons of
Minas Tirith (
Not the Minas Tirith of Gondor). It is not certain exactly how the ring survived the reminder of the
First Age, but it apparently entered into the possession of the Faithful of
Númenor during the
Second Age. During the
Third Age it was one of the
heirlooms of the House of
Isildur. After the fall of
Arthedain it was kept at
Rivendell, along with other
relics of the
North-kingdom.
The ring was made of a band shaped like two serpents, one eating the other and supporting a crown of gold flowers.