Speak softly

Orodreth was born the second-eldest son of Finarfin and Earwen, brother of Finrod, Angrod, Aegnor, and Galadriel. He grew up in Valinor and returned to Middle-earth during the Rebellion of the Noldor, despite an early suit for caution. Nevertheless, once underway, going forward seemed better than going back, so Orodreth crossed the Grinding Ice with the rest of Fingolfin’s host. He lived awhile in Hithlum and Dorthonion, before assuming command of Tol Sirion, which he held for over four hundred years before the Battle of Sudden Flame and the breaking of the Siege of Angband.

After the Dagor Bragollach and the direct assault by Sauron, Orodreth fled Tol Sirion and led his people to Nargothrond. Very little about his elder brother's realm suited him. When the time came, he didn’t quite begrudge Finrod’s decision to follow Beren, but he didn’t agree with it. He took the crown and applied himself to the task of ruling, but with the Siege of Angband broken, dark days barrelled down on Nargothrond and all Beleriand more swiftly than before.

Orodreth tends to be quiet, and doesn’t much stand out compared to his illustrious brothers, sister, and cousins, having the temperance of Finarfin and lacking the charisma of Finrod in turn. He knows caution, discretion, and tactical retreat; how to make decisions that are unheroic, unpopular, or plain necessary if needed, even when these take a toll. Yet despite being milder mannered and softer spoken, he still has a share of Finwëan pride and a bit of a stubborn streak. Given the choice though, he’d play second fiddle and let someone else have the feature.