Finduilas was the daughter of Orodreth, the younger brother of Finrod Felagund, and the Elven king of Nargothrond. She was also called Faelivrin by Gwindor, who loved her. However, Gwindor was captured in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, and when he finally returned to Nargothrond in the company of Túrin, Finduilas found herself falling in love with Túrin.

Gwindor attempted to warn her against this love, but she could not change how she felt. When Orcs stormed Nargothrond, Túrin was unable to save her, and Finduilas was taken with the other Elf prisoners to the Crossings of Teiglin, were they were all slain by the Orcs. She was buried in a barrow nearby, the Haudh-en-Elleth ("Mound of the Elf-maid").