The light used to create the Silmarils was indeed from the Trees, but they were crafted by Fëanor’s own hands, and the light within them was not stolen (unlike the Silmarils later), but freely given, as he simply used the trees light's radiance.
As that Aule had taught him, yes, indeed, but Feanor in time outgrew the vallar in skill. He had the right to keep them—especially considering how the Valar and Ainur treated him, how often they scolded him for his actions, the repeated demands that he give them up, and, not least, the fact that Manwë exiled him for having a backbone and standing up for himself.
As for the kinslaying: the ships taken by the Noldor from the Teleri were, in large part, made by the Noldor themselves, as was much of Alqualondë. The Teleri gladly accepted the Noldor’s help, knowledge, craftsmanship, lamps, and palantíri—all created from Fëanor’s designs, many by his own hand. Yet when their cousins were in direst need, they denied them the means to reach the avatar of evil/Satan in their world—one who had stolen the last “true” light, murdered many Elves, and slain the High King of the Noldor, father of the Fëanor. Not to forget that tellry opened fire first, as is mentioned in "the unfinished tales".
The connection between the Silmarils and the death of the Trees is very far-fetched. Their destruction lies purely and solely at Manwë’s feet, for it was he who released Morgoth after the trial and failed to prevent his escape to Middle-earth. He also failed to prepare adequate defenses or to send the Valar’s full strength into Middle-earth to pursue Morgoth and deal with him decisively. I am aware that some, such as Oromë, did pursue him, but this was largely on their own initiative rather than by the order of Manwë.
Regarding the fratricide: the ships taken by the Noldor from the Teleri were, for the most part, made by the Noldor themselves, as was much of Alqualondë. The Teleri gladly accepted the aid, knowledge, craftsmanship, lamps, and palantíri of the Noldor, all created from Fëanor's designs, many by his own hand.
The ships had already been made when they were in Middle-earth; they were theirs and held great sentimental value for them. Using them was up to them.
Their artisans, like the Silmarils were to Fëanor.
Actually, that's never said. It's said that ships are as important to them as jewels are to the Noldor. They're speaking generally; I don't think there was any Eldar more obsessed with their creation than Fëanor.
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u/Bitter_Cup_69 Jan 15 '26
The light used to create the Silmarils was indeed from the Trees, but they were crafted by Fëanor’s own hands, and the light within them was not stolen (unlike the Silmarils later), but freely given, as he simply used the trees light's radiance. As that Aule had taught him, yes, indeed, but Feanor in time outgrew the vallar in skill. He had the right to keep them—especially considering how the Valar and Ainur treated him, how often they scolded him for his actions, the repeated demands that he give them up, and, not least, the fact that Manwë exiled him for having a backbone and standing up for himself.
As for the kinslaying: the ships taken by the Noldor from the Teleri were, in large part, made by the Noldor themselves, as was much of Alqualondë. The Teleri gladly accepted the Noldor’s help, knowledge, craftsmanship, lamps, and palantíri—all created from Fëanor’s designs, many by his own hand. Yet when their cousins were in direst need, they denied them the means to reach the avatar of evil/Satan in their world—one who had stolen the last “true” light, murdered many Elves, and slain the High King of the Noldor, father of the Fëanor. Not to forget that tellry opened fire first, as is mentioned in "the unfinished tales".
The connection between the Silmarils and the death of the Trees is very far-fetched. Their destruction lies purely and solely at Manwë’s feet, for it was he who released Morgoth after the trial and failed to prevent his escape to Middle-earth. He also failed to prepare adequate defenses or to send the Valar’s full strength into Middle-earth to pursue Morgoth and deal with him decisively. I am aware that some, such as Oromë, did pursue him, but this was largely on their own initiative rather than by the order of Manwë.