The art of the trade, how the sausage gets made

We are aware the Enemy delivered it.

Did he say anything about why he wants you to have it?

He swore to the following: that you taught him your dangerous magic, that he has the means to destroy us, and that as long as we keep it, he will not war with us.

So, he didn't? He may not have known that we already told you how he got magic, but he did not learn from us.

The reason he wants you to have it is, Fëanáro and his sons have sworn to retrieve those gems by any means no matter who withholds them. They are idiots. But their host follows them, and Moringotto wants their oath to force them to war against you.

A war against them seems perhaps preferable to one against Morgoth.

You might not be facing a war against the Enemy. We have him on the defensive, and he didn't say he would attack you if you don't have the Silmaril. He was bodiless when he came, and that wasn't by his choice.

He did say he had the means to destroy Doriath.

Nod. We've been assuming he has—or had, before magic—the power to defeat everyone. We have only guesses at why he never did, but it has been applying to Doriath this long.

I would understand not relying on that. If you don't want to, you do have defensive options he doesn't know about.

Yes. We are considering them. The Feanorians do not assail Angband, despite the fact their Silmarils are there.

True. Their oath doesn't make them suicidally do the fastest option, and they don't know what powers and weapons the Enemy might have after we break open his fortress. I don't think you can make Doriath as unassailable as Angband.

No?

I doubt it. The Enemy has a lot of head start. Even if it works, they would be sworn to be your enemies and they're very capable.

What if you do keep the Silmaril here, but let them come reclaim it on condition that they not take it out of Doriath? They'd hate that, but if it's between that and war...

If they were willing to swear to that and send in one unarmed non-practitioner -

–then you'd still be keeping it from most of them. I'm guessing here, but their Oath probably needs at least free access to the Silmaril for Fëanáro and his sons. Would that be enough if they swear peacefulness?

Free access including the ability to take it?

I don't know. I'm assuming not, for now, because if so then the agreement wouldn't work at all.

We will take some time to consider the possibility.

I don't know how long you have, but they will give you a chance to name a price. They won't attack out of hand without warning.

Do keep in mind– you called the Silmarils theirs. You were right. If you hold it without their consent, the spirits will think you act wrongly. If a chance comes up they'll side with the Fëanorians against you.

They could give up the Silmaril freely, for the sake of preserving the civilian population of Beleriand.

They did swear to be undeterrable in getting it back. Back when they thought swearing would be a remotely good idea.

They could maybe let you hold it on their behalf for the sake of Beleriand, but then we're back to how much access it takes to satisfy their oath that it's still under their control.

We will learn more about them and decide whether they can be trusted with access to our kingdom.

Of course. Even if you wouldn't allow it normally it's the only option that doesn't involve at least one war, but I understand not deciding hastily.

We would certainly not permit it normally; they have demonstrated appallingly poor judgment.