:Fascinating: He wonders how much his mage-senses would be able to analyze its structure, see the components now that he knows what it does - whether he can even perceive all of it. :I do not think such a thing is possible in my world, except perhaps to gods. In any case, might I hold onto it for a time? I can replenish my magic from it, but only a little at a time: He shrugs. :And not enough to bring your people across the ocean. But, one thing at a time: 

Sure. Though if you can make do with light-stones, those are more numerous.

:Oh - if this works, then I most likely can, yes, unless they are much less powerful. I am not sure how you quantify the power of an artifact, here?: 

Some of them do things that are harder to do, but I'm not sure that's the same thing. Falling off a cliff is not hard to do but in a sense it's very powerful.

:No: Leareth agrees. :In my world's magic, one might distinguish power from - complexity. To lift a stone roof into place, you need power – only a very strong mage could do it at all, and only if tapping on energy outside themselves: He's going to steer away from combat-based examples for now. 

:However, an illusion like this: he demonstrates a simple one, a tiny image of Tirion from a distance as he approached it, :is hardly any power at all, yet requires years of skill and training. Perhaps your magic does not have anything analogous to this distinction: 

I think almost everything we do with artifacts is about complexity and not power. Unless we're harnessing some force beyond that which powers artifacts. The Silmarils captured the light of the Trees because they needed more light than any set of instructions would let them generate.

:And is the light of the Trees diminished as a result, or do they shine just as brightly still?: That seems like an important distinguishing factor for how exactly this magic works. :And how did the Trees become able to shine so brightly at all?: 

The Valar made them; in their own domains the Valar can alter the world in lots of ways that we can't replicate in artifacts or in songs. Mandos can raise the dead, for instance, and I've tried to figure out how to do it myself and I haven't discovered a way. Yet. The Trees are not dimmer for the Silmarils; I captured only the light they give off anyway.

Nod. :Then I think it very likely I could power a Gate - even across an ocean - from the Trees also, and without damaging them. Though aiming it to its destination would not be trivial, and will require some discussion and experiments. And, of course, once we are on the other side I will not be able to draw on them: 

I have been planning on the assumption we won't return. The Valar might not allow it, but even if they do, Fëanáro probably won't at first; if people can go back and forth at any moment they'll lose their focus. Valinor is gentler, easier. It won't win out in the long run but it starts with a big advantage.

:I would still prefer that I might use my full power in defence, or simply for transport and logistics within the Outer Lands. Or in an offensive against Melkor: Leareth draws on the energy from the ring again, replacing what he used for the illusion, and waits for it to refill. :It had been speculated earlier that perhaps the Maiar are a source of energy in a similar way – do you think that any of them will choose to accompany your people?: 

Huan will. I wouldn't think he'd mind being a magic energy source as long as you can do it by petting him or something. The context attached to that thought is a mental image of a giant fluffy wolfhound. Presumably if you can interact with Maiar and Valar in that fashion you could also detect one?

:I have not yet had a chance to test it but I suspect so. Could Huan come here such that I can try it?: Leareth thinks he remembers the name from a side conversation but, again, he's not going to reveal to Fëanáro yet that he's been listening to those. Nelyafinwë can decide to tell his father if and when he trusts him to use that information responsibly. 

Yes, I've asked him to. Would it be worth a side trip to see if you can see Aulë, who is a Vala, as well? I think I need to give people three days to pack, so we can get some errands done in the meantime.

:...I think so, yes. After I have slept. It is possible I need more sleep than Quendi do, and I wish to be well rested before attempting such a long-range Gate: He frowns. :And...I would think twice before speaking to Them of anything we have discussed: 

This makes him feel a great swell of affection and trust for Leareth.

We absolutely shouldn't. They're all idiots and will mishandle it. But Aulë tries, sometimes, so he's better than most of them, and I think it's safe enough to chance a visit.

...Huh. That was bizarrely easy. Maybe it shouldn't be surprised. Fëanáro is, as his son pointed out, not a subtle person. 

(Privately, Leareth thinks that both Nelyafinwë and his father are making a mistake in expectation, given what they know, by trusting his motives as much as they seem to be. Leareth certainly hasn't done enough to prove his trustworthiness, and – well, he hasn't actually decided for sure against taking over himself, if it seems like no one else is going to handle the situation competently. It's not his preferred path, he would rather not commit himself to staying here long-term, but it's an option.) 

:If you think so, then I will trust your recommendation: he sends, briefly bowing his head. He's going to gamble that even a Vala won't be able to get through foreign-magic shields to read his thoughts, at least not so soon; hellfires, they missed Melkor, it really doesn't seem like directly reading intent is among the Valar's skills. :If it is all right with you, I would like to speak with Huan first, and test whether he can assist with providing energy for moderate-sized spells, and then I would like to rest for a time:

Though not sleep right away, probably, there are certain tests he wants to run without anyone else's observation, now that he has reserves to spare. 

He should be here in a little. You can teach me more Valdemaren in the meantime.

Leareth will happily answer Fëanáro's questions and tell him whether his sample sentences are grammatical, while sparing some attention to at least slightly track any side conversations happening in osanwë. 

He can gate us across to the Outer Lands. Needs artifacts, but doesn't use them. I think we should send a scouting party today, and everyone else in three days. Maybe four.

Are we going to explain why the hurry -

Once we get there, I think. He's going to check if he can detect the presence of the Valar; once we know whether Melkor accompanies us across the sea or not we'll have a better picture of what we're dealing with. 

I think a lot more people won't come if we don't explain the reason for the hurry.

We don't need cowards.

We don't really know what we'll need. If the scouting party can leave immediately and return later today we could perhaps decide, from that, what we'll need.