If they can defeat Melkor it's worth it. But - the oath isn't just generic unlikeableness -

And they are overly committed to enforcing their own property rights, which would be a big hangup in most situations I've encountered in my everyday life but really this is not one where it's worth worrying overmuch about. I'm not planning to teach them exclusively, just prioritizing them because of their greater need.

Worst case, the oath is solvable with seven murders and that makes it one of the most tractable problems on our plate.

...okay.

It's not a very elvish approach, I know. And it's not my first plan for dealing with the situation, but.

The war will probably be over in five years and we can give them their fucking rocks and the problem is solved.

You really believe that?

I think... well, your plan will probably work. And can be executed in that time. I suspect it will need support, and have no idea how wars generally go, but armies can probably be mobilized, etc. within five years? I'm less certain that giving the Fëanorians their rocks will be a complete solution to that problem but maybe people will be sensible for once and not try to steal them.

Speaking of, if Beren wants to learn magic, it will probably have to be a ritual with multiple casters and I think even your father would have to accept "Destroyed Melkor" as sufficient qualification to marry you...

Ooooooh. I bet he'll want to learn magic, I'll ask.

Beren unsurprisingly favors destroying Melkor.

Well, don't, ah, spread that part around. The fewer people know it's on the table, the less chance the Enemy can hear and figure out a way to defend against it.

Also, you don't get to start with Melkor-destroying magic. Humans are basically blind at night (Well, all the time in comparison to elves and shapeshifters) here are some spells that make light. They're as adequate as anything for expanding your mana capacity and doesn't seem likely to involve serious injury if there's an accident. Once he's got that down, what does Beren want to focus on?

Combat.

That's... pretty broad. Lots of things have combat applications. He could learn to turn into a tiger or enchant his weapons or throw fireballs or teleport or create wards...? Or teleportation, that's useful.

...Actually, the fireballs are the closest to the other thing, so maybe we'll start there.

Fireballs sound great.

Eventually, Malak should probably leave and check in with the Noldor again.

Um. Beren is progressing well but probably won't keep doing so as fast on his own, and leaving a lot of written notes here seems really risky. It's not like they have to, but if he and Lúthien want to come along he could practice with the Noldor who are studying it. They don't have to, but it would be horribly irresponsible of Malak to pick anyone besides the most competent for the ritual, and they would like Beren to be among the most competent because that might solve the vaguely-personal vaguely-political mess that is Thingol's opinions on a suitable dowry.

"And you're sure they won't just murder us because it's convenient?"

"I'm sure. If you think I'm too trusting of them - well, it's not in their self-interest to murder you. Certainly not before the war is done. I kind of have leverage and have demonstrated a willingness to look after your interests."

"Okay."

And all these other traumatized elves - are they going to be... well, not OK, but as OK as they can be on their own?

They actually seem pretty okay. Lots and lots and lots of singing.

Well, if there's nothing Malak is equipped to provide them then they'll just get going then. Off to Nargothrond, this time with company.

Nargothrond will tolerate the company if they promise not to suddenly attack everybody again.

Well, just so long as they'll promise to let everyone lea - 

...OK, actually, they're going to drop this subject, they've been over it before and there's no point sniping at each other. Thauron fled back to Angband, no new evidence on how seriously he was injured and how much he was faking it. Malak has a better sense of what winning the war might look like and has some suggestions for research priorities.

Those they'd be delighted to follow up on.

So, because I am in fact kind of wary of your oath and don't entirely trust anyone on this plane yet and your actions are cursed to end horribly, I'm going to be handling most of the development for the god-killing spell myself. What I have thoughts for you on are auxiliary priorities. Divination is the big one - just in case Angband or Melkor's presence interfere with magic somehow, divination is the only really reliable way to test that at a distance. Also, solid divinations will be a huge help for targeting. Better teleportation will help logistics immensely, and is tactically useful. General research into targeting spells through divinations, because I don't think we want to have to get within line-of-sight to Melkor to destroy him. There are some spells in the Enhancement sphere, which can be worked into magic items or made permanent, which will boost some aspects of intelligence. Doesn't really speed up spell development much, but it can help with casting more powerful or complicated spells. I still cannot for the life of me get healing down myself, and yours is more sustainable, but I still think having both will help immensely.

...

Time and Fate are still super dangerous and hard to do any experimental research in but Fate might be worth it. I don't know if it's possible or how it would work but it seems like Fate might be able to do something about oaths or the Doom - it can break curses in general, but those are curses that run off a similar magic system and aren't laid by deities. Having all your efforts not fated to end in disaster seems like it might be a very worthwhile step to take. Or the Doom might cause your attempts to subvert it to end in tragedy. I could look into it myself but that would take a lot of time away from my other project.

We'll look into it. As long as it's unrelated to the war effort the scope of potential disaster is limited.

I'm not convinced of that, but I don't know enough of the relevant theory to have more than a vague sense of what a disaster might look like. Also, if you ever happen to have any brilliant ideas on how to capture an enemy Maia it will probably be worthwhile to have a test case for an ainu-killing spell.

"In the meantime, do you want to catch me up on your progress so far?"