The Jewels of the Noldor
But one of an alternative history, so be warned, things in this tale will be a bit different. Here is the premise. The Valar do help the Noldor after the destruction of the Trees and go to war against Morgoth. But, surprise surprise, things are no better in this version. And maybe the events here go a little way towards explaining why the Valar did not go on such an exercise. I have tried to make the tale as tragic as Tolkien's original one was which is a bit difficult. Anyway, please R and R, Ham!
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Manwe looked down from the peaks of mighty Taniquetil and sighed. How had things gone so wrong with the Valar's children in the paradise of Valinor? Or at least paradise it was supposed to be. Yet now there was turmoil amongst them and a large part of the headstrong, but independent Noldor were in flight. Their high-king had even been slain and his spirit was not returning for quite a while even for immortals yet. The trees, the pride of Yavanna, her greatest works had been destroyed and their light was only now trapped in the jewels of Feanor, the Silmarils.
Manwe frowned in anger. It was his brother, Melkor, now christened Morgoth who was responsible, solely. He had slain Finwe, devised cunning policies to divide the Noldor, setting brother against brother, or at least half-brother against half-brother and child of Illuvatar against child of Illuvatar. But he was happy about one thing. The time for fear and indecision was past. He had consulted with Eru. His advice was clear. The Valar were to gather a host and take the war to Morgoth to take him for his past sins and recover the precious jewels. He was to gather a council of the Valar to tell them of the decision.
Tulkas was delighted at the chance to get to grips with Morgoth as it Ulwe, but Yavanna grieved at the hurts that would inevitably happen in such a conflict, even in victory. Also, she was not sure that victory will be as easy as her brethren seem to think and she asked what about Feanor's oath and the fate of the Silmarils.
Manwe didn't regard this as a problem as he wassure that the Silmarils will be used for the good of the world and the oath incorporated. But just as the council disperses, word reaches them of the slaughter at the havens. Feanor hears of the decision of the Valar but he payed itt scant regard. Indeed he laughed and says, 'So, the Valar follow my lead do they? No doubt trying to cash in on my glory. But what of it?' He does not think that the Valar can do anything which his Noldor cannot anyway, and so he doesn't change any plans.
One creature who was very angered at the slaughter of his favorite Elves is Osse. The vassal of the sea refuses flat to work with those that have carried this deed out slaughtered and will take no part in any campaign to recover the Silmarils. In fact the sea angel was very close to outright defection again to Morgoth. This is a serious handicap as Osse did vital work in the first campaign.
Indeed, the seas now become rough indeed. Even Tulkas was discomforted. It took him a while to take the journey from Valinor to Beleriand under the seas even as a Valar. After much wonderings when he did finallly make it to Middle-Earth he found that Feanor and his host are ahead of him. Tulkas can see in the distance the dark peaks of Thangodoruim, at his height, but also noticed Feanor and remembered that the headstrong Noldor is wanted by the Valar. He paused, wondering what to do. Brains was not Tulkas's strong point. Also, Olwe who might have given council is away at the moment.
Tulkas called upon Feanor to give himself up. This is met with a cold, negative response! Tulkas moved towards Feanor and forced Feanor to hide in the hills. Feanor wondered what to do. Then a dark, shadowy figure came to his tent and says that whilst Tulkas cannot be killed, Tulkas is a Valar, he has a sword with powers that if Tulkas is penetrated in his heal will put the Valar out of action for many hundreds of years. Feanor accepts the sword, but does not question who the messenger is.
Years later it is found out that the messenger was in fact Sauron, servant of Morgoth. If Feanor was thinking, he might have realized that weapons of sourcery would come from Morgoth, but at the moment he is only to happy to have a plan to deal with Tulkas. He chooses his eldest son, Maeodhras to carry out the deed. This is successful and Tulkas falls to the sea in a slumber, but Maeodhras is slain as well. Morgoth laughs at the fact that two of his greatest enemies have conspired to eliminate one.
Feanor's host comes first to Beleriand, followed by the Fingolfin Noldor and the host of the Valar lead by Eonwe, Many of the host of Feanor welcome Fingolfin and are amazed by him and his peoples crossing of the Ice, but Feanor remains unimpressed. There is little love, indeed outright hatred between the brothers. But he cannot take Angband by himself. Though his peoples do take the best stragetic ways to attack the fortress and deny access to them by those they don't trust such as the Valar's host. The Valar assail Angband, but right at the time of Angband's weakness, right at the time when there might have been triumph over Morgoth, the cause is weakened by firstly the lack of Tulkas and also divisions amongst the Noldor and Eonwe. Angband survives!
But is under siege. Although there is an outright hatred between Feanor and Fingolfin, the same is not so true amongst their sons and some rapprochement takes place though if there is not outright war, there is still considerable distrust between the parties. But Feanor has some sense not to take on both the Valar and Morgoth and a peace comes to Beleriand and some joy as realms are established and Men come to the fertile country of the North and prosper after a fashion for many decades.