[Celuien]

Originally Posted by Saurreg

I wonder if Feanor had lived, would he come into armed conflict with Thingol?

I think that conflict between Thingol and Feanor would have been certain.

'I marvel at you. son of Earwen, said Thingol, 'that you would come to the board of your kinsman thus red-handed from the slaying of your mother's kin, and yet say naught in defence, nor yet seek any pardon!'

Can you imagine if that had been directed at Feanor rather than Finrod? And, of course, all of the blame was laid on Feanor's doorstep. I can't help but think that the shadow of the kinslaying would eventually have caused a war to break out between the Sindar and Noldor if Feanor had still been their leader. I also don't see Feanor and Fingolfin becoming particularly friendly after the Helcaraxe:

"Fingolfin...desired now as never before to come by some way to Middle-earth, and meet Feanor again."

and

"Small love for Feanor or his sons had those that marched at last behind him, and blew their trumpets in Middle-earth at the first rising of the moon."

Sounds like the beginning of a war between the houses of the Noldor. Overall, I'd have to think that Feanor would have been bad news for the Noldor in Middle-earth, despite his brilliance.