A Time to Kill?

[Elmo]

Why did the Valar let the sons of Feanor live when they stole the silmarils after the war of wrath? The sons were trying to steal the most valuable things in the whole of Arda yet were allowed to escape with them yet when the Gondolin mariners were killed by Osse for merely attempting to carry a message. Surely the sons were far more under the curse of Mandos than the mariners? Was this a case of Osse displaying his psycho behaviour again with the murder of the mariners? If this is the case Manwe seems happy to have a murderer in his ranks having done nothing to Osse due to it. Or were the sons allowed to live because of who they were? Sons of the great Feanor.

Is this a new James Bond movie A Time To Kill thread?

[Raynor]

Originally Posted by Elmo

Why did the Valar let the sons of Feanor live when they stole the silmarils after the war of wrath?

Well, it wasn't the valar who let them live but Eonwe, a Maia. I would say that the best explanation is that he had some foreknowledge of the fate of the silmarils and that the acts of Feanor's son were part of a larger plan. Also, the Valar granted pardon to the Noldor, subsequent to Earendil's plea on behalf of both Men and Elves, which can further explain why more pity was shown to these two than to the mariners. Furthermore, Eonwe stopped an attack on them because it would have only perpetuated violence. I believe that what Manwe said in the context of Finwe and Miriel can be applied here too:

Originally Posted by Of the severance of marriage, Later Quenta Silmarillion, HoME X

Neither must ye forget that in Arda Marred Justice is not Healing. Healing cometh only by suffering and patience, and maketh no demand, not even for Justice. Justice worketh only within the bonds of things as they are, accepting the marring of Arda, and therefore though Justice is itself good and desireth no further evil, it can but perpetuate the evil that was, and doth not prevent it from the bearing of fruit in sorrow.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Raynor

Also, the Valar granted pardon to the Noldor, subsequent to Earendil's plea on behalf of both Men and Elves, which can further explain why more pity was shown to these two than to the mariners.

Just to complete this information, the Doom of Mandos was still at work when the mariners were sailing. You can see what Ulmo Himself says to Tuor in similar circumstances:

Originally Posted by Unfinished Tales, Of Tuor and his coming to Gondolin

And as Ulmo said these things the mutter of the storm rose to a great cry, and the wind mounted, and the sky grew black; and the mantle of the Lord of Waters streamed out like a flying cloud. "Go now," said Ulmo, "lest the Sea devour thee! For Ossë obeys the will of Mandos, and he is wroth, being a servant of the Doom."