Vengeance and hatred to the ends of the world Vala, Demon, Elf, or Man as yet unborn, or any

creature great or small, good or evil, that time should bring forth unto the end of days, whoso should

hold or take or keep a Silmaril from their possession.

[Oath-110] HoME-X, “The Annals of Aman”

Then Feanor swore a terrible oath. Straightway his seven sons leaped to his side and each

took the selfsame oath; and red as blood shone their drawn swords in the glare of the torches.

“Be he foe or friend, be he foul or clean,

brood of Morgoth or bright Vala,

Elda or Maia or Aftercomer,

Man yet unborn upon Middle-earth,

neither law, nor love, nor league of swords,

dread nor danger, not Doom itself,

shall defend him from Feanor, and Feanor's kin,

whoso hideth or hoardeth, or in hand taketh,

finding keepeth or afar casteth

a Silmaril. This swear we all:

death we will deal him ere Day's ending,

woe unto world's end! Our word hear thou,

Eru Allfather! To the everlasting

Darkness doom us if our deed faileth.

On the holy mountain hear in witness

and our vow remember, Manwe and Varda!”

Thus spoke Maidros and Maglor, and Celegorn, Curufin and Cranthir, Damrod and Diriel,

princes of the Noldor. But by that name none should swear an oath, good or evil, nor in anger call

upon such witness, and many quailed to hear the fell words. For so sworn, good or evil, an oath may

not be broken, and it shall pursue oathkeeper or oathbreaker to the world's end.

[Oath-111] “Quenta Silmarillion” (published by Christopher Tolkien), ch. 1

And it is sung that in that feast of the Spring of Arda Tulkas espoused Nessa the sister of

Orome, and she danced before the Valar upon the green grass of Almaren.

Then Tulkas slept, being weary and content, and Melkor deemed that his hour had come. And

he passed therefore over the Walls of the Night with his host, and came to Middle-earth far in the

north; and the Valar were not aware of him.

[Oath-112] “Quenta Silmarillion” (published by Christopher Tolkien), ch. 8

Varda looked down from Taniquetil, and beheld the Shadow soaring up in sudden towers of

gloom; Valmar had foundered in a deep sea of night. Soon the Holy Mountain stood alone, a last

island in a world that was drowned. All song ceased.

[Oath-113] “Quenta Silmarillion” (published by Christopher Tolkien), ch. 9

Then Feanor rose, and lifting up his hand before Manwe he cursed Melkor, naming him

Morgoth, the Black Foe of the World; and by that name only was he known to the Eldar ever after.

[Oath-115] “Quenta Silmarillion” (published by Christopher Tolkien), ch. 9

...and that night he [Feanor] made a speech before the Noldor which they ever remembered.

Fierce and few were his words, and filled with anger and pride...

[Oath-117] “Quenta Silmarillion” (published by Christopher Tolkien), ch. 7

With him into banishment went his seven sons, and northward in Valinor they made a strong

place and treasury in the hills; and there at Formenos a multitude of gems were laid in hoard, and

weapons also, and the Silmarils were shut in a chamber of iron.

[Oath-120] “Quenta Silmarillion” (published by Christopher Tolkien), ch. 9

Then Feanor swore a terrible oath. His seven sons leapt straightway to his side and took the

selfsame vow together, and red as blood shone their drawn swords in the glare of the torches. They

swore an oath which none shall break, and none should take, by the name even of Iluvatar, calling

the Everlasting Dark upon them if they kept it not; and Manwe they named in witness, and Varda, and

the hallowed mountain of Taniquetil, vowing to pursue with vengeance and hatred to the ends of the

World Vala, Demon, Elf or Man as yet unborn, or any creature, great or small, good or evil, that time

should bring forth unto the end of days, whoso should hold or take or keep a Silmaril from their

possession.

[Oath-121] “Quenta Silmarillion” (published by Christopher Tolkien), ch. 9

Thus spoke Maedhros and Maglor and Celegorm, Curufin and Caranthir, Amrod and Amras,

princes of the Noldor; and many quailed to hear the dread words. For so sworn, good or evil, an oath

may not be broken, and it shall pursue oathkeeper and oathbreaker to the world's end.

[Oath-125] “Quenta Silmarillion” (published by Christopher Tolkien), ch. 9

Then turning to the herald he cried: “Say this to Manwe Sulimo, High King of Arda: if Feanor

cannot overthrow Morgoth, at least he delays not to assail him, and sits not idle in grief. And it may be

that Eru has set in me a fire greater than thou knowest. Such hurt at the least will I do to the Foe of

the Valar that even the mighty in the Ring of Doom shall wonder to hear it. Yea, in the end they shall

follow me. Farewell!”

[Oath-127] “Quenta Silmarillion” (published by Christopher Tolkien), ch. 13

But even in the hour of the death of Feanor an embassy came to his sons from Morgoth,

acknowledging defeat, and offering terms, even to the surrender of a Silmaril. Then Maedhros the

tall, the eldest son, persuaded his brothers to feign to treat with Morgoth, and to meet his emissaries

at the place appointed; but the Noldor had as little thought of faith as had he.

[Oath-128] “Quenta Silmarillion” (published by Christopher Tolkien), ch. 13

...Morgoth held Maedhros as hostage, and sent word that he would not release him unless the

Noldor would forsake their war, returning into the West, or else departing far from Beleriand into the

South of the world. But the sons of Feanor knew that Morgoth would betray them, and would not

release Maedhros, whatsoever they might do; and they were constrained also by their oath, and

might not for any cause forsake the war against their Enemy.

[Oath-130] “Quenta Silmarillion” (published by Christopher Tolkien), ch. 18

Thus Felagund escaped, and returned to his deep fortress of Nargothrond; but he swore an

oath of abiding friendship and aid in every need to Barahir and all his kin, and in token of his vow he

gave to Barahir his ring.

[Oath-140] “Quenta Silmarillion” (published by Christopher Tolkien), ch. 23

Tidings were brought by Thorondor Lord of Eagles of the fall of Nargothrond, and after of the

slaying of Thingol and of Dior his heir, and of the ruin of Doriath; but Turgon shut his ear to word of

the woes without, and vowed to march never at the side of any son of Feanor.

[Oath-145] “Quenta Silmarillion” (published by Christopher Tolkien), ch. 23

But Morgoth thought that his triumph was fulfilled, recking little of the sons of Feanor, and of

their oath, which had harmed him never and turned always to his mightiest aid; and in his black

thought he laughed, regretting not the one Silmaril that he had lost, for by it as he deemed the last

shred of the people of the Eldar should vanish from Middle-earth and trouble it no more.

[Oath-150] “Quenta Silmarillion” (published by Christopher Tolkien), ch. 19

But Beren laughed. “For little price,” he said, “do Elven-kings sell their daughters: for gems,

and things made by craft. But if this be your will, Thingol, I will perform it. And when we meet again

my hand shall hold a Silmaril from the Iron Crown; for you have not looked the last upon Beren son of

Barahir.”

[Oath-154] “Quenta Silmarillion” (published by Christopher Tolkien), ch. 20

For Maedhros and his brothers, being constrained by their oath, had before sent to Thingol

and reminded him with haughty words of their claim, summoning him to yield the Silmaril, or become

their enemy.

[Oath-155] “Quenta Silmarillion” (published by Christopher Tolkien), ch. 20

And every day that he [Thingol] looked upon the Silmaril the more he desired to keep it for

ever; for such was its power. Therefore he sent back the messengers with scornful words. Maedhros

made no answer, for he had now begun to devise the league and union of the Elves; but Celegorm

and Curufin vowed openly to slay Thingol and destroy his people, if they came victorious from war,

and the jewel were not surrendered of free will.

[Oath-156] “Quenta Silmarillion” (published by Christopher Tolkien), ch. 20

Then Thingol fortified the marches of his realm, and went not to war, nor any out of Doriath

save Mablung and Beleg, who were unwilling to have no part in these great deeds.

[Oath-160] “Quenta Silmarillion” (published by Christopher Tolkien), ch. 1