Title: A Question for the Ages
Fandom: The Silmarillion
Challenge: Deal
Bingo prompt: New
Rating: G
Length: 100
Content notes: N/A
Author notes: Thanks go to Bunn and the other Silmarillion writers, for asking excellent questions and proposing interesting answers in their stories.
Summary: It was not a new idea

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The Romans would call it quid pro quo, something for something, in an uncountable future; another people would say give something to get something. The Norse had a rune for the concept: Gebo, giving by exchange — rings for loyalty and service and the telling of tales and truths. Trade, dealing, barter, mutual assistance. No people were an island, even when they lived on one. No people who wanted to survive. Even Doriath traded with the Noldor, through a web of intermediaries.

Dior was not Morgoth, taking only. What was it about the Silmaril that made it impossible to negotiate for?

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