[Imladris]

The Valar are not unforgiving - that's the point. It is precisely the mercy of the Valar that defeats Morgoth.

Actually, I'm not sure I do.

Because Feanor was a spoiled brat, the entire family was doomed. I don't know...but that sounds a wee bit unforgiving to me.

And it is said that in that time Ulmo came to Valinor out of the deep waters, and spoke there to the Valar of the need of the Elves; and he called on them to forgive them, and rescue them from the overmastering might of Morgoth...But Manwe moved not; and of the counsels of his heart what tale shall tell? The wise have said that hour was not yet come, and that only one speaking in person for the cause of both Elves and Men, pleading for pardon on their misdeeds and pity on their woes, might move the counsels of the Powers

.

Even through all the bloodshed, the sorrow of Maedhros and his brother Maglor, the death of all the brave and noble men of Middle Earth because of the stupidity of Feanor, Manwe couldn't be bothered to forgive them. "The hour not yet come" -- why? No free will...horrid. On top of all that, they put a stipulation that one must come pleading for both elves and men -- and even then it was only a might.

Two purposes grew in his [Earendil's] heart, blended as one in longing for the wide Sea: he sought to sail thereon, seeking after Tuor and Idril who returned not; and he thought to find perhaps the last shore, and bring here he died the message of Elves and Men to the Valar in the West, that should move their hearts to pity for the sorrows of Middle Earth.

After everything they're not full of pity...

Erendil found not Tuor no Idril, nor came he ever on that journey to the shores of Valinor, defeated by shadows and enchantment, driven by repelling winds

Emphasis mine of course. Earendil who wanted to plead his case wasn't even allowed to come near the Valinor -- it's almost as if the Valar didn't even want to be moved to pity unles that one had a Silmaril.

and the wise have said that it was by reason of the power of that holy jewel that they came in time to waters that no vessels save those of the Teleri had known; and they came to the Enchaned Isles and escaped their enchantment...and at last they cast anchor in the Bay of Eldamar...

The Valar say they won't forgive them until one comes to plea, yet the one can't get to the Shores without a Silmaril.

When I was reading the Voyage of Earendil and the War of Wrath, I was twitching with joy. Finally the Valar had gotten their act together and were going to finish Morgoth once and for all. They had decided to forgive the Noldor for the foolishness of one man six hundred years ago. And Morgoth was defeated....and then we hear the dialogue of Maedhros and Maglor -- they are bound by their oath, and they don't know who can release them.

It's not even said here that the sons of Feanor were forgiven. They were merely told to give up the Silmarils and to wait for judgement. That does not sound like forgiveness, and they were both sorrowful for their oath. They did not want the Silmarils for their beauty, they wanted the Silmarils to fulfill their oath.

The end of the Silmarillion is victorious. However, it is tainted with sorrow, with the foolishness of the Valar, with the folly of Feanor, and the sorrow of the unforgiven sons Maedhros and Maglor. It is not a Eucatastrophe. It is a victory that should have happened long ago (one Vala can outsmart nine?) -- I can hear the choruses of "then there would be no story" and that is what I myself would have done a long time ago. But that isn't good enough for me. A story is made up of characters, and if the characters are incompetent, childish Vala who wait for "the hour" because there is no free will...that does not add up into a Eucatastrophe.