Heirlooms of the elves

[lindil]

After the flood of reborn Noldor into Aman, did everyone just coexist, or did the former inhabitants of Beleriand create dissension and form new realms?

Doug, as you speculated the Halls of Mandos are indeed a palce of penitence and you don't get out till you see straight. Of all of the Elves in the Silmarillion, only Finrod's release is mentioned in the text [ that he walked in Valinor with his father Finarfin, I think it says].

Also someone self-sacrificing like Glorfindel wourl probably be bound for shorter stay.

As for their heirlooms, I was suprised that gandalf took Glamdring [ it is mentioned at the grey havens by name I think] I always thought it would be more useful left in M-E, but I can easily envisage a conversation lie this between Elrond and gandalf in private that would not have been recorded in the Hobbit:

gandalf:[ alone in a private chambers with Elrond] " Then it belongs to you, and not me!"

Elrond: " If anyone can lay claim to it it is Turgon, and if your labors are successful here,then perhaps you can bear it
back to him across the seas.

Gandalf: If Mandos has released one so stubborn and proud!, He certainly had not done so when I left...

Elrond: hey! That's my great gramps you are dissin...