The captivity of Elros and Elrond

[Artanis]

Then such few of that people as did not perish in the assault joined themselves to Gil-galad, and went with him to Balar; and they told that Elros and Elrond were taken captive, but Elwing with the Silmaril upon her breast had cast herself into the sea.

This quote is from the Silmarillion, after the 3rd kinslaying. It says that Maglor took pity upon Elrond and Elros, which probably means that if he had not intervened they would have been slain. Still, I do not see why Maedhros and Maglor took Elwing's sons as captives. What was the point? Why not simply leave them in the care of the remnants of the people of Eärendil and Elwing? Since Elwing was believed by all the Elves to have perished in the sea, and the Silmaril was believed to be lost with her, the boys were not useful as a way to put pressure on her. Besides, despite of the oath I have serious trouble believing that Maedhros and Maglor would sink so deep as to trade with the life of two children.

What do you mooters think about this?

Whatever the reason was, the children provided Maglor with an opportunity to get something significant in his life to care about other than the terrible oath. Perhaps that was his very motive for taking them. He was married, but his wife probably remained in Valinor and we don't know whether he had children of his own.

[Telcontar_Dunedain]

I think that it was just a rash action taken. They saw Elros and Elrond and just took them and left.

[Attalus]

I think that he had an inkling that Elwing was still alive with the Silmaril, and took E&E as hostages. There's not much bad that I wouldn't believe about the sons of Fëanor.

[Artanis]

Originally Posted by Attalus

I think that he had an inkling that Elwing was still alive with the Silmaril, and took E&E as hostages. There's not much bad that I wouldn't believe about the sons of Fëanor.

Oh come on. They were not THAT one-dimensional. Don't you remember that Maedhros searched for Dior's sons in Doriath?

[Beren3000]

Then such few of that people as did not perish in the assault joined themselves to Gil-galad, and went with him to Balar; and they told that Elros and Elrond were taken captive, but Elwing with the Silmaril upon her breast had cast herself into the sea.

If I understand this quote correctly, then it explains itself. The remnant who came to Gil-Gald told him that the Elrond and Elros were taken captive, probably to put pressure on Elwing. Now the next bit of news THEY brought is that Elwing cast herself into the Sea. It's as if they're saying that Maedhros and Maglor are blind because they DON'T KNOW of Elwing's apparent suicide yet. See my point?

[Artanis]

Originally Posted by Beren3000

If I understand this quote correctly, then it explains itself. The remnant who came to Gil-Gald told him that the Elrond and Elros were taken captive, probably to put pressure on Elwing. Now the next bit of news THEY brought is that Elwing cast herself into the Sea. It's as if they're saying that Maedhros and Maglor are blind because they DON'T KNOW of Elwing's apparent suicide yet. See my point?

Yes, I see your point, but I think Maedhros and Maglor knew, because I think they would have searched for her otherwise.