When Maedhros and Maglor learned of a Silmaril in Elwing's possesion, they attacked the Mouth of Sirion and killed everyone but Elrond and Elros. Elwing had jumped into the sea and rejoined her husband Earendil, so why would she leave them at the mercy of the sons of Feanor instead of taking them with her?
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Elrond Hubbard?– JMFBCommented Oct 15, 2015 at 7:42
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Are you asking (1) why she jumped into the sea alone instead of either jumping with her sons or trying to escape some other way, or are you asking (2) why, having reached Earendil, she didn't ask him to turn around and go after their sons?– Matt GuttingCommented Oct 15, 2015 at 17:07
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1 Answer
It was the only way to end the curse on the silmarills
Tolkien, in a letter to Milton Walden (included in the Silmarillion) states:
But the curse still works, and Eärendil’s home is destroyed by the sons of Fëanor. But this provides the solution: Elwing casting herself into the Sea to save the Jewel comes to Eärendil, and with the power of the great Gem they pass at last to Valinor.
So her sacrifice helps enable the end of the curse of Feänor and allows her and Eärendil to pass into west and ultimately leads to the destruction of Morgoth.
We don't know if she knew she would be lifted from the sea and could have assumed death was coming. Better to leave her sons with a chance of life than kill them.