Sauron: The Dark Lord of Middle Earth (Part I)

by SuicidalScotsman

The fearsome ruler of Mordor, and the forger of the One Ring, Sauron aimed to control all the Free Peoples of Middle earth. But he was not always a Dark lord. We shall delve into the dark past surrounding him…

Sauron was a Maiar. An angelic being that carried out services for the powers known as the Valar. Sauron was a servant of the Vala Aulë, whose domain was the elements of the earth itself. Aulë was a smith, and he taught Sauron many things about forging, smithing, and creating. This in turn would help him later forge the Rings of Power.

Sauron wanted to rule and to shape things to his own will. This in turn is what attracted him to Melkor, who later became known as Morgoth: The Dark Enemy. Sauron served Morgoth from his stronghold Angband and performed many horrible deeds in Morgoth’s name. When Morgoth was taken prisoner after the defeat at the battle of powers, Sauron escaped and hid for many years from the Valar.

When Morgoth was released from prison, he stole the three Silmarils and rebuilt his stronghold Angband. In the years of his absence, Sauron had grown strong and cruel. He became a powerful sorcerer and could appear as pleasing as he wished. He returned to Morgoth and served as his lieutenant once again.

Sauron attacked the Elven fortress of Tol Sirion in 457 of the First Age. Forcing the Elves to flee. He renamed it the Isle of Werewolves, and watched the passes from the watchtower, allowing Morgoth’s army into Beleriand.

Sauron was ordered by Morgoth to kill Barahir, a man who led a group of resistors against Morgoth. Sauron tricked a man of Barahir’s company named Gorlim, by promising to reunite him with his wife. After Gorlim told him where Barahir was, Sauron revealed that his wife was dead and fulfilled his promise by killing Gorlim as well.

Sauron killed Barahir, but needed Barahir’s ring, which his son Beren had retrieved. After four years of hiding, Beren set out with Finrod Felagund. Aiming to retrieve one of the Silmarils on Morgoth’s crown. Finrod disguised them as orcs. But Sauron was not fooled by their disguise and challenged them. Sauron battled with Finrod in songs of power. Sauron won, and cast Beren and his companions into a werewolf pit. One by one, each was devoured until only Beren remained.

Luthien, Beren’s love came to the Isle of Werewolves in order to rescue Beren with the great hound Huan. Sauron sent his werewolves against them, but Huan slew them all. Including Draugin, the greatest, who reported to Sauron before he died. Sauron then attacked them himself in the form of a werewolf. Huan leaped away in fear, but Luthien cast her magic cloak over his eyes and Huan attacked.

Sauron was pinned down. Luthien ordered him to surrender both Beren and the Isle of Werewolves or she would send him bodiless to Morgoth. Sauron surrendered, fled disguised as a Vampire, and wandered through the woods of Taur-Nu-Fuin, filling it with horror.

The war of Wrath had ended in 590 of the First Age. Morgoth was punished, Sauron’s role is not known. He came forward shortly after, fearing the wrath of the Valar renouncing his evil ways to Eonwe, the servant of the Vala Manwe. Eonwe told Sauron he must go to the Undying Lands to stand trial before the Valar. Sauron could not bear the shame and humiliation. Wanting to escape punishment, he fled. To continue his evil ways.

References

The Silmarillion. J.R.R. Tolkien.
The Thain’s Book
The Encyclopedia of Arda

Next- Part II