Sauron: The Dark Lord of Middle Earth (Part II)
by SucidalScotsman
After 500 years of obscurity in the Second Age, Sauron began gaining power again. He believed that the Valar had forsaken Middle Earth, and decided that he could take it for his own. Unlike his former master Morgoth, Sauron did not aim to destroy Middle Earth, but conquer and control it. It was in this respect that Sauron had been wiser than Morgoth.
In the year 1000 of the Second Age, Sauron chose the land of Mordor as his realm. Not only was it difficult in accessibility thanks to mountains on three sides, but also in the mountain Orodruin (Later Mount Doom) Sauron saw the use of a powerful forge at his disposal. He then proceeded to build his stronghold Barad-Dûr, The Dark tower.
Sauron knew that to control Middle Earth, he needed the power of the Elves. Therefore, in 1200 S.A., he went to Lindon disguised as a fair Maia calling himself Annatar, the Lord of gifts. King Gil-Galad did not recognize him, but was suspicious and did not let Sauron enter.
Sauron then went to Eregion, the home of the great Elven smiths. Knowing that the smiths were ever eager to improve their skills, Sauron posed as a servant of Aule, and promised to teach them many things about crafting. Celebrimbor and the Elves were happy to learn, and began crafting the rings of power in 1500 S.A.
In 1600 S.A., Sauron began forging the One Ring, which he planned to use to control the races of Middle Earth. The One Ring allowed him to perceive, and control the thoughts of the bearers of the lesser rings.
When Sauron wore the One Ring, his power was greatly enhanced, but there were two inherent dangers. If one with great strength and will were to claim the One, they could become Sauron’s’ master. The other danger was that if someone were to destroy the Ring, Sauron would be reduced to nothing more than a formless shadow incapable of manifesting in the world. Sauron did not believe that anyone could destroy the Ring, as not even he had the will to do so.
Sauron then put on the One Ring in an attempt to control the Elves. However, the elves were aware of his treachery, and removed their rings. Enraged, Sauron invaded Eriador with a massive force in 1695. Lord Elrond came with a force from Lindon to aid the elves of Eregion, but they were greatly outnumbered, and Eregion was destroyed. After endlessly torturing Celebrimbor in an attempt to discover the locations of the rings, Sauron learned where the Seven and Nine were, but not of the Three. He slew Celebrimbor, and mounted his body like a banner in front of his army. Sauron then attempted to invade Lindon, but a massive fleet from Númenór came, and destroyed Sauron’s army. Sauron barely escaped with his personal guard in 1701.
Sauron began to rebuild his forces. He gathered massive hordes of Orcs and other corrupted creatures. He also extended his influence to the kingdoms of men around him, declaring himself king and god. He created his deadliest servants by giving the Nine Rings to men, three of which were said to be lords of Númenór. The Nazgul, as they were called, first appeared around the year 2251 of the Second Age.
Sauron’s strength increased, as well as his pride. He proclaimed himself Lord of Men and of the Earth. He began attacking Númenóreans settlements, which he had previously not dared to do. He hated the people of Númenór for their role in his defeat in Lindon and wanted revenge. However, the power of Númenór was too great for Sauron to contend. In 3262, a great Númenórean fleet arrived, and was so massive that Sauron’s army refused to fight such a force. Sauron thought he might be able to destroy the men of Númenór from the inside, so he climbed down from Barad-Dûr, and allowed the king, Ar-Pharazôn, to take him as a captive to Númenór.
In Númenór, Sauron learned of the dissent of men towards Eru for making them mortal. Men resented the fact they were fated to die, and forbidden to enter the Undying Lands, although entering would not relieve them of their mortality. Sauron preyed on these feelings, and became a trusted advisor to the king. He persuaded the men of Númenór to forsake Eru entirely, and begin worshipping Morgoth. The men began initiating ritualistic sacrifices in hopes to gain immortality, but to no avail. Sauron then told them to sail to the Undying Lands themselves. Therefore, it was that in 3319, Ar-Pharazôn built his fleet, and sailed to the Undying Lands. However, the moment he set foot on Valinor, a tremendous wave swallowed all of Númenór, destroying Sauron’s body with it. Sauron had not foreseen the destruction of Númenór, and went back to Mordor in spirit form. His body was lost, and he could never again assume a pleasant form. He built himself a new body of great size and stature, yet it was terrible to behold.
However, a group of Númenóreans, known as the Faithful, who had not been corrupted by Sauron’s words, set sail to Middle Earth in 3320, and founded the kingdoms of Gondor and Arnor later that year.
Sauron began rebuilding his army once again. Former supporters from the corrupted kingdoms of men returned to his service. Among them were corrupted men from Númenór known as Black Númenóreans. Sauron captured Minas Ithil, but struck before he had sufficient strength, and was repelled by Anárion who retook Minas Ithil.
In 3434, the Last Alliance of men and Elves marched against the armies of Mordor. Later that year, the battle of Dagorlad began. The forces of men and Elves drove the forces of Mordor to the tower of Barad-Dûr, where they laid siege to it for seven years. In 3441, Sauron descended from his tower, and began to fight the enemy forces along with his army. In the resulting battle, Elendil and Gil-Galad defeated Sauron, but were both killed in the act. Isildur, one of the sons of Elendil took the Ring, but did not destroy it as Elrond urged him to do. Sauron’s spirit fled his body, but he was in a much-weakened state, and could not yet rebuild his power. He had to wait, but as he knew of the weakness of men, and the will of the One Ring, he could plan for the future…
References
The Silmarillion. J.R.R. Tolkien.
The Thain’s Book
The Encyclopedia of Arda