Sauron
Sauron (which means “terrible” in Kvenian) is a supreme
being, ainur, created by the thought of Iluvatar (i.e. “father of everything”)
from Flame Imperishable. He is one of the makers of Arda, a visible world,
as well as a maiar. Sauron served Aule the Smith, the Lord of all the beings.
He is the embodiment of Evil in “The Lord of the Rings”.
“The Silmarillion” as well as “The Lord of the Rings” give
a detailed account of Sauron’s life. It is known that Sauron ruled Angband
– a fortress, which stood on the way to the stronghold of Melkor. It was
Melkor who corrupted Sauron and won him over to his dark side.
Sauron’s foul deeds began in 457 of the First Age. At that
time he invaded an isle of Tol Sirion and there created a harbour of Evil,
and ruled over the werewolves. He could easily shift his shape to those
of a wolf and other beings. In “The Silmarillion” there is a legend about
Berenand Luthien Tinuviel, mentioning the name of Sauron. According to
this he captured Beren, and killed Finrod Felagun, an elven Prince. But an elven
maiden, Luthien, with a werewolf Huan came to rescue her beloved. Sauron
took a form of the wolf but lost the fight. Then he took a form of a gigantic
bat and hid himself in the woods of Taur-Nufuin till the beginning of the
Great Battle. Indeed, Evil can await for its hour as Sauron does it. Melkor
(or Morgoth) lost the battle and Sauron could do nothing but surrender.
He was supposed to be sent to Aman for a trial. But pride and willfulness
prevailed. Sauron preferred another escape to shame and humiliation.
Thus, Sauron gains his strengths anew. In about 1000 (Second
Age) Sauron settled down in Mordor (which means “black earth” in Sindarin;
there is, however, a similarity with the word “murder”). There he started
building his mighty Barad-dur (which means “Dark Tower” in Sindarin), a
fortress where he dwelt for many years. When building the Tower, he made
use of his knowledge and skills learnt from Aule. Later he wormed himself
into the Nordors’ confidence (an elven tribe). Himself he named Annatar
(i.e. “the Lord of Gifts” in Sindarin) and took a friendly look. But warm
relations did not last long.
Sauron, cunning and crafty, planned with the help of the
Nordors to forge the Rings of Power. But wise elves unraveled Sauron’s
sinister plans and a war (1693 – 1700 Second Age) broke out. However,
Sauron managed to built his citadel and there, in the fire-mountain of
Orodruin, forged the One Ring to control all the other Rings.
Because of his foul deeds he is called many unpleasant names.
Many are his names in different Ages - Enemy, Gorthaur (i.e. “spreading
horror” in Sindarin), the Great Eye, Black One and, of course, the Lord
of the Rings. A scarlet pupil, or an eye without eyelashes became Sauron’s
emblem, which the orcs drew on their black bucklers.
If it hadn’t been for Numenor’s mighty fleet, as well as
the dwarves of Moria and the elves of Lorien, Sauron would have won over
the allied army. So, Sauron had to flee again and hide himself in Mordor.
Time passed and this time people drew Sauron’s attention.
He gave them nine Rings. Thus Nazguls, mighty shadows and Sauron’s main
servants, appeared. But people became jealous. In 3261 (Second Age) Ar-Pharazon,
King of Numenor was thirsty of power, and demanded that Sauron submit to his authority and, seeing that the might
of Numenoreans far outstripped his own, Sauron agreed. Thus, Sauron lost
again, although he didn’t fully surrender. It was in Sauron’s power to
influence people. Having told sweet lies to the Numenorean King, he convinced
him to invade Aman. But the Rulers of the West united and sank Numenorean
land. Sauron lost his flesh and thus couldn’t influence people by changing
his flesh any more.
In 3320 (Second Age) Sauron moved to Mordor. There he accumulated
his dark powers again. In 3429 Sauron declared war on Gondor. The Last
Alliance of people and elves resisted the Dark Lord. The Army reached Orodruin
and there, on its slopes, destroyed the Enemy. Isildur, the eldest son
of the King of Gondor, cut Sauron’s finger off together with the Ring of
Power. It seemed, that this would finally destroy the Lord of the Rings’ might.
But, no…
After the victory of the Last Alliance Mordor was closely
supervised and Sauron couldn’t pass the guards unseen.He hid
himself in the almost impassable woods of the West. Sauron was a mighty sorcerer
and his powers slowly returned to him. Then, he moved to dwell in the fortress
of Dol Guldur (i.e. “bewitching hill” in Sindarin) and named himself the
Necromancer. Sauron managed to conceal his true self from the White forces.
Only in T.A. 2850 did Gandalf manage to prove that the Necromancer of Dol
Guldur was indeed Sauron returned.
In 2941 the White Council drove the Necromancer out of his
dwelling place. Sauron fled to Mordor again. It acted in his favour that
after the Great Plague of T.A. 1636 the people of Gondor didn’t keep an
eye on the Dark Land any more.
The Dark Lord realized that the One Ring hadn’t been destroyed
for it nourished him with its power. He began to look for it everywhere
and faithful nazguls helped him in the search. Luck was on Sauron’s side.
He caught Gollum who under tortures gave the names of the Shire and Baggins.
The Black Riders were not the only ones who helped the
Dark Lord. A great number of spies, a strong army as well as Sauron, enslaved
by the Palantir, were on Sauron’s side.
On March 25, T.A. 3019 the Ring of Power fell into the
fire of Orodruin. The Watchful Eye lost its might for ever. But no one
said that the Enemy, or Evil which he personified, completely disappeared.
Sauron again lost his ability to become visible. And nothing was left to
suck energy from.
Undoubtedly, Sauron was the embodiment of Evil in Middle-earth.
He forged the Ring of Power, invented the Dark Language, made new creatures.
Also he was a cunning diplomat able to influence and negotiate with different
people.
As soon as Sauron scents Evil, he will return again in order
to take revenge on his offenders, set new rules and strive for absolute
power.
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