Of The Enemy

Even suffering defeat in battle Sauron was able to gain back the Rings of Power, minus the Three held by the Wise (Galadriel, Gil-galad, and Elrond). Sauron sought dominion over Middle-earth through the Rings dispersing the Seven to the Dwarves and the Nine to Men. Because Sauron had a hand in making these Rings he was able to pervert them and their bearers. "The Dwarves indeed proved tough to tame; they ill endure the dominion of others, and the thoughts of their hearts are hard to fathom, nor can they be turned to shadows" (p. 288, The Silmarillion). The Dwarves used their Rings for wealth and as a result an overpowering greed took their hearts. "It is said that the foundation of each of the Seven Hoards of the Dwarf-kings of old was a golden ring; but all of those hoards long ago were plundered and the Dragons devoured them, and of the Seven Rings some were consumed in fire and some Sauron recovered" (p. 289, The Silmarillion).

Men were a different story. Ready to do Sauron's will (as for Morgoth in the past) they were easily taken by the Rings. While using the Nine rings they became great among Men as kings, warriors, and sorcerers. The Rings granted them long life that became unendurable to them and one by one they became thralls to their rings under the power of the One Ring. And they became only visible to Sauron their master. "The Nazgul were they, the Ringwraiths, the Enemy's most terrible servants; darkness went with them, and they cried with the voices of death" (p. 289, The Silmarillion). And so it was that Sauron's power (and pride) grew. He gathered to himself all the remaining servants of Morgoth he could find and the Orcs grew in great numbers again. Although he could still clothe himself in fair disguise Sauron was becoming known across Middle-earth. "...those that perceived his shadow spreading over the world called him the Dark Lord and named him the Enemy..." (p. 289, The Silmarillion).

"Thus the Black Years began, which the Elves call the Days of Flight" (p. 289, The Silmarillion). Many Elves were killed or fled to Lindon where Gil-galad resided. From there they left on Círdan's ships never to return to Middle-earth. Gil-galad, with aid from Númenor, still proved too powerful for Sauron to attack but the Enemy reigned in almost all other places. Those that couldn't make it to Gil-galad, Elrond, or Galadriel hid in the wild wood and mountain regions. And nearly all Men in the east and south served Sauron as king and god.

Middle-earth timeline: Second Age, circa 1700-1900

Today's reading comes from: The Silmarillion, pages 288-289