The One Ring and Other Rings of Power

Using the knowledge that Annatar bestowed the Mírdain began to work. "Now the Elves made many rings; but secretly Sauron made the One Ring to rule the others, and their power was bound up with it, to be subject wholly to it, and to last only so long as it too should last" (p. 287, The Silmarillion). Sauron poured much of his strength and will into the One Ring as it need to be absolutely powerful to subject the great works of the Elves to it; he forged it in the Mountain of Fire. It was about 1500 Second Age when the Mírdain began making the Rings of Power and Sauron left Eregion to secretly work on the One. "And while he wore the One Ring he could perceive all the things that were done by means of the lesser rings, and he could see and govern the very thoughts of those that wore them" (p. 288, The Silmarillion).

But the Mírdain were not in league with Sauron as is exemplified by their leader. "Now Celebrimbor was not corrupted in heart or faith, but had accepted Sauron as what he posed to be; and when at length he discovered the existence of the One Ring he revolted against Sauron, and went to Lórinand to take counsel once more with Galadriel" (p. 237, Unfinished Tales). Sauron recognized his disguise was spoiled brought forth open war on the Elves demanding he be given all the Rings for he had a part in their making. Of all the Rings of Power Sauron most desired the Three: Narya, Nenya, and Vilya the Rings of Fire, Water, and Air: "...they were forged by Celebrimbor alone, and the hand of Sauron had never touched them; yet they also were subject to the One" (p. 288, The Simarillion).

Galadriel counseled Celebrimbor that the Three should be hidden far from Eregion and never used. "It was at this time that she received Nenya, the White Ring, from Celebrimbor, and by its power the realm of Lórinand was strengthened and made beautiful; but its power upon her was great also and unforeseen, for it increased her latent desire for the Sea and for return into the West, so that her joy in Middle-earth was diminished" (p. 237, Unfinished Tales). The other two Rings were sent to Gil-galad for keeping.

In 1695 Second Age Sauron brought his forces over Calenardhon (Later known as Rohan region of). In response Gil-galad issued a host led by Elrond to meet Sauron who immediately invaded Eregion. Celeborn gathered a small force and kept Sauron's armies at bay long enought to link up with Elrond, but they were far outnumbered. Sauron's forces ravaged Eregion with their chief objective being the capture of the House of the Mírdain where the treasures were stored. "Celebrimbor, desperate, himself withstood Sauron on the steps of the great door of the Mírdain; but he was grappled and taken captive, and the House was ransacked" (p. 238, Unfinished Tales). Sauron captured the Nine Rings of Power but he could not find the Seven or the Three, which he most wanted. Celebrimbor was tortured and revealed the whereabouts of the Seven but would not say a word concerning the Three. Sauron guessed they were guarded by Gil-galad and Galadriel.

Sauron was hot with wrath. "In black anger he turned back to battle; and bearing as a banner Celebrimbor's body hung upon a pole, shot through with Orc-arrows, he turned upon the forces of Elrond" (p. 238, Unfinished Tales). Elrond's force was much too small and would have been annihilated if Durin the Dwarve had not sent forth an army from Khazad-dûm from the rear. With Durin rode Amroth leading Elves from Lórinand. "Elrond was able to extricate himself, but he was forced away northwards, and it was at that time [in the year 1697, according to the Tale of Years] that he established a refuge and stronghold at Imladris (Rivendell)" (p. 238, Unfinished Tales). Sauron turned his anger on the Dwarves but when driven back the gates of Moria were shut and Sauron could not enter. But never would those that dwelt in Moria leave Sauron's hate.

Sauron then decided to gain full control of Eriador and attack Lindon (where Gil-galad dwelt) next. He would save Lórinand (Galadriel) for later. However, Sauron could advance only with a small number as he was forced to leave a significant force behind in case Elrond should mount an attack from the North. Gil-galad had called Númenor for more aid in 1695 since there was a small Númenórean garrison in Middle-earth. Tar-Minastir answered sending out a great navy but it was delayed. By the time they reached the shore in 1700 Sauron had gained control of Eriador (save Imladris) and was advancing upon Gil-galad. "Gil-galad and the Númenóreans were holding the Lhûn in desperate defence of the Grey Havens, when in the very nick of time the great armament of Tar-Minastir came in; and Sauron's host was heavily defeated and driven back. The Númenórean admiral Ciryatur sent part of his ships to make a landing further to the south" (p. 239, Unfinished Tales).

Indeed as Sauron reconnected with the host he had left to guard against Elrond he found himself besieged again by the Númenórean forces Ciryatur had sent south (they landed at a harbor originally built by Aldarion). "In the battle of Gwathló Sauron was routed utterly and he himself only narrowly escaped" (p. 239, Unfinished Tales). Sauron, in utter loss, ruin, and humiliation retreated to Mordor and vowing vengeance against Númenor in his heart. "At this time the first Council was held, and it was there determined that an Elvish stronghold in the east of Eriador should be maintained at Imladris rather than in Eregion. At that time also Gil-galad gave the Blue Ring, to Elrond, and appointed him to be his vice-regent in Eriador; but the Red Ring he kept, until he gave it to Círdan when he set out from Lindon in the days of the Last Alliance" (p. 239, Unfinished Tales). So the Wise (Galadriel, Elrond, and Gil-galad) took the Three Rings and "...concealed them and never again used them openly while Sauron kept the Ruling Ring" (p. 288, The Silmarillion). And the Númenóreans began to settle in Middle-earth in greater numbers seeing the might of their own strength.

At last Sauron reveals himself openly and is met with greater resistance than he expected. The more I read Tolkien I appreciate his ability to create vivid pictures without filling in all the details. It allows the reader to imagine how certain battles or councils and other events take place. Though I crave continuity and details I agree with this person's take on the Middle-earth universe. 

Middle-earth timeline: Second Age, circa 1500-1700

Today's reading comes from: The Silmarillion, pages 287-288 and Unfinished Tales, pages 237-239