Anna Daniels
Once Sauron’s real intentions are revealed, he demands the other rings of power, claiming that the elves never would have been able to make them without his help — which is technically true, with the exception of the three elven rings. Of course, feeling betrayed, the elves refuse to hand any of their powerful jewelry over.
With his pretext for war in hand, Sauron attacks the Free People of Middle-earth in a bloody war that lasts for several years and nearly leads to the villain’s total domination of the bulk of the continent. Initially, Celebrimbor and his people are destroyed, the Dwarves retreat to Moria, and Elrond flees north to found Rivendell. The Dark Lord also captures the seven rings that eventually would go to the Dwarves and the nine rings that would eventually be given to the Black Riders. Critically, the three elven rings remain hidden.
Just as Sauron is preparing to do a victory lap through Middle-earth, who should arrive on the scene but the Númenorians. That’s right, the nation of men that had been living on the star-shaped island out in the middle of the ocean suddenly arrive and utterly rout Sauron, sending the Dark Lord scampering back to Mordor with little more than a bodyguard. This saves the elves, men, and dwarves from total destruction. Over the next several centuries, the Númenorians and Sauron continue to build up their strength and jockey for power in Middle-earth.
Written by: Looper
