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desolate； save only where the people of Beleriand came。 Many Elves dwelt there indeed； as they had dwelt through the
countless years； wandering free in the wide lands far from the Sea； but they were Avari； to whom the deeds of Beleriand
were but a rumour and Valinor only a distant name。 And in the south and in the further east Men multiplied； and most of
them turned to evil； for Sauron was at work。
Seeing the desolation of the world； Sauron said in his heart that the Valar； having overthrown Morgoth； had again
forgotten Middle…earth； and his pride grew apace。 He looked with hatred on the Eldar； and he feared the Men of
Númenor who came back at whiles in their ships to the shores of Middle…earth； but for long he dissembled his mind and
concealed the dark designs that he shaped in his heart。
Men he found the easiest to sway of all the peoples of the Earth； but long he sought to persuade the Elves to his
service； for he knew that the Firstborn had the greater power； and he went far and wide among them； and his hue was
still that of one both fair and wise。 Only to Lindon he did not e； for Gil…galad and Elrond doubted him and his fair…
seeming； and though they knew not who in truth he was they would not admit him to that land。 But elsewhere the Elves
received him gladly； and few among them hearkened to the messengers from Lindon bidding them beware； for Sauron
took to himself the name of Annatar； the Lord of Gifts； and they had at first much profit from his friendship。 And he said
to them： 〃Alas； for the weakness of the great！ For a mighty king is Gil…galad； and wise in all lore is Master Elrond； and
yet they will not aid me in my labours。 Can it be that they do not desire to see other lands bee as blissful as their
own？ But wherefore should Middle…earth remain for ever desolate and dark； whereas the Elves could make it as fair as
Eress？a； nay even as Valinor？ And since you have not returned thither； as you might； I perceive that you love this
Middle…earth； as do I。 Is it not then our task to labour together for its enrichment； and for the raising of all the Elven…
kindreds that wander here untaught to the height of that power and knowledge which those have who are beyond the
Sea？'
It was in Eregion that the counsels of Sauron were most gladly received； for in that land the Noldor desired ever
to increase the skill and subtlety of their works。 Moreover they were not at peace in their hearts； since they had refused
to return into the West； and they desired both to stay in Middle…earth； which indeed they loved； and yet to enjoy the bliss
of those that had departed。 Therefore they hearkened to Sauron； and they learned of him many things； for his knowledge
was great。 In those days the smiths of Ost…in…Edhil surpassed all that they had contrived before； and they took thought；
and they made Rings of Power。 But Sauron guided their labours； and he was aware of all that they did； for his desire was
to set a bond upon the Elves and to bring them under his vigilance。
Now the Elves made many rings； but secretly Sauron made One Ring to rule all 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。 And much of the strength and
will of Sauron passed into that One Ring； for the power of the Elven…rings was very great； and that which should govern
them must be a thing of surpassing potency； and Sauron forged it in the Mountain of Fire in the Land of Shadow。 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。
But the Elves were not so lightly to be caught。 As soon as Sauron set the One Ring upon his finger they were
aware of him； and they knew him； and perceived that he would be master of them； and of an that they wrought。 Then in
anger and fear they took off their rings。 But he； finding that he was betrayed and that the Elves were not deceived； was
filled with wrath； and he came against them with open war； demanding that all the rings should be delivered to him；
since the Elven…smiths could not have attained to their making without his lore and counsel。 But the Elves fled from him；
and three of their rings they saved； and bore them away； and hid them。
Now these were the Three that had last been made； and they possessed the greatest powers。 Narya； Nenya； and
Vilya； they were named； the Rings of Fire； and of Water； and of Air； set with ruby and adamant and sapphire； and of all
the Elven…rings Sauron most desired to possess them； for those who had them in their keeping could ward off the decays
of time and postpone the weariness of the world。 But Sauron could not discover them； for they were given into the hands
of the Wise； who concealed them and never again used them openly while Sauron kept the Ruling Ring。 Therefore the
Three remained unsullied； for they were forged by Celebrimbor alone； and the hand of Sauron had never touched them；
yet they also were subject to the One。
From that time war never ceased between Sauron and the Elves； and Eregion was laid waste； and Celebrimbor
slain； and the doors of Moria were shut。 In that time the stronghold and refuge of Imladris； that Men called Rivendell；
was founded by Elrond Half…elven； and long it endured。 But Sauron gathered into his hands all the remaining Rings of
Power； and he dealt them out to the other peoples of Middle…earth； hoping thus to bring under his sway all those that
desired secret power beyond the measure of their kind。 Seven Rings he gave to the Dwarves； but to Men he gave nine；
for Men proved in this matter as in others the readiest to his will。 And all those rings that he governed he perverted； the
more easily since he had a part in their making； and they were accursed； and they betrayed in the end all those that used
them。 The Dwarves indeed proved tough and hard to tame； they ill endure the domination of others； and the thoughts of
their hearts are hard to fathom； nor can they be turned to shadows。 They used their rings only for the getting of wealth；
but wrath and an over…mastering greed of gold were kindled in their hearts； of which evil enough after came to the profit
of Sauron。 It is said that the foundation of each of the Seven Hoards of the Dwarf…kings of old was a golden ring； but all
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。
Men proved easier to ensnare。 Those who used the Nine Rings became mighty in their day； kings； sorcerers； and
warriors of old。 They obtained glory and great wealth； yet it turned to their undoing。 They had； as it seemed； unending
life； yet life became unendurable to them。 They could walk； if they would； unseen by all eyes in this world beneath the
sun； and they could see things in worlds invisible to mortal men； but too often they beheld only the phantoms and
delusions of Sauron。 And one by one； sooner or later； according to their native strength and to the good or evil of their
wills in the beginning； they fell under the thraldom of the ring that they bore and under the domination of the One； which
was Sauron's。 And they became for ever invisible save to him that wore the Ruling Ring； and they entered into the realm
of shadows。 The Nazg？l were they； the Ringwraiths； the Enemy's most terrible servants； darkness went with them； and
they cried with the voices of death。
Now Sauron's lust and pride increased； until he knew no bounds； and he determined to make himself master of all
things in Middle…earth； and to destroy the Elves； and to pass； if he might； the downfall of Númenor。 He brooked no
freedom nor any rivalry； and he named himself Lord of the Earth。 A mask he still could wear so that if he wished he
might deceive the eyes of Men； seeming to them wise and fair。 But he ruled rather by force and fear； if they might avail；
and those who perceived his shadow spreading over the world called him the Dark Lord and named him the Enemy； and
he gathered again under