Darren Grey
Active Member
Recent discussion on ExLotR of Sauron's perspective on things and how long it would take the Nazgul to return to Mordor make me think about what the Dark Lord really knows throughout the events of the book. We get very little in the book of Sauron's point of view, and it's easy to forget just how little he knows with any certainty. Especially when you consider it would take some time for news of any events to reach him, as he had few agents working west of the Anduin and until the winged Nazgul were active it would take months for messages or reports to come back. Many things that happen he would have zero knowledge of, as forces he sends out just never come back.
Anyway, here is a timeline of what I think he would have known, and how he might have reflected on things. If I've missed anything important or got anything wrong then do let me know (as if I have to ask... )
2939 Sauron’s servants search the Gladden Fields. He learns more of Isildur's end and begins to suspect the Ring could have fallen in this area.
2941 The White Council drive Sauron from Dol Guldur. Smaug is slain. Gandalf appears to be at the heart of both actions. Sauron returns in secret to Mordor.
2951 Sauron declares himself openly and sends three Nazgul to reoccupy Dol Guldur.
c 3000 Saruman uses the palantir and becomes ensnared by Sauron’s will. Just how much he reveals to Sauron is unclear.
3009-17 Around this time a creature called Gollum is captured on the borders of Mordor. Sauron is physically present for his torture (if not conducting it himself), and it becomes clear that the mark of the Ruling Ring is on this strange being. And in spite of how pathetic the thing is it remains hard to completely dominate his will. Gollum eventually reveals that the Ring was taken by a creature called “Baggins” from a place called “Shire”.
3017 Sauron releases Gollum and sets spies to watch him in case he helps lead them to the Ring. Gollum is captured by an unknown man and taken to Mirkwood.
Jun 3018 Sauron attacks Osgiliath and sends his most trusted servants, the Nazgul, on their mission to find “Baggins” and the “Shire” and recover the Ring. The taking of Osgiliath seems to be primarily to allow for their journey. Around the same time his orcs rescue Gollum from Thranduil’s realm, but aren’t able to capture him. What Gollum has revealed to his enemies is unknown.
Now begins a period of long, dreadful silence for Sauron. The ringwraiths are out on their mission in enemy territory, and he has no way of receiving news back of their hunt. At some point Saruman stops reporting through his palantir. All Sauron can do is prepare for war as he awaits further news.
Dec 3018 Around this time we might assume the Nazgul have made it back to Mordor “empty and shapeless” after the confrontation at the Ford of Bruinen. Sauron at this point learns that the Ring has indeed been found, that it is held by a small creature called a “hobbit”, and that this hobbit is being guarded by Gandalf, Glorfindel, the dunedain and a strange man of power (whether he can equate this as the man who captured Gollum is unclear). The hobbit was able to invoke the name of Elbereth against the Witch-king, and was able to resist the Morgul-blade wound for far longer than could be thought possible. When the hobbit was about to be captured on the borders of Imladris someone raised the force of the river against the Nazgul.
The Ring was now certainly in the possession of a union of his most hated enemies, along with people of power he did not know about. This is terrifying. Their plans for the Ring are unknown, though it seems doubtless they will either send it West or one will claim it and confront him. Sauron may have observed that many scouts were sent around from Imladris, though possibly this was done stealthily and it would take some time to get reported back to him.
13 Jan 3019 There is a battle near Caradhras, with spells of fire used. Gandalf is clearly involved. The news of spells being used may reach Sauron quickly, but it could be some time before he hears of the defeat of his forces in the area or gets any hint of who was there (if he learns this at all).
25 Jan 3019 On the peak of Zirakzigil two great powers fight, and both perish. What Sauron can sense of this (if anything) is unclear. Its meaning will be shrouded in mystery.
Feb 3019 There is an altercation with some people on boats coming from the vicinity of Lorien and a Nazgul is shot from the sky, though he'd have no reason initially to suspect this was the party from Imladris. He may eventually learn the arrow was from Lorien. A band of orcs sent to Rohan at the end of this month does not return. By this time Saruman’s ambitions will have become clear, with his own uruk-hai developed in force. Sauron laughs at this slave’s flattery.
26 Feb 3019 Sauron senses a force spying on Mordor from afar. It seems he can tell that this force bears the Ring. He puts out his will to locate the bearer, but a third will contests with him and the bearer disengages before he can be found.
5 Mar 3019 A hobbit appears in the palantir of Orthanc! Sauron sends a firm message to Saruman that the Ring is not for him and will be sent for. This is the first solid news of the Ring since the confrontation at the Ford of Bruinen, though how it got across the mountains and into the hands of Saruman is unknown.
6 Mar 3019 The Nazgul report that Isengard is overthrown and flooded, and that the long-forgotten Ents have risen up in force. A new face appears in the palantir of Orthanc - that of Aragorn, heir of Isildur, bearing reforged the blade that once cut the Ring from his finger. Isildur’s heir wrests control of the palantir from Sauron’s will.
This is a dreadful and shocking moment for Sauron. It seems clear that Isildur’s heir has the Ring and is uniting forces against him and his allies. Did this man overthrow Saruman in his stronghold even though the wizard held the Ruling Ring? The image of Isildur's heir and the sword reforged strike terror in his heart, and losing the battle of wills for control of the palantir will have caused shame and anger. He accelerates his war plans, and within a few days commands Mount Doom to bring forth a black cloud. By this stage he has also invested new power into the Witch-king, and the forces of Minas Morgul march to war with the Witch-king as their captain.
12 Mar 3019 Sauron attacks Rohan, but is driven back by the Ents. His forces at Pelargir are driven out by Isildur’s heir and an army of dead. (How quickly Sauron learns of these is unclear, but the pattern of unexpected defeats across the west will start to become obvious.)
15 Mar 3019 After besieging Minas Tirith with overwhelming force, Sauron is shocked by the sudden death of the Witch-king. His forces are routed and destroyed in a way he could not have imagined. Meanwhile an orc captain returns injured from Cirith Ungol reporting of spies and bearing tokens from the enemies, including a mithril coat. He reports of the captured hobbit, and of the activity of some elf-lord that managed to injure Shelob.
18 Mar 3019 An army marches from Minas Tirith with Isildur’s heir at its head. It seems clear he has overthrown Denethor and taken control of all the powers of the West. He marches with a pitifully small force, and is heading right to the gates of Mordor. After all that has gone wrong for Sauron, now he can relish the reckless pride of this foolish new ringbearer. But though the force seems almost in jest, Sauron must take this seriously - there is still a real threat to him here.
22 Mar 3019 There are reports of spies within Mordor, and a black creature that could be Gollum. However these are distractions that can be dealt with later - he is busy mobilising his forces to ensure a complete and utter victory against the attacking army. He can take no chances after the misfortunes that have occurred to date, and so he moves all his troops to be ready for the confrontation at the Black Gate.
25 Mar 3019 Isildur’s heir arrives at the Black Gate with Gandalf at his side and a hobbit in his company. He is vastly outnumbered by the forces of Mordor. Sauron begins his attack, absolutely sure that his final and total victory is at hand. Eagles attack his Nazgul as the western forces defend themselves. Then, suddenly, he senses that right in the heart of his realm, in the very chamber of the Sammath Naur, someone has laid claim to the Ring. His misjudgments are laid bare and he turns all his will to Mount Doom, forgetting utterly his armies. The Nazgul turn from battle and speed towards Mount Doom. But it is too late, as by some strange chance the Ring falls into the Fire and is destroyed. Sauron is reduced to a spirit of nothingness, and all his servants and creations fall.
Anyway, here is a timeline of what I think he would have known, and how he might have reflected on things. If I've missed anything important or got anything wrong then do let me know (as if I have to ask... )
2939 Sauron’s servants search the Gladden Fields. He learns more of Isildur's end and begins to suspect the Ring could have fallen in this area.
2941 The White Council drive Sauron from Dol Guldur. Smaug is slain. Gandalf appears to be at the heart of both actions. Sauron returns in secret to Mordor.
2951 Sauron declares himself openly and sends three Nazgul to reoccupy Dol Guldur.
c 3000 Saruman uses the palantir and becomes ensnared by Sauron’s will. Just how much he reveals to Sauron is unclear.
3009-17 Around this time a creature called Gollum is captured on the borders of Mordor. Sauron is physically present for his torture (if not conducting it himself), and it becomes clear that the mark of the Ruling Ring is on this strange being. And in spite of how pathetic the thing is it remains hard to completely dominate his will. Gollum eventually reveals that the Ring was taken by a creature called “Baggins” from a place called “Shire”.
3017 Sauron releases Gollum and sets spies to watch him in case he helps lead them to the Ring. Gollum is captured by an unknown man and taken to Mirkwood.
Jun 3018 Sauron attacks Osgiliath and sends his most trusted servants, the Nazgul, on their mission to find “Baggins” and the “Shire” and recover the Ring. The taking of Osgiliath seems to be primarily to allow for their journey. Around the same time his orcs rescue Gollum from Thranduil’s realm, but aren’t able to capture him. What Gollum has revealed to his enemies is unknown.
Now begins a period of long, dreadful silence for Sauron. The ringwraiths are out on their mission in enemy territory, and he has no way of receiving news back of their hunt. At some point Saruman stops reporting through his palantir. All Sauron can do is prepare for war as he awaits further news.
Dec 3018 Around this time we might assume the Nazgul have made it back to Mordor “empty and shapeless” after the confrontation at the Ford of Bruinen. Sauron at this point learns that the Ring has indeed been found, that it is held by a small creature called a “hobbit”, and that this hobbit is being guarded by Gandalf, Glorfindel, the dunedain and a strange man of power (whether he can equate this as the man who captured Gollum is unclear). The hobbit was able to invoke the name of Elbereth against the Witch-king, and was able to resist the Morgul-blade wound for far longer than could be thought possible. When the hobbit was about to be captured on the borders of Imladris someone raised the force of the river against the Nazgul.
The Ring was now certainly in the possession of a union of his most hated enemies, along with people of power he did not know about. This is terrifying. Their plans for the Ring are unknown, though it seems doubtless they will either send it West or one will claim it and confront him. Sauron may have observed that many scouts were sent around from Imladris, though possibly this was done stealthily and it would take some time to get reported back to him.
13 Jan 3019 There is a battle near Caradhras, with spells of fire used. Gandalf is clearly involved. The news of spells being used may reach Sauron quickly, but it could be some time before he hears of the defeat of his forces in the area or gets any hint of who was there (if he learns this at all).
25 Jan 3019 On the peak of Zirakzigil two great powers fight, and both perish. What Sauron can sense of this (if anything) is unclear. Its meaning will be shrouded in mystery.
Feb 3019 There is an altercation with some people on boats coming from the vicinity of Lorien and a Nazgul is shot from the sky, though he'd have no reason initially to suspect this was the party from Imladris. He may eventually learn the arrow was from Lorien. A band of orcs sent to Rohan at the end of this month does not return. By this time Saruman’s ambitions will have become clear, with his own uruk-hai developed in force. Sauron laughs at this slave’s flattery.
26 Feb 3019 Sauron senses a force spying on Mordor from afar. It seems he can tell that this force bears the Ring. He puts out his will to locate the bearer, but a third will contests with him and the bearer disengages before he can be found.
5 Mar 3019 A hobbit appears in the palantir of Orthanc! Sauron sends a firm message to Saruman that the Ring is not for him and will be sent for. This is the first solid news of the Ring since the confrontation at the Ford of Bruinen, though how it got across the mountains and into the hands of Saruman is unknown.
6 Mar 3019 The Nazgul report that Isengard is overthrown and flooded, and that the long-forgotten Ents have risen up in force. A new face appears in the palantir of Orthanc - that of Aragorn, heir of Isildur, bearing reforged the blade that once cut the Ring from his finger. Isildur’s heir wrests control of the palantir from Sauron’s will.
This is a dreadful and shocking moment for Sauron. It seems clear that Isildur’s heir has the Ring and is uniting forces against him and his allies. Did this man overthrow Saruman in his stronghold even though the wizard held the Ruling Ring? The image of Isildur's heir and the sword reforged strike terror in his heart, and losing the battle of wills for control of the palantir will have caused shame and anger. He accelerates his war plans, and within a few days commands Mount Doom to bring forth a black cloud. By this stage he has also invested new power into the Witch-king, and the forces of Minas Morgul march to war with the Witch-king as their captain.
12 Mar 3019 Sauron attacks Rohan, but is driven back by the Ents. His forces at Pelargir are driven out by Isildur’s heir and an army of dead. (How quickly Sauron learns of these is unclear, but the pattern of unexpected defeats across the west will start to become obvious.)
15 Mar 3019 After besieging Minas Tirith with overwhelming force, Sauron is shocked by the sudden death of the Witch-king. His forces are routed and destroyed in a way he could not have imagined. Meanwhile an orc captain returns injured from Cirith Ungol reporting of spies and bearing tokens from the enemies, including a mithril coat. He reports of the captured hobbit, and of the activity of some elf-lord that managed to injure Shelob.
18 Mar 3019 An army marches from Minas Tirith with Isildur’s heir at its head. It seems clear he has overthrown Denethor and taken control of all the powers of the West. He marches with a pitifully small force, and is heading right to the gates of Mordor. After all that has gone wrong for Sauron, now he can relish the reckless pride of this foolish new ringbearer. But though the force seems almost in jest, Sauron must take this seriously - there is still a real threat to him here.
22 Mar 3019 There are reports of spies within Mordor, and a black creature that could be Gollum. However these are distractions that can be dealt with later - he is busy mobilising his forces to ensure a complete and utter victory against the attacking army. He can take no chances after the misfortunes that have occurred to date, and so he moves all his troops to be ready for the confrontation at the Black Gate.
25 Mar 3019 Isildur’s heir arrives at the Black Gate with Gandalf at his side and a hobbit in his company. He is vastly outnumbered by the forces of Mordor. Sauron begins his attack, absolutely sure that his final and total victory is at hand. Eagles attack his Nazgul as the western forces defend themselves. Then, suddenly, he senses that right in the heart of his realm, in the very chamber of the Sammath Naur, someone has laid claim to the Ring. His misjudgments are laid bare and he turns all his will to Mount Doom, forgetting utterly his armies. The Nazgul turn from battle and speed towards Mount Doom. But it is too late, as by some strange chance the Ring falls into the Fire and is destroyed. Sauron is reduced to a spirit of nothingness, and all his servants and creations fall.