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Gil-galad was an Elven-king... - Page 9

© Michael Martinez

It would be dangerous to reveal the existence of the Rings of Power to this new Numenor, for soon the Dunedain began to question their fate, and to long for the lifespan of the Elves. How much of this reached Gil-galad's ears we can only guess, but after the Numenoreans became divided into the camps of the Faithful and the Kings' Men, and only the Faithful continued to settle in or visit north-western Middle-earth, it must have been obvious that the Kings of Numenor had set themselves upon a path of self-destruction. Gil-galad for his part had his own problems. Many Eldar left Middle-earth after the War of the Elves and Sauron. It probably seemed like only a matter of time before Sauron grew powerful enough again to challenge Gil-galad and the wayward Numenoreans. So Gil-galad's power was diminished and the Elves remained under constant attack even during the centuries when Sauron's attention was turned to the east. When the Numenoreans began conquering portions of Middle-earth they would eventually come into conflict with Sauron's realm. The wars of conquest might relieve some of the pressure on the Elves, but their Days of Flight seem to have continued until Ar-Pharazon's fateful decision to wrest control over Middle-earth from Sauron. Technically, Numenor may still have been allied in some capacity with the Elves. Pelargir, the royal garth of ships (essentially a naval base), had been founded near the Mouths of Anduin in 2350. Although it became the chief haven south by the Faithful Numenoreans, the city's name implies that it was built with royal sanction, and may have served as a base of operations in conflicts with Sauron's realm. The power assembled by the Numenoreans at Pelargir through the centuries may have served to challenge and provoke Sauron, although Mordor would at that time have been more of an outpost of Sauron's empire than its heart. Gil-galad took no action when Ar-Pharazon brought an armada to Middle-earth. Umbar, where Ar-Pharazon landed, was probably too far south for Gil-galad to march or sail to, and Ar-Pharazon most likely didn't want any Elvish help anyway. He was come to claim his place as the King of Men, and no Elf should be required to help him assert his authority. In any event, Ar-Pharazon's army was so great that Sauron's allies abandoned him. The One Ring failed Sauron once again. So Sauron left Mordor and surrendered to Ar-Pharazon, allowing the king to take him back to Numenor.

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