The Sauron Strategies: Footsteps into Failure - Page 8
© Michael Martinez
The Numenoreans certainly began to take on a larger role in the affairs of Middle-earth. As the centuries passed, new Numenorean strongholds and havens were established along the coastlands. Numenorean power slowly marched northward toward Mordor's borders. So Sauron found himself confronted by two rivals: the Eldar in the north and Numenor in the south. And yet, with the destruction of Eregion, all ambition seems to have fled the Eldar. As long as the Rings of Power existed, of course, the Elves would have some protection against fading. So their chief objective had been accomplished. But they appear to have had the stuffing beaten out of them. There would be no more great Elven realms in Middle-earth.
Sauron may have built up his strength, but he seems to have devoted more than 1,000 years to dueling with the Numenoreans over various minor regions. His strategy floundered as he pondered what to do about the two problems. Sauron's flexibility undoubtedly ensured that his realm survived. By changing directions and pursuing more easily obtained goals in the east, he established an empire capable of withstanding most of the incursions of Numenor. But he appears to have held back in confronting Numenorean power. There is no mention of massive assaults on any Numenorean fortresses. Once Umbar was established, it remained in Numenorean control. Once Pelargir was built, Numenor had a permanent foothold along the lower Anduin.
However, it may be that Sauron stumbled early on, and his apparent reluctance to launch a second massive war was due to a realization of his mistake. When the Elves realized that they had been betrayed, Sauron could have given in to anger and pride. He demanded that they surrender their Rings of Power to him. Of course, they refused to do so. Hence, Sauron reacted angrily and launched a war against them. Although he might have cooled off after a few dozen years, any setbacks he suffered early on in the war (such as losing his eastern armies, or at least failing to destroy the woodland realms) may have reignited or fed his anger. It would not be until Sauron and his bodyguard returned to Mordor, soundly defeated, that he may have calmed down enough to figure out that he wasn't going to seize all of Middle-earth through war.
Hence, the ensuing centuries where Sauron sparred with the Numenoreans for control over what must have been relatively minor territories (probably mostly in the south) may have been time well spent in Sauron's opinion. That is, he was able to probe the Numenoreans for weaknesses, and he must have studied them. It may be that Sauron studied the young prince who eventually became Ar-Pharazon, realized that here was an individual who could be manipulated, and eventually inticed Ar-Pharazon (from afar) to challenge Sauron for mastery over Middle-earth.
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