After the submersion of Numenor, Eru reshaped Arda. Those who believed in Eru and fled to Middle-earth during the cataclysm were saved from the storm and vortex with Eru’s aid. However, during their journey, a fleet of three groups had to disperse. Elendil and his followers arrived in Lindon, while Isildur and Anarion reached the Anduin River.
Elendil established the kingdom of Arnor in the north, while Isildur and Anarion founded Gondor in the south. Minas Ithil became Isildur’s city, and Osgiliath became Anarion’s city. Isildur managed to save seven Palantiri and Narsil, which would later reach Aragorn, along with Nimloth as he fled. The Palantiri were placed in the towers of the two cities, enabling communication. Nimloth also found new life in Minas Ithil. Thus, the reign of the ancient Numenorean believers began in Middle-earth, lasting until Sauron and his wrath returned.
Sauron, who managed to gather his power once more, chose Arnor as his initial target and began to attack the kingdom. Sauron first assaulted Minas Ithil, setting Nimloth ablaze. However, Isildur managed to pluck a fruit from Nimloth once again. After Minas Ithil, Sauron attacked Osgiliath, encountering Anarion’s defense. Upon learning of Sauron’s assault on Gondor, Gil-Galad and Elendil reached Elrond, Lord of Rivendell. The trio, who believed that evil had to be completely eradicated from Arda, forged the Last Alliance of Elves and Men. It was a battle to end all wars.
In the battle that we witnessed at the opening of “The Lord of the Rings” film, Sauron, despite his efforts, could not repel the Elves and Men. The Last Alliance pushed Sauron and his armies all the way to Mordor and closed the gates. Sauron, hiding behind the gates of Mordor for seven years, realized he could not win the war and came out alone. Sauron attacked the armies of the Last Alliance, confronting Gil-Galad and Elendil in a one-on-one duel. After a deadly fight, Sauron succeeded in killing his two ancient rivals and the leaders of the races, but he, too, fell due to the injuries he sustained. Seeing Sauron fall, Isildur took Narsil, the sword at father’s feet, and severed the One Ring from his finger. Contrary to what is shown in the film, Isildur managed to take the ring when Sauron was caught off guard, not when Sauron reached out his hand.
After taking the ring, Elrond and Cirdan advised Isildur to go to Mount Doom and cast the ring into the fire, but you already know what happened next. Isildur decided to keep the ring as a trophy of war, and though he carried it for many years with pride, but the ring eventually betrayed him and led to his death. With Isildur’s death, the ring disappeared, remaining hidden for many years until it was found by a young Smeagol.
With the death of Gil-Galad, the Noldor Elves returned to Valinor. Cirdan, Amroth, Elrond, Thranduil, Galadriel, and Celeborn chose to remain in Middle-earth. They dispersed to different regions, each taking charge of a part of Middle-earth. While they were establishing a new life in the new Middle-earth, Sauron’s spirit began searching for the ring to restore him to life.
Sources and Further Information
- Tolkien, J.R.R & Tolkien, Christopher. “The Silmarillion,” Houghton Mifflin Company (2004)
- Tolkien, J.R.R & İpek, Çiğdem Erkal “Translator”. “Yüzüklerin Efendisi,” Metis Yayınları (2007)
- Tolkien, J.R.R & Tolkien, Christopher. “The Children of Húrin,” HarperCollins (2007)
- Tolkien, J.R.R & Tolkien, Christopher. “Beren and Lúthien,” Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (2017)
- Tolkien, J.R.R & Tolkien, Christopher. “The Fall of Gondolin,” Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (2018)
- Orta Dünya – Legendarium Türkiye, YouTube
- Yüzüklerin Efendisi – Orta Dünya, YouTube
- Nerd of the Rings, YouTube