The Nine
by Eonwe-(Valar)
June 23, 2000
Nine lords of Men came to the Gates of Mordor to
meet with Sauron, the lord of Barad-Dur. Sauron took upon himself
a fair guise and met them at the gate. “Come, my friends! We
shall
dine first, and then I shall share with you the business for which I
have
called you here.” In silence they rode to the Dark Tower and in
silence
they dined. When the lords had each eaten their fill, Sauron
began
to speak.
“Now that each of you has dined on the best food
and wine I have to offer, I now make you the best offer you will ever
hear.
Before me I have nine rings. I am sure they appear as little more
than trifles to you, my friends, but I assure you these rings are very
special. These rings will give their wearer great power.
Greater
power than you can imagine!” He then paused to let the words
resound
in their minds, and with a smile continued in a whisper, so that the
lords
had to come closer to hear. “My friends, I tell you now these
rings
will give you that which those who dwell across the Sea have denied to
all men. These rings will give you --- immortality!”
The lords then began to talk amongst
themselves.
Then one said, “Lord Sauron, I have no doubt thou speakest the truth,
but
what proof do we have that these rings hold the power you say they do?”
With another smile, Sauron said, “I will let each
of you try a ring; and for you, Lord Herumor, who is of the noble
people
of Numenor, not only will you be the first to try, but you will also be
given the greatest of the nine, for it is your shrewdness and
perception
that has demanded this test.” With that, each of them was handed
a ring. As Lord Herumor put on his ring, the others gasped to see
that he had disappeared!
“That is right, friends. These rings also
give you the power to become invisible when you wish.”
Then another lord spoke up. “And what is the
price of such power?”
With another smile, Sauron said, “Several of you
have already sworn fealty to me. However, I will not demand that
all of you do so. For now, I grant this power freely, and hope
that
the friendship between all our nations is everlasting.”
Each of the lords thought on how their ring could
help their kingdom and, most importantly for some, themselves. In
the end, they all accepted the rings. Sauron escorted them to the
gate, and this time there was much laughter and mirth along the
trip.
At the gate he bid them farewell and safe journey.
Upon returning to the Barad-Dur, he cast aside his
fair form as one would cast aside a worn cloak. He walked through
his halls, which were now filled with orcs and trolls. As he
reached
his throne room, he pulled about him the form he had worn in private
for
many long years, and as he sat on his throne, he began to smile
again.
As his smile began to erupt into laughter, something on his right hand
began to glow red; something none of the lords had noticed during their
meeting: a simple, golden ring.
Next: "The
Seven"
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