June 22, 2003

Creation of the Rings of Power
Bob Praz

Someone might have already said this by the time this message is posted. This is basically most of what is already said in the Silmarillion, but I hope it clears things up for those of you who are interested.
The Rings of Power were ALL made by the elves, except the One Ring, which was made by Sauron. Those who have read the Silmarillion, and in particular the section Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age, it is said specifically that Sauron, who went in fair disguise and called himself Annatar (Lord of Gifts), was well received in Eregion, a noldorin kingdom (of which Celebrimbor was the lord and greatest smith). There they hearkened to him and received great knowledge, for Sauron was a master of craftsmanship (being, in the depths of time, a servant of Aulë), and he thought them and guided them in their labours to forge the Rings of Power. Sauron had part in the forging of all the great Rings, except for the three elven Rings. That's why the Nine Rings and the Seven were especially bent to Sauron's will. But the three Rings of the elves were made last, and they were made by Celebrimbor alone, without the guidance of Sauron. But Sauron forged the One Ring in secret, and with that Ring he could be aware of all that was done with the lesser rings and be master of their bearers and their works. But as soon as he put on, the elves perceived his treachery, and saw that he would be master of them. Therefore they took off the rings, and knowing that Sauron would be wrathful and soon make war on them, they delivered them into the hands of the Wise who concealed them, and never used them openly while Sauron wore the Ruling Ring. Sauron afterwards invaded Eregion, and Celebrimbor was slain when he refused to tell him the location of the three rings, of which he desired the most to possess, for they were the most powerful. But Sauron recovered the other Rings of Power and dealt them out to Men and Dwarves, hoping to thus help bring those races under his dominion. Men were the most easily enslaved, as we all know, and the Nine Rings given to them made their bearers powerful in their time. But eventually the Rings worked to their undoing, for they had unending life, and yet life was unendurable to them. Too often they walked in what we call the “wraith-world”, and one by one they became wraiths themselves, and became utterly under the will of Sauron. But the hearts of dwarves could not be bent to the will of others, yet the Seven Rings arose in them even more greediness and desire of wealth and treasure, which sometimes worked to Sauron’s advantage. Yet many of the Rings of the Dwarves were devoured by dragons, who had many wars with that people and plundered their hoards of treasures. The Ring of Thrain, Thorin’s father, was the last of the Seven Rings to be recovered by Sauron, as is explained in the Appendices.