![]() The fires of Angband although rekindled, were small and no dark smoke rose from the northern lands to make the night even blacker all around, like it had in the times before the chaining of Melkor. If not for Melkor, then at least for the right time to strike.Īnd so despite never ceasing to work, Sauron made sure that all was done quietly and that no word of the happenings in Angband would reach the curious ears. Knowing that the odds were still against them and that they would be so for a long time to come, instead of acting rash, the Maia chose to lay in hiding and in wait. In secrecy, decade after decade, he slowly had Angband restored, armories filled to brims with weapons, war machines built and more Orcs bred and trained in the art of war.Īnd yet unlike his lord and master, who in the furious haste of his malice would ere oft forget about all caution, Sauron, having assumed the position of power, proved to be a poised and clever strategist. ![]() Once Mairon, the Admirable, the craftsman of Aulë and now Sauron, the Abominable, Melkor’s most loyal servant, despite his master’s absence he had once again immersed himself in his dark duties and set out to work, imposing onto himself many duties. He could not remain thus - for since the very beginning of Ea it was not idling but constant and thorough work that was in his nature. Yet although no news had come, the lieutenant of Melkor did not remain idle. Long years had the Maia spent in hiding, waiting for the news of his master’s fate. That was where Sauron, the commander of Angband, hid from the pursuit as well and thanks to the oversight of the Valar, evaded capture. And thus they failed to find the evil that still lurked and nested beyond the hidden passages in the nethermost halls of the second stronghold. ![]() Yet blinded by their triumph after the chaining of Melkor, whom they had seized and hurled down from his black throne in the depths of Utumno, the mighty and luminous Ainur had dropped their guard. Soon after the fall of the first fortress of Melkor, the Valar had come to Angband as well, seeking to put an end to the darkness that dwelled within it and subdue it like they had done with Utumno before. Three centuries since Sauron, the traitor of light and Melkor’s most faithful lieutenant, had hidden within the shadows and thus was left behind to save what could have still been salvaged from his master’s empire. Three overlong centuries since the once fearsome stronghold of Utumno had fallen to ruin, conquered and forever lost to the Valar. Three ages passed since the real lord of Angband had been captured and dragged in chains to Valinor by his brethren. And whatever the cause for his call now was, be it the expression of tenebrous joy of his return or the sign of the approach of an enemy, Sauron rested assured that the horde of Balrogs would handle it with ease.Īnd yet despite suspecting that any further help was needless, the Maia never tore his eyes from the dark horizon. Melkor, the darkest Vala, was finally free from his captivity in the Halls of Mandos. That was then from where Melkor was approaching. From there he followed with his eyes to where the flaming flurry that poured out of Angband was headed. When a while passed after the fiery passing of the Balrogs and the air in the corridor where the Maia stood, was no longer too hot to breathe in, Sauron, once the master craftsman of the household of Aulë and for the last three centuries the dark lord in Melkor’s stead, walked slowly across the hallway, towards a narrow window that overlooked the lands of the North. Three long centuries had passed since last Sauron had heard it, yet he could never forget the timbre of his master’s voice. Like that they ascended the many levels of Angband, seeking their way outside, united by one single purpose - to help their master in need.įor there was indeed no doubt that the voice that shook the nearby mountains and cast fear into even the blackest of hearts could belong to none else but to the Dark Lord himself. Balrogs, the spirits of fire that dwelled there, responded to the call with a roar of raging flames and in the likeness of a firestorm they arose, rushing up the flights of stairs and filling the corridors with their blinding, scorching presence. The answer to the cry came almost at once and standing in the hallway many floors above, Sauron sensed the dormant fire waking beneath his feet, far down below in the deepest vaults of Angband. The overpowering force behind its summon caused the Maia to freeze in his tracks and for once forget about all of his duties. Yellow eyes rimmed with fire opened wide, as Sauron felt clearly the power of the voice. The earth trembled and the mighty walls of Angband quaked together with it, as echoes of a shrill and shattering cry shook the steppes and mountains of Beleriand.
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