[Iarhen]

Sharku... What an enlightening post... I just want to make a few comments:


I. You base your responses on an auther different than JRR Tolkien, but on his son (HoME) and etc. And although I much respect Christophers opinion and stories, I do not take as the definitive answer to all my questions whatever he says. In the end, its as much speculation as what Im doing here. Its not that JRR said it himself... So let me expand my ideas even though they contradict what Christopher says...

II. You are absolutely right when you say that Sauron would not want to bring Morgoth back when he is the supreme ruler of M.E. But again, Morgoth's seed is spread all over Arda, and specially inside his once closest servant. Sauron may not even know about the ultimate goal of his actions. As a servant he was from Morgoth, he might not even imagine that his works and plans are focused on a bigger goal, the return of Melkor.

Surely Sauron would not want it. But Melkors influence over Sauron endures by the 3rd Age, even if Melkor has been long gone and lost in the Void. Again, if Arda has the imprint of Melkors doing, imagine the terrible imprint he left on Sauron. Again, Sauron may be striving to be the supreme ruler... not knowing that hes doing exactly what his old master wanted him to and aiding him on his way back.

III. How would Melkor come back? Imagine the end of life as it is: free and beautiful, as Eru imagined it. Now twisted, perverted, sickened, darkened... the ultimate mockery: All of the Children of Illuvatar trapped under Saurons iron fist... Thats the end of M.E. as we know it... the end ot his world as we know it... And thats possibly the path Morgoth needs to come back to his Earth...

If the host of the Valar came again, much would be lost and much would suffer... probably the children of Eru would not be able to recover after the dominion of Sauron...

Or the destruction caused by the clashing might of Saurons armies and the Host of the Valar would break this Earth... Or destroy mostly all of men, remaining elves and dwarves...

IV. You discuss Gwaihirs theory of Morgoths influence over Sauron. I interpreted what Gwaihir said in the manner above described. An enduring impression that the High Dark Lord left on his servant... An impression that influences Sauron ever so strongly... Making Sauron think hes working for himself when he is actually and really working for his lost Master... Morgoth may not have a direct communication with Sauron, I agree... But what Morgoth left in Saurons spirit is stronger than actual communication... Again, if Arda and all the creation show the terrible effects of Melkor, imagine the grandness of the influence that Morgoth has over his servant... as mighty as the servant can be...

V. What Angry Hill Troll says about the possible fracture of the alliance that would have brought Saurons ultimate victory is terribly correct. And although I would like to differ saying that Saurons influence over them and his continuing imprint over them would leave men without free will... only thiking about pleasures and the way of obtaining them (through the favour of Lord Sauron)... The growing strength of men could be corrupted into a growing corruption... and a growing weakness by the years of enduring perversion provided by Sauron and his craft... but Sauron could lose control...

But he would have accomplished what Morgoth wanted him to... He would have brough the world, as we know it, to its end. And if we follow CTolkiens ideas, with the prohibiton of the VAlar on attacking the Children of Illuvatar... The world would end as a corrupted land... A mockery of the main designs of Eru


and THAT would be Sauron's ultimate goal (without him even knowing it) and Morgoth's total victory: annihilation of life (as we know it). And the Dagor Dagorath would be at hand... And Melkor would have a greater chance, with the aid of the corrupted Children, to defeat the Valar and their allies...