Prologue
It was on the early spring day of March 25, T.A. 3019, that one great tale ends, and another begins. For on that day one great shadow departed, but another was conceived. For this day was one of the most known in story and song, as the day of the fall of Barad-dur and the passing of Sauron. But in later days it would also be known as the day when the seeds of new evil, springing forth from the old, were sown.
But at the time, only two knew of it: Sauron, the departing Dark Lord, and his Mouth and Lieutenant, Herumor, commonly known as the Mouth of Sauron.
And this is the story of the beginning of the new evil, which I shall relate to you now:
The tower of Barad-dur was literally shaking with despair, for its lord and builder Sauron's chief source of power, the One Ring, was just destroyed.
Orcs were running about in despair, even accidentally killing each other.
But their commander managed to control himself just long enough to convey an important message to Herumor, lieutenant of the tower:" The lord Sauron summons you."
At once, Herumor began climbing the almost endless stairs to the top floor, and reached it just in time.
The doors to the throne room were open, for the Orcs guarding them had fled.
Herumor went into the room, sat down, and then Sauron began to speak: " Herumor, my time is nearly finished. My tower, my greatest pride is shaking and about to fall.
My servants fleeing in despair. But only I do not despair."
Then Herumor spoke:" Why don't you despair?" Sauron replied: "I do not despair, for I have already chosen a successor." " And who is he?" asked Herumor. " You are my successor!" Sauron replied. " But my lord, your downfall will be my downfall, for I, unlike you, am mortal." Herumor said. " No my son, you are no longer mortal, for already I have conferred upon you the immortality of the Elves." Sauron said to him.
" My lord, even if I used all the languages that exist, I would not come close to fully expressing my gratitude to you." Herumor replied. " Thank you. But now I shall tell you what you shall do following my downfall: First, you shall flee to the east, where you shall hide for ten centuries. Then, when they have passed, you shall reveal yourself, and you will gather an army of loyal followers of the Shadow. Then, I trust you shall learn from my mistakes, and then the Shadow will finally reign over all Middle-earth!" said Sauron. " My lord, I shall follow your orders to the letter." Said Herumor. " Good, and farewell Herumor. You shall no longer be known as Mouth of Sauron or Lieutenant of Barad-dur, you shall be known as Dark Lord! Goodbye and farewell!" Before Herumor could react he suddenly found himself in a deserted desert. And he knew that he was transported to the East. Then he heard a huge crash, and knew that the tower had fallen. And their he hid for the first ten centuries of the Fourth Age, during which, he would gradually, slowly but surely, be forgotten from all memory, oral or written. But ten centuries later, when he emerged from the shadows, all of Middle-earth would be rudely awakened to his continued existence and newfound power…
To be continued…
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