Pallando's Instructions to Mordor
East Osgiliath, Mordor Camp
evening, April 6th, TA 3019
"… The person he most closely resembles is Gil-galad."
Pallando was giving almost the same speech to the embassy from Mordor that he'd given to Gondor an hour before. The other members from the White Council delegation, Radagast, Elrond, and Saruman, were with him.
"He himself would have said he most closely resembles Isildur, but that's not true, because Elessar doesn't have Isildur's most significant weakness." added Elrond. "Unlike most men of Númenorian descent, he doesn't fear death or crave a longer life, and that's a key part of his character."
The Witch King of Angmar sat and listened. It was impossible to read his face. The Lieutenant of Barad-dûr sat beside him, taking notes. Sauron stood behind them, pacing or leaning against a table.
These three made up the negotiation team from Mordor, the Principal and two Chief Advisors. Khamûl was going to be a back-up Advisor, as was Akhorahil. Emissaries from their close allies, Khand and Harad, were also part of the group.
Pallando continued. "Regarding his best traits, King Elessar is a great general. He puts the welfare of his people before his own. He supports a cause larger than himself. He didn't want the throne and only accepted it out of duty. He'll never be a tyrant. He's enormously strong, but considerate and kind to the weak. His word is good. He's one of the best swordsmen you'll ever meet."
Angmar, an excellent swordsman himself, had faced Elessar in single combat at Weathertop. Angmar could attest that Elessar the warrior wasn't just good, he was almost supernaturally good.
"Regarding his negative traits, Elessar sees things in black and white." Pallando looked at Sauron. "Or in your case, good vs. evil. He has almost no sense of humor. I know you do it to be funny, but your habit of sarcasm and eye rolling is not going to go over well with him, so you might want to tone it down. He can be judgmental. He has no use for cowardice or petty dishonesty, and he's not going to show mercy toward the wicked, even when they repent. He makes up his mind quickly, and once he's formed an opinion, he's unlikely to change it. He has strong likes and dislikes. In your case, that's a problem, because you're one of his chief dislikes.
"Find a way to connect with them." said Pallando. "Look for traits that you and King Elessar share. You're both highly intelligent. You're both brilliant generals. You both love Arda. There has to be something about him you can find to like, or at least to respect."
"I'm finding it hard to like him, since he spent the better part of the year since Yule plotting to kill me and destroy my greatest work, which for a craftsman, is almost worse." Sauron said darkly. "I believe you're familiar with that plot, Elrond, since you masterminded it."
Pallando continued. "You're going to have to work hard to connect with him. Elessar is going to have to work hard to connect with you also. He's made up his mind that you're a bully and a coward, and he holds you in low esteem."
Sauron was offended at being called a bully and a coward. He was a mass murderer, and cruel, and selfish, and a liar. But he wasn't a coward. He was far more likely to take stupid risks, like turn himself into a giant wolf to take on the hound Huan in single combat or show off by climbing on top of Melkor's Temple in Armenelos during a lightning storm, than he was to be cautious.
And as for picking on the weak, that wasn't fair. He picked on everyone. His favorite targets ever were Gil-galad, the greatest of the Elvish High Kings, and Ar-Pharazôn, the most powerful Númenorian King the island ever produced. It took a long time and a lot of hard work, but he eventually killed both of them. And now he was beginning to take an interest in this King Elessar.
Trying another tack, Pallando asked, "Sauron, I know that you and King Elessar have never met. But when you think of Elessar, do you see Isildur?"
"No. When I think of Elessar, I see Ar-Pharazôn." answered Sauron.
"What would you be thinking about, if you were with Ar-Pharazôn right now?"
"The same thing I always thought about when I was around him. I was on my best behavior, speaking respectfully, and keeping my face still. And I was thinking, 'I don't care how long it takes. I don't care how much it's going to cost me. I don't even know how I'm going to do it. But I am going to fucking kill you.'" Sauron answered. "I got him, too." He smiled happily, and for once, it was a real smile that reached his eyes.
Pallando sighed. Lovely. This is going to be harder than I thought.
Pallando finished up his instructions to Mordor with a review of the conference security rules. He told them that the Great Hall was divided into two halves, East and West, to keep the two delegations away from each other. He made sure they understood that the 'no weapons' rule applied to the smallest penknife. He told them that the conference organizers had the authority to ban any of the participants from the room, including the Principals, and wouldn't hesitate to do it if they behaved badly. He also strongly suggested that they not leave anything in their antechamber overnight, because the organizers would not be guarding the Basilica during the night, and they might prefer not to have the other side taking the opportunity to read their notes.
Pallando dictated one last rule, which affected Mordor more than Gondor. The Organizers didn't want anyone casting spells in the Great Hall. Most spells were sung, so singing of any kind was forbidden while the conference was in session. Anyone violating the rule would be asked to leave.
The restriction was aimed mainly at Sauron, who sang almost all of his spells including the Ring inscription. But it was hard on him for other reasons. He often sang to himself when he was working with his hands or lost in his own thoughts. It would be an effort for him to stop.