I wrote this one faster than I thought I would, so here it is ahead of schedule. Chapter 7 will come out soon. Please, review and enjoy!

The Fourth of Gwirith, 3273 S.A.

Even with all my knowledge, I'm still unable to figure out why Ar-Pharazôn granted new powers to Sauron. It is something I have puzzled over for several years now, with still no answer. Speaking of which, so far I have been able to block all his new proposals, except one. Today it was voted that he would replace the Lord of Endor (the one actually in Mordor), with one of his followers, a power granted to him a couple of years ago. This will give him more control over his lands. Personally, if I were Ar-Pharazôn, I would be fearing a rebellion from Sauron. I fear he is a perfect condition to pull one off.

Speaking of Endor, I hear things have not been going well over there. After our armies attacked Lothlórien and Greenwood, they retaliated by storming Angrenost. Harnûnos was slain, along with his workers, saved for two who (quite luckily), were scouting the forest at the time. Apparently, the strength of the fortress was such that the Quendi were unable to destroy it. However, I do not think we will be inhabiting it for a while.

Indeed, several of fortresses, especially those in Calenardhon were stormed by troops of Noldor and Sindar. Luckily, most of our ports are still uncaptured, seeing as they have a high level of soldiers in them. In addition, many of the fortresses in the Ered Nimrais, were garrisoned with some of Sauron's orcs, who proved very adept at fending of Elves.

In response, Ar-Pharazôn launched a second attack against the Elven lands. This time things went slightly better. In Greenwood, we managed to inflict heavy casualties, and we were able to gain land. At Lothlórien, we set up a perimeter around the forest, which was patrolled by a heavy garrison. This would allow us to move past Lothlórien with no fear of their retaliation. However, in both cases we took more losses than the enemies. I, and surprisingly Sauron, are both stressing that it would be a good idea to cease combat in Endor.

Ar-Pharazôn has fallen further into the abyss, by which I mean he has given into yet another one of Sauron's demands. Today a proclamation was issued declaring that worshipping Melkor was now an official religion, the Church of Melkor. As of yet they have no temple and are being forced to use abandoned buildings and dirty basements. Still, this means that they now are an official (tax-exempt) organization. Also, since Sauron has been declared the High Priest of the church he now has even higher standing among the Council, second only to me. And since I am not a very popular leader, he is the true ruler of the Inner Council.

The acceptance of a new religion into a country where, for over 3000 years, there has been only one religion has caused a flooding of new religions to spring out of the ground. I've made a quick list of them here (including the original religion and Sauron's.

The Eruan Faith: The belief that there is only one good; Eru the creator of all

The Númenorian Eruan Faith: A subset of the Eruan Faith. This faith tells of a certain moral code all most follow. It also says that Númenorians (especially believers!) are Eru's favored race.

The Armenelan Eruan Faith: Another subset of the Eruan Faith. They preach similarity to the Númenorian Eruan Faith, but they believe that the King is the physical presence of Eru and should be worshipped.

The Andunian Eruan Faith: The third and final subset of the Eruan Faith. They also believe similarity to the "Classic" Eruans, except they have far more celebratory and large rituals. They also believe that certain people that do good things are servants of good. They call them "Manarim" and hold feasts in their honor when they die.

The Church of Melkor: Similar to the Eruan Faith, but believing in Melkor instead of Eru.

Valarism: An unpopular faith in this time. The belief that the 15 Valar are the gods of Arda.

Ardaism: The belief in an Earth goddess who grants magic-users their powers.

Ingolë: The belief that the world is ruled by a set of laws and that there is no God. Ingols believe that they must dedicate their lives to discovering these laws, and use them to help others.

Limbialar: The belief that everything in life has a spirit of energy in it and that spirits whose bodies have died rule Arda from the sky. They also believe that large "forces" such as the oceans or the fires of Arda have their own spirits; which are far more powerful than ours.

I hold no allegiance to any of these faiths; I was raised under the beliefs of my father's ancestors (more on that later).

This seems to be my trademark ending these days. I fear for the future of my Kingdom.

Arnuzîr

The First of Narwain, 3282 S.A.

Recently we've all been subjected to what I've called Sauron's reign of terror. Not in public, of course, only in the privacy of my mind. His priests go from house to house, telling us all how our souls are in danger from darkness. They've been petitioning for a proper place of worship for a couple years now, luckily with no success. Sauron has also been instituting new laws that allow him and his cronies to search people's homes for "signs of rebellion". It sickens me sometimes.

He is corrupting Ar-Pharazôn further and further by the day. I don't know what sort of hold Sauron has over him, but it has allowed him to control Ar-Pharazôn. A pall of darkness hangs over the land.

We got some bad news today from our war frontier. Apparently, the Lothlórien perimeter was broken. A group of their soldiers (marshwardens, I think) attacked our weakest point, and they unluckily coincided with a time when several platoons had been moved away to fight in Greenwood. The force, along with a few other such groups, was able to shred our defences within a week. When our men pulled back to our makeshift fortresses outside of Greenwood, they found an armed force of Noldor and Naugrim waiting for them were the fort had been.

The resulting battle was a slaughter. Taken by surprise, and weakened by a week of forced, quick marching, our Army was no match for theirs, though we slightly outnumbered them. They then set about burning all our fortresses in Greenwood. They also destroyed all the ones west of the Anduin, north of the Ered Nimrais, and south of Calardhenon. Luckily, we still had our fortresses in and around Mordor.

The General and the Admiral pushed for sending more troops into Endor. They said we would destroy Greenwood once and for all before pushing on to Lothlórien. From there, we would occupy Angrenost and proceed to conquer the rest of the continent. I, having already tried to argue that this was a bad way to look at things twenty years ago, said nothing.

Sauron was the first Council member to suggest we end hostilities in Endor, and I reluctantly agreed. While I suspect that he will use the extra men to help fortify his defenses in Mordor, I believe it to be necessary that we no longer engage the Quendi, for they are (unless we fully commit), an enemy beyond us. [Added Later: Ar-Pharazôn later backed this idea and sent a letter proposing that we cease fighting at once to the Quendi. Terms were later settled, and it was used we would get all land between the 12th and 18th parallel* that we could control.]

Alas, I have even more bad news to record in here. Amandil, frustrated by the lack of trust from the people, Sauron's hatred, and the poor treatment of the Faithful, has left Armenelos. He has decided to stay in Rómenna with his wife and son, Elendil, who is turning out to be a fine lad. He will be sorely missed, at least by me and Ar-Zimraphel. I think he intends to plan with the Faithful there. Luckily for us, a Faithful noble has taken his seat in the Council.

Arnuzîr

The Ninth of Gwirithron, 3286 S.A.

Recently Ar-Pharazôn backed yet another idea of Sauron's. Starting today, the tombs are going to be renovated to allow new people to be placed in them. New ones will be built as needed. For now, only the nobles will get a tomb, but later on everyone will be able afford one. The idea of tombs and mummies has always scared me. My father taught me in the way of his Endorian great-grandfather, which was that our bodies should be burned so that our ashes may drift up to Eru.

Anyway, I hope to be outlining these edicts, after all I have so far served four rulers. Still, it unsettles me that that particular institution of Ar-Gimilzôr has been restored. I now look back on the days of Ar-Inziladûn and wish that they were here, even though they were filled with bloody conflict.

Today the last Elven ship left Númenor. Of course, they had been banned from coming here for a few decades, but my contacts amongst the Faithful say tget some still came in secret. However, today they announced that no Quendi (from either Tol Eressëa or Mithlond) would be coming, in open or in secret. They also delivered a warning, saying that the Valar were "most displeased with [us]".

I have bad, worse, and worst news to deliver. I will start with the bad news. Three days ago, Nimloth, the White Tree, scion of Celeborn, scion of Galathilion, scion of Telperion, was defiled by someone. A man, wearing a darkened surcoat over some chain mail, snuck into the palace gardens late at night. He crept about in the darkness, hidden from the guards until he approached the darkened light of Nimloth. He then darted forward and snatched a fruit from the branches. Our archers fired at him, but were thwarted by said chain mail; although he was still injured severely, he was able to escape alive with his precious cargo.

The reason why I know all this is because Amandil was behind the crime. He told tales of Valinor, which convinced his grandson, Isildur, to steal a fruit of Nimloth. And, as it turns out, Amandil had some awesome foresight. For, the very next day, Ar-Pharazôn gave into yet another of Sauron's demands. This one was the most irreversible and terrible decision yet.

Ar-Pharazôn ordered Nimloth to be cut down.

He said that it was an "outdated relic...a thing from a time past. It must be destroyed to move forward...along with the other things that will hold us back". [the writing gets messier] My hand is shaking with rage. I have always believe that Nimloth was the heart of Númenor. That as long as the tree was there, we would be safe. How dare Ar-Pharazôn cut that down!

I'm thinking back to a day almost 25 years ago now, when I told Amandil of Ar-Inziladûn's prophecy. I suppose it must have been some scheme of Eru's having said that, for it might have been what saved the line of Telperion a few nights ago.

Sauron took the wood from the tree and burned it as an offering on an altar inside the temple finally constructed for his church. The thing is a monstrosity. It towers hundreds of feet above the city and, although it is in the from of a dome, it seems to look down upon us all. The temple used up a lot of our reserves of silver and gold, sending the prices of those metals soaring again.

The smoke from the burning fills the air, even two days later. The smell is a difficult one to catalogue. I believe it is what Valinor would smell like, though I have no way of telling.

The worst thing is what is being done, now that the custom of burnings has been introduced. Ar-Pharazôn, furious that the sanctity of the gardens had been violated, demanded to know responsible. Sauron told him that it was his longtime enemies, the Faithful, who had committed the crime. Because this was, of course, true, there was no way to protect the Faithful.

Ar-Pharazôn demanded that every single Faithful be rounded up and imprisoned. He said that Sauron would be the one to decide their fates. And, today Sauron committed a horrible crime. He took ten of the prisoners, strapped to his altar, and burned them alive. The horror of what he has done is to great to describe here. I was not at the sacrifices, but since the room in the temple were the burnings took place was actually above mine, I could hear the screams. Even Ar-Pharazôn, who was actually present at the burnings, couldn't stand to watch. Only Sauron and his mad followers would do so. Already rumors are spreading that the burnings will continue day and night. And not just Faithful, but also other "enemies of the Kingdom, undesirables, those who worship the Valar...people held in contempt by Ar-Pharazôn" (as a new law, written by Sauron, decreed).

I am too angry to write an ending to this entry.

Arnuzîr

The 23rd of Hithui, 3291 S.A.

In the past, Númenor was a rich, bountiful land, full of resources and fertile ground. The waters flowed clean and pure from hallowed springs running down Meneltarma. And although it was not deathless, death came calmly, and men openly welcomed it. A great manner of beasts and birds lived in the many regions of Númenor, and all were happy.

But, now the Valar are unhappy with us, and it shows in the land. The climate, which will occasionally immoderate, was usually temperate. These days, however, the weather varies wildly. While once a rich abundant land, years of getting our main resources and food from this one island have cleared out most species. Now, the only plants are either grown for aesthetics (flowers, some trees, hedges) or for food. There are no naturally occurring plants, save for weeds like grass and dandelions. The only beasts are those we raise for food, like cattle and pigs. The only birds are the marine birds, like the albatross.

One recent change has come over the land. As I mentioned earlier, death used to be a kind thing. Now, however, it stalks the land in many guises. Plagues spread wildly, especially in the cities, causing sores, fevers, coughs, and (eventually) death. Men walk armed in the street, and will attack and hurt each other without reason, for they have become quick to anger. More and more, men are lost on simple fishing trips and sight-seeing excursions. And, of course, many men are lost to the savagery performed by the Church of Melkor.

Despite this, the apparent richness of the land continues to grow. The nobles and Lords grow richer and richer. More and more resources are produced each year. We have one of the best structured economies and governments in the world. Many miracles are available to us, and we teach our children incredibly well.

Sauron has taught our artificers and engineers many new things. Now, our ships move many times faster. We have invented devices to help with lifting and moving, things to help with agriculture, and production. With the advice Sauron has given us, our Ingols believe that within 20 years they can build devices that will traverse the skies.

We have built more and more efficient weapons. New bows, new armor, new machines. With help from our magicians, we can accurately predict many things (besides the weather). However, this is little comfort for the deceased.

Everywhere I look, I see suffering, murder, theft, rape, and despair. Yet also, there exists much wealth and culture. How can such a paradox be?

Arnuzîr

The Eleventh of Urui, 3300 S.A.

I just received a very sad letter, which I (of course) wrote down here.

Dear Arnuzîr,

I never knew you very well, but my father had lots of respect for you. He always said that you were the last honorable man on the Council. Before he left he asked me to send you a letter that should answer all your questions.

Sincerely, Elendil

Inclosed with the note was a letter.

My dear friend,

As you know, several years ago, I had Isildur steal a fruit of Nimloth. Since then, I have subsequently planted and grown the seed from it. But, that is not why I write to you. Growing the tree made me think of the tales my father told me when I was a child. And, at night, the one I thought of the most often was that of Eärendil. You know how the story goes. Eärendil broke the first ban and got the Valar to save the Quendi.

Well, I began planning. I realised that we needed someone to intercede on Númenor's behalf. I decided that, since I was getting old, I might as well be the one. As you read this letter, I'm probably nearly there. For, while I told Elendil to deliver my letter, he probably put it off for a few weeks.

I have told him to prepare seven boats, and to load them with non-perishables and valuables. This way, should anything befall our home, Elendil will escape to Endor.

Your friend, Amandil

There the letter ended.[Added later]I never saw Amandil again.

As an additional blow to my flagging spirits, Sauron had his manacles removed.

...

Arnuzîr

The 27th of Gwirithron, 3310 S.A.

Soon, the end of days will be upon us. Ar-Pharazôn has declared total war upon the Valar. In a public announcement today he said the following:

"Long have the Valar kept many vital things from us. It is belief that, in Valinor, not only are there vast resources, ripe for the taking, but also many new wonders. They have technology thousands years beyond what we have. And yet, they refuse to share this knowledge with us.

"It is for this reason that I say we must go to war with the Valar. We must gain the knowledge that they posses, or they will turn it on us. Also, Sauron's spies among the Valar were able to determine that the Valar plan to attack Melkor, a course of action that we cannot condone.

"We will begin preparing our largest fleet yet, even bigger than the one we used to capture Sauron. It will be called the Grand Armamemt. Nine years from today we will set sail to Valinor".

I did not hear the rest of the speech, for I was running away from the town square at the time. I simply could not believe that Ar-Pharazôn would do this. That he would take the final step in his war against the Valar. I would nd out, for he summoned me to his office outside the throne room. And this is what he said:

"My King, how could you do this?" I practically screamed.

He held up his hands in a gesture of peace. "Arnuzîr, you must understand. I have had other reasons".

I scowled and crossed my arms, not caring that I was speaking to a King. "Oh really? What, then?"

He signed. "Let me tell you. The true reasons I have for attacking Valinor are not what I told everyone today, although I do believe the resources part to be true. I have two main reasons for my attack.

"The first one is that I have discovered why, in thousands of years, we never had expanded our technology until Sauron was brought here. I realized that it was because of the Valar. The presence of the Valar on this world, no new technology has been created. Morgoth long kept his orcs in a state of cultural decadence to prevent them from rising against him. The Valar, after making their mistakes with the Noldor, refuse to share their vast knowledge. The Quendi, following the example set by the Valar, will not share their knowledge with the Atani.

It is for this reason that they must be destroyed; so that we can progress culturally and technologically. I, however, also have a more personal reason for my attack. In Valinor are the dwellings of Námo: The Halls of Mandos. There dwells my son, whom the Valar have taken from me. I will get him back."

As I left the throne room, things suddenly began making sense to me. Everything over the past several decades had been deftly manipulated by Sauron. He had allowed himself to be taken hostage not only so that he could get to Ar-Pharazôn, but also to convince the Moriquendi that the King was one with darkness. He then used what little magic he had to help Ar-Zimraphel get pregnant. He waited for the Moriquendi to attack, and (in disguise), steered them in the direction of Belzagar. When Ar-Pharazôn discovered the death, Sauron's was the shoulder he turned to for help.

This allowed him to convince Ar-Pharazôn that the Valar were responsible for Belzagar's death. This was easily done due to the influence of Gimilkhâd and Ar-Gimilzôr. It also let him gain further power in the Inner Council. This in turn allowed him to foster an environment that infuriated the Valar. Now, when Ar-Pharazôn attacked they would utterly destroy him.

I went to proclaim my discovery, but then I realized, who would believe me? Most of the Council (and Ar-Pharazôn, obviously) were loyal to Sauron. Without Amandil, I was without friends, without support. I had no one to turn to. I then resolved that I would accompany Ar-Pharazôn on his mad quest. Perhaps I could avert the tragedy before us.

In a way, I feel sorry for Ar-Pharazôn

Arnuzîr

*Editor's Note: roughly speaking, this is everything between Umbar and Dunharrow. It is believed that this demarcation was later renegotiated, with Númenor gaining some land to the North, but having a boundary to their eastern expansion.