The 14th of Narbeleth, 3317 S.A.

Well, it seems that my prophesies of the end of the world are true, as evidenced by the strange meteorological phenomena that we've been getting recently. Actually, let me clarify. Other people are interpreting them as signs of the ends of the world. I, already believing the end of our world is nigh, find them as decisive evidence.

The weather events I refer to are the so-called "Eagles of the West". The best way to describe them is like a massive storm cloud. This alone is unusual, because in Númenor (before Sauron) we did not experience any storms. However, adding to the "end of the world" idea is the shape of the clouds. As I am sure you can imagine, the clouds are in the shape of an eagle, with its wings outstretched and its talons grasping at lightning bolts.

Most people, when they see the massive things, are reminded of the strength and might of the Valar. They, at least for a few days, turn back to the old ways. However, others say that the Valar are declaring war on us, and that we must retaliate. I, personally believe that the Valar send the Eagles as a sign of their might. They mean to show us that if we come against them they will crush us. The Eagles happen almost everyday now. At full noon, they appear in the sky and, over the course of an hour, cover the Sun and dissipate.

Ar-Pharazôn ignores them, as do the other Lords. I can't help but think that if this is how the Valar believe they can stop us, they are wrong. If I were one of the Valar, I would go for something more flashy.

Indeed, in a way they have. Now, when ever the Eagles fly overhead, randomly lightning strikes all over the ground. Dozens of men are slain each day, some who never even worshipped Melkor. Only the Faithful are safe from the wrath of the Valar, and even they must be careful.

The storms and Eagles do nothing to halt progress on Ar-Pharazôn's Armament. I once thought that the fleet we used to invade Endor was massive, but I was wrong. Already, this fleet is double that one's size, and there are still two years of construction left. Númenor, once filled with forests, now only has trees were there are private gardens, or were the wood is to thin to be used. In Fangorn and in other such forests, hundreds of trees are cut down a day. In order to build and arm the boats, every man between the ages of 20 and 60 has been drafted. The sight of the Armament is both awe-inspiring and horrifying.

Sauron has found a way to subvert more of the populace. Today, during the lightning strikes, he was at the temple. He was preparing more victims for sacrificing. Oh, how I wish I had the strength to stop him from doing that. Anyways, as he was working, there was a high pitched shrieking sound, then a bolt of lightning struck the temple. A resounding boom of thunder was heard. Then, Sauron seemed to grow, until he stood as tall as the hall of the temple.

In a voice that could be heard all the way across Armenelos, he defied the Valar. He called them "vain, petty fools, attempting to stop their inevitable doom". A further twelve lightning strikes went down at the temple, but Sauron somehow deflected them all. Suddenly, the Eagle disappeared.

Men are whispering that he is a god to have stopped the Valar. More and more people want to join the Church. It is quite depressing really. There are a few people who wonder why Sauron didn't block all the other lightning strikes, but they are in the minority.

I can almost believe that Sauron is a god, now that he has had his manacles removed. He is capable of things that I would never believe possible, and he hints in the Council meetings that he is capable of more. I have seen him start his burning by flourishing his fingers. He can transform himself into a multitude of shapes, such as a wolf or bat. He assembled several massive transport ships by taking several large piles of wood and staring at them. These powers terrify especially the Ingols, who claim that such feats should be impossible. I, quite frankly, agree. Something like Sauron shouldn't exist

There is one reason that I wrote this entry starting with the subject of the end of the world. Today something occured that the people are calling the final portent. First, the Sun didn't rise today. Rather, I'm sure the Sun did rise today. However, I could not see it. Before the Sun rose, an Eagle crossed the sky. Following right on its tail was another Eagle and another, making 24 total. Sauron stood on top of his temple, daring the Eagles to strike him, but nothing happened. It also seems that Sauron tried to remove the Eagles, but ended up failing.

The Eagles gave off no lightning or storms. Instead, they just slowly drifted over the sky, creating a bizarre sort of night. I'm writing these words by candle, because it is so dark out. Hopefully, tomorrow all will be back to normal.

Another bizarre thing happened. Meneltarma, which has always been a silent, dormant mountain, began shaking and smoking today. Earthquakes and tremors figured all over the island, generating huge waves. Reports claim that that thousands died as a result. However, that was just the beginning. At some point (there was no time to reference, since I could not see the Sun) Meneltarma erupted. Hot rock sprayed from its summit. Lavaflows and mudslides went streaming down the sides of the mountain. The event was observable all the way from the Palace. The outskirts of Armenelos were hit by some of the lava. Many tens of thousands were killed or burnt.

The Ash cloud lingers over the skies and will probably remain for a year. Events from Endor tell me that this will cause a lowering in temperature. Surprisingly, no one seems to care much about any of these events. Have the followers of Sauron hardened their hearts against their people so much that they care not for their fellow countrymen?

Arnuzîr

The 15th of Cerveth, 3319 S.A.

Today is the day the fleet departs from Númenor. I have said my goodbyes to everyone I know, not that many of those people are still alive. Amandil has disappeared, Ar-Zimraphel hasn't been in public in several years, I don't really like any of my fellow Council members, and Ar-Pharazôn has never been a good friend. Still, I say my goodbye to the island in general, remembering the many years I have spent here.

I will be sailing on Ar-Pharazôn's massive ship, Alcarondas. The name means "Castle of the Sea" and it certainly fits. The thing is more massive a ship than I thought possible, kept afloat by some archon device of Sauron's. Interestingly enough, Sauron himself will not be accompanying us on our attack, saying "[he] would defend Númenor from the inevitable counter strike by the Valar". As a matter of fact, I am the only the only one from the Council onboard. It suppose it is fitting, given that I am the recorder of our Kingdom.

The fleet consists of 3,500 ships and 1,000,000 men. There are so many ships that not even all our ports could fit them. We had to release the fleet in several shifts, with around 650 immaculate ships in each one. Alcarondas and the 300 ships carrying the non-combatants and supplies were the last shift, which just left. We are to rendezvous with all the other ships 20 miles away from Andúnië.

And, we are there! The fleet is glorious to behold. Actually, I can not see all of the fleet. Although the fleet is in a very compact, diamond formation, it still stretches 58 miles from one side to another. If all the boats were connected, itwould take the fastest of our runners 5 hours to run across, and over a day for me to walk it. I cannot see the horizon or the any of the ocean accept that which surrounds Alcarondas.

Still, I can feel the grandeur that surrounds the fleet as we depart. Surely, not even the Valar could withstand us. After all, was not Morgoth hurt by a Child of Ilúvatar? While I still believe that we should be obedient to the Valar, I also do not want to die. Ar-Pharazôn is busy plotting in his quarters. I hope being away from Sauron will do him good, although it's too little too late to help much. I myself, am feeling much better than I've been in years. It seems being outdoors has done me some good. Or perhaps I also feel better away from Sauron.

A few minutes after our initial launch, I notice something. There is a lack of wind in our sails. It appears as though, once more, the Valar are attempting to hinder us. I suppose it makes sense, but why not send a massive storm to wipe us out. Are they afraid it wouldn't work? Are they prohibited from such an act?

It also occurs to me that perhaps the lack of wind back in the voyage we made in 3262 also was a sign of displeasure, not that they were otherwise occupied, as we had previously thought. Had they known, then, that Sauron would bring about our demise? Were they warning us or just telling us of their disapproval? I know I'm asking a lot of questions in this post, but that is only because so many are coming up.

There are just far too many things that don't add up. Why isn't Sauron coming with us? Why aren't the General or the Admiral? How is everyone on Númenor doing? Will the Valar use their powers on us? Do they understand that almost everything is Sauron's fault, and that most of us are innocent? If something happens to Númenor while we attack, will Elendil survive?

My contemplation was suddenly broken by a call from the rear of the Armament. It spread from boat to boat, with a Courier shouting the message along. It took a little while before it reached us, but eventually I heard it.

"Númenor has passed beneath the horizon. We've broken the ban!"

On some boats were the message went, there was an intense cheering. Many of these boats were carrying those who joined the army out of loyalty to Sauron, or those who felt animosity towards the Valar (they were almost the same thing these days). However, a few boats remained silent. No doubt these were the boats with slaved warriors from Endor.

I feel a mixture of sadness and arrogance. Sadness because, of course, there is no turning back now. But I also feel arrogant; I feel that we are indeed the rulers of the world, for we don't bow even to the Valar. Then the arrogance fades and there is only sadness.

Why must Sauron destroy our world? A land that, while certainly with its own troubles, still was prosperous and free. Why did he want to ruin my Kingdom?

I temporarily end my musing again as a Courier knocks on my door. He hands me a message from Ar-Pharazôn, which says that "with no wind in our sails, it will take 40 days to reach Númenor". I'm starting to think that I should have brought something to entertain myself. The only thing I have are the collection of journals starting with the coronation of Ar-Pharazôn, 12 in total. After all, there is no way I will go and help row.

Arnuzîr

The 26th of Urui, 3319 S.A.

I have rewritten this entry to make it more coherent for future readers.

At sunrise today we came to the shores of Tol Eressëa, the Lonely Isle. As we passed by it, our sails covered the whole island in shadow. Some of our soldiers wanted to stop and capture the island, by Ar-Pharazôn wished to press on to Valinor. The Quendi were shocked to see Men in their homelands, after all we were forbidden from journeying here.

As we drew closer to Calyacirya, a winged man flew up to Alcarondas. On closer inspection, I realized he was one of the Maiar.

" I am Eönwe, Herald of Manwë. You are to be informed that you are trespassing in lands that have been forbidden from you by explicit decree of the Valar . I will give you two hours to repent and return home. If you are not leaving by then, we will destroy you and all that you have loved". With that, he left the boat."

I heard Ar-Pharazôn debating with himself. "To have come so far and turn back now... unthinkable. No, I must press forward. If we give in now, they will destroy Númenor. But, what would Muriel say? Perhaps a truce is possible? Or should I listen to Sauron? Can we win if we attack? Yes, we must. We will attack."

It was then that I wanted to come in and demand that Ar-Pharazôn retreat. Unfortunately, either my courage failed me or some greater force held me back, for I spoke not.

Ar-Pharazôn and a few hundred of his personal guard decided to go ashore and to scout out the way. They loaded up the longboats with supplies. The other soldiers began preparing, putting on armor and saying their prayers. Ar-Pharazôn stepped onto the beach of Valinor, the first man to do so in over 3,000 years. Suddenly, there was a tremendous cracking noise, and all the land around us shook. I felt as though the structure of Arda itself was changing.

A huge rockslide shuttled down from Taniquetil. In a few seconds, it had covered Ar-Pharazôn his men. I felt shocked. The last person I truly loved in this world was suddenly dead. My head reeled.

It then occurred to me to check what had caused the cracking noise.I turned to the East, and what I saw defied simple explanation. A chasm had opened in the ocean. It seemed to be far away, but because it was so large it could be glimpsed from were I was standing. I suddenly realized where that chasm was. It was right in front of Númenor.

I could tell because I could see Númenor falling into the chasm. I cried out, realizing that millions of people had just died. However, my thoughts were occupied by a different realization. We were sliding towards the chasm. I momentarily considered jumping of the boat, and several soldiers actually did, but I realized that I just be pulled beside the ship. Most of those men drowned anyway, since they were wearing heavy armor.

I realize that the time of my death draws near. I'm going to take these journals and wrap them in my special protection. Then, I will throw them overboard, weighted down with several rocks. Hopefully, they will not be sucked in by the chasm and will be found by someone else. I'll miss this world. I feel like this should not have been my way to go.

Farewell, Arnuzîr