Why didn't Sauron lead the attacks?

I don't think he was an Eye. The Eye is said to be the Eye of Sauron, and Gollum notes that he has only nine fingers on The Black Hand (or something like that). I believe there is a reference to his appearing after he was revealed to Celebrimbor and all those folk as being hideous and terrible to behold, but my memory may have failed.

I picture a very tall person (but not giant sized), with ugly skin that looks as though it was burnt or rotting, clad in dark mail from neck to foot, but this being covered by a great cloak of inexorable shadow, a weary and a pain to any eyes that look upon it, with one large eye in the center of his mighty head, and this is fiery around the edges, but glazed and yellow like a cat's, watchful, dreadful, intent and powerful with a black slit of its pupil opened on a pit, a window into nothing. On a black throne I picture him, sitting still, gazing out of Barad-dur with perilous concentration, his thoughts reaching out like iron claws, as cold as the frosts of the Northern Wastes that his master wrought long ago, searching to grip the plots of his enemies and crush them in domination.

This description is in the Mirror of Galadriel, the eye one I mean.

Maybe Sauron was afraid someone would give him a black Eye.

:lol:

Well, perhaps it wasn't me after all. My memory's not what it was. I can't even remember my own name. Must be all those drugs I did in the Second Age.

I found the passage I was looking for. Of course it was not after he was revealed to Celebrimbor that he lossed his fair semblance, for such was his appearance afterwards in Numenore. It was after the Akallabeth in the chapter of the same name that it says his form was afterwards black and hideous.

Thats kinda interesting.

But I think Sauron was just being a whip. *sees Sauron attacking him* Maybe not

it is because sauron does not have a form in the lord of the rings. he was destroyed at the end of the second age. he has no form

He has one.

Indeed he does. He can't not have a form while the Ring lasts.

He had some sort of terrible humanoid form during the War of the Ring, as he is said to have nine fingers on the Black Hand, and to have an Eye (many make the mistake of supposing he is the Eye).

hehe, this thread has finished the same than the one about Sauron's death.

but here he's got five aditional fingers in one hand

I have come to settle the matter of my form... Your debate has reached across the Ephel Duath and down across the plain of Gorgoroth... my spies have brought to me, in Barad-dur the words you have spoken...

I once I had form as the Maiar had form and I could walk among the Eldar and the lesser Men of Middle Earth. But by the end of the Third Age I had become a Shadow that could take the form of a Great Darkness in the likeness of a man, and that likeness could hold a Ring on it hand for those whom I wanted it to appear so... But make no mistake... I am Shadow... With the One Ring, that Shadow could present itself in any form I wished... without the Ring my only Power was in the act of controlling others... bending their minds to my will. Fear is my greatest weapon!

Without the One Ring, I am but a Shadow of my former self, an Eye ever-searching for that which is lost to me.

You do not yet believe? Then lay your own eyes upon my Dark Presence... the Eye of the Dark Tower...

www.thelandofshadow.com/m...e/eye2.htm

IIRC, Sauron lost his ability to change shape as he wanted to in the Downfall of Numenor, long before the Ring was made, or even thought of. So, even if Sauron regained the Ring, with all the power he set into it, I don't think he would ever be able to change shape as he wanted again. After the Akabelleth he could only appear as a menacing, fear-bringing dark precense.

[hiku747]

i didnt read thru all the posts and if i repeat what someone says, dont mind me... sauron wasnt really in physical form was he? he was more of an undying spirit power type thing... he was the eye, not in human form anymore... the way i took it is if he got the ring back he would be restored to human form and "cover all the land in a second darkness". he had a lot of evil power and control over evil beings, but it didnt seem to me like he was a human anymore... you know?

[Elvellon]

About your question bmilder, I remember reading (somewhere) that orcs had the nasty tendency to start fighting among themselves whenever there wasn’t a focusing will to direct them. I believe that meant that Sauron actually needed to control their wills magically, directing the chaotic, destructive nature of orcs against his (and only his!) enemies. If that is true, then it is likely that he simply could not be fighting his enemies in the battlefield and, at the same time, force his will upon his army.

[Fat middle]

welcome to Entmoot, Elvellon !! where are you from?

i read somewhere (i think it is in the 5th part of Morgoth's Ring) a quick draft Tolkien was making about creation. he was discussing the differences between the creation acts of Iluvatar, Aulë and Melkor.

what i can remember is that only Iluvatar could create beings both free and able to love him. Aulë created the Dwarfs and he wanted them to love him, but thence they were not free: he needed to "move her by remote control" if i may put it so

Melkor (and then Sauron, i guess) created free Orcs, but they can't love him, only obey him.

Well, i'm not sure Tolkien meant exactly what i've said but i like the idea. Anyway, i think to remember he rejected that draft afterwards.

[Elvellon]

Hi again,

I’m from very near you, Fat middle; I’m from Portugal.
Thanks for the input!

[Elvellon]

[Shanamir Duntak]

Oupsy... double post....

Welcome to the board!

[Ñólendil]

lol Fat Middle!

But haven't you read Letter #954?

It remained the chief peculiarity among incarnated Maiar that they would (by, no doubt, the ultimate will of Eru, God, or else the rebellious 'demonic' figure of Melkor/Morgoth) have ten fingers on one hand, but none on the other. This was not the case for the Istari, or Wizards who of course had to look like ordinary Men, although they were always old. This was done, I think, not so much because of genetic 'taste' and theory, but rather to ensure a certain poster on Entmoot would not look like a fool for suggesting it.

At least I think that's what that letter says ... in any case, you see how Sauron would have nine fingers on one hand, his Ring-finger being removed by Isildur.

[Fat middle]

well, i think i'll have to look for that quote in Morgoth's Ring, i see you don't trust my memory... nor my interpretation skills

yep, letter #954!! sure

[LofL]

About Gandalf and the Balrog: I think that after Gandalf defeated the Balrog and went into his trance, he changed. He doesn't even call himself 'Gandalf the Grey', but 'Gandalf the White'. Saruman was 'Saruman the White' before Gandalf was white, and Saruman hoped to defeat Sauron.