Chapter 65

The mighty waves that sank Númenor did not completely consume the source of its destruction. Although Sauron, the fallen Maiar, was physically destroyed by the upheaval of the world and the supreme power of Eru, his evil essence, the dark soul that was closely linked to the One Ring, did not die.

Like the foulest mire sinking to the bottom of the water, Sauron's will, filled with hatred and rage, relied on his inseparable connection with the One Ring, and with difficulty crossed the chaotic sea and the reshaped void, and quietly flowed back to Middle-earth.

In the deepest, most foul heart of Barad-dûr, Sauron's invisible soul fire reignited. To his satisfaction, in his absence, Mordor had not fallen into chaos, but instead functioned with the efficiency of his carefully crafted war machine. When Sauron's consciousness returned, connecting with the two masters, a twisted, dark reunion was achieved.

"Well done, my colleagues." Sauron's will, like icy venom, poured directly into the minds of Alatar and Pallando, filled with twisted admiration. "While I was 'captured' by those arrogant mortals, you maintained the strength of the fortress, sharpened your claws, and ensured the continuation of the order of power."

Alatar and Palandur—the two blue-robed wizards, once entrusted by the Valar to enlighten the East and guide humanity against darkness—now shrouded in the foul shadows and sulfurous fumes characteristic of Mordor. Their blue robes, once symbols of wisdom and light, had long since been stained an ominous gray-black by dark magic. Their eyes were no longer clear and searching, but instead filled with coldness, calculation, and a greed for power.

"It is an honor for us to serve Mordor." Palandu's voice was low and hoarse, with a cold tone that deliberately imitated Sauron. Alatar nodded silently, and a subtle glint of pleasure, twisted by the desire for power, flashed in his eyes.

When first captured by Sauron's minions, they had fought fiercely. But Sauron didn't torture them like ordinary prisoners. Instead, he brought them to the heart of the Dark Tower and showed them the true face of power. It wasn't the gentle guidance of Valinor, but rather naked control and enslavement. He promised them unprecedented power—dominance over lands, command over countless creatures, and subjugating the eastern tribes that once viewed them as alien. He allowed them to "experience" the twisted pleasures of this power.

Even more deadly, Sauron likely harnessed the power of the One Ring, the ring that embodied the vast majority of his strength and will. Like the most delicate of poisonous hooks, it quietly eroded their minds, magnifying their deepest arrogance and obsession with efficiency. During their long captivity and corruption, the Valar's mission was forgotten, replaced by an obsession with power and the thrill of controlling the fate of others. They had become Sauron's most effective and egregious accomplices.

In the northwest of Middle-earth, the survivors of the catastrophe of Númenor struggled to rise from the immense grief and shock. Elendil and Isildur, along with all the loyalists who had escaped, with the support of their elven allies, gradually built the prototypes of the "Star of Elendil" and the "Realm of Arnor" into two fully fledged human kingdoms.

Under the leadership of Isildur, the Southern Kingdom rapidly expanded and prospered, becoming known as "Gondor," meaning "Kingdom of Stone." The Northern Kingdom, rooted in the vast forests and plains west of the Misty Mountains, was presided over by Elendil, with Annúminas as its capital and named "Arnor," meaning "King's Land." The sapling of the White Tree was carefully transplanted into the royal gardens, its each new leaf bearing a memory of lost homeland and a fleeting hope for the future.

The construction was a laborious and arduous undertaking. They cleared the ruins, cultivated the land, and built roads and fortresses. Elven artisans selflessly taught their skills, helping the humans to construct strong cities and exquisite palaces. Despite this seemingly promising new land, a shadow of gloom lingered. All who survived knew that Sauron was not truly dead. The destruction of Númenor only deepened his deep hatred for all Númenorite descendants, especially the descendants of the Faithful who had escaped and founded a new kingdom.

He feared the two new kingdoms, fearing that they would regroup and become a bulwark against him.

Gandalf never gave up his surveillance of Mordor and his search for the missing blue wizard. He disguised himself as various insignificant characters, roaming the wastelands outside Mordor and the strongholds of fallen men, gathering fragments of information and observing the subtle changes in the dark fortress. After years of lurking, observing, and perilous exploration, combined with analysis of the magical fluctuations captured by Saruman, a terrible truth finally began to form in his mind. Gandalf's heart sank to the bottom, and a conclusion emerged that he dared not even think about, but had to accept.

In a secluded cave retreat, Gandalf summoned his companion, Radagast the Brown, who was also watching the shadow in the east.

"Radagast," Gandalf's voice was more solemn than ever, even with a barely perceptible tremor, "I have found where Pallando and Alatar are."

Radagast, who was playing with a bird perched on his shoulder, looked up immediately, his eyes full of concern. "Really? Where are they now?"

Gandalf shook his head slowly. "They are in Mordor... they were seduced and corrupted by Sauron, and took on the responsibility of governing Mordor in Sauron's absence from Middle-earth."

"What?!" Radagast almost jumped up in shock, and the bird on his shoulder flew away in fright. "How is this possible?!"

"It is absolutely true." Gandalf closed his eyes in pain. "Soraon captured them, not imprisoned them, but corrupted them. He tempted them with power and strength and twisted their minds. They betrayed their mission, betrayed the Valar, and became Sauron's most core minions. The iron bucket situation of Mordor today is the 'masterpiece' of their corrupt power." He was not sure what specific means Sauron used to seduce Pallando and Alatar, but the result was irrefutable.

Radagast was so shocked that he was speechless. He loved all living things and could not imagine that his former colleague would fall to such a level.

"This news must be spread to all at once," Gandalf said urgently. "Your friends, Radagast. Send the birds and the beasts, all that can traverse the wilds, to bear this bad news to Elrond, Gil-galad, Saruman... and to Meereen and Glorfindel."

The news spread quickly, and when Saruman received and confirmed the information through the Palantir Stone, he was furious and declared that the blue wizard was now an enemy just like Sauron.

In Gondor, the royal city of Minas Anor was rising from the ground. Meereen and Glorfindel were discussing the details of the city's defense with Elendil and Isildur. A dusty, dishevelled raven stumbled down onto Glorfindel's arm, bearing a small scroll written in a secret language.

Glorfindel unfolded the note, his golden brows furrowed in a fury, his azure eyes blazing with disbelief and icy fury. Meereen sensed something was amiss with his friend and, taking a closer look, was struck by the brief yet earth-shattering news.

"Alatar... Palandor... Fallen... Sauron's conspirator..." Meereen muttered the key words, the scroll of blueprints in his hand slipping silently to the ground. He looked up and met Glorfindel's gaze. Their mission had been fulfilled in such an ironic, dark way. Instead of being imprisoned and suffering, the man they sought had become the enemy's right-hand man.

"By the Valar..." Meereen's voice was dry and filled with an indescribable bitterness. Glorfindel clenched the paper tightly and crumpled it into a ball.

Across the elven lands, from Lindon to Rivendell to Lothlórien, a solemn atmosphere descended upon this devastating news. The looming clouds of war suddenly grew thicker. The hammers of the elven artisans forging weapons grew more rapid, and the warriors' training grew more solemn. Sauron had not only returned, but also possessed two fallen Maia as his core assistants! The impending decisive battle would be more brutal and perilous than anticipated. All the forces of light must assemble with utmost swiftness to confront this unprecedented alliance of darkness.