Dropping the Lesser Rings of Power into Mount Doom: The Implications for Sauron and Middle-earth

The narrative of J.R.R. Tolkien's epic series, The Lord of the Rings, revolves around the struggle against darkness represented by Sauron and his war against the free peoples of Middle-earth. A key element of this narrative is the One Ring, which holds immense power. However, what if Sauron, instead of the One Ring, lost the rest of the lesser rings of power by dropping them into Mount Doom? This hypothetical scenario could significantly alter the power dynamics in Middle-earth, including the fate of Sauron's followers, the fate of specific regions, and the overall conflict.

Implications for Sauron's Servants

One of the most immediate impacts of losing the lesser rings would be the disappearance of Sauron's Nazg?l, or the Nine Ring-wraiths. The Nazg?l are intimately connected to these rings, and their demise would mark a major setback for Sauron's power base. Without their dreaded presence, Sauron would lose a significant part of his intimidation and fear-inducing force.

The Fate of Specific Regions

Lothlórien

Lothlórien, the elven realm, would suffer a considerable loss. The lesser rings would not only represent a significant part of the elven power but also symbolize their connection to Sauron. Without these rings, Lothlórien might no longer be as serene and paradisiacal as it is described in the books. This sudden shift could leave the elves vulnerable and exposed, leading to a potentially more hostile environment for them.

Rivendell and Gondor

The loss of the Nazg?l would give Rivendell, an elven stronghold, and Gondor, the human kingdom, a temporary reprieve. With the Nazg?l gone, Rivendell would no longer face the constant threat of dark magic and fear. However, Gondor, which had suffered greatly under the Witch-king's influence, might be deeply affected. The Witch-king, in his role as the leader of the Nazg?l, likely played a crucial part in spreading plagues and orchestrating Sauron's forces against the realm. Without the Nazg?l, Gondor could recover more rapidly from its losses.

The Rise of Other Powers

While Sauron's immediate power would be diminished, the One Ring would still retain a significant portion of his dark power. The One Ring, as it is the only ring made from the master fire of Mount Doom, requires that exclusive environment to retain its potency. This does not mean that Sauron is completely undone, but it underscores that he would need to seek other means to regain control. The loss of the Nazg?l would force Sauron to rely more on his physical form and other corrupted allies, leading to a fundamentally different strategy for his return.

Early Consequences of the Loss

If the loss of the lesser rings were to occur early, such as during the early stages of the conflict, the White Council would have a much quicker and clearer understanding of Sauron's true return. Initially, they may have attributed the resurgence of evil to a Nazg?l, but losing the Nazg?l would provide definitive proof that Sauron had returned in another form. This early realization would likely accelerate the efforts of the free peoples to contain and defeat Sauron.

Final Conquest and Corruption

Despite the earlier setbacks, Sauron would still seek to dominate Middle-earth. The only two known methods to destroy the One Ring remain: to cast it into the fire of Mount Doom, or to claim it as one's own, thus corrupting the user to become Sauron's successor. Any of these methods would result in immense corruption, making the conqueror the new Dark Lord or Dark Lady. The quest to destroy the One Ring would become even more critical, as the One Ring remains the central weapon in Sauron's arsenal.

While the lesser rings hold considerable power, the One Ring, through its unique properties, holds a far greater portion of Sauron's power. Thus, the hypothetical loss of the lesser rings would lead to a more complex and challenging struggle against Sauron, but it would not spell his total destruction. Instead, it would shift the focus of the conflict and realign the power dynamics, leading to a prolonged and fraught battle to reclaim Middle-earth.

Keywords: Sauron, Middle-earth, Lesser Rings of Power, Mount Doom, Nazg?l