Númenor’s Downfall
It is understandable that everyone was distracted by Galadriel, but it resulted in no one questioning how or why a lowman would be stranded at sea, how he physically recovered before one of the Noldor, and not to mention how he displayed such diplomatic competence.
In order for Sauron to arrive in Númenor in an unsuspecting way, he would need a cover. Galadriel would be the perfect cover among Men who generally hate and envy the Eldar. If the vision began with Halbrand arriving alone in Númenor, and ended with its downfall, Míriel would have great cause for concern. Fortunately for Sauron, since the old ways were the reason for their recent rebellion and near-destruction, Míriel’s attention would only be on the Elf in the vision.
Clearly, Galadriel does not bring about Númenor’s destruction, and even Míriel said that “only Númenor can bring about her downfall.” This reflects what Tolkien said in one of his letters; but we also see him mention who is ultimately to blame.
“The Downfall [of Númenor] is partly the result of an inner weakness in Men—consequent, if you will, upon the first Fall (unrecorded in these tales), repented but not finally healed. […] The Fall is achieved by the cunning of Sauron in exploiting this weakness.”
From a Letter by J.R.R. Tolkien to Milton Waldman, 1951
Sauron knows that it will not be Galadriel’s fault. So, for the video, I made him (the person who will be responsible) respond to her question:
When he and Galadriel were in prison, Sauron already knew Míriel’s greatest fear, and he told Galadriel exactly when he identified it.
Galadriel: “And I suppose you did [identify Míriel’s fear], having met her for all of a few moments?”
Sauron: “During which, you managed to demand a ship, insult her people, defy her orders. None of which quickened her pulse” (1×04).
Here are those moments from episode 3:
“All we ask is that Númenor continue his mercy, and grant us ship’s passage to Middle-earth” (Galadriel).
Míriel maintained her composure, but something was triggered in her mind. Sauron saw this, and in the very next shot, while Galadriel spoke to Pharazôn, he stared at Míriel like he was reading her.
“It is because of the Elves that you were given this island” (Galadriel).
Sauron saw something, which makes this next line unsettling.
The left image shows Sauron’s face as Galadriel explained her sorrow over the shunning of the Elves from Númenor. I want to save most of the details for a future post, but suffice it to say that Sauron knew the answers to his questions in that conversation. A quick glance at the Akallabêth and the Appendices makes that evident.
Now, Sauron identifying someone’s fear likely includes more than simply guessing. He sees people. If his intense stare at Míriel was the moment he identified her fear, he saw what is depicted in the above right image. So, the phrase “it seems to me” is literal, but there is some irony. He said that his and Galadriel’s departure would complicate matters, but would it not instead prevent the corruption and subsequent destruction of Númenor?
Sauron’s reaction here was not one of concern for the safety of others.
Yet, he knew that none of Galadriel’s remarks up to this point quickened Míriel’s pulse, so what did he desire to prevent? Continuing from, “It seems to me that our leaving presents…”
I wanted to emphasize his pause with a short chuckle, for foreshadowing.
“And Sauron, sitting in his black seat in the midst of the Temple, had laughed when he heard the trumpets of Ar-Pharazôn sounding for battle; and again, he had laughed when he heard the thunder of the storm; and a third time, even as he laughed at his own thought, thinking what he would do now in the world, being rid of the Edain for ever, he was taken in the midst of his mirth, and his seat and his temple fell into the abyss.”
Akallabêth
The second picture in the previous section showed his smile as he paused before looking away from Míriel, and saying:
“Some complications” is a vast understatement. Yes, there are technical complications that would arise if they left immediately, such as providing a means of travel, insults being exchanged, differences in loyalty, and more general conflict. But there are layers.
Sauron was aiming for Númenor, became aware of its general future and that the vision began with his arrival, and yet he smiled as he mentioned potential complications that would arise if he and Galadriel left. Again, Númenor’s corruption would lead to their downfall if he stayed.
So, on the surface, their leaving presented practical and political complications. A layer beneath that (considering the possibility that Númenor was his desired destination), if he wanted to stay for just a few days to accomplish something, leaving immediately would complicate things for him.
Yet a layer deeper, we know that Sauron despises the Edain for aiding the Elves and allying with the Valar in the Great War.
“And Sauron hated their Númenóreans because of the deeds of their fathers and their ancient alliance with the Elves and allegiance to the Valar.”
Akallabêth
Now, with that context, as well as “some complications” being synonymous with “Míriel’s greatest fear” (which is the downfall of Númenor), what does Sauron’s smile mean? He certainly was not unhappy nor distressed upon discovering Númenor’s future.
“Now Sauron’s lust and pride increased, until he knew no bounds, and he determined to make himself master of all things in Middle-earth, and to destroy the Elves, and to compass, if he might, the downfall of Númenor.“
Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age