Sauron’s Plans for Númenor
Think about Sauron’s intentions for the moment, if the following is true: 1) Sauron was aiming for Númenor, 2) he used Galadriel as a cover, 3) he knew about Númenor’s general future, although it is going to be worse than he anticipates, and 4) he wanted to stay, but only long enough to give Míriel and her advisors “adequate time to weigh our request.” The key word is our. Sauron classified the request to be taken back to Middle-earth as a shared desire between him and Galadriel; but he did not want to return immediately.
He likely wished to be one of those advisors, if only a subliminal one. And he was. What could he possibly accomplish in a few days? For one, he could expedite the corruption of the people.
“…at the last by his craft he had corrupted the hearts of most of that people, and set them at war with the Valar, and so compassed their ruin, as he had long desired.”
Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age
Recall what Galadriel said to Sauron’s face.
“In the Great War, your ancestors stood with Morgoth. These Men stood with the Elves. As a reward, the Valar granted them this island” (1×03).
Sauron did not forget those things. Unsurprisingly, he did not seem too happy to be reminded of it.
“And Sauron hated the Númenóreans, because of the deeds of their fathers and their ancient alliance with the Elves and allegiance to the Valar.”
Akallabêth
“Statecraft is the art of attending to small matters as diligently as grand ones” (Pharazôn, 1×04).
The image on the left represents Sauron envying the Númenóreans in grand ways (not having land of his own), and the right image represents the small ways (not having a guild crest). It is fair to say that it is not safe to incur the undying hatred of Gorthaur the Cruel.
There is strong foreshadowing in Sauron’s smirk at Galadriel from behind bars, positioned behind Pharazôn.
Galadriel: “The virtue you speak of was your ancestors’ loyalty to the Elves.”
Míriel: “My father believed that. His path nearly destroyed us! That is why tomorrow, I will announce that you are gone, and this crisis ended” (1×04).
Míriel was completely correct that the Valar could take everything away if Númenor turned to darkness, but who is the darkness that will eventually convince them to turn to him? —Sauron. Unfortunately, his disguise was so convincing, the most logical course of action was the send away the Elf, instead of a lowly Man.