Things become even more complex from here.
Considering Sauron never lied in the first season, why would he have wanted to remain in Númenor? There are a few ways to view this.
- Sauron wanted a life in Númenor, away from evil, whether or not he would have been bored later. Everything was Galadriel’s fault because she pushed him. (This is what he wanted her to believe.)
- Sauron wanted to remain in Númenor to see to the end of its downfall, but Galadriel’s offer was too good to pass up, so he put that on the backburner.
- Sauron wanted to remain in Númenor only long enough to corrupt the hearts of the people, return to Middle-earth with an army, obtain the Southlands from Adar and secure dominion.
As far as I am concerned, #3 is the most likely option.
Sauron might say to Galadriel: “Look, I was ready to walk away. You pulled me into this.” But if you look at the chain of events, he’s been greasing the wheels. He’s been encouraging her. […]
How many times does he say, “When are you going to get that army?” There’s a really good case to make where he was manipulating and deceiving her every step of the way.
Sauron endeavored to placate Galadriel when he said:
“The Southlands will still be there in three days” (1×03).
Furthermore, compare these lines:
“I am forced to disagree with the Elf. Perhaps we did act in haste. Kingdoms should be led, not dragged” (Pharazôn, presumably after some private conversations with Sauron, 1×05).
“This is a paradise, ripe with opportunity! You really expect me to leap with you back into the furnace?” (Sauron, 1×03).
That was a perfect choice of words. Sauron did not lie, but he knew the assumption would be that he wanted to start a new, innocent life. He knew how Galadriel would interpret everything he said. He certainly did not complain that she took him from Númenor and brought him to Eregion, where he found what he sought for centuries. He mocked her for her gullibility, and his disguise was rendered all the more transparent when he batted his eyelashes (left image above).
“The faithful believe that when the petals of the white tree fall, it is no idle thing, but the very tears of the Valar themselves. A living reminder that their eyes and their judgment are ever upon us” (Míriel, 1×03).
There is an ambiguity here. Elendil may have been simply cautious in his response, but it cannot be ignored.
Míriel: “Do you believe that?”
Elendil: “In my experience, it is unwise to live one’s life guessing after signs and portents.” *
* The song of the Roots of Hithaeglir has the same ambiguity.
It is true that the Valar are always watching, and there are many reasons to believe they were crying when Míriel sent Galadriel away. But something is odd. We will go into more detail over time, but for now, instead of guessing after signs and portents, here are some things to contemplate:
What was the result of Míriel believing that the petals of the white tree falling were the very tears of the Valar?
What happened because some Elves believed that mithril contained the very light of the Valar?
Who will claim to be an emissary of the Valar?
Unwise, you say? (see also Signs and Portents)
At least Tar-Palantir knew what was happening. During Míriel’s speech in episode 4, he was awakened by something and appeared to be quite disturbed. The gods were watching, but there is a chance that someone else (Sauron) was always watching, as well.
In episode 6, Adar told Galadriel:
“After Morgoth’s defeat, the one you call Sauron […] sought to craft the power. Not of the flesh, but over flesh. A power of the unseen world. He bid as many as he could to follow him far north, but try as he might, something was missing. A shadow of dark knowledge…”
As soon as the camera zoomed on the face of the balrog in Dúrnost (third image above), he said:
“…that kept itself hidden, even from him.”
Why did Sauron desperately want access to the forge in Númenor? What was he doing when no one was watching?