<b>Allassiel watched Pegawen for a moment, before turning towards the men. “The first war with Sauron happened long before the war of the rings. Before the rings were even forged.” She moved over so Lotharn could sit, pursing her lips as she considered where to start. She'd already told the story once to Timberlane – rather Pegawen had, with help from her. That was before they'd met Thorgan, however. <br/>
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Once the men had settled, she began her tale of Morgoth – once known as Melkor – of the Maia, Mairon, who was seduced by power and by his own vision of perfection and order. How, after Morgoth had been banished through the door of night into the void, the now named Sauron continued, until he was forced into hiding. <br/>
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She told how a beautiful hir who went by the name Annatar - “the Lord of Gifts” - convinced the elves of Eregion to make 19 rings of power. How, when they discovered his treachery, he demanded the rings, managing to wrest all but the three most powerful from them. Those rings remained hidden from him. <br/>
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The battles that ensued, the destruction of Eregion. The corruption and ultimate destruction of Numenor in an attempt to defeat him. All in vain. <br/>
</b><br/>“<b>Even bodiless, Sauron was a great influencer and continued to amass power and control. “ She paused, thinking of her own home, of the fortress that once was one of Sauron's strongholds. “In TA 2063, the wizard Gandalf the Grey entered the fortress of Dol Guldur to see for himself if Sauron was there. None are sure what happened, but for a time after that, there was peace. Almost 400 years of it. That was about ...” She counted on her fingers. “1200 years ago.” </b>