Sauron's death

[Thingol]

In the movie during the Last Alliance Islidur cuts the finger off a still living Sauron and his body is immediately destroyed. However, in a fan fiction I once read (Islidur) Sauron is killed and then the ring is cut from his still moving finger. Sauron uses the power of the Ring to hold the bearers of the 3 Elven Rings in a thrall (Actually it's only Cirdan and Elrond, Galadriel did not accompany Gil-Galad to the final battle). However, Gil-Galad is not wearing his ring, he never took Vilya back from Elrond. Sauron bends over Gil-Galad to gloat and is impaled by Aiglos (Gil-Galad's spear). Sauron falls on top of Gil-Galad, and the fire of his hand consumes Gil-Galad. I know neither the movie nor the fan fiction is a totally reliable source, but I tend to believe the fan fiction. Everything else in the fan fiction is completely accurate to what Tolkien wrote. I vaugely remember reading a brief account of the duel between Sauron, Gil-Galad, and Elendil which agreed with the fan fiction. I can't find it now, which makes me think it might not have existed, does anyone know if Tolkien wrote anything about the duel between Sauron, Gil-Galad, and Elendil?

[ February 27, 2002: Message edited by: Thingol ]

[Lord Syslox of Emyn Beverli]

I remember from somewhere (i've only read LotR, the Hobbit and the Silm) that Gil-Galad and Elendil died while "casting down" Sauron and then Isildur cut the Ring from him and Sauron's spirit "fled his body". This isn't exact quotes, just what i remember. Correct me if im wrong

This seems to sugest that Gil-Galad and Elendil died but managed to badly wound, stun, knock out or even just trip over Sauron. Isildur then picked up Narsil (it broke under Elendil when he fell) and used it to liberate the Ring from Sauron, at which point Sauron's spirit was weakened and it left his body.

If we use this theory that Sauron was not killed but "cast down", Isildur's actions suggest he knew that removing the Ring would defeat Sauron. It is not likely that he was tempted by the Ring at that stage.

Even if we follow the converse of this theory (ie Sauron dead, then Ring taken) Isildur only says he wants to keep the Ring when he is told to throw it into Orodruin.

Anyway thats my view, do your best to prove me wrong or right.

May the Force be with you
Lord Syslox

[Voronwe]

Sauron was 'thrown down' after wrestling with Elendil and Gil-galad, who were both slain. Isildur then used the hilt-shard of his father's sword to cut the ring from Sauron's finger. Sauron was then vanquished, and could not take shape again for many years. And that is pretty much all the information Tolkien gave us regarding Sauron's death. Both the movie and the fan-fiction are mostly speculation. However, unlike the movie the fan-fiction doesn't actually contradict anything Tolkien wrote.

[Kuruharan]

However, unlike the movie the fan-fiction doesn't actually contradict anything Tolkien wrote.

An excellent point!!

Yes, I was a little upset with the whole Sauron death scene in the movie.