Editing Rings of Power (section)

== Fictional history ==

{{see also|Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age}}
{{anchor|Narvi}}

{{Quote box
 |title  = [[Sauron|"Annatar"]] convinces [[Celebrimbor]] to forge the Rings of Power
 |quote  = "But wherefore should [[Middle-earth]] remain for ever desolate and dark, whereas the Elves could make it as fair as [[Tol Eressëa|Eressëa]], nay even as [[Valinor]]? And since you have not returned thither, as you might, I perceive that you love this Middle-earth, as do I. Is it not then our task to labour together for its enrichment, and for the raising of all the Elven-kindreds that wander here untaught to the height of that power and knowledge which those have who are beyond the Sea?"
 |author = — [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]
 |width  = 30%
 |source = ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "The Rings of Power and the Third Age"
}}

The Rings of Power were forged by the [[Elf (Tolkien)|Elven]]-smiths of the [[Noldor]]in settlement of Eregion.<ref name="History of Galadriel and Celeborn" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1980|loc="The History of Galadriel and Celeborn"}}</ref> Best-known were the twenty Great Rings, which conferred powers including invisibility, but many lesser rings with minor powers were also created at that time. The smiths were led by Celebrimbor, the grandson of [[Fëanor]], the greatest craftsman of the Noldor, working with Dwarves from [[Khazad-dûm]] (Moria) led by his friend Narvi. [[Sauron]], powerful and ambitious, but humiliated by the fall of his evil master [[Morgoth]] at the end of the [[First Age]], had evaded the summons of the godlike [[Vala (Middle-earth)|Valar]] to surrender and face judgment; he chose to remain in [[Middle-earth]] and seek dominion over its people.<ref name="Rings of Power and the Third Age" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1977|loc="Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age"|p=298}}</ref> In the [[Second Age]], he arrived disguised as a handsome emissary of the Valar named Annatar, the Lord of Gifts, offering the knowledge to transform Middle-earth with the light of [[Valinor]], the home of the Valar.<ref name="History of Galadriel and Celeborn" group=T/> He was shunned by the Elven leaders [[Gil-galad]] and [[Elrond]] in [[Lindon (Middle-earth)|Lindon]], but managed to persuade the [[Noldor]]in Elves of Eregion.<ref name="Rings of Power and the Third Age" group=T/> With Sauron's help, they learnt to forge Rings of Power, creating the Seven and the Nine. While Celebrimbor created a set of Three on his own, Sauron left for [[Mordor]] and forged the [[One Ring]], a master ring to control all the others, in the fires of [[Mount Doom]].<ref name="History of Galadriel and Celeborn" group=T/>

When the One Ring was made using the [[Black Speech]], the Elves immediately became aware of Sauron's true motive to control the other Rings.<ref name="Rings of Power and the Third Age" group=T/> When Sauron set the completed One Ring upon his finger, the Elves quickly hid their rings.<ref name="Rings of Power and the Third Age" group=T/> Celebrimbor entrusted one of the Three to Galadriel and sent the other Two to Gil-galad and Círdan.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1955|loc=Appendix B: "The Third Age"}}</ref><ref name="Three Rings 1" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1980|loc="The History of Galadriel and Celeborn"|ps=: The original published edition of ''The Lord of the Rings'' states that Gil-galad and Círdan each received a Ring of Power, though in his subsequent works Gil-galad received both and later gave one to Círdan.}}</ref> In an attempt to seize all the Rings of Power for himself, Sauron waged an assault upon the Elves.<ref name="Rings of Power and the Third Age" group=T/> He destroyed Eregion and captured the Nine. Under torture, Celebrimbor revealed where the Seven were, but refused to reveal the Three.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1980|loc="The History of Galadriel and Celeborn"|ps=: [[Christopher Tolkien]] notes that though it is implied that Sauron had taken possession of the Seven, there is no text detailing how those came into possession of the Dwarves, and the Dwarves of Moria maintained that their ring had come directly from Celebrimbor.}}</ref>

Toward the end of the Second Age, the Númenóreans took Sauron prisoner.<ref name="Rings of Power and the Third Age" group=T/> Sauron however managed to corrupt the Men of Númenor, leading to [[Akallabêth|their civilisation's eventual downfall]].<ref name="Rings of Power and the Third Age" group=T/> The exiled Númenóreans who survived, led by [[Elendil]] and his sons [[Isildur]] and Anárion, established the realms of [[Arnor (Middle-earth)|Arnor]] and [[Gondor]].<ref name="Rings of Power and the Third Age" group=T/> Together with the Elves of Lindon, they formed the last alliance against Sauron and emerged victorious.<ref name="Rings of Power and the Third Age" group=T/> Isildur cut the One Ring from Sauron's hand and kept it, refusing to destroy it; he was later killed in an ambush, and the Ring was lost for centuries.<ref name="Shadow of the Past" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954a|loc=book 1, ch. 2 "[[The Shadow of the Past]]"}}</ref> During this time, the Elves were able to use the Three Rings, while the Nine given to the leaders of Men corrupted their wearers and turned them into the [[Nazgûl]].<ref name="Council of Elrond" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954a|loc=book 2, ch. 2 "[[The Council of Elrond]]"}}</ref> The Seven given to the Dwarves failed to subject them directly to Sauron's will but ignited a sense of avarice within them.<ref name="Rings of Power and the Third Age" group=T/> Over the years, Sauron sought to recapture the Rings, primarily the One, but was only successful in recovering the Nine and three of the Seven.<ref name="Shadow of the Past" group=T/> 

During the Third Age, the One Ring is discovered by [[Bilbo Baggins]] (in ''[[The Hobbit]]''). At the start of ''The Lord of the Rings'', the Wizard Gandalf explains the One Ring's history to Bilbo's heir [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]], and recites the [[Rhyme of the Rings]]. A [[The Fellowship of the Ring (characters)|Fellowship]] is formed to destroy it, led by Frodo.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1937|loc=ch. 5 "Riddles in the Dark"}}</ref><ref name="Shadow of the Past" group=T/><ref name="Council of Elrond" group=T/> Following the successful destruction of the One Ring and the fall of Sauron, the power of the rings fades. While the Nine are destroyed, the Three are rendered powerless; their bearers leave Middle-earth for [[Valinor]] at the end of the Third Age, inaugurating the [[Dominion of Men]].{{sfn|Drout|2006|p=573}}<ref name="Grey Havens" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1955|loc=book 6, ch. 9 "The Grey Havens"}}</ref><ref name="Rings of Power and the Third Age" group=T/>