Despite having a very important role, Sauron’s character is very much a ‘glowering’ shadow in the movies, though he is the topic of conversation frequently. Sauron was the Dark Lord of the Second and Third Ages of Middle-earth. It was during the Second Age that he created the One Ring and at the end of that age was defeated by the Last Alliance (led by Elendil and Gil-galad).
However, the One Ring was not destroyed, giving Sauron the opportunity to return to Middle-earth. The Ring was taken by Isildur, son of Elendil, but it passed out of all knowledge upon Isildur’s death. After 2500 years or so it was found by Gollum and then in turn by Bilbo, who took it to the Shire.
Finally it is left in the care of Frodo, and then Gandalf discovers that it truly was the One Ring that had been forged by Sauron. He counsels Frodo to leave the Shire and goes himself to Isengard, where he discovers Saruman had been corrupted by Sauron and is no longer and ally to them. Sauron then discovers from Gollum the location of the Ring and sends the Nazgûl to retrieve it for him. Frodo is then pursued by the Nazgûl from the Shire, but with help from Strider (Aragorn), he manages to arrive in Rivendell. Escaping from Isengard, Gandalf also makes his way to Rivendell, where a council is held regarding the fate of the Ring. The Fellowship is formed and the Nine members begin their quest to Mount Doom to destroy the Ring.
At the end of the second movie, Sauron attacks Osgiliath, however it is not until the beginning of the third movie that we see his forces taking the River and himself setting eyes on Minas Tirith. Having summoned to him armies from surrounding lands, as well his own forces, Sauron attacks Minas Tirith. There he is held back for some time by the Men of Gondor and then Rohan, however, he has strength still and is not fully forced back from Gondor until Aragorn (Isildur’s Heir) arrives with an army that has long been cursed, traitors who seek to finally rest in peace.
After Sauron’s forces have been pushed back from Minas Tirith, Aragorn leads an army of Rohan and Gondor to the Black Gate, in a bid to give Frodo more time to reach Mount Doom and destroy the Ring. Here Sauron sends his forces against them once more and though greatly outnumbered, the Men of Gondor and Rohan fight on. Finally, when at last all seems to have failed, the Ring enters the Fires of Mount Doom and is destroyed, ruining Sauron with it. Sauron the enemy of Middle-earth is thus finally defeated.
by Elvishmusician
