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<blockquote data-quote="Edena_of_Neith" data-source="post: 381407" data-attributes="member: 2020">((humorous post))&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; I feel Sauron got a bum rap out of all of this.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; A classic case of someone trying their very best, and not being able to succeed no matter&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; what.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Classic tragedy.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; I shall explain, in detail and at length, why I believe Sauron is the one who deserves&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; sympathy and support, not his enemies.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; - - -&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Here I am, Sauron, sitting in my fortress, Barad-Dur.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; The Other Part of Me, the One Ring, was stolen by a thief.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Not just any thief, but some ratlike version of a man, who then hid under a mountain.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Then, another rat comes and steals my Other Self from the first rat, and takes it back to&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; a whole land of rats.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; When the rats realize that it is my Ring, they do not give it back, as they should have&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; done, but instead presume to hide it, to try to keep it from me by force, and to injure or&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; kill those I send to retrieve what is rightfully mine.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; A clear case of robbery, obstruction of justice, not to mention attempted murder of my&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; servants.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Then the elves, who are leaving Middle Earth and thus have no right to interfere in it's&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; doings - that is to say, they have no right to interfere with my doings, for I am Middle&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Earth's Rightful Lord - conspire to keep the Ring from me. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; They work with this incompetent fool sent from Valinor named Gandalf - the Valar cannot&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; be bothered with Middle Earth in general, but they just can't resist sending meddlers to&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; cause trouble.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; As if there wasn't trouble enough, the Valar have to cause more - they certainly are living&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; in peace and quiet, over in their land! Why not leave my land alone, then?&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Now, I send my nine best servants to retrieve my Ring.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; What happens?&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; They can't do their job. They are total bunglers.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; First, they miss the Ring in the heart of the ratland, then again because of some&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; wandering elves, then AGAIN because some rat farmer helps the thief escape.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; It takes these idiots several days to locate the thief's home across the river - and of&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; course, the thief has bolted by then.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; They cannot bother to ransack a whole inn ... the Ring was THERE (my spies confirmed&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; it), and they somehow miss it.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; What is this? With living spies, all of the Nine, and the power of fear to bring half the&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; populace of that town called Bree over to my side, they cannot catch 4 rats who are&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; making no attempt to be careful, not even trying to hide from me?&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; What's going on here??&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Now, the Nine give me the excuse they couldn't track the rat thief through the&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; wilderness.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Are my best servants seriously trying to tell me they can't follow some rats and a single&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; human through a bunch of grass and weeds?&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; And if so, why couldn't they get someone who COULD track, from that idiot town? There&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; were trackers there. Round them up!&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; The Nine inform me that they drove that cowardly assassin, Gandalf, from Weathertop.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Great.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; When the rats and human came up, why didn't they finish the job???&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; If the could defeat that wretched Maia, why couldn't they defeat 4 rats and a human? &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; No excuses about that Morgul Blade, either. No rat could have survived that - they must&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; have given my Ring to someone else. To tell me that the rat survived 18 days with a&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Morgul Knife in him ... the Nine are good LIARS, if they are nothing else.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; They cannot find the rat thief, and now they blame it on some hills.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Some hills! &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; It's not like my Commander wasn't the Witch-King, and didn't know those hills throughly,&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; down to every last gully and peak. He only had nearly a thousand years to scout them&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; out.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Now the Nine are telling me that this RAT could resist their combined wills, and run off on&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; some stupid elven horse, and they couldn't catch him?&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; And they ran right into an elvish trap??&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; And they allowed a single elf to drive them all into that trap??!&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; And they now tell me that because they lost their disguises, they could not - invisibly, in&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; their greater strength - have come against the rat, the human, and the stinking elf, and&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; not won?&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Well, it's time for some torture.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Torture of the Nazgul, that is.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; First, torture for incompetence in that rat-land of the Shire.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Then, torture for their idiocy in Bree.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Then, torture for their idiocy on Weathertop.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Some more torture for idiocy in failing to catch the thief in Rhudaur.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Yet more torture for falling into that elf-trap.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Yet MORE torture for letting a single elf scare them.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; And yet MORE torture for failing to attack the rats and rebels in their invisible state.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; And finally, further torture, just for good measure.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; I, Sauron, now have to deal with these rebels holed up in that gully (Rivendell.)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; I send out my Crebain.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; I send instructions through them to the wolves to assemble and hunt anyone leaving&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; that gully.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; I send instructures to the orcs to follow the wolves.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; The birds (the only COMPETENT servants I have) tell me that coward Gandalf is trying to&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; sneak my Ring out of the gully, taking with him a rag-tag group of rats, humans, a dwarf,&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; and one of those dark elves.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Gandalf the Fool reveals himself to my scouts on Caradhras.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; So why didn't my servants catch them and kill them, as I ordered?&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Are the orcs of the Misty Mountains trying to tell me they could not spot travelers in the&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; western lowlands?&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Are the orcs trying to tell me their scouting parties could not find these curs?&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; And if they could not find them, why didn't they send messages back and TELL me they&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; could not find them?&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; I know that one of my best wolf leaders was killed, when his scouting group found the&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; knaves, and tested their strength, as I requested.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; So, why didn't the REST of my wolves close in for the kill??&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Doesn't ANYTHING up there bother to follow my instructions?&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Or are they trying to say they could not track and run down these knaves, who were on&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; foot?&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; (steamed look)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; What do they think I am, an idiot like them?&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; My Nine, my orcs, my wolves, cannot find these rats and knaves, cannot track them,&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; cannot defeat them - and they don't have a single Noldor among them who could actually&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; put up a good fight - and cannot even FIND them, even with the help of my birds???&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Where is the help I looked for from my new slave, Saruman?&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Dunland is under his control, and the knaves were almost to the border of that land.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Why weren't those humans dispatched northward?&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Where were the orcs of Isengard?&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Where were Saruman's spies?&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; For that matter, where was Saruman? &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; He has a palantir, just like myself. I ordered him to seek them out. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; After Gandalf gave himself away on Caradhras, Saruman should have had a lock on him,&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; from then on.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Are they all trying to tell me that my Nine, Saruman my best slave, the hosts of Isengard,&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; the humans of Dunland, the orcs of the Misty Mountains, the wolves, my birds, Saruman's&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; spies, my spies ... cannot catch a rat, his rat companions, two humans, a dwarf, and a&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; wretched elf, and that fool Gandalf, while they wander willy-nilly through empty Eriador?!&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; I won't have it! Do you all hear? This is an outrage, and I won't have it.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Well, I know the Ring is with them - any orc could see that!&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; They have a new Ringlord among them; I am betting that fool Gandalf thinks himself my&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; equal. He will learn better soon enough.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; So come, Gandalf, come! Come along, for I am waiting.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; You may have disappeared from my sight, briefly, but I will find you.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; You cannot hide for long from me!</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Edena_of_Neith, post: 381407, member: 2020"] ((humorous post)) I feel Sauron got a bum rap out of all of this. A classic case of someone trying their very best, and not being able to succeed no matter what. Classic tragedy. I shall explain, in detail and at length, why I believe Sauron is the one who deserves sympathy and support, not his enemies. - - - Here I am, Sauron, sitting in my fortress, Barad-Dur. The Other Part of Me, the One Ring, was stolen by a thief. Not just any thief, but some ratlike version of a man, who then hid under a mountain. Then, another rat comes and steals my Other Self from the first rat, and takes it back to a whole land of rats. When the rats realize that it is my Ring, they do not give it back, as they should have done, but instead presume to hide it, to try to keep it from me by force, and to injure or kill those I send to retrieve what is rightfully mine. A clear case of robbery, obstruction of justice, not to mention attempted murder of my servants. Then the elves, who are leaving Middle Earth and thus have no right to interfere in it's doings - that is to say, they have no right to interfere with my doings, for I am Middle Earth's Rightful Lord - conspire to keep the Ring from me. They work with this incompetent fool sent from Valinor named Gandalf - the Valar cannot be bothered with Middle Earth in general, but they just can't resist sending meddlers to cause trouble. As if there wasn't trouble enough, the Valar have to cause more - they certainly are living in peace and quiet, over in their land! Why not leave my land alone, then? Now, I send my nine best servants to retrieve my Ring. What happens? They can't do their job. They are total bunglers. First, they miss the Ring in the heart of the ratland, then again because of some wandering elves, then AGAIN because some rat farmer helps the thief escape. It takes these idiots several days to locate the thief's home across the river - and of course, the thief has bolted by then. They cannot bother to ransack a whole inn ... the Ring was THERE (my spies confirmed it), and they somehow miss it. What is this? With living spies, all of the Nine, and the power of fear to bring half the populace of that town called Bree over to my side, they cannot catch 4 rats who are making no attempt to be careful, not even trying to hide from me? What's going on here?? Now, the Nine give me the excuse they couldn't track the rat thief through the wilderness. Are my best servants seriously trying to tell me they can't follow some rats and a single human through a bunch of grass and weeds? And if so, why couldn't they get someone who COULD track, from that idiot town? There were trackers there. Round them up! The Nine inform me that they drove that cowardly assassin, Gandalf, from Weathertop. Great. When the rats and human came up, why didn't they finish the job??? If the could defeat that wretched Maia, why couldn't they defeat 4 rats and a human? No excuses about that Morgul Blade, either. No rat could have survived that - they must have given my Ring to someone else. To tell me that the rat survived 18 days with a Morgul Knife in him ... the Nine are good LIARS, if they are nothing else. They cannot find the rat thief, and now they blame it on some hills. Some hills! It's not like my Commander wasn't the Witch-King, and didn't know those hills throughly, down to every last gully and peak. He only had nearly a thousand years to scout them out. Now the Nine are telling me that this RAT could resist their combined wills, and run off on some stupid elven horse, and they couldn't catch him? And they ran right into an elvish trap?? And they allowed a single elf to drive them all into that trap??! And they now tell me that because they lost their disguises, they could not - invisibly, in their greater strength - have come against the rat, the human, and the stinking elf, and not won? Well, it's time for some torture. Torture of the Nazgul, that is. First, torture for incompetence in that rat-land of the Shire. Then, torture for their idiocy in Bree. Then, torture for their idiocy on Weathertop. Some more torture for idiocy in failing to catch the thief in Rhudaur. Yet more torture for falling into that elf-trap. Yet MORE torture for letting a single elf scare them. And yet MORE torture for failing to attack the rats and rebels in their invisible state. And finally, further torture, just for good measure. I, Sauron, now have to deal with these rebels holed up in that gully (Rivendell.) I send out my Crebain. I send instructions through them to the wolves to assemble and hunt anyone leaving that gully. I send instructures to the orcs to follow the wolves. The birds (the only COMPETENT servants I have) tell me that coward Gandalf is trying to sneak my Ring out of the gully, taking with him a rag-tag group of rats, humans, a dwarf, and one of those dark elves. Gandalf the Fool reveals himself to my scouts on Caradhras. So why didn't my servants catch them and kill them, as I ordered? Are the orcs of the Misty Mountains trying to tell me they could not spot travelers in the western lowlands? Are the orcs trying to tell me their scouting parties could not find these curs? And if they could not find them, why didn't they send messages back and TELL me they could not find them? I know that one of my best wolf leaders was killed, when his scouting group found the knaves, and tested their strength, as I requested. So, why didn't the REST of my wolves close in for the kill?? Doesn't ANYTHING up there bother to follow my instructions? Or are they trying to say they could not track and run down these knaves, who were on foot? (steamed look) What do they think I am, an idiot like them? My Nine, my orcs, my wolves, cannot find these rats and knaves, cannot track them, cannot defeat them - and they don't have a single Noldor among them who could actually put up a good fight - and cannot even FIND them, even with the help of my birds??? Where is the help I looked for from my new slave, Saruman? Dunland is under his control, and the knaves were almost to the border of that land. Why weren't those humans dispatched northward? Where were the orcs of Isengard? Where were Saruman's spies? For that matter, where was Saruman? He has a palantir, just like myself. I ordered him to seek them out. After Gandalf gave himself away on Caradhras, Saruman should have had a lock on him, from then on. Are they all trying to tell me that my Nine, Saruman my best slave, the hosts of Isengard, the humans of Dunland, the orcs of the Misty Mountains, the wolves, my birds, Saruman's spies, my spies ... cannot catch a rat, his rat companions, two humans, a dwarf, and a wretched elf, and that fool Gandalf, while they wander willy-nilly through empty Eriador?! I won't have it! Do you all hear? This is an outrage, and I won't have it. Well, I know the Ring is with them - any orc could see that! They have a new Ringlord among them; I am betting that fool Gandalf thinks himself my equal. He will learn better soon enough. So come, Gandalf, come! Come along, for I am waiting. You may have disappeared from my sight, briefly, but I will find you. You cannot hide for long from me! [/QUOTE]

Verification