#I used to like imagining sauron helping plan the fall of gondolin

[aipilosse]

What are your thoughts about why and how Sauron followed and continued to serve Melkor/Morgoth? I get that Tolkien said that he admired how Melkor was uber powerful and could effect his designs quickly and easily (initially). But Sauron is also described as being a logical control freak who hates wasteful friction but loves organization and logistics? Whereas Morgoth especially seemed like, well, the king and ultimate arbiter of “wasteful friction”. He destroyed stuff just for the sake of destroying stuff. He poured his own power into the world to make it decay and eventually destroy itself. So he sorta wasted himself and the world together? I don’t know if I’m explaining this well or not but I wonder what Sauron thought of his master when he was no longer so powerful (we know he at least didn’t betray him and continued to be loyal.) At the least, he must have been hella frustrated with him at times.

I think it all began to break down after Morgoth's duel with Fingolfin.

That was the last time in those wars that he passed the doors of his stronghold, and it is said that he took not the challenge willingly; for though his might was greatest of all things in this world, alone of the Valar he knew fear. But he could not now deny the challenge before the face of his captains; for the rocks rang with the shrill music of Fingolfin’s horn, and his voice came keen and clear down into the depths of Angband; and Fingolfin named Morgoth craven, and lord of slaves.

The Dagor Bragollach had just happened, breaking the siege, destroying the realms of the Noldor. It was the result of careful planning, creating awesome monsters, and using environmental destruction to incredible effect. And then Morgoth can barely squish one noisy little Elf-Lord!

I think up to that point Sauron thought that Morgoth's strategy of imbuing Arda with his power was smart, impressive even. Maybe it was not yet evident how that weakened his own being and resulted in processes Morgoth could no longer control.

Also, yes Sauron doesn't betray Morgoth, but after the Bragollach he held Tol Sirion turning it into Tol-in-Gaurhoth. You have to wonder if one or both of them thought it would be better if there was a little separation between them. And Sauron is certainly loyal to Morgoth in the Leithian, but then he suffers a defeat that is much more humiliating that getting poked in the foot by a small yet angry elf.

I personally am now on board with the theory that after his defeat at the hands of Lúthien and Huan, Sauron never returns to Morgoth. I think he stayed in Taur-nu-Fuin, licking his wounds, haunting up the place, maybe meeting Shelob's mom and trying out some spider pets, but I don't think he went back to Angband nor coordinated with Morgoth after that.

The next time we see him, he's asking Eonwe for forgiveness, groveling, and at that point abjuring his deeds under Morgoth. Which I don't think Morgoth would say was especially loyal! I think from that point onward, Sauron is definitely in it for himself, using past connections with Morgoth for his own gain, but not holding any particular loyalty to him.

Thanks for the question!!