Where Are the Rings of the Nine Nazg?l?

In J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, the Nine Nazg?l, or Ringwraiths, were once mortal men corrupted by the power of the Nine Rings of Power bestowed upon them by the Dark Lord Sauron. Each Nazg?l received one of the Nine Rings, which ultimately led to their enslavement to Sauron. While the specific locations of these rings are not detailed in Tolkien's works, there are several clues and theories that can help us understand their fate.

Tolkien's Implied Destinations

Tolkien, in his letters and writings, hints at the fate of the Nine Rings. In Letter 246, he writes: 'Sauron who still through their nine rings which he held had primary control of their wills.' This suggests that after the destruction of the Dark Tower, the Nine Rings were still within Sauron's grasp. The Dark Tower, also known as Barad-d?r, was destroyed, and with it, the Ithil-Stone (the Eye of Sauron).

According to J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, it is likely that the Nine Rings, along with Sauron and the Nazg?l, were destroyed or buried within the ruins of the Dark Tower. Aragorn, upon finding the Orthanc Stone (one of the only remaining Palantíri/Seeing Stones), noted that the fall of Barad-d?r was enough to destroy a Palantír. Given the destructive power of the Dark Tower's collapse, it's reasonable to assume that the rings were also destroyed or buried.

During Their Active Service

During their active service under Sauron, the Nazg?l were with Sauron. Gandalf mentions that the Nazg?l themselves still wore their rings, but this is unlikely given Sauron's standing. Since Sauron no longer had the One Ring, keeping the Nazg?l in subjugation would require the other Nine Rings. As Tolkien states, Sauron would need to maintain direct control through these rings to keep the Nazg?l enslaved.

There is even a theory suggesting that Sauron wore the Nine Rings on his remaining nine fingers, after choosing not to reconstruct the hand that Isildur had cut off. This shows Sauron's determination to regain the One Ring and his continued reliance on the power of the other Nine Rings.

After the Final Destruction

According to The Silmarillion, after the One Ring was destroyed in Mount Doom (Orodruin), the Nine Rings were also destroyed. While the Three Rings were rendered useless, this marks the end of the power of the Nine Rings over the Nazg?l. The destruction of the Nine Rings marked the end of the Third Age and the closure of the tales of the Eldar (Elves) in Middle-earth.

Conclusion

The rings are instrumental in the Nazg?l's identity and power. Although their exact locations are not explicitly mentioned, they are tied to the Nazg?l themselves and were likely destroyed along with Sauron and the Dark Tower. After the final destruction, the power of the Nine Rings was broken, rendering them useless and marking the end of the Third Age.

For more detailed information, you can refer to The Silmarillion and The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. These works provide a rich tapestry of details about Middle-earth and the power dynamics of the Rings of Power.