The Folly of Sauron: Why Didn't He Secure Mount Doom?

When Sauron forged the One Ring, he couldn't fathom why anyone would simply destroy it rather than wielding it to rule the world. Mount Doom, the location of its destruction, held significant importance for Sauron, not only for the ring's annihilation but also for his own smelting and crafting endeavors.

Strategic Oversight: Mount Doom's Significance

Sauron did not want the One Ring destroyed, for his essence was forever tied to it. The ring's power sustained him, making its potential destruction a constant fear. However, Sauron’s focus was on expansion and dominion, never imagining someone would choose to destroy such a potent tool.

His misguided belief in the dominance of the powerful overruled his reasoning, leading to a critical oversight. He neglected the possibility that someone would seek its annihilation. As Heino Zielinski of The Tolkien Observers puts it, Sauron was a “wise fool” whose self-centered worldview prevented him from perceiving alternatives.

Defensive Measures: A Flawed Strategy

Securing Mount Doom with guards seemed like an obvious preemptive measure to Sauron. However, his lack of empathy and imagination meant he underestimated the possibility of someone willingly destroying the ring.

Even if he had deployed guards, their efforts would have been in vain. The armies of the West, led by Aragorn and Gandalf, were already engaged in conflict. For Sauron's forces to turn and march towards Mount Doom would have been a futile gesture. The Nazg?l, his swift and fearsome servants, were delayed in their mission, failing to arrive in time to prevent the destruction of the One Ring.

The Inevitable Unmaking: The Failures of Sauron’s Final Capture

As seen through the eyes of Samwise, the Nazg?l, once the ring's destruction was confirmed, withered and perished. They failed to make it to Mount Doom in time. This event underscores the futility of Sauron’s attempts to secure the ring's destruction.

The power of the Nazg?l, despite their swiftness, was no match for the ring's destructive force. Their filenames in Chapter 8 of The Return of the King reveal their swift demise, emphasizing the unstoppable nature of the ring's destruction.

These events highlight the limited effectiveness of Sauron’s defenses and the inevitability of the ring's downfall. The Nazg?l, the swiftest of his servants, were unable to prevent the One Ring's destruction, leaving his forces in Mordor vulnerable and his hopes of conquest shattered.

Final Thoughts: Sauron’s Overconfidence and Oversight

The failure to secure Mount Doom with guards and the ultimate demise of the Nazg?l illustrate Sauron’s overconfidence and strategic miscalculations. His refusal to consider the possibility of someone willingly destroying the ring, coupled with his underestimation of the speed and scale of the forces of the West, led to a decisive defeat.

The destruction of the One Ring marked the end of Sauron's dominion and the dawn of a new era in Middle-earth. It serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of underestimating one's enemies and the importance of being prepared for any eventualities.