After Isildur's death, his body was recovered by Orcs and brought before the diminished yet vengeful Sauron, who then used a Ring of Power to revive him as one of his servants, ultimately transforming him into a Nazgûl.
The Unforeseen Fate of Isildur
Isildur, heir of Elendil and one of the mightiest Men of his age, met his end in the Gladden Fields when ambushed by Orcs. Though he initially escaped the main force, the One Ring slipped from his finger as he attempted to cross the Anduin, and he was shot by Orc arrows. However, his story did not conclude with this mortal demise.
Discovery and Recovery
Following his fall, Orcs discovered Isildur's body. Instead of simply leaving it, they brought it to their master, the Dark Lord Sauron. This act set in motion an extraordinary and dark resurrection.
Sauron's Vengeful Act
Sauron, still recovering from his defeat at the hands of the Last Alliance, harbored deep vengeance and a desire to consolidate his power. Upon receiving Isildur's body, he enacted a twisted form of necromancy.
- Motivation: Sauron's motivation was likely twofold:
- To desecrate the line of Men who had defied him.
- To gain a powerful servant from a once-great adversary.
- The Instrument: Sauron utilized a Ring of Power to achieve this unholy revival. While the One Ring was lost to him, he still possessed other Rings of Power, particularly the Nine given to Men, which had the capacity to corrupt and enslave mortals.
Transformation and Servitude
The application of a Ring of Power to Isildur's deceased form did not simply bring him back to life; it brought him back as something profoundly corrupted and bound to Sauron's will.
Stages of Corruption:
- Revival as a Servant: Isildur was reanimated, but no longer the noble King he once was. He became a mere thrall, devoid of his former identity and serving the very evil he once fought.
- Gradual Enslavement: Over time, the influence of the Ring of Power would have steadily eroded any remaining free will or memories, twisting his essence into something utterly malevolent.
- Emergence as a Nazgûl: This prolonged corruption culminated in his transformation into one of the Nazgûl, or Ringwraiths. These spectral beings, once mortal kings, were completely enslaved by Sauron's Rings, becoming his most terrifying and loyal servants.
| Stage of Isildur's Post-Death Fate | Description |
|---|---|
| Discovery | Orcs find Isildur's body in the Gladden Fields. |
| Recovery by Sauron | The body is brought to the Dark Lord Sauron. |
| Revival | Sauron uses a Ring of Power to bring Isildur back to a semblance of life. |
| Servitude | Isildur becomes a thrall, bound to Sauron's will. |
| Transformation | He eventually becomes one of the nine dreaded Nazgûl. |
This dark fate ensured that Isildur, who had once held the One Ring and defeated Sauron, paradoxically became one of his most powerful and terrifying agents in the subsequent ages. His story became a cautionary tale of how even the greatest heroes could fall prey to the Dark Lord's insidious power, even beyond death.
