The Apprentice by pandemonium_213

Thanks so much for the accolades, Dawn!  I greatly appreciate the favorable review as well as the availability of the nicely crafted and much-more-than-adequate SWG as a repository for my ficcish and non-ficcish natterings. Given that you found Sauron to be funny and intimidating, then I have done my job.  It’s difficult for me to imagine that so many Men and Elves would have “fallen” for him if he had not been smart, charismatic and persuasive or if said Firstborn and Followers were not clamoring for “the knowledge he genuinely had” as JRRT put it.  As for Samaril, I love him, too, and he might  just be a composite of the arrogant, cocky guys I have worked with in the labs over the years – guys for all their swaggering still harbored inherent warmth, affection and vulnerability. 

I have a burgeoning set of WIPs of that Second Age milieu (my dark muse just will not take “No!” as an answer)  including what looks like another novella set shortly after the War of Wrath; it’s written from the first person POV from the man himself.  Heh.

 Thanks again!

Way back when I first read The Lord of the Rings as a teenager, Sauron came across a fairly unidimensional being: the largely unseen villain orchestrating his dark forces around the War of the Ring.  However, I think Gandalf made a comment to the effect that even Sauron wasn't always evil.  I thought that was intriguing when I first read it. Then, as a Silm geek, I saw this elaborated on a bit more ("On The Rings of Power and The Third Age").  The History of Middle-earth and Tolkien's Letters further revealed more complexity to Sauron's character and strongly suggested he was a master technologist. I think that's how Tolkien saw him: Sauron represented the worst of technology and industrialization.  His acumen as a scientist/technologist (in addition to that of an adroit politician) would be seen as magic or necromancy (a la Arthur C. Clarke's third law).  Couple that with JRRT's comment that Sauron was not yet "wholly evil" during the early to mid-Second Age and there are the makings for a more complex character, perhaps even scarier because of the lingering elements of "good" intentions in him.  The story is largely his apprentice's (read: grad student's :^D) viewpoint but hopefully will reveal something about the mentor, too.

 Thanks so much for giving this a shot, Klose!  I realize that an emotionally complex and genuinely knowledgeable Sauron* is not very palatable to many.  And I hope you like his ambitious student, Sámaril, the primary protagonist.  I liked him enough to give him another story. :^)

*Not that I think he's a good guy even if he's a brilliant one.  On the contrary, Sauron of the pandemoniverse gives me the chills since I know what a back-stabber he is! 

"Yes, very science-y"

Chapter 1 is definitely the most science-y of all and the most uncompromising in that sense. :^)

"I am determined to figure out 'Then, he had assembled the protein complex to bind the regulatory element of the master gene that orchestrated the interplay of biochemical systems peculiar to the Elves.'"

Ai, carambë!  Yeah, this is pretty technical, but I couldn't resist leaving it in place.  This is a nod to a lot of the current thinking on how regulation of gene expression (proteins binding to regulatory sequences of DNA) affects physical characteristics (phenotype). This probably isn't the place to nerd out and offer my crazed arm-waving speculation on elvish physiology but suffice it to say that it is known in our primary world that fairly small genetic events at the regulatory level - which avoids mutations - can result in big phenotypic effects.  I figure (based on JRRT's writings) that the Firstborn and Men must be very similar genetically but that their profound differences arise from something subtle.  Gene regulation might account for that.  Not that you have any free time as a bona fide student, but if you have a chance, check out Sean B. Carroll's books: Endless Forms Most Beautiful and The Making of The Fittest. 

I know plenty of folks say that science can't be applied to Middle-earth.  Au contraire!  Even Tolkien himself gives permission for us to enter his secondary world and study its biology (see letter 153 to Peter Hastings).  That said, often the wave of a wizard's wand (alluding to The Notion Club Papers) is the best tactic. There's a lot of stuff that Sauron is able to accomplish that is a mystery to me even if there might be a scientific basis (a la Clarke's Third Law) for it.  ;^)

Thanks so much for taking a look at this and for the wonderful comments!

"But there's still a danger of making it too modern as to be obscure and not credible in the context of Elves and Middle-earth."

Definitely!  And I tread a fine line all too often with regard to this. Yet amazingly, Tolkien - in his letter (153) to Hastings - makes it pretty clear that the Eregion Noldor were really enamoured of technology.  Speaking of that particular term and its companion, "science,"  Dawn pointed out that there are actually terms in Quenya which accurately translate into such concepts: nolwë (philosophy, including science) and curwë (application of skill, invention).  I was really tickled to have that pointed out!

"it's kind of reassuring to see Sámaril go through the same, even if he is a fictional character..."

Heh.  I might have experienced the same kind of grilling from my own Annatars when I was in grad school.

Thanks again! 

From Appendix B, The Tale of Years, Lord of the Rings: "1200: Sauron endeavors to seduce the Eldar." Ah ha!  So he ensnared you, too! :^D

In Letter 153 in The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien (ed. H. Carpenter), Tolkien wrote that Sauron, upon being given the opportunity of repentance after the War of Wrath, couldn't face the humiliation that recantation would entail..."so his temporary turn to good and 'benevolence' ended in a greater relapse, until he became the main representative of Evil of later ages."  So according to JRRT, one might conclude that redemption is right out.  However, the pandemoniverse is fraught with moral relativism and lots of shades of grey (well, not unlike The Silmarillion) rather than binary Good and Evil.   If anything, Aulendil may have been so frightened of being stuck in that singularity with his old boss until the End of Eä that he may very well have repented eventually and as part of his penance wound up counseling a famous twentieth century physicist.  I expect the manipulative Valar have something in mind for his redemption in both direct and indirect ways.  Stay tuned! :^D

And thanks a million for the wonderful off-the-radar screen comments! 

Muchos gracias, Angelica!  I greatly appreciate your comments, and I am glad that you enjoyed the story.  It's especially gratifying for me that you picked up on exactly what I was attempting to convey - culture and characters both - in this first-time novella.  Like you, I read The Silmarillion avidly years ago, and only discovered Silmarillion fan fiction a little over a year ago.  When wandering around Silmarillion fandom, I noted that there were many fine stories covering the First Age and our favorite icons (Fëanor and his sons, other Finwëans, famous Sindar) so I thought I'd try another Age and a different take on another icon.  I recognize that an emotionally complex Annatar/Sauron may not be palatable to many Tolkien fans who embrace the Good vs. Evil dichotomy.  In fact, when I was much younger, I wondered how such a dark evil entity like LOTR Sauron could have "seduced the Eldar."  Many years and experiences with those who have a bit of Sauron-the-Technologist (good, bad and all shades of grey in between) in them made that much more plausible.

The Second Age is surprisingly less explored* but quite rich for interpretative fan fiction.  I expect Aulendil will make a retrospective appearance at some point in the next story about Sámaril. :^)

Those fractal images are really nice, aren't they?  Sven Geier has made them readily available and shares them freely. 

Thanks again!

*Full of Wisdom and Perfect in Beauty by Gadira (on this site) is a beautifully crafted vision of Second Age Númenor. Highly recommended.

Thanks so much for reading this and for the comments, Sinneahtes!  Upon re-reading Tolkien after a long hiatus, I was amazed by the extraordinary amount of science underlying Tolkien's works.  Much of it is humming along in the background of the Middle-earth operating system but it's there.  Similarly, there are quite a number of scientists and technologists in his world.  I'm especially grateful to hear that I'm not "killing the magic."   That's the peril of injecting science into fan fiction of this milieu.  Although I allow some scientific jargon to slip in there, I figure a well educated Maia formerly-of-Aulë would know these terms; surely there is a word in Valarin for "photosynthesis." :^D

I'm glad you enjoyed Sámaril's lamp project.  The Fëanorian lamps have always fascinated me.  Among Tolkien nerderati,  there have been many discussions concerning their technology ranging from radioactive materials to biolumuniscence as a light source.  I decided to assume the latter and also to assume that Sauron-as-Aulendil would feel he could -- through his student -- create a superior product.  Although I never slogged through swamps with my grad advisor, we did go to conferences together so I might just have drawn upon my experiences there. :^)  Anyway, that whole bit served not only for my own self-indulgence, but also to illustrate Sauron's modus operandi (at least in my 'verse) which was to offer genuinely useful knowledge and thus gain the trust of the Noldorin smiths.

Re:  Ainur are aliens and the Elves are really just a subspecies of humans.

:^D  "...same damned species" might have originated from something I once said.  Maybe.

Based on what Tolkien wrote in The Notion Club Papers, Ainur as aliens is not much of a stretch conceptually!  I'm trying to resist another goofy Valar-as-Great-Old-Ones fic, but Dawn's recent depiction of Námo's flicking serpent tongue is weakening my will power. 

Thanks again, Sinneahtes! 

Heh.  Don't worry about it.  I'm flattered that you and others have read this through so comments and reviews are icing on the cake.  I think I did that with your Maitimo and Findekáno, i.e., wrote a review elsewhere and then pasted it on the SWG later.  Many thanks for the compliments, the ultimate of which was nomination of this story for MEFA.

Oh, good!  I'm glad you're reading this!  Even though The Elendilmir could stand alone (I think), The Apprentice puts into context Sámaril's feelings of guilt and also his complex feelings toward his mentor, who, in The Apprentice, is not a cardboard cutout villain.

"...pictured Ost in Edhil in this chapter, simply by written word it just felt as if I could see it in front of my eyes: a mighty city devoted to the arts and crafts of science"

I have to admit that I have long been entranced by those few writings of Tolkien's that concerned Ost-in-Edhil.  The so-called canon that informs me about the city, the Noldor of Eregion and Sauron derives a lot from Tolkien's Letters.  

From Letter 153: "...the Noldor or Loremasters, were always on the side of 'science and technology', as we should call it: they wanted to have the knowledge that Sauron genuinely had..."

From Letter 131: In a letter to Milton Waldman, JRRT wrote of the elven societies in the Second Age: "We hear of a lingering kingdom, in the extreme North-west more or less in what was left in the old lands of The Simarillion, under Gil-galad; and of other settlements, such as Imladris (Rivendell) near Elrond; and a great one at Eregion (emphasis mine) at the Western feet of the Misty Mountains..." 

That suggests to me a city and region of some significance in terms of population and culture, and yep, a culture entranced with the arts and crafts of science.  That letter to Waldman has some interesting comments on Sauron's motivations, some of which have a hint of the Promethean to them, at least until Sauron fell back to his craving for control and power.

Thanks so much, Rhapsy, and I hope you continue to enjoy the story! 

"Sauron's manipulation, he simply doesn't know his own limits, does he?"  

 Heh.  He may have his limits, but he won't admit to them easily!  I expect that the process of such exotic delving into materials/organisms is so entrancing to the young scientists smiths that they don't even consider the ethics of what they are doing, or brush it aside (after all, they are Noldor and their subjects are "only" Men), not unlike some researchers in the real world who become so engaged in the "wow-ain't-it-cool" factor that they lose sight of greater ramifications.  And when you have a brilliant mentor, it's sometimes not so easy to see those feet of clay, or if you see them, you deny it.

Re: Sámaril -- yes, he's not exactly an ethereal elf. ;^)

Rhapsy, thanks so much for reading The Apprentice and for your lively comments!  When I read The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales for the first time around 30 (!) years ago, I was perplexed: "Why couldn't the Gwaith-i-Mirdain and Celebrimbor in particular have seen through Annatar?"   A number of years of experience as a career scientist in an industry with a dark side and just plain maturity made me realize that the Noldor of Eregion were no fools but neither was Annatar/Sauron. 

On the rings, or at least my take on them:  Sámaril's rings for his family were benign.  And (at least in my 'verse), at least one of the rings that Aulendil crafted (tapping into his "good" creative side) was benign as well.  Remember this?

"In Eregion long ago many Elven-Rings were made, magic rings as you call them, and they were, of course, of various kinds: some more potent and some less. The lesser rings were only essays in the craft before it was full-grown, and to the Elven-smiths they were but trifles -- yet still to my mind dangerous to mortals.” – Gandalf to Frodo, The Fellowship of the Ring. 

I have a rough draft lurking in iBook-Angband about a young hobbit of the Fourth Age who discovers one of Sámaril's "practice" rings in his uncle and aunt's garden  -- a ring that Gandalf might describe as one of those "trifles."  The story is light-hearted, but still emphasizes that these rings were not meant for mortals.  You'd immediately recognize some key characters.

Thanks again, Rhapsy...and also for the MEFA review! 

Oooh, thanks for taking a chance on this and for "favoriting" this, whitewave!  I'm afraid I do a lot of what might be deemed "wrong" in my take on things Tolkien fan ficcish: original characters, playing with canon, and inflicting my views on the poor reader.  So hat's off to you for keeping an open mind, and taking the ride through Ost-in-Edhil with me...and Sámaril and The Istyar.  And yep, although the Fëanárions et pater may not be overtly present in my fics, their presence is felt.

"I found the scientific terms a bit "unusual" for a Tolkien fanfic."

 Heh.  Yes, the Istyar and I don't compromise much in this particular chapter so the sciency stuff stands out.  Hence the categorization of this novella as "science fiction" or "scientifiction" as those in Tolkien's era, including JRRT himself, called it.  It's more integrated as you move along.  Keep in mind that Aulendil has very sophisticated knowledge (I mean, the guy invented steam-driven metal-hulled ships and missiles in Númenor -- see The Lost Road).  He did lose that attention to detail later (re: late Third Age) as he spiraled down into the trap of his own obsession, but that's another story (called The Lord of the Rings, I think ;^)). I also took Tolkien's remarks in one of his letters that the Noldor were always on the side of "science and technology" to heart. :^D

On the masculine traits -- my interpretation of the Maiar is that they really, really like being incarnated whether as human, bear, wolf, spider or eagle.  It's kind of addictive for them.

I'm glad Sámaril lured you in.  :^) I liked him well enough to put him into a sequel. 

I'm quite partial to OCs, both reading and writing them, as foils and compliments to canon characters and to explore and comment upon them and on overarching themes.  My work certainly will not be everyone's cup of tea (nuanced villain, lack of ye olde archaic language and OCs -- including dreaded and much reviled OFCs -- oh, the horror!) but I'm grateful for those readers (such as yourself) who drink it down!

Many thanks for the comments!  Great to hear that the interweaving of science is working for you -- that was indeed my intent since it seemed pretty clear that the Noldor were the "scientists and engineers" of the Elves.  And hence more prone to "falling."  Oops.

" I shared in Samaril's surprise about his initial "minor" tasks. It was a "huh???" moment for me."

Everyone must start with simple tasks in fields of skill.  My grad advisor didn't let me perform complex experiments at first. :^)

"Reminded me of the "wax on wax off" bit in Karate Kid"

LOL!  Great analogy!  Aulendil isn't quite Mr. Miyagi though. :^D 

"I was torn between thinking that maybe he's not as evil as Melkor after all."

According to JRRT, in certain respects he's not, and I'm expanding on that.  Sauron in the LOTR is certainly less-than-ambiguously "evil."  Maybe somewhat less so in  The Silmarillion.  But in the HoMe (see in particular "Myths Transformed"), Tolkien's letters, and even from notes in the Parma Eldalamberon, Tolkien demonstrated noticeably more ambivalence toward this character.  Tolkien noted in one of his letters that Sauron "falls" much further than Morgoth because of his temporary turn to good purpose and intention.

"Or maybe NOT, since Aulendil could read the thoughts of the elves."

Aulendil's ability to "read thoughts" is limited in part due to taking on incarnate form. Maybe he can "skim the surface" more readily than some (and that partly by close observation of subtle facial expressions, body language, etc.) but as per JRRT's remarks pertaining to osanwë-kenta, it's not entirely facile.  I would expect he conceived of the rings as conduits for more defined awareness -- and thereby control -- of others.  

Dawn noted that it figured I'd open up that can of worms. When it comes to controversial subjects, I have no fear. :^D For now I'll just say such a matrimonial state is a heretical issue that I'll address (eventually) in another work. This is not a frivolous notion on my part but a humanized mechanism for commentary on Tolkien's attitudes toward progress (in all its glory and horror) and the creative people who drive it. So stay tuned! :^)

"Thanks for replying to all my wordy reviews"

No problem.  I'm all about lots of verbiage. ;^) 

"I'll be posting this in the MEFA site eventually"

Many thanks! 

"Hope I am still making sense to you."

Yep, you are.  It's fascinating to see how each reader interprets a story! 

Yes, Curumo = Saruman.  In "Myths Transformed," JRRT wrote that Sauron understood Saruman's mind and behaviors so well because they were much like his own.  I figure it must be that "metals and wheels"  mentality so I'm riffing on an early rivalry when they were "students" of Aulë.  Of course, the Istari have yet to appear in Middle-earth so young Sámaril will have no idea who Aulendil is yammering on about. 

Re: the countryside -- likely regret that he will be leaving his comfortable life behind rather than reconsideration.  I see him as being so self-serving that he's confident that he'll be able to bring the Elves under his control with little resistance on their part or that his influence is so pervasive that they may even be willing to do so.  Yes, he's a bit delusional. ;^) 

Aulendil's concept is more consistent with actual human behavior, and the elves, as JRRT noted, are human.  I idealize the elves less than JRRT and that's my life scientist's prejudice showing. However, to my mind that indefinite longevity thing certainly sets the Firstborn apart from mortals in a big way and creates major cultural barriers which would preclude a lot of intermarriage. 

It also seems like the biological default setting for the offspring of Elf-Man unions is mortal.  Only by special dispensation can a half-elf become immortal.  So such unions would have the effect of (ahem) diluting the race of the Firstborn or at least that's how some of the "high-caste" Elves might see it.

"Most of the pairings are between elven women and mortal men, well, except maybe Andreth and Aegnor"

Well, those are in the recorded "history." One can approach Tolkien as canon with a set of defined rules and orthodxies or one can approach it as a created mythology which is looser.  I favor the latter approach.  But your mileage may vary.

" big maybe, Haleth and Caranthir"

Fanon, I think, but it's a fanonical concept I like a great deal! That may very well get a passing reference in my WIP sequel.

Tolkien made a comment to the effect that Sauron took pains to separate his aspects of enemy and tempter so I ran with that.  I figured there was something of a "governor" there, too: a cool, calculating and amoral component of the same person, but still part of the same.

"he has somehow reached the point where he notices that something is amiss but just turns a blind eye to it."

Yep!  That's the human experience of denial, something we can be so adept at, and I figure elves were prone to it, too.  Betrayal by someone one admires or even loves is that much worse than by someone who you might expect to engage in such behavior.