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"My master, Sauron the Great, bids thee welcome" - the Mouth of Sauron
The Mouth of Sauron was a Black Númenórean who served as the ambassador of Sauron as well as the Lieutenant of Barad-dûr. Very high in his master's favor, he cruelly and insolently relayed the latter's foul message onto his adversaries, delighting in the pain he inflicted as evidenced by his despicable grin.
When the Captains of the West came to the Black Gate, Sauron sent forth his "Mouth" in answer to 'Aragorn's call, wanting to push his enemies to despair and discern the purpose behind the halflings' true mission into Mordor.
History[]
The Númenórean Renegade[]
Whether one of the early Black Númenóreans with a life prolonged by unholy means learned from Sauron or a descendant of them, the Mouth of Sauron was one of the most-trusted of the Enemy's servants and knew much of his mind. He rose ever higher in his master's favor as his emissary and the Lieutenant of Barad-dûr and was also well versed in dark sorcery.
As Sauron's herald, speaking the evil words of his Lord has inflicted decay and disease on him. He is seemingly blind, wearing a helmet that covers a presumably deformed face. His mouth is unnaturally large, his pointed teeth are yellow and his gums are black. His voice is a distorted, demonic baritone. The Mouth of Sauron's unsettling appearance is only matched by his slavish serving of the Enemy, his contempt for the latter's adversaries and his own ambitious hubris.
Encounter with the Captains of the West[]
"I have a token I was bidden to show thee..." - the Mouth of Sauron taunts his foes.
After Frodo Baggins's mithril vest is recovered from Cirith Ungol, Sauron hatches a plan to discourage his foes. Though indeed he does not know Frodo's mission is or his whereabouts, the Enemy bids his "Mouth" to reveal it to the Captains of the West in order to weaken their resolve
The Mouth of Sauron complies and rides out to meet the Captains of the West as they march on the Black Gate. Riding forward to meet them, the Mouth of Sauron mockingly relays the Dark Lord's "welcoming". He disdainfully inquires if any of them have any authority to treat with him.
Gandalf the White answers that they have not come to treat with Sauron, branding the Dark Lord as faithless and accursed. The Mouth of Sauron is visibly angered by this, but he controls himself and decides to play his master's cruel trick on the gathered party before him. He reveals Frodo's mithril vest, to the dismay of Gandalf and the Hobbits. The Mouth of Sauron throws it to Gandalf, who catches it. The reactions from both Pippin and Merry inttrigue the Mouth of Sauron, confirming his suspicion that the Halfing was known to them. Delighted by this, the Mouth of Sauros deduces that the halfling must have been very dear to them. He proceeds to imply that Frodo has suffered brutal torture at the hands of his hosts, all the while keeping a mix between a calm composure and a sadistic pleasure of toying with the Captains.
Letting that sink in, the Mouth of Sauron muses on how someone so small could endure so much pain. At last Aragorn rides up to him, at which the Mouth of Sauron remarks boastfully addresses Isildur's Heir and scornfully derides him, claiming that "it takes more to make a King than a broken Elvish blade". Aragorn angrily draws his sword and ends the Mouth of Sauron by cutting of his head, drawing the Enemy's attention.
Shadow of War Timeline[]
(Note: The Mouth of Sauron never appears directly in the series, but he is mentioned and what seems to be his voice is heard in an audio, both in Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor's appendices.)
"I speak with the Mouth of Sauron, the second Dark Lord of this Middle-earth. Our will is his will. Mordor is ours, and fairly won. You will take this message from Sauron back to your spider Queen Shelob, the last daughter of Ungoliant." - the Mouth of Sauron to Shelob's children
The Mouth of Sauron was one of the Black Númenóreans who followed Sauron in Middle-earth following the Downfall of Númenor in the Second Age. Prior to the Last Alliance of Elves and Men's victory in the Battle of Dagorlad, the Dark Lord sent forth his black-robed ambassador and an escort to relay his terms. However, not willing to allow them into the camp to see the disposition of their forces, a group of Elves and Men denied them entry and came in answer to parley with the Mouth of Sauron, who spoke only of vassalage to the Enemy through "slavery and toil". Some of the Last Alliance's men whispered that the emissary seemed to be under a painful possession by the Dark Lord as his "mouth blackened and burned with Sauron's words".
The Mouth of Sauron also told the offspring of Shelob that the Dark Lord was displeased by the Spider-Queen's abuse of his tolerance. He further warned her that since she was no longer counted among his servants, had preyed upon the Morgai flies and had brought trouble to his forces in Nan Ungol she would no longer be allowed to lay her eggs within the Black Land of Mordor, their "union, as it was, [having] ended".
Relationships[]
Note: This list is incomplete
Allies
Enemies
Appearances[]
- The Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle-earth II
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (Extended Edition)
Shadow of War Timeline[]
- Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor (voice and mentioned only)
Non-canon Appearances[]
- The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (video game)
- LEGO The Lord of the Rings: The Video Game