Lord Of The Rings: 10 Things You Didn't Know About The Elves
9. An Elf Taught Sauron How To Forge The Ring
In Peter Jackson's prologue to the Fellowship of the Ring the audience is told how the Rings of Power were gifted to significant figures in Middle-earth. It also revealed that Sauron forged the One Ring in secret, in an attempt to dominate all the other Ring Bearers. But Jackson never revealed how these Rings were made...
During the Second Age of Middle-earth, Sauron disguised himself as an emissary of the Valar, going by the name Annatar. Many of the elves mistrusted him, including Elrond and Galadriel, but Sauron was able infiltrate the Elven Smiths of Eregion. He taught and learned much from their greatest smith, Celebrimbor. Through Sauron's guidance many Rings of Power were imbued with his evil, allowing him to dominate and influence the wearers.
When Sauron eventually crafted the One, Celebrimbor became aware of his treachery, and attempted to hide the Rings from him. Sauron tortured the elf until he gave up their location, but he died before he could reveal where the three Elven Rings resided.
We're certain to see some form of this story in the new Amazon show, and it will be interesting to see how Celebrimbor is depicted. Tolkien's character was tricked by Sauron, but resisted him even under torture. But the writers might be tempted to portray the elf prince with a little more nuance - it would be interesting to see a corrupted elf...