How did Isildur become king? This intriguing question delves into the fascinating history of Middle-earth, a realm shrouded in myth and legend. Isildur, a figure from J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic tale, “The Lord of the Rings,” played a pivotal role in the fate of the Elves, Men, and Dwarves. His journey to the throne is a tale of courage, betrayal, and destiny.
In the beginning, Isildur was not destined for greatness. He was born as a prince in the realm of Gondor, the last of the houses of Elendil, who had once ruled over all of Middle-earth. After the fall of Númenor, the great island realm, Isildur’s ancestors were exiled to the land of Middle-earth, where they founded the realms of Arnor and Gondor. However, Isildur’s rise to power was not without its challenges.
The first major turning point in Isildur’s life came when he was a young man. He was part of a group of Gondorians sent to explore the lost city of Minas Ithil, which had been abandoned for centuries. During their quest, they discovered the famous One Ring, the source of all power in Middle-earth. Isildur, with his greed and cunning, seized the Ring and took it back to Gondor.
However, Isildur’s possession of the One Ring came with a heavy price. The Ring corrupted him, and he became a power-hungry despot. His reign was marked by tyranny and oppression, as he sought to consolidate his power over Gondor. Despite his ambition, Isildur was unable to hold on to the Ring for long.
The second turning point in Isildur’s life came when he faced a formidable foe: Sauron, the Dark Lord. Sauron, who had been seeking the One Ring to regain his former power, launched an attack on Gondor. In the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, Isildur played a crucial role in defending his people. It was during this battle that Isildur had the chance to destroy the One Ring forever.
With the help of his kinsman Éowyn, Isildur managed to cut the One Ring from Sauron’s finger. However, instead of destroying the Ring immediately, he kept it for himself, hoping to use its power to restore his kingdom. This decision would prove to be a costly mistake.
In the end, Isildur’s greed and hesitation led to his downfall. Sauron, recovering from the loss of the Ring, returned to power and began to rebuild his empire. Isildur, weakened by the Ring’s corruption, was eventually captured and executed by the forces of Sauron.
Despite his tragic end, Isildur’s legacy endures. His actions, both noble and flawed, set the stage for the events that would unfold in the later part of Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings.” His story reminds us that power, when misused, can lead to disaster, and that destiny often plays a hand in shaping the course of history. How did Isildur become king? Through a combination of ambition, cunning, and, ultimately, a fatal mistake.
