There are touches of the old "tempter" sauron even in the LOTR. Consider his reported action with Gloin mentioned by Gimli in the ring council. Rather than simply attempting to go in an conquer the Dwarves by force, he send a messanger with an offer of peace, friendship, and a reward (new dwarven rings) in exchange for the Dwarves alliance and thier help in locating the one ring. True, the offer is utimately not accepted, and Sauron may not yet be in a position to lauch a full scale attack on anyone, dwarf or otherwise at the time the offer is made, but it is still an offer, and offers like that are the mark of one who still understands the concept of guile.
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