Using the one ring to defeat Sauron?

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Tom-fool of a took

Am I right in assuming that the key reason that Sauron did not perish after being defeated by Gil-Galad and Elendil was because the One Ring was not unmade? If so would it be fair to say that the One acts as a kind of Horcrux for Sauron? (sorry to get all Harry Potter on you).

To echo G55, welcome to the Downs! Having read all the HP books, I've actually had the same thought myself, that the One and the Horcruxus might have similarities. They aren't quite the same, however.

Originally Posted by Tom-fool of a took

So going by this assumption, is it even possible to destroy Sauron by using the One? Because from the way I see it even if you defeat him, the fact that you're using the One ring means that it still exists; and hence means that Sauron will never truly be gone. Wouldn't he eventually be able to slowly regain power like he did in Dol Guldur?

Tolkien discussed that scenario in Letter # 266. If someone claimed the Ring openly, Sauron himself would attempt to physically wrest it from the claimant, at some point. If the claimant had sufficient strength to keep in Sauron's despite?

The result would have been for Sauron the same as the destruction of the Ring; for him it would have been destroyed, taken away from him forever. But the Ring and all its works would have endured. It would have been the master in the end.

Letters-#266

Even though the Ring possessed Sauron's power and will, never is it said that it had within it any part of his soul, or his innate being. The destruction of it merely dissipated so much of his power that he could not physically manifest again. The letter cited above seems to make a distinction between the Ring and Sauron; they are bound together; but the Ring could have been physically kept from Sauron in his despite, and it would go on, but he would not. That obviously was not the case with the Horcruxes. Possessing one of them and keeping it against Voldemort's will apparently would not cause any weakening on his part.

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

However, will Sauron die? I guess not. He didn't die even when the Ring was destroyed; he was just weakend to a point from which he can't return. The Ring always tries to find Sauron, so it would eventually betray Aragorn (or whoever has it). I wonder if it will even let itself be used as weapon aginst it's master.

The letter above suggests that probably only Gandalf would have been strong enough to keep the Ring from Sauron in a physical confrontation. Lesser beings, like Aragorn, Elrond, or even Galadriel, would in the end not have been able to withstand him in person. They might have been able to militarily defeat him, but in the end it would have come down to Sauron knowing who had the the Ring, and going to take it.

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

Suppose a maia like Gandalf or Saruman could weaken Sauron without destroying the Ring. Then they'd (no, one of them) would take his place safely enough. But his power still exists in the Ring, so he will still have the chance to come back.

I can't see Saruman doing it. He got pwned on the Palantír.

x/d with Tom