2nd in command to sauron

[lindil]

The Lost ONe comes closest on this point methinks.

Forces from Dol Guldur also attacked Lorien three times during the War of the Ring, so someone with military authority and initiative was in charge there. Basically, we don't know enough about the hierarchy of Mordor, and there isn't enough infomation given by Tolkien to be too specific about this, or know exactly how Khamul, the Mouth, Gothmog and any others ranked, especially in the immediate aftermath of the Witch-king's unforeseen destruction.

Saruman had he stayed 'true' to his betrayel of the West, would have been the 2nd most powerful individual owing allegiance to Sauron.

In terms of 'power' the nazgul where all far above the Mouth I would guess, but that does not mean [as the 'will factor' has shown] that they were necessarily 2-10 in the heirarchy.

Sauron seemed to keep his capts/ltnts out and about plotting the destruction or troubles of the dunedain and the Elves, and doubtless recruiting East and South.

Also as Gandalf says to the Mouth at the parley, 'Sauron is the base master of treachery'; so how can we even know if he was telling the truth to the Mouth, and not just manipulating him ?

So, as with many things in the Legendarium, we are a few facts short of a conclusion...

[ October 12, 2003: Message edited by: lindil ]