| ! | Non-canon alert The subject of this article originates from non-canonical sources. To learn about what is considered "canon", see LOTR:Canon. |
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The Black Hand was the greatest and the most feared of Sauron's Black Captains during the late Third Age.
He is non-canonical as his character was invented for the game Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor.
The Black Hand was rumoured to have once been a king from the east who brought Sauron the heads of the two Blue Wizards as gifts. Others say that he returned across the seas with Sauron after the fall of Númenor. Still others claim that he was the Dark Lord himself, taking fair form again within Mordor. As with the Mouth of Sauron, the Black Hand's true name was unknown.
He personally killed the family of Talion (a Ranger of the Black Gate), both his wife and his son, and then proceeded to slit the throat of Talion himself. However, Talion was bound to the spirit of the famous Elven smith Celebrimbor and still held presence, half wraith, half man. This caused Talion to seek out the Black Hand, in order to kill him and exact his revenge, in turn weakening Sauron's grip upon Mordor.
After the formation of their army within the Uruk ranks, Talion and Celebrimbor fought the Talons of the Black Hand (his personal Uruk guards) and killed them, then ascended the Black Gate, where the Black Hand awaited them. The Black Hand showed Celebrimbor a memory of his past and attempted to force him to leave Talion's body by using his connection to the darkness. Abruptly, Sauron emerged in the Black Hand's place and assaulted the weakened Talion. However, Talion was able to join with Celebrimbor again after striking him down. He left the Black Hand weakened, giving the Ranger an opening to stab his heart, finally killing the Black Hand forever.
During his life, his mere presence on the battlefield spread terror among his foes and servants alike. He represented Sauron's manipulative and deceitful nature, and was likewise himself a master of deceit, serving the Dark Lord with absolute loyalty.