The Faithful, led by the nobleman Elendil, came to Middle-earth before the cataclysm. Elendil's sons, Isildur and Anárion, founded the two Kingdoms in Exile: Arnor in the north, and Gondor in the south. The two kingdoms attempted to maintain Númenórean culture. Gondor flourished, and "for a while its splendour grew, recalling somewhat of the might of Númenor"., book 2, ch. 2 "The Council of Elrond" Sauron gathered strength in nearby Mordor, setting the scene for a struggle lasting thousands of years. Some of his servants, called the Black Númenóreans since they worshipped the Darkness and were "enamoured of evil knowledge",, book 5, ch. 10 "The Black Gate Opens" had left Númenor before its destruction. For over a millennium, their descendants lingered on and remained allied to Sauron in Middle-earth.
