Friend of the Noldor

It was in the nature of the Noldor to delight in the arts of making and invention, and these were the special provinces of the Vala Aulë, called the Maker. When the Noldor came to Valinor, Aulë taught them much. Through his great knowledge, and with much ingenuity of their own, the Deep Elves became the most skilled of all the Children of Ilúvatar, and because of this close relationship, Aulë became known as the Friend of the Noldor.

It is perhaps in part because of this friendship that Sauron, who was in origin one of Aulë's Maiar, was able to seduce the Noldor of Eregion in the Second Age. His ancient connection with Aulë is emphasised by one of the identities that Sauron assumed at this time: he called himself Aulendil, which means 'devoted to Aulë'.