NFL
By Keith Richards
***CONTAINS SPOILERS***
But they were all of them deceived. Even casual fans of Lord of the Rings would recognize that statement. Concerning the Rings of Power, it is a statement we will see being shaped before our eyes. For those unfamiliar with this phrase, let’s take a quick trip into the past and remember the words of an older Galadriel:
Much that once was is lost, for none live who remember it.
It began with the forging of the Great Rings. Three were given to the Elves, immortal, wisest and fairest of all beings. Seven to the Dwarf-Lords, great miners and craftsmen of the mountain halls. And nine, nine rings were gifted to the race of men, who above all else desire power. For within these rings was bound the strength and the will to govern each race. But they were all of them deceived, for another ring was made. Deep in the land of Mordor, in the Fires of Mount Doom, the Dark Lord Sauron forged a master ring, and into this ring he poured his cruelty, his malice and his will to dominate all life.
One ring to rule them all.
Within Galadriel’s speech, we find the backbone of Season Two of Rings of Power. With Halbrand now revealed as Sauron, how will Season Two of Rings of Power reveal how so many, including the wise elves, could be deceived by Sauron? We look at the major players of the Rings of Power and try to decode how the Dark Lord Sauron deceived them.
As Season One of Rings of Power ends, Elrond believes that Celebrimbor and Galadriel have already been deceived. After arriving at Eregion with a gravely injured Halbrand, we can see the bond between Galadriel and Halbrand tightening. Galadriel may not have known it then, but from the second she met Halbrand in the sea, Halbrand had already deceived her.
While the deception of Galadriel is more complex, Elrond and Celebrimbor are deceived by Halbrand over a straightforward need: The need to survive. Elrond is sent to Eregion to work with Celebrimbor to discover a way to save the Elven Kingdom of Lindon in Middle Earth. Elrond believes he has found the answer in the Mithril that Durin gifts him. However, he doesn’t know how to do so.
He presents the Mithril to Celebrimbor, who is determined to make his mark on Middle Earth by saving his race. Enter Halbrand. Celebrimbor works with Halbrand to figure out how to work the Mithril into the Rings of Power, hoping he can save Lindon. Galadriel is on board. Initially, Elrond is on board as well. However, when Elrond discovers that Halbrand is Sauron, he no longer trusts the rings.
Season Two picks up with Galadriel seeking to deliver the Rings to High King Gil-galad of Lindon. At this point, Elrond believes that they have all been deceived. Though Celebrimbor made the rings with innocent intent, and Sauron did not directly forge the rings, Elrond believes that Celebrimbor and Galadriel are operating under Sauron’s influence. For a time, Elrond is able to escape Lindon with the Rings, but it is short-lived.
Elrond seeks refuge with Cirdan, who agrees to help him destroy the Rings. However, the power of the Rings has taken hold of Cirdan, and he is now deceived as well. Cirdan brings the Rings back to Lindon. Cirdan, Gil-galad, and Galadriel then put on the Rings. As Celebrimbor hoped, the Rings would restore Lindon’s life. However, the three new bearers are already under the power of the Rings. Not downright foolish, Galadriel and Gil-galad send word to Eregion. They advise Celebrimbor that Halbrand is Sauron and not to treat with him. Celebrimbor never receives the message.
Sauron returns to Eregion. While Celebrimbor had already been advised not to trust Halbrand, he still doesn’t know Halbrand is Sauron. Sauron weasels his way into Eregion. He informs Celebrimbor that Lindon has been saved. Naturally, Celebrimbor is excited to hear the news. Taking advantage of Celebrimbor’s jubilation, Sauron shows his true intent.
Sauron pitches the idea to Celebrimbor to make more Rings for Dwarves and Men. Initially, Celebrimbor resists, but that’s before Sauron takes his deception further. Sauron deceives Celebrimbor into believing he is Annatar, the Lord of Gifts. Annatar is from another realm and is supposedly a friend. Celebrimbor, now deceived, is convinced that Rings of Power must be made for Dwarves and Men.
Speaking of the Dwarves, Sauron has not yet deceived them, but he has laid the groundwork for that to happen. Khazad-dum is in peril; an earthquake has destroyed their light shafts, rendering them unable to receive the needed sun from the surface to grow their crops. Not even Disa (the wife of Durin IV) and the Stone Singers can remedy the problem. The dwarves are dead in the water.
The feud between Durin III (the Dwarf King) and Durin IV (the Dward Prince) does not help the situation. Durin III is still peeved that Durin IV provided Elrond with a sample of Mithril. Though Durin IV was seeking to help a friend, the King did not care. Once more, enter Sauron. When Sauron learns of the peril of the Dwarves from Celebrimbor, his plan to deceive the Dwarves begins. Durin IV receives an invitation from “Celebrimbor” to come to Eregion. Now, the Dwarves are right on track to be deceived.
Finally, there is Adar. Last season, we learned that Adar, the Lord-Father, is one of the original elves to be tortured by Morgoth and become one of the first orcs. At the beginning of episode one, we find Sauron with Adar and the Orcs. It seems that Sauron has won the allegiance of Adar and the Orcs, but he has not.
When Adar goes to crown Sauron, he flips the crown and stabs Sauron instead. The Orcs then brutally murder Sauron and are convinced he is dead, but he is not. We see that Sauron’s spirit endured and how he came to be Halbrand. Halbrand then travels to Mordor, and his deception of Adar and the Orcs begins.
In two “short” episodes, Sauron has already deceived the Elves, the Dwarves, and the Orcs. The realm of men is the only realm of Middle Earth that is not in his clutches. As we know, though, men are weak. I imagine that Sauron will soon have them as well. Episode three is named “The Eagle and the Sceptre” and returns to the realm of men.
What does Halbrand/Sauron/Annatar have in store for Isildur and the people of Numenor? Stay tuned to Team NBS Media to find out!
