Rings of Poweris headed into a new story with season 3, and this could be the perfect chance to clear up a confusing change made to Peter Jackson’sLord of the Ringsmovies. So far, the Prime Video series has used its existing two seasons to explore a variety of settings across Middle-earth, especially those that no longer exist in the Third Age. In season 2, we saw the fall of Eregion, a great Elven city governed by Celebrimbor. The destruction of Khazad-dum and Numenor will be a much slower burn, but it looks likely that the island kingdom will be front and center in season 3.
Near theend ofRings of Powerseason 2, Sauron revealed his plan to give nine of his Rings of Power to Men. He made special note of the Men of Numenor, indicating that he would be heading back to this doomed island kingdom in the upcoming episodes. Of course,Rings of Powerhas spent two seasons foreshadowing thedestruction of Numenor, which Tolkien canon dictates will happen because of Sauron’s influence over Pharazon. Still, before this king wages war on the Valar and a massive wave destroys Numenor,Rings of Powerwill have to explain how this kingdom got its start.
Rings Of Power’s Next Numenor Story Can Dive More Into Elros & The Half-Elven
We Need To See How Numenor Got Its Start Before It Comes To Its End
Rings of Powerglossed over the story of Elrosand his role as Numenor’s first king. However, it will be far more important that this whole story be explored as Numenor’s destruction draws nearer in season 3. Elros is the twin brother of Elrond, and like his sibling, he was born an elf. However, before the demigod-like Valar raised the island of Numenor from the sea,Elros chose to live a mortal life. This is exactly what Arwen did inThe Lord of the Rings, but this isn’t something that just any elf has the ability to do.
Elros was able to live as a mortal man because he belonged to a very unique family. He and Elrond were both considered Half-Elven because their paternal grandfather, Tuor, and maternal great-grandfather, Beren, had been men. During the war against Morgoth, Elrond and Elros' parents, Eärendil and Elwing, led the unification of Elves and Men, taking significant personal risks and sacrifices to earn the help of the Valar in Middle-earth’s fight. They succeeded, and as a reward for their efforts,the Valar granted them and their entire line the ability to choose between mortality and immortality.
Mortality is called the Gift of Men inThe Lord of the Rings, since only mortal souls could move “on” to an unknown realm after death. It’s commonly believed that, in this realm, Men could exist in paradise with the god Eru Iluvatar.
Thanks to the efforts of their parents, Elrond and Elros were able to choose their own fates. Elrond remained an immortal elf, while Elros chose to become mortal. As an additional reward, Elros was granted thebeautiful island kingdom of Numenor. Unfortunately, his descendants messed things up by attempting to wage war on the Valar, and they were punished with a massive wave of destruction.Rings of Poweris preparing to depict the latter part of this tale. However, for it all to make sense,Elros and the Half-Elven’s stories must be included—perhaps through some flashback scenes.
Rings Of Power Can Correct Peter Jackson’s Confusing Arwen Mortality Change
Elros & Elrond’s Story Explains Arwen’s Lord Of The Rings Decision
The idea of an elf becoming a mortal is nothing new to the on-screenLord of the Ringsfranchise. However, Peter Jackson’s film trilogy made some changes that made the whole process far more confusing. In the movies,Elrond lectured Arwen on her desire to marry a mortal man, stating that when Aragorn died, Arwen would be doomed to live on forevermourning him. His warning came to absolutely nothing, however, since Arwen simply chose to be mortal (with no explanation), and the Gondor King and Queen lived happily ever after until their deaths.
In the Lord of the Rings books, Elrond was, of course, fully aware that Arwen could be mortal, since this was the choice his own twin brother made based on the gift of the Valar.
Rings of Powernow has a chance to fix this messy approach to Arwen’s choice to become mortal. In theLord of the Ringsbooks, Elrond was, of course, fully aware that Arwen could be mortal, since this was the choice his own twin brother made based on the gift of the Valar. InRings of Powerseason 3, we could see a flashback to Elros' decision. The character would be played by Elrond actor Robert Aramayo, and the scene could explore how Elros' decision to be mortal impacted his immortal twin.It would perfectly foreshadow Arwen’s later mortality, while clarifying preciselywhyAragorn’s wife could make this choice in the first place.
