Where Are the Elves At the End of THE RINGS OF POWER Season 2?

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As a lifelong fan of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, I find myself eagerly anticipating the role that Rivendell will play in Amazon’s “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.” Having grown up with the epic tales of Elrond and his Elven realm, I can hardly wait to see how this enchanting valley comes to life on screen.

In simple terms, the season finale of “The Rings of Power” unfolds with an outdoor scene bathed in sunlight, showcasing majestic mountains, lush vegetation, and tranquil waterfalls. Galadriel (played by Morfydd Clark) finds herself in an unexpectedly serene location and queries, “What is this place?” Elrond (portrayed by Robert Aramayo) responds, “A haven,” followed by a pause, “A place safeguarded by the Elven Rings.

The story then delves into the challenging circumstances facing the Free Folk of Middle-earth, but wait a minute! This peaceful refuge they’ve stumbled upon seems odd, given the imminent threat from Sauron’s Orc armies? The solution to this mystery is found in Tolkien’s legends, and although the ending doesn’t explicitly say so, it appears clear that we are witnessing the birth of a legendary place in Middle-earth: Rivendell.

Essentially speaking, the last scene in season 2 can be seen as another peaceful grove, suitable for elves indeed. However, it’s not extraordinary, is it? So, one may wonder, what sets this particular location apart as a prime choice for the legendary Elven citadel?

Did We See Rivendell in The Rings of Power‘s Final Episode?

One point worth noting is that The Silmarillion translates Rivendell, or its Elvish name “Imladris,” as “Valley Hidden in the Cleft.” This description aligns with the location we see at the finale’s end. Additionally, the timing of this revelation strongly hints that the area could be the future site of Rivendell. To provide more clarity, TopMob reached out to Robert Aramayo for his insights on this matter. Here’s a summary of their (somewhat helpful) discussion:

TopMob: It seems that a budding Rivendell was discovered towards the end of episode eight in the second season of The Rings of Power.

Aramayo: Maybe…

You seem to have stumbled upon a place reminiscent of Rivendell. If this indeed is Rivendell, what significance does it hold for Elrond and for you to find yourselves here?

Aramayo: In truth, during filming, we didn’t explicitly discuss the specifics about where we were, leaving plenty of room for ambiguity. However, I do believe that Rivendell is central to the story, and that’s what makes it fascinating. What intrigues me most is that we know its beginning as a strategic stronghold, something valuable primarily for defense purposes. From there, its significance unfolds and deepens.

And that’s why I love so much about the development of that city. And what makes it so unique, actually, is that Elrond is able to slowly pour who he is, what he’s interested in, what he wants to preserve and project into the world, into this place that builds and builds and grows and then becomes a city. But it’s built from necessity. And if it were to be in the show, which I really hope it is, that’s where I’d love to begin. So, his relationship to it, if he was there, would be just, this is a cool place to stem the coming darkness.

On the set, it’s clear that Aramayo, being a dedicated fan of Tolkien, is making intentional allusions to “understanding its origins” and depicting Rivendell as a stronghold of protection and sanctuary – elements straight from Tolkien’s original work. Let’s delve deeper into the source material to explore the fascinating backstory behind the creation of Rivendell.

How Was Rivendell Founded in The Lord of the Rings Lore, and Who Founded It?

The best description of the genesis of Rivendell comes in the book Unfinished Tales. This is where we get the most detailed account of the siege of Eregion. It explains how Sauron’s armies attack the Elvish city (there’s no Adar in the original version), and the Dark Lord kills Celebrimbor and takes all of the Rings of Power except for the Three Elven Rings. In the proces of this pure and unstoppable display of power, Sauron confronts an army led by Elrond (sent by Gil-galad, but not with the High king present).

Elrond suffers defeat in the battle, and the text notes, “Elrond managed to rally only a small number of Eregion’s elves who had survived, but he lacked the strength to resist.” At this juncture, the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm intervene, causing distraction for Sauron’s armies. The text continues, “Elrond was able to escape, however, he was compelled to retreat northwards. It was during this period that he founded a sanctuary and stronghold at Imladris (Rivendell).

Here it is: In summary, folks, the establishment of Rivendell unfolds right after Elrond’s loss outside Eregion – a point where the narrative of The Rings of Power currently stands. Given the context, the focus on Elrond, and the timing in the tale, it’s challenging to dispute that this is, in fact, an account of the genesis of Elrond’s future abode, Rivendell.

Rivendell’s Importance in The Lord of the Rings World

Rivendell’s founding is a cool story, and it’s barely the opening salvo of a story that will last for millennia. In the wake of its founding, Elrond uses Rivendell as a gathering point for those resisting Sauron. Eventually, the Elves and Men form the Last Alliance, and The Silmarillion says, “They marched east into Middle-earth gathering a great host of Elves and Men; and they halted for a while at Imladris.” When Tolkien says “a while,” he means it, too. A timeline in the appendices of “The Lord of the Rings” shows that they camp out there for three years before marching on Mordor.

Following Sauron’s downfall at the end of the Second Age, Rivendell assumes great significance as a sanctuary for preserving ancient knowledge, not merely serving as an elaborate archive. Rivendell is the only location in Middle-earth where the lineage of Isildur’s royal family and fragments of his father’s shattered sword are revered and safeguarded until a certain young man named Aragorn arrives to fulfill his predestined role.

Throughout the Third Age, Elrond resides in Rivendell, serving as a sanctuary for elves and other noble beings. He offers valuable guidance, safeguards significant wisdom, and preserves precious artifacts. In essence, The Silmarillion describes his dwelling as “a haven for the weary and oppressed, a reservoir of wise counsel and ancient lore.” Eventually, following the destruction of the One Ring, Rivendell persists as one of the final elven realms before the eternal rulers depart, each embarking on their journey to the West, the land of the everlasting.

Rings, Elven Realms, and Rivendell

A significant aspect of Rivendell’s past is its connection to one of the Three Elven Rings, which have a constant influence. According to “The Silmarillion”, Sauron’s initial defeat was facilitated by these rings. The book notes that wherever they resided, joy and peace prevailed, free from the sorrows that time brings. Furthermore, it is mentioned in the book that “The Elves realized that the Sapphire Ring was with Elrond, in the beautiful valley of Rivendell, where the brightest stars of heaven shone most vividly upon his home.

In the enchanted land of Lothlórien, it is Galadriel who safeguards her Ring, Nenya. As we delve into J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Fellowship of the Ring,” we find that just prior to Galadriel unveiling her Ring to Frodo, she subtly hints at its significance by remarking:

You shouldn’t assume that the land of Lothlórien is solely protected through songs among the trees or even the swift arrows of elfen bows. There are other means at play.

Tolkien emphasizes that Rivendell and Lothlórien have been preserved mainly due to the power of the rings held by their rulers, a theme hinted at in the conversation between Elrond and Galadriel during the finale of The Rings of Power series, suggesting that writers JD Payne and Patrick McKay are planning to follow suit in their version.

Rivendell in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

In the upcoming Season 3 of The Rings of Power, it seems that the city of Rivendell, Elrond’s future stronghold, will significantly contribute to the Elven rebellion against the rising Sauron. As we remember from the end of Season 2, Gil-galad (played by Benjamin Walker) hinted at a possible battle using weapons or defense strategies. Will they launch an offensive against Sauron, taking the fight directly to him, or will they choose to retreat and focus on defensive tactics?

In the original text, the source material performs two actions: initially defending, followed by an attack through the Last Alliance. Yet, due to the compressed timeframe of the show, they may omit the initial defensive phase. Nevertheless, there’s no question that Rivendell will remain a focal point for some time, with Elrond Peredhel’s captivating narrative arc continuing its development in parallel.

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2024-10-04 19:03