The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power: The identity of Sauron is finally revealed

The biggest mystery of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has been the true identity of the dark lord Sauron, which was finally revealed in the Season 1 finale.

The eighth and final episode – entitled Alloyed – perhaps a nod towards the creation of the One Ring – debuted on Amazon Prime Video on Thursday evening.

Fans around the world watched in awe as the evil figure the numerous heroes have been fighting was revealed in shocking fashion… to be none other than Halbrand (Charlie Vickers)… while the identity of The Stranger (Daniel Weyman) has not fully been solved… but has become much clearer, likely to be explored in Season 2.

True identity: The biggest mystery of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has been the true identity of the dark lord Sauron, which was finally revealed in the Season 1 finale

Final episode: The eighth and final episode - entitled Alloyed - perhaps a nod towards the creation of the One Ring - debuted on Amazon Prime Video on Thursday evening

Final episode: The eighth and final episode – entitled Alloyed – perhaps a nod towards the creation of the One Ring – debuted on Amazon Prime Video on Thursday evening

The episode begins with rain falling in the forest known as Eryn Galen – The Greenwood – as we see The Stranger (Daniel Weyman) taking shelter from the elements.

He climbs out from under a makeshift rock tent and examines his surroundings, as we see he’s still holding the apple that Nori (Markella Kavenagh) gave him and he hears her in his head saying, ‘You’re not a peril. You’re good.’

The Stranger hears a noise and finds someone watching him as he goes to chase the person and finds out it’s Nori, saying her name for the first time.

Apple: He climbs out from under a makeshift rock tent and examines his surroundings, as we see he's still holding the apple that Nori (Markella Kavenagh) gave him and he hears her in his head saying, 'You're not a peril. You're good'

Apple: He climbs out from under a makeshift rock tent and examines his surroundings, as we see he’s still holding the apple that Nori (Markella Kavenagh) gave him and he hears her in his head saying, ‘You’re not a peril. You’re good’

Nori: The Stranger hears a noise and finds someone watching him as he goes to chase the person and finds out it's Nori, saying her name for the first time

Nori: The Stranger hears a noise and finds someone watching him as he goes to chase the person and finds out it’s Nori, saying her name for the first time

Suddenly, Nori  crouches under the blanket she’s carrying… and when she stands up again it’s the nefarious pale white character whose name has not yet been revealed, portrayed by Bridie Sisson.

Suddenly the stranger is surrounded by the pale white character’s mystical companions… when one of them (Kalie Kopae) says in the Quenya language, ‘We come to serve you, Lord Sauron.’

They all kneel before The Stranger and bow to him as he looks as confused as ever, as the title sequence plays. 

The episode cuts to Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) riding on horseback, while, Elrond (Robert Aramayo) and Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards) await King Gil-galad’s (Benjamin Walker) return.

‘Gil-galad arrives tomorrow, expecting to be presented with a method of saving all Elvendom. And we have none,’ Elrond tells Celebrimbor, who is holding a piece of mithril.

‘If only there was some way of doing more with less,’ Celebrimbor says with a chuckle, adding, ‘The Sun itself began as something no bigger than the palm of my hand.’ 

Elrond naturally questions how they could match the powers of the Sun, adding they are out of time.

‘We must inform the High King of our failure. Then the Elves musts prepare to abandon these shores. Forever,’ Elrond tells Celebrimbor.

Suddenly a horse approaches, with Galadriel riding in with Halbrand (Charlie Vickers), still in dire need of Elvish medicine.

She tells Elrond that Halbrand was speared by an ‘enemy lance six days ago,’ adding that they ‘rode without rest,’ as Halbrand is carried inside.

‘Can you help him?’ Galadriel asks Celebrimbor?

Inside, Galadriel chats with Elrond, who wonders how she crossed paths with the King of the Southlands.

‘How is it you are here?’ he asks and she repeats the question as he tells her they have much to discuss while Halbrand is being worked on. 

Galadriel and Elrond speak privately, as Elrond admits, ‘I should have never sent you on that ship. I should have trusted you. It is a mistake I will not make again.’

Never: Galadriel and Elrond speak privately, as Elrond admits, 'I should have never sent you on that ship. I should have trusted you. It is a mistake I will not make again'

Never: Galadriel and Elrond speak privately, as Elrond admits, ‘I should have never sent you on that ship. I should have trusted you. It is a mistake I will not make again’

Galadriel says she leapt from that ship because she believed she was, ‘not yet worthy’ of the supposed honor she thought was being bestowed upon her.

‘I knew that, somehow, my tasks here, was snot yet complete. And when I surfaced, all I could do was swim and pray that I had chosen wisely. I did not cross that bitter ocean only to drown now, and nor will I let you,’ Galadriel tells shim.

‘I have missed you,’ a relieved Elrond tells her, asking what they should do.

‘The only thing we can do. Swim,’ she tells him.

Celebrimbor is in his quarters when someone arrives and he demands that this person reveals himself.

Halbrand arrives, asking for Galadriel and Celebrimbor asks, ‘Shouldn’t you be resting?’ though Halbrand is clearly in awe of his surroundings.

‘What is this place?’ Halbrand asks, as Celebrimbor responds, ‘This was the workshop of Celebrimbor,’ as Halbrand asks, ‘The Celebrimbor? He’s not here is he?’

Celebrimbor chuckles and says, ‘Well, as a matter of fact he is,’ while tugging a rope, opening the roof windows as he smiles at Halbrand.

‘Celebrimbor. The master I apprenticed to used to speak to the wonders of your craft. I never dreamed I’d get to see them in person,’ Halbrand says in awe.

Celebrimbor asks if Halbrand is a ‘smith,’ and he says, ‘nothing like your artistry. These gemstones, I’ve never seen anything like them.

He gazes at a wooden box with three gemstones – one red, one blue and one clear – asking what he plans to use them for.

‘Feanor’s jewelcraft managed to capture the essence of Valinor. I had hoped to do the same for Middle-earth,’ Celebrimbor says.

Halbrand picks up the piece of mithril, saying it’s a ‘peculiar ore’ and asking what it is, though Celebrimbor says with a sigh, ‘Not enough.’

Halbrand keeps inspecting it, asking if he’s tried, ‘combining it with other ores to better stretch it out.

Celebrimbor says that wont work because that would dilute this ore’s, ‘unique qualities.’

‘Forgive me, but at the risk of sounding a fool, couldn’t the right alloy amplify those qualities?’ Halbrand asks.

Celebrimbor is curious, as Halbrand explains where he came from, ‘precious metals were scarce as hens’  teeth. So we learnt to combine them to harness strengths  and hide flaws.’

‘I’ve seen a trace of nickel added to iron to make a blade lighter and stronger. Might there not be some alloy to amplify the qualities of your ore?’ Halbrand asks, handing the piece of Mithril back to Celebrimbor.

‘Well that is an intriguing suggestion,’ Celebrimbor says, as Halbrand says, ‘Call it a gift.’

The episode cuts to Pharazon (Trystan Gravelle), who says, ‘Soon he will travel that road which makes an end of every man who walks it.’

He’s seen in the great tower with King Tar-Palantir (Ken Blackburn), who lies on his deathbed, as Pharazon adds, ‘Black flags will fill our harbor. It will be our duty to forge for him a tomb, granting him the immortality in stone that no man, not even a king, can attain in life.

He’s telling Kemen (Leon Wadham) Earien (Ema Horvath) that, ‘draftsmen from across Numenor have been summoned to Numenor to capture his visage, so they can propose a design.’

He tells them, ‘Of all the apprentices, you have been chosen to propose one as well. Each of you will be granted one hour with the King. Use it well.’

Earien is sitting by the feeble king’s bedside as he tries to mumble something while she works on her drawing.

She puts her drawing pad down and grabs a napkin to wipe his mouth, when suddenly he grabs her wrist and speaks with great conviction.

‘I know what you have been doing in the dark of night when you thought all eyes were asleep,’ the King says as Earien backs away and says, ‘I’m sorry, your handmaiden will be back in a moment, my King.’

‘Then there is still time,’ he says cryptically, as Earien can’t help it and asks, ‘Time for what?’

‘To warn you, young Miriel,’ he says, seemingly confusing Earien for his daughter, the Queen Regent Miriel (Cynthia Addai-Robinson).

‘You’re mistaken, I’m not…’ Earien begins as the King cuts her off and says, ‘Queen yet? No, but you will be, so know this, if the old ways of our people are not soon restored, our island will fall!’

Earien shouts for help as she comes back and the King has opened a secret chamber, telling her to go up but not to look for too long because he did and now he can’t, ‘separate what is from what was, what was from what will be.’

Earien looks at the door and walks through it, finding the mystical ball that he showed Miriel earlier this season.

She takes the black cloth off the ball as the episode cuts quickly back to Gil-galad, who is holding a piece of mithril with Elrond at his side.

‘One object. For all Middle-earth,’ Gil-galad says, as Elrond admits it, ‘sounds strange’ but adds, ‘surely we should exhaust every possible solution.’

We see that Elrond and Gil-galad are now with Celebrimbor and Galadriel, as Celebrimbor admits that the object he now wants to craft, ‘would be smaller than previously imagined.’ 

‘Something that could be carried,’ he adds, as Elrond suggest a scepter, Galadriel suggests a sword and Celebrimbor suggests a crown.

Gil-galad asks why a crown and Celebrimbor says, ‘A circular form will be ideal, allowing the light to arc back upon itself in one unbroken round, building to a power that is all but unbounded.’

‘And you would place all that power upon the brow of one being?’ Gil-galad asks, though Elrond suggests it wouldn’t be just any being, but Gil-galad himself.

Gil-galad is not totally convinced, adding, ‘Perilous are these whisperings,’ though Galadriel admits, ‘Sometimes the perilous path is the only path.’

‘I would not be standing here otherwise,’ Galadriel says, though Gil-galad reminds her, ‘You should not be standing here at all.’

Elrond adds they’re only asking for the time needed to gather the Elven smiths and test Celebrimbor’s theory.

Gil-galad says their time runs shorter than they know, adding, ‘Since the mountain of fire’s eruption the Great Tree is all but bleeding leaves.’

‘Soon, the last will fall, and unless our people leave these shores, so shall we,’ Gil-galad says, adding, ‘There is no Elf in Middle-earth who wanted a solution more than I.’

‘But if this was to be our salvation I’m afraid we needed it sooner,’ Gil-galad admits, though an angry Celebrimbor said, ‘I almost had it sooner!’

‘It was only in speaking with the Southlander that I realized…’ Celebrimbor says when Gil-galad cuts him off.

‘The low man? This idea was his?’ Gil-galad asks, as Celebrimbor says, ‘His suggestion were but the key that unlocked the dam. We are on the cusp of crafting a new kind of power Not of strength but of spirit. Not of flesh but over flesh.’

Galadriel watches Celebrimbor closely as he says, ‘This is a power of the Unseen World,’ though Gil-galad is still not having it.

‘I am sorry, Lord Celebrimbor. You are hereby commanded to disband the city and return to Lindon immediately. All of you,’ Gil-galad says before leaving. 

Elrond follows the High King while Galadriel stays with Celebrimbor, asking him, ‘Those words, power over flesh, where did you hear them?’

‘Uh… I was conferring with my smiths, I think. I believe those are my words,’ he says, when Galadriel asks if Halbrand was with him.

‘What does it matter? It’s over,’ Celebrimbor says before walking out of the room.

Elrond chases down Gil-galad, asking for three months, saying he’s owed that much, but Gil-galad says he’s owed nothing. 

‘Then do it not out of recompense. Do it because I asked you,’ Elrond says, though Gil-galad says it’s a ‘fool’s hope.’

‘Hope is never mere. Not even when it is meager. Or have you forgotten your own counsel?’ Elrond says.

While Gil-galad doesn’t say, it seems he granted Elrond’s request, as Halbrand and others are seen getting to work in Celebrimbor’s workshop.

While Halbrand and Celebrimbor get to work in their workshop, Galadriel asks an Elven Loremaster (Josh Metcalfe) to find, ‘royal lineages, bloodlines. Anything you can find on the Southlands.’

He tells her that their records are ‘limited’ for the mortal kingdoms,’ adding he will have to, ‘scour the catacombs for that information.’

She sees Elrond and Celebrimbor coming and hides from them, telling the Loremaster to go and ‘speak of this to no one.’

The Loremaster leaves as Halbrand arrives and tells Galadriel that Celebrimbor will find a way and he’s just ‘offering whatever humble aid I can.’

‘To tell you the truth, I can still hardly believe it. Someone like me, here, working with the Elven-smiths of Eregion. Thank you, Galadriel,’ he says.

He thanks her for saving his life but she says he saved hers and the, ‘scales are balanced.’

‘No. You’ve done far more than that for me. I’d all but given up, but you, you believed in me, you saw strength in me, you pushed me to heights that no one else could have,’ he tells Galadriel.

‘I will never forget that,’ he says, while getting closer to her and whispering, ‘And I’ll see to it that no one else does either,’ he says with a smile before walking away.

The episode cuts back to the woods as The Ascetic (Kali Kopae) says, ‘Do not be afraid, master.’

She’s seen with characters we’ve seen before but with newfound names – The Nomad (Edith Poor) and The Dweller (Bridie Sisson), who are with The Stranger… who was revealed earlier as Sauron… though Amazon’s X-Ray feature still names him as The Stranger. 

‘The more your powers awaken, the more the veil will weaken,’ The Ascetic says, as The Stranger asks, ‘Veil?’

‘The one placed upon your mind by those who cast you down,’ The Nomad says, as The Ascetic says, ‘But we have come here to welcome you in. To bring you to our lands,’ as The Nomad says, ‘You know them already.’

The Stranger pulls out his crude map, stating, ‘The stars,’ as The Ascetic explains it’s called ‘The Hermit’s Hat,’ adding it’s, ‘A pattern visible in but one place, far to the east where the stars are strange. The lands of Rhun.’

Map: The Stranger pulls out his crude map, stating, 'The stars,' as The Ascetic explains it's called 'The Hermit's Hat,' adding it's, 'A pattern visible in but one place, far to the east where the stars are strange. The lands of Rhun'

Map: The Stranger pulls out his crude map, stating, ‘The stars,’ as The Ascetic explains it’s called ‘The Hermit’s Hat,’ adding it’s, ‘A pattern visible in but one place, far to the east where the stars are strange. The lands of Rhun’ 

‘Where you will be known at last for who you truly are,’ The Nomad says, while The Ascetic adds, ‘You fell from the stars, yet you are greater than they.’

‘For fire obeys you will,’ The Nomad says ass The Ascetic says, ‘You fell below the dust, yet dust fears you.’

Fire embers and other debris starts swirling as these mystical characters keep talking and The Stranger stands up, while The Nomad adds that in Rhun he will learn how to command all the elements.’

‘And every being that walks or crawls will be your slave, for you are Lord Sauron,’ they say together, as winds swirl around as a confused Stranger tries to come to grips with everything.

One of them says, ‘Enough!’ as The Dweller blows some mystical dust into The Stranger’s face as he collapses.

The Ascetic adds, ‘In time he will learn to control his powers. For now, bind him,’ as The Nomad kneels close to him and looks back with a smile.

‘What is it?’ The Ascetic asks, but the Nomad won’t say… as we see off in the distance, Sadoc (Lenny Henry), Nori, Poppy (Megan Richards) and Marigold (Sara Zwangobani) come out of their hiding spots.

‘Well, in the grand tradition of bad ideas, this has to be the worst yet,’ as Marigold asks if he has a better idea. 

The Harfoot’s watch as The Nomad and The Ascetic tie The Stranger to a tree, though they notice, ‘the third one’s gone.’

The Nomad and Ascetic unsheathe their blades and go off into the woods while the Harfoots go to The Stranger, trying to untie him.

Meanwhile, Marigold sneaks into the woods and finds something laying in the ground…. revealed to be an unconscious Stranger!

Meanwhile, The Dweller disguised as The Stranger wakes up and grabs for Nori as Sadoc tells her to run, while The Nomad and Ascetic return, killing Sadoc by throwing a blade into his chest.

A terrified Nori watches as The Stranger transforms into The Dweller, as The Ascetic pulls out a blade when thunder rumbles, causing them to look up.

Wind starts whipping through the woods as The Stranger gets up and walks towards them, while The Acsetic says, ‘Master, calm yourself,’ while The Harfoot’s get out of harm’s way.

The Stranger punches the ground, sending The Ascetic and The Nomad back, while The Dweller holds her ground and rushes towards him.

She uses her mystical staff to lift him off the ground and toss him into a tree, while The Ascetic goes after the Harfoots though Sadoc stabs her in the foot.

The Dweller keeps controlling The Stranger as The Nomad tells her, ‘Make  him see.’

She walks up to The Stranger but she’s pelted by various objects thrown by the Harfoots before she starts tossing fire their way, causing them to flee.

The Dweller keeps setting the forest ablaze while The Stranger looks on from the ground, before seeing Nori sneak up with The Dweller’s staff.

‘Take it. We need you, please just take it,’ Nori says, before The Stranger responds in the most coherent way he has all season.

‘Get away from me. Or I will hurt you again,’ he tells her,’ he says, as a defiant Nori asks, ‘What have they done to you?’

‘They showed me what I am,’ he says, though Nori retorts, ‘Only you can show what you are You choose by what you do.’

Marigold is heard screaming as the Harfoots are cornered, when Nori tells The Stranger, ‘You’re here to help. I know it.’

Marigold is seen waving a knife at The Dweller, with balls of flames in both hands, as Marigold tells Poppy to close her eyes and it will only hurt a minute.

The Dweller is about to blow flames towards the Harfoots… as Nori screams out, ‘No!’ when suddenly the flames go out, confusing The Dweller.

Nori looks back and finds The Stranger standing with the staff in his hand, as all of the flames extinguish around him.

The Dweller, Ascetic and Nomad all approach The Stranger, who tells them, ‘From shadow you came. To shadow I bid you return!’

The trio realize, ‘He is not Sauron. He is the other. The Istar. He is…’ as The Stranger says, ‘I’m good’ before raising his staff which turns white with light, vanquishing the trio in an instant.

Nori looks up at The Stranger as the Harfoots embrace with Nori as they see Sadoc has been gravely hurt.

Marigold says they’ll find a way to carry him back but Sadoc says he will go wandering, ‘off-trail.’

Poppy starts crying and he says he’ll be fine because the ‘missus will be waiting,’ adding he’d just like to sit for awhile and watch the sun come up.

They all gather around Sadoc and watch the sun rise, while The Stranger stands by their side.

The episode cuts to the sea with Valandil (Alex Tarrant) watching over things topside, while down below, the now-blind Queen Regent Miriel (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) counting her steps.

Elendil (Lloyd Owen) tells her it’s nine stairs to main post and adds she’s doing well, which upsets her.

‘Patronize me like that again, Captain, I’ll have your ship,’ Miriel says, as Elendil tells her, ‘I have you,’ and she asks, ‘And who has you?’

‘Given your loss, I would understand it if upon our return, you wish to take a leave of duty,’ Miriel sasys.

‘You once asked me why I pulled Galadriel from the sea. I claimed to have had little choice, but the truth is, I could have left her there,’ Elendil says.

‘Could’ve refused to follow her to Middle-earth or stopped my son from doing so. Yet at every turn, I made the choices I did because… Elendil does not merely mean, “One who loves the stars.” I just never imagined it would lead here,’ he explains.

‘My father once told me that the way of the faithful is committing to pay the price, even if the cost can not be known. And trusting that in the end it will be worth it,’ Miriel says.

‘Sometimes the cost is dear, ‘ Elendil says, as Miriel nods and agrees, as Elendil says they have no choice but to keep serving, ‘And I for one will see to it that we make the end worth the price.’

Valandil says topside that Numenor is in sight, as Elendil brings Miriel up as they pull into the port, Elendil leading the blind queen.

Elendil is clearly startled by what he sees, as he leaves Miriel’s side as she asks him what he sees.

They pull back to see a harbor full of black sails, while, in the tower, Pharazon looks over the resting King.

Galadriel checks in on Celebrimbor after an explosion, as Celebrimbor says the mithril is ‘proud’ and refuses any attempt to bond with lesser ores.

‘Tapping the boundaries between the Seen and Unseen Worlds seemed to soften the boundaries,’ Elrond says as Celebrimbor adds, ‘It doesn’t make sense.’

Elrond says this process will take time but an angry Celebrimbor says they do not have time as Galadriel thinks maybe that might be enough for today, adding maybe they’ve been pushing themselves too hard… when a notion strikes Halbrand.

‘Suppose we’ve been using too much force?’ as Celebrimbor adds the metals should be, ‘drawn or coaxed together,’ adding if that’s true they’ve been doing this inside out.

Galadriel is found by the Loremaster who presents a scroll for her as everyone gets back to work.

Galadriel is outside by a stream, looking pensive, when Halbrand comes outside as Galadriel rolls up the scroll.

Halbrand says they found it and says it has too much power for one so they’re making two.

When she asks if they’re making two crowns, Halbrand says, ‘Not exactly. It’ll need to be something, smaller. Come see for yourself.’

He starts walking back to the workshop but Galadriel says she won’t go until she tells him who he really is, as she unfurls and drops the scroll.

‘There is no King of the Southlands. The line was broken. The last man to bear your crest died over a thousand years ago. He had no heir,’ Galadriel says.

Halbrand walks towards the scroll and looks back at Galadriel, stating, ‘I told you I found it on a dead man.’

She says he saved  her but he insisted she saved him and he says he fought at her side against their common enemy.

‘Tell me your name,’ Galadriel asks and Halbrand says, ‘I have been awake since before the breaking of the first silence. In that time, I have had many names.’

An infuriated Galadriel swings her dagger towards Halbrand but he easily catches her hand.

She collapses to the ground but she falls to another land, wearing a white gown, ass she hears the voice of her brother Finrod (Will Fletcher).

He approaches her, telling her to get on her feet, but sshe tells him to get out of  her mind.

He asks her to look at her and she sees the face of her brother and smiles.

They go to talk and he holds his old dagger, saying she, ‘kept it safe this whole time.’

‘You have been very brave. You have fought so hard for so many years to complete the task that I could not,’ he says.

She says that his task was hunting Sauron and he says his task was to ensure peace and he learned that was Sauron’s task as well.

‘No you died along with countless others because of him,’ but he sasys no.

‘He was seeking a power, not to destroy Middle-earth, but to heal it. Just as your fellow Elves are seeking to do at this very moment. You needn’t lie to them. Simply let the work proceed,’ he tells her. 

He asks if she remembers what he once whispered to her under this very tree, and he whispers, ‘Touch the darkness once more.’

He smiles at  her and she says, ‘My brother is dead because of you,’ and he asks why she would say that.

She gets up and walks away as he yells for her to come back and yells, ‘LOOK AT ME’ when suddenly she’s back on Halbrand’s raft.

Halbrand tells her to look at her and that he is her friend but she says he is a friend of Morgoth.

‘When Morgoth was defeated, it was as if a great clenched fist had released its grasp from my neck. And in the stillness of that first sunrise, I felt the light of The One again. And I knew if ever I was to be forgiven, that I had to heal everything that I helped ruin,’ Halbrand tells her.

She says there is no penance to erase the evil he has done but he says that is not what she believes. 

‘After our victory, you said that whatever I’d done before I could be free of it now,’ Halbrand says but Galadriel says he deceived her.

He says he told her the truth that he had done evil and she, ‘did not care becaus you knew that our past meant nothing weighed against our future.’

‘There is no such future,’ Galadriel says, and Halbrand says, ‘Isn’t there? All others look on you with doubt. I alone can see your greatness,’ as he looks in her eyes.

‘You would make me a tyrant,’ she says, but he insists he would make her a queen, ‘stronger than the foundations of the earth.’

‘And you. My king. The Dark Lord,’ she says and he says, ‘Not dark, not with you at my side. You told me once that we were brought together for a purpose. This is it. You bind me to the light and I bind you to power,’ he says, holding her hand with her brother’s dagger in it.

‘Together we can save this Middle-earth,’ he says, as Galadriel asks, ‘Save, or rule?’ and Halbrand says, ‘I see no difference.’

Galadriel takes the dagger and puts it to Halbrand’s neck, saying, ‘And that is why I will never be at your side.’

The raft they’re on starts being tossed in a sudden wind as Halbrand says she has no choice because without him her people will fade and a shadow will spread darkness all across the world.

She says she should have left him at sea and he says the Elves cast her out for asking for a few soldiers.

Sea: She says she should have left him at sea and he says the Elves cast her out for asking for a few soldiers

Sea: She says she should have left him at sea and he says the Elves cast her out for asking for a few soldiers

‘What will they do when you tell  them that you were my ally When you tell them that Sauron lives because of you?’ Halbrand says as tears stream from her eyes. 

‘And you will die because of me!’ Galadriel says as they both scream and Galdriel sinks in the sea as glowing lights reflect above her.

Suddenly, Elrond calls for Galadriel and she wakes up, holding the dagger to Elrond’s neck, asking him to prove that he’s Elrond, asking where they first met.

Lives: 'What will they do when you tell them that you were my ally When you tell them that Sauron lives because of you?' Halbrand says as tears stream from her eyes

Lives: ‘What will they do when you tell them that you were my ally When you tell them that Sauron lives because of you?’ Halbrand says as tears stream from her eyes

Die: 'And you will die because of me!' Galadriel says as they both scream and Galdriel sinks in the sea as glowing lights reflect above her

Die: ‘And you will die because of me!’ Galadriel says as they both scream and Galdriel sinks in the sea as glowing lights reflect above her

Prove: Suddenly, Elrond calls for Galadriel and she wakes up, holding the dagger to Elrond’s neck, asking him to prove that he’s Elrond, asking where they first met

He says on the seaside when he was orphaned, a young half-elven boy without friend or kin as she lowers the dagger and starts to cry.

She asks where Celebrimbor is and he says the workshop and he should almost be finished by now as she races off. 

She gets to the workshop and Celebrimbor asks what happened and Elrond said he pulled her from the river.

Orphaned: He says on the seaside when he was orphaned, a young half-elven boy without friend or kin as she lowers the dagger and starts to cry

Orphaned: He says on the seaside when he was orphaned, a young half-elven boy without friend or kin as she lowers the dagger and starts to cry

Finished: She asks where Celebrimbor is and he says the workshop and he should almost be finished by now as she races off

Finished: She asks where Celebrimbor is and he says the workshop and he should almost be finished by now as she races off

He asks where Halbrand is and she says he’s gone and likely won’t return, adding, ‘should he ever none of us are to treat with him again.’

Elrond asks what happened by that stream and she insists that he trusts her.

When Celebrimbor asks if they should proceed, she says no… that they have to make three.

‘One will always corrupt, two will divide…’ Galadriel says, as Celebrimbor says, ‘But with three, there’s balance.’

‘The powers we forge today must be for the Elves alone. Untouched by other hands,’ Galadriel says as Celebrimbor says he has determined the purity of the ‘lesser ores in the alloy is crucial.’

‘I need gold and silver of the most exquisite quality. I need gold and silver from Valinor,’ he says, as Galadriel holds her dagger.

‘True creation requires… sacrifice,’ Celebrimbor says.

The episode cuts back to the forest with The Stranger talking with Nori, asking if he remembers more about who he is.

‘More has come. But to discover the rest, I know I most go to Rhun,’ he tells her.

Nori says, ‘They were wrong about your name. What if they’re wrong about that too? Or lying…’ but he adds, ‘What they said I knew to be true with a certainty that I can’t explain.’

‘They called you something else. Istar. Is that your kind?’ Nori asks, as he adds with a smile, ‘In your tongue that means “wise one” or… wizard.’

‘You’re really not coming with us, are you?’ Nori asks, as The Stranger adds, ‘Betimes, our paths are laid before us by powers greater than our own.’

‘In those moments, it’s our task to make our feet go where our hearts wish not to tread, no matter the perils in the way,’ he explains.

‘Sounds a bit like an adventure,’ Nori says with a smile, but The Stranger says, ‘Alone it’s just a journey. Now adventures, they must be shared.’

‘Think I’ve had about enough adventure as any Harfoot could ever hope for,’ Nori says as The Stranger gives her a smile.

Down at the trail, Malva (Thusitha Jayasundera) says they have 30 days of clear trails and fresh grass with no trolls… but Poppy shows her she’s holding the map upside down.

Malva says since she’s so quick and wise why don’t she do the trail-finding as Poppy smiles.

Malva says nobody goes off trail as they add in unison, ‘And nobody walks alone!’ though Malva says it sounded better when Sadoc said it.

Upside down: Down at the trail, Malva (Thusitha Jayasundera) says they have 30 days of clear trails and fresh grass with no trolls… but Poppy shows her she’s holding the map upside down

Nori comes back to find her family, as Largo (Dylan Smith) sets a pack at her feet, saying she’s, ‘part of something bigger now.’

Marigold adds, ‘He needs ya, and you belong out there,’ as Nori looks up to see The Stranger looking down from the top of the hill.

Nori smiles and says her  goodbyes to all of the Harfoots before giving Poppy a big hug, who asks if she packed a lantern.

Poppy abruptly says goodbye as her parents stuff more things in her pack, as Dylan says she’s heading into the great beyond and he hasn’t taught her a thing.

‘Oh hey sure you have. Always quench your fire, water and earth. Don’t squat by a river. You never know when you’ll need a drink downstream. And a Harfoot without manners is as like to get far in life as a square wheel,’ Nori says.

‘I was listening to all of it, Father,’ she says as they embrace as Nori walks to her mother Marigold who tells her, ‘Find where the river runs. Where the sparrows learn their songs.’

Listening: 'I was listening to all of it, Father,' she says as they embrace as Nori walks to her mother Marigold who tells her, 'Find where the river runs. Where the sparrows learn their songs'

Listening: ‘I was listening to all of it, Father,’ she says as they embrace as Nori walks to her mother Marigold who tells her, ‘Find where the river runs. Where the sparrows learn their songs’

‘I will mother, and I’ll be careful,’ Nori says but Marigold says, ‘No. You’ll be bold’ as the Brandyfoot family embraces once last time.

Nori goes walking up to The Stranger when Poppy runs up and gives her a hug, holding back tears.

‘Why does everyone I love the most have to go away?’ Poppy asks through tears.

Love: 'Why does everyone I love the most have to go away?' Poppy asks through tears

Love: ‘Why does everyone I love the most have to go away?’ Poppy asks through tears

‘Cause I think if we didn’t, then we’d never learn anything new,’ Nori tells her as Poppy asks if she promises to come back and Nori asks if she promises to look after everyone.

‘You’re my best friend in this whole wide, wild world. I’d do anything for ya,’ Poppy says, as Nori jokes the world isn’t so wide it’s just that they’re so small.

Poppy tells Nori to stick by the tall fella and he makes a good friend in a spot, but Nori says, ‘Not as good as you.’

Learn: 'Cause I think if we didn't, then we'd never learn anything new,' Nori tells her as Poppy asks if she promises to come back and Nori asks if she promises to look after everyone

Learn: ‘Cause I think if we didn’t, then we’d never learn anything new,’ Nori tells her as Poppy asks if she promises to come back and Nori asks if she promises to look after everyone

Wave: They hug again as the Harfoots wave at Nori as she walks up to The Stranger

Wave: They hug again as the Harfoots wave at Nori as she walks up to The Stranger

They hug again as the Harfoots wave at Nori as she walks up to The Stranger.

‘Are you certain?’ he asks and she says, ‘More than ever.’ He says they’re all waving at her and she says if she turns around she won’t be able to leave.’

‘Well then, perhaps it would be best if you lead off,’ The Stranger says as Nori says she doesn’t have any idea where to go and her feet feel heavy as iron.

Hug: They hug again as the Harfoots wave at Nori as she walks up to The Stranger

Hug: They hug again as the Harfoots wave at Nori as she walks up to The Stranger

Certain: 'Are you certain?' he asks and she says, 'More than ever.' He says they're all waving at her and she says if she turns around she won't be able to leave'

Certain: ‘Are you certain?’ he asks and she says, ‘More than ever.’ He says they’re all waving at her and she says if she turns around she won’t be able to leave’

Lead: 'Well then, perhaps it would be best if you lead off,' The Stranger says as Nori says she doesn't have any idea where to go and her feet feel heavy as iron

Lead: ‘Well then, perhaps it would be best if you lead off,’ The Stranger says as Nori says she doesn’t have any idea where to go and her feet feel heavy as iron

The Stranger turns and says there is a sweet smell this way, adding that when in doubt she should always follow her nose.

The Harfoots take off on their journey one way as Nori and The Stranger head in opposite directions.

The episode cuts back to Galadriel, who drops her brother’s dagger to be forged. The metal is seen liquefying before they pull it out and add it to a smelting pot.

Follow: The Stranger turns and says there is a sweet smell this way, adding that when in doubt she should always follow her nose

Follow: The Stranger turns and says there is a sweet smell this way, adding that when in doubt she should always follow her nose

Liquefying: The episode cuts back to Galadriel, who drops her brother's dagger to be forged. The metal is seen liquefying before they pull it out and add it to a smelting pot

Liquefying: The episode cuts back to Galadriel, who drops her brother’s dagger to be forged. The metal is seen liquefying before they pull it out and add it to a smelting pot

Elrond drops the piece of mithril into the pot as it’s being spun and spun as the three rods come out of the molds and are being formed.

Elrond goes outside towards the stream and finds the scroll that Galadriel discarded… which had the family history of Halbrand.

Elrond takes a look at the scroll as a troubled look crosses hiss face as he rushes back inside to the workshop, where the three gems seen earlier are shown.

Drop: Elrond drops the piece of mithril into the pot as it's being spun and spun as the three rods come out of the molds and are being formed

Drop: Elrond drops the piece of mithril into the pot as it’s being spun and spun as the three rods come out of the molds and are being formed

Scroll: Elrond takes a look at the scroll as a troubled look crosses hiss face as he rushes back inside to the workshop, where the three gems seen earlier are shown

Scroll: Elrond takes a look at the scroll as a troubled look crosses hiss face as he rushes back inside to the workshop, where the three gems seen earlier are shown

Elrond arrives as Galadriel and Celebrimbor are smiling at their creations – the Three Rings – the most powerful of the Rings of Power.

Galadriel smiles at Elrond but he’s clearly confused, looking at the rings, as Galadriel smiles at Elrond again, while he holds the scroll, gazing at her with apparent contempt.

The shot of the three rings on the slab morphs into a close-up shot of an eye watching a fiery eruption of Mount Doom … which belongs to Halbrand… a.k.a. Sauron, now clad in all black. 

He walks with his black cloak towards the fiery Mount Doom as the episode – and the first season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power comes to an end.

Contempt: Galadriel smiles at Elrond but he's clearly confused, looking at the rings, as Galadriel smiles at Elrond again, while he holds the scroll, gazing at her with apparent contempt

Contempt: Galadriel smiles at Elrond but he’s clearly confused, looking at the rings, as Galadriel smiles at Elrond again, while he holds the scroll, gazing at her with apparent contempt

History: The show made history long before the first two episodes debuted on Thursday evening, since it's considered the most expensive series ever

History: The show made history long before the first two episodes debuted on Thursday evening, since it’s considered the most expensive series ever

Deal: Amazon also struck a deal with the Tolkien Estate and the Tolkien Trust where they are believed to have given the green light for upwards of five seasons of the show

Deal: Amazon also struck a deal with the Tolkien Estate and the Tolkien Trust where they are believed to have given the green light for upwards of five seasons of the show

Huge fan: Bezos was also reportedly a huge fan of the franchise and was personally involved in the negotiations for the just the rights alone, which were ultimately acquired in November 2017 for a whopping $250 million

Huge fan: Bezos was also reportedly a huge fan of the franchise and was personally involved in the negotiations for the just the rights alone, which were ultimately acquired in November 2017 for a whopping $250 million

Production: With an estimated production commitment of between $100 million and $150 million per season, Amazon is expected to shell out $1 billion for the production costs and the rights, when all is said and done

Production: With an estimated production commitment of between $100 million and $150 million per season, Amazon is expected to shell out $1 billion for the production costs and the rights, when all is said and done

Second age: The duo pitched a series that would be set in the Second Age of Middle-earth, a history glossed over in a five-minute prologue during the Lord of the Rings films

Second age: The duo pitched a series that would be set in the Second Age of Middle-earth, a history glossed over in a five-minute prologue during the Lord of the Rings films

Bridie: There have been rumors that a white-haired character shown in the trailers, played by Bridie Sisson (previously thought to be Anson Boon), is actually Sauron himself, though producers have not confirmed that

Bridie: There have been rumors that a white-haired character shown in the trailers, played by Bridie Sisson (previously thought to be Anson Boon), is actually Sauron himself, though producers have not confirmed that

Galadriel: There will be characters fans will recognize, though, most notably Galadriel, played in the LOTR movies by Cate Blanchett, with the much younger version played Morfydd Clark

Galadriel: There will be characters fans will recognize, though, most notably Galadriel, played in the LOTR movies by Cate Blanchett, with the much younger version played Morfydd Clark

Speculation: 'We are enjoying all the speculation online and can tell you Bridie Sisson is an incredible actor,' Weber began

Speculation: ‘We are enjoying all the speculation online and can tell you Bridie Sisson is an incredible actor,’ Weber began

Finale: The finale of the eight-episode season arriving Thursday, October 13 exclusively on Amazon Prime Video

Finale: The finale of the eight-episode season arriving Thursday, October 13 exclusively on Amazon Prime Video

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