Warning! This article contains spoilers for The Rings of Power season 2.

The Rings of Powerseason 2, episode 7’s ending promises to give me the answer to a question I’ve held for years aboutThe Lord of the Rings’elven jewelry. Theelven Rings of Powerwere first introduced inThe Rings of Powerseason 1 and served as the main focus of season 2’s premiere. Given Sauron’s infiltration of Eregion inThe Rings of Powerseason 1’s ending, Elrond raised his doubts over the elven Rings, yet Círdan, Gil-galad, and Galadriel outvoted him on their usefulness.

Adar holding Nenya in The Rings of Power season 2 (2024)

After this, I was not surprised when the focus of the show shifted toLord of the Rings' other Rings of Power. Sauron began manipulating Celebrimbor to craft Rings for dwarves and men, as the elven Rings remained safe in the hands of the aforementioned three of Lindon. While I have been adequately satisfied regarding whatThe Lord of the Rings’One Ring, dwarven Rings, and Rings of men do, one question about the elven Rings has long been unresolved. As ofThe Rings of Powerseason 2, episode 7’s ending, however, it seems I may finally get my answer.

Adar Is About To Use Nenya Against Sauron In The Rings Of Power Season 2’s Finale

Galadriel’s Elven Ring Is In The Hands Of The Uruk Leader

Firstly, it is worth exploring the plot point that has me convinced my question will be answered. InThe Rings of Powerseason 2, episode 7’s ending, the Siege of Eregion overwhelms the defenders, including Elrond, Gil-galad, and Arondir. Adar unleashes one last push against the elves, subduing Elrond who was hoping on the arrival of Durin IV to turn the tide. As the episode cuts to black,Adar is shown smiling down as he lifts Galadriel’s Ring of Power, Nenya.

The Uruk leader Adarnow has possession of an elven Ring of Power, and intends to use it against Sauron. Adar’s entire motivation is killing Sauron, something he intends to do using the combined power of the Rings, as well as Morgoth’s Crown. As I have alluded to, this development could mean thatThe Rings of Powerseason 2, episode 8 will answer an uncertainty I have long felt about the elven Rings of Power.

Nazgul on horses with swords drawn crossing a river in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the RIng.

The Lord Of The Rings Is Generally Vague About What The Elves' Three Rings Do

The Elven Rings Contain An Often Formless Power

In all adaptations ofThe Lord of the Rings, there has been an overall vagueness as to what kind of power the elven Rings possess.The Rings of Powerseason 2, episode 1 confirmed that they are responsible for saving the Great Tree of Lindon and thus, preserving the power of the elves in Middle-earth. However, I am unclear as to exactly how the Rings did this, as well as what other powers they imbue their wielders with.

I will admit that I am not surprised by this, given thatTolkien’s depiction of magic and special powers has often been more subtle and understated than other franchises.The Lord of the Rings’Istari, for example, do not often shoot fireballs, conjure storms, and cast typical spells as seen in the likes ofHarry Potter. As such, the elven Rings follow a similar pattern of subtlety.

Gandalf and Saruman in The Lord of the Rings

All 5 Wizards/Istari In Lord Of The Rings Explained

In Lord of the Rings, and all of Tolkien lore, there were five Wizards that came from Valinor to help the peoples of Middle-Earth defeat Sauron.

Perhaps the greatest showing of outright power concerning the elven Rings came inThe Fellowship of the Ring,notably the book as opposed to Peter Jackson’s adaptation. In the novel, after Frodo is stabbed by the Witch King, an elf named Glorfindel takes the Hobbit to Rivendell, pursued by the Nazgûl. Upon crossing the river into Rivendell territory, it is noted that Elrond uses his power to create a torrent of water horses to wash awayThe Lord of the Rings’Ringwraiths. Besides this, little of what the elven Rings of Power actually do has been divulged.

Lord of the Rings The Rings of Power Season 2 Poster Showing Charlie Vickers as Sauron

In Jackson’s movie, it is Arwen who takes Frodo to Rivendell, with the film implying she caused the water stampede that defeated the Nazgûl.

The Rings Of Power Fully Showing The Power Of The Three Rings Is Very Exciting

How Will Nenya Aid Adar’s Plot To Kill Sauron?

With this question lingering overThe Lord of the Rings,The Rings of Poweris promising to provide an answer. Adar and Sauron are all but guaranteed to have a confrontation inThe Rings of Powerseason 2, episode 8, and it is evident from the future ofThe Lord of the Rings’timelinethat Sauron will survive. Therefore, it remains to be seen exactly what use Nenya will have for Adar, though it presents the show with very exciting possibilities.

Receiving even a hint of an answer to the question I have long had about what powers the elven Rings' have is incredibly enticing…

The depiction of the elven Rings' powers is something that I could not even begin to guess. After all, I am no filmmaker and I will leave that to the creators ofThe Rings of Power. That said, receiving even a hint of an answer to the question I have long had about what powers the elven Rings' have is incredibly enticing, making my anticipation forThe Rings of Powerseason 2, episode 8 even greater than it already was after the fantastic Siege of Eregion.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

Cast

Set in the Second Age of Middle-earth, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power explores the forging of the iconic rings, the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron, and the epic events leading up to the stories in J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic novels. The series chronicles the creation of legendary characters and the historic alliances and rivalries that shape the fate of Middle-earth.