Adar and Sauron as seen in The Rings of Power season 2 (2024) above a blurred image of the elven Rings of Power

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

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

After this, I was not surprised when the focus of the show shifted to Lord 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 what The Lord of the Rings’ One Ring, dwarven Rings, and Rings of men do, one question about the elven Rings has long been unresolved. As of The Rings of Power season 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

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

Firstly, it is worth exploring the plot point that has me convinced my question will be answered. In The Rings of Power season 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 Adar now 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 that The Rings of Power season 2, episode 8 will answer an uncertainty I have long felt about the elven Rings of Power.

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

The Elven Rings Contain An Often Formless Power

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

In all adaptations of The Lord of the Rings, there has been an overall vagueness as to what kind of power the elven Rings possess. The Rings of Power season 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 that Tolkien’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 of Harry Potter. As such, the elven Rings follow a similar pattern of subtlety.

Perhaps the greatest showing of outright power concerning the elven Rings came in The 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 away The Lord of the Rings’ Ringwraiths. Besides this, little of what the elven Rings of Power actually do has been divulged.

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?

Adar (Sam Hazeldine) knocks Galadriel off her horse in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 Episode 4

With this question lingering over The Lord of the Rings, The Rings of Power is promising to provide an answer. Adar and Sauron are all but guaranteed to have a confrontation in The Rings of Power season 2, episode 8, and it is evident from the future of The Lord of the Rings’ timeline that 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 of The 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 for The Rings of Power season 2, episode 8 even greater than it already was after the fantastic Siege of Eregion.