Warning! Spoilers for Rings of Power season 2, episode 5 ahead!
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Powerseason 2 has basically just confirmed which Númenorean is doomed to become one of Sauron’s Ringwraiths. These monsters are a vital part of Tolkien’sLord of the Rings, known to be cloaked in back and desire for nothing but the service of their master. Aragorn told the Hobbits that the nine Ringwraiths (or Nazgûl) had once been Men but that Sauron’s Rings of Power corrupted their spirits until their humanity was lost entirely. Given the subject of Prime Video’sThe Rings of Power, the identities of these monsters are sure to be revealed.
Tolkien canon indicates thatthe names of the Nazgûl had been forgotten, even by themselves. They had once been kings and Lords of Men, giftedSauron’s Nine Rings of Poweras a means to better lead their people. While other Rings of Power, like theThree for the Elvesand the Seven for the Dwarves, had varying effects on their wearers, Men’s tendency for corruption resulted in something different. They became the dark Nazgûl, monsters entirely controlled by Sauron’s evil will—andRings of Powerhas begun to set this up.
Sauron Confirms He Will Give One Of The Nine Rings To A Númenorean
Three Númenoreans Receive Rings In LOTR Canon
InThe Rings of Powerseason 2, episode 5,Sauron and Celebrimborhave successfully made the Seven Dwarven Rings and have set to work on making the Nine. While the Lord of Eregion was initially resistant to the idea of giving Men Rings of Power, Annatar was adamant. He brought up the Men of Númenor, indicating that the glorious kingdom is on the precipice of great change and will need assistance from the Rings.
This confirms thatRings of Powerplans to at least somewhat stick to canon in this regard. According to Tolkien, three of the Ringwraiths were from Númenor. So, it seems likely thatSauron will give some of his Rings to three Númenorean characters that have already been introduced. Given the current political climate of this island kingdom and a hint dropped by Númenor’s new king, there’s a good indication of who at least one of these will be.
Kemen’s Mother Foresaw A Dark Future For Her Son
There Could Be No Darker Future Than That Of A Ringwraith
In the very same episode in which Annatar shared his plan to give Rings toNúmenor inRings of Powerseason 2, Pharazôn dropped an intriguing bombshell on his son, Kemen.The new king teased that his late wife had foreseen a dark future for their boy, though he didn’t specify what this was. Kemen, eager to know what else his mother had said, was ordered to carry out Pharazôn’s will to earn a chance to learn more, ultimately leading him to do some pretty despicable things in the remainder ofRings of Powerseason 2, episode 5.
Now the primary heir to the most powerful kingdom of Men, it would make sense that he would even become the Witch-king of Angmar, the leader of the Nazgûl.
Since Kemen is now a prince, all this foreshadowingseems to imply that he will be one of the Nine to receive Sauron’s Rings of Powerand will, therefore, be a Ringwraith. Now the primary heir to the most powerful kingdom of Men, it would make sense that he would even become the Witch-king of Angmar, the leader of the Nazgûl. This would undoubtedly be a “dark future,” though this may only be a red herring onRings of Power’s part.
Pharazôn Can’t Be A Ringwraith, But Kemen Makes Sense
The New King Of Númenor Has A Different Destiny
As king of Númenor, it’s also possible that Pharazôn will get a Ring of Power. Canon indicates thatSauron will come to Númenorand become an advisor to Pharazôn, so it’s reasonable to think that the Dark Lord would grant the Man one of his Rings to make controlling him easier. Then,Rings of Powermay see Pharazôn slowly become more out of control. However,Pharazôn’s canon destiny is to fall when the Valar decide to strike back at the island kingdom—a fitting punishment for all his upcoming crimes.
Another popularRings of Powertheory is that Elendil’s daughter, Eärien, will become a Ringwraith.
While Pharazôn may be a ring-bearer in his lifetime, it makes more sense that Kemen would be the one to lose himself entirely. After his father’s death, Kemen may inherit the Ring of Power. Unlike Pharazôn, he would possess it long enough for his entire being to be thoroughly corrupted. Of course,this still leaves the question of the other three Númenoreans Tolkien indicated should receive a Ring. We can only speculate on who theseRings of Powercharacters would be, but it’s a safe assumption that Prime Video has already reserved one place among Sauron’s Nine.
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.
