Connor Macgregor Reviews...The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power

The Elf Galadriel grew up in Valinor during a time of peace. When the two trees that lit the world were destroyed by the Dark Lord Morgoth, the Elves sailed across the Sundering Seas to Middle-earth and waged a devastating war against him that lasted for centuries. After Morgoth was defeated, his Orcs continued to spread around the world led by his servant Sauron, a powerful sorcerer. Galadriel's brother Finrod died hunting Sauron, and Galadriel vowed to continue the search.

Thousands of years later, Galadriel and a company of Elves discover an abandoned fortress in the northern wastelands of Forodwaith. They find evidence of black magic and an anvil bearing Sauron's mark. Galadriel believes this is part of a trail left for Orcs to follow. The company are attacked by a snow-troll and sustain injuries before it is killed by Galadriel. She commands that they continue the search north, but the others refuse and she reluctantly returns to the Elven capital of Lindon.

In the wilderlands of Rhovanion in the east of Middle-earth, a community of nomadic Harfoots—small, secretive beings—are surprised to see human hunters passing nearby at an uncommon time of year. Harfoot elder Sadoc Burrows also believes the stars are appearing when they should not. A group of young Harfoots, including Nori Brandyfoot and Poppy Proudfellow, go to a nearby farm to eat berries but they return to camp when they discover wolf footprints.

Galadriel meets with her friend Elrond, the herald and speech-writer for High King Gil-galad, in Lindon. Gil-galad proclaims the war to be over and grants Galadriel's company the great honor of sailing across the sea to Valinor where they can live an eternal life at peace. Galadriel intends to turn down this offer, but Elrond convinces her that it is time to stop fighting. He later talks to Gil-galad, who has foreseen that Galadriel's search for Sauron could help the latter endure. Gil-galad introduces Elrond to a great Elven-smith, Lord Celebrimbor, who is beginning an important new project that Gil-galad wants Elrond to help with.

Word that the war is over reaches a group of Elves in the Southlands of Middle-earth who have been watching over Tirharad, a village of Men descended from allies of Morgoth. One of the Elves, Arondir, has grown close with the human healer Bronwyn and is with her when a villager arrives with a sick cow. It had wandered to the nearby village of Hordern, and when Arondir and Bronwyn investigate that town they find it in flames. Meanwhile, Bronwyn's son Theo finds a broken sword bearing Sauron's mark.

Across the Sundering Seas, Galadriel and her company prepare to enter Valinor which appears as a great light. Galadriel has second thoughts about abandoning her search for Sauron and jumps from the ship. At the same time, a meteor flies across Middle-earth and crashes near the Harfoots' camp. Nori finds a strange man in the crater.

The Elf Galadriel grew up in Valinor during a time of peace. When the two trees that lit the world were destroyed by the Dark Lord Morgoth, the Elves sailed across the Sundering Seas to Middle-earth and waged a devastating war against him that lasted for centuries. After Morgoth was defeated, his Orcs continued to spread around the world led by his servant Sauron, a powerful sorcerer. Galadriel's brother Finrod died hunting Sauron, and Galadriel vowed to continue the search.

Thousands of years later, Galadriel and a company of Elves discover an abandoned fortress in the northern wastelands of Forodwaith. They find evidence of black magic and an anvil bearing Sauron's mark. Galadriel believes this is part of a trail left for Orcs to follow. The company are attacked by a snow-troll and sustain injuries before it is killed by Galadriel. She commands that they continue the search north, but the others refuse and she reluctantly returns to the Elven capital of Lindon.

In the wilderlands of Rhovanion in the east of Middle-earth, a community of nomadic Harfoots—small, secretive beings—are surprised to see human hunters passing nearby at an uncommon time of year. Harfoot elder Sadoc Burrows also believes the stars are appearing when they should not. A group of young Harfoots, including Nori Brandyfoot and Poppy Proudfellow, go to a nearby farm to eat berries but they return to camp when they discover wolf footprints.

Galadriel meets with her friend Elrond, the herald and speech-writer for High King Gil-galad, in Lindon. Gil-galad proclaims the war to be over and grants Galadriel's company the great honor of sailing across the sea to Valinor where they can live an eternal life at peace. Galadriel intends to turn down this offer, but Elrond convinces her that it is time to stop fighting. He later talks to Gil-galad, who has foreseen that Galadriel's search for Sauron could help the latter endure. Gil-galad introduces Elrond to a great Elven-smith, Lord Celebrimbor, who is beginning an important new project that Gil-galad wants Elrond to help with.

Word that the war is over reaches a group of Elves in the Southlands of Middle-earth who have been watching over Tirharad, a village of Men descended from allies of Morgoth. One of the Elves, Arondir, has grown close with the human healer Bronwyn and is with her when a villager arrives with a sick cow. It had wandered to the nearby village of Hordern, and when Arondir and Bronwyn investigate that town they find it in flames. Meanwhile, Bronwyn's son Theo finds a broken sword bearing Sauron's mark.

Across the Sundering Seas, Galadriel and her company prepare to enter Valinor which appears as a great light. Galadriel has second thoughts about abandoning her search for Sauron and jumps from the ship. At the same time, a meteor flies across Middle-earth and crashes near the Harfoots' camp. Nori finds a strange man in the crater.

Nori Brandyfoot and Poppy Proudfellow investigate the strange man inside the meteor crater and are surprised to find him alive, surrounded by cold fire. They struggle to move him away from the crater and into a makeshift shelter. The next day, Nori gives him food and realizes that he does not speak their language as he attempts to communicate something to them. Nori and Poppy later find the Stranger looking at the stars. He uses magic to break open Poppy's lantern of fireflies and arrange them into a constellation that Nori does not recognize. She believes that they can help him by finding that constellation. When the Stranger stops using the magic, the fireflies all die.

In the ruins of Hordern, Arondir and Bronwyn find no survivors or bodies. They discover a tunnel below one of the houses and Arondir enters to discover where it came from. Bronwyn returns to Tirharad to warn the other villagers, but they dismiss her. In the tunnel, Arondir is captured by unknown creatures. Bronwyn returns home and finds Theo hiding from an Orc that has burst from beneath their floor-boards. Bronwyn and Theo kill the orc and use its head to convince the other villagers to flee the town for the near-by tower of the Elven watchers. Theo brings the broken sword, which appears to draw power from a bleeding wound on Theo's wrist.

Elrond and Celebrimbor discuss the latter's new project in Eregion, the realm of the Elven-smiths. Celebrimbor is planning to build a forge capable of creating powerful objects, and requires a workforce that High King Gil-galad is unable to provide. Elrond suggests they look to the Dwarves for help, and they travel to Khazad-dûm to meet with his old friend Prince Durin IV. Elrond is surprised to find that he is not welcome there, and invokes the rite of sigin-tarâg, a rock-breaking contest between himself and Durin.

Elrond loses the contest, which means he is to be banished from all Dwarven lands. As Durin escorts him out, Elrond learns that he is not welcome because he has not visited in 20 years. Durin is offended that Elrond missed his wedding and the birth of his children. Elrond apologizes to Durin and his wife Disa, who encourages the pair to make up. Durin agrees to hear Elrond's proposal, which he later relays to King Durin III. The latter is concerned that Elrond's arrival relates to a new discovery that the Dwarves have made.

Swimming back to Middle-earth, Galadriel encounters a raft of stranded humans escaping from a sea creature that destroyed their ship. The creature attacks the raft, leaving only Galadriel and one of the Men alive. He introduces himself as Halbrand of the Southlands, and explains that he is escaping from Orcs who have attacked his homeland. They are caught in a storm and Halbrand saves Galadriel from drowning. The next morning, the pair are found by an unknown ship.

Nori Brandyfoot and Poppy Proudfellow investigate the strange man inside the meteor crater and are surprised to find him alive, surrounded by cold fire. They struggle to move him away from the crater and into a makeshift shelter. The next day, Nori gives him food and realizes that he does not speak their language as he attempts to communicate something to them. Nori and Poppy later find the Stranger looking at the stars. He uses magic to break open Poppy's lantern of fireflies and arrange them into a constellation that Nori does not recognize. She believes that they can help him by finding that constellation. When the Stranger stops using the magic, the fireflies all die.

In the ruins of Hordern, Arondir and Bronwyn find no survivors or bodies. They discover a tunnel below one of the houses and Arondir enters to discover where it came from. Bronwyn returns to Tirharad to warn the other villagers, but they dismiss her. In the tunnel, Arondir is captured by unknown creatures. Bronwyn returns home and finds Theo hiding from an Orc that has burst from beneath their floor-boards. Bronwyn and Theo kill the orc and use its head to convince the other villagers to flee the town for the near-by tower of the Elven watchers. Theo brings the broken sword, which appears to draw power from a bleeding wound on Theo's wrist.

Elrond and Celebrimbor discuss the latter's new project in Eregion, the realm of the Elven-smiths. Celebrimbor is planning to build a forge capable of creating powerful objects, and requires a workforce that High King Gil-galad is unable to provide. Elrond suggests they look to the Dwarves for help, and they travel to Khazad-dûm to meet with his old friend Prince Durin IV. Elrond is surprised to find that he is not welcome there, and invokes the rite of sigin-tarâg, a rock-breaking contest between himself and Durin.

Elrond loses the contest, which means he is to be banished from all Dwarven lands. As Durin escorts him out, Elrond learns that he is not welcome because he has not visited in 20 years. Durin is offended that Elrond missed his wedding and the birth of his children. Elrond apologizes to Durin and his wife Disa, who encourages the pair to make up. Durin agrees to hear Elrond's proposal, which he later relays to King Durin III. The latter is concerned that Elrond's arrival relates to a new discovery that the Dwarves have made.

Swimming back to Middle-earth, Galadriel encounters a raft of stranded humans escaping from a sea creature that destroyed their ship. The creature attacks the raft, leaving only Galadriel and one of the Men alive. He introduces himself as Halbrand of the Southlands, and explains that he is escaping from Orcs who have attacked his homeland. They are caught in a storm and Halbrand saves Galadriel from drowning. The next morning, the pair are found by an unknown ship.

The captured Arondir is taken to an Orc construction camp where other captives are digging trenches somewhere in the Southlands. These allow the Orcs, who are sensitive to sunlight, to move during the day. Arondir finds his fellow Elves Médhor and Revion have also been brought there, and they begin planning their escape. When Revion refuses to cut down a tree in their path, the Orcs kill Médhor. Arondir agrees to cut down the tree. He sees that the surrounding area has become poisoned and desolate.

Galadriel and Halbrand are picked up by a ship captained by Elendil who takes them to Númenor, an island kingdom ruled by Men. Relations between the island and the Elves have grown strained, and Queen Regent Míriel denies Galadriel's request for a ship back to Middle-earth. Elendil is assigned to watch over Galadriel and he takes her to the kingdom's Hall of Lore. They discover that the mark of Sauron is actually a map of the Southlands, where a new realm for evil forces is planned.

Halbrand gets into a fight with some Númenóreans and is imprisoned. Galadriel finds him and reveals that she knows he is the true king of the Southlands, descended from the Man who united the tribes of the Southland and was loyal to Morgoth. She asks him to return to Middle-earth with her to redeem both of their bloodlines. Meanwhile, Elendil's son Isildur nears the end of his training as a naval cadet, but has been encouraged by his brother Anárion to postpone his graduation against Elendil's wishes.

The evening before the Harfoots' next migration, the Stranger accidentally reveals himself to the rest of the Harfoots while trying to read some star maps. The shocked Harfoots consider exiling Nori Brandyfoot for helping the Stranger, but she is forgiven because of her young age. The next day, the Harfoots start migrating and the Brandyfoots struggle to keep up due to Largo, Nori's father, who has an injured ankle. The Stranger follows them, and helps them with their cart.

Arondir, Revion, and some other captives attempt to escape from the Orcs when the sun is highest. The Orcs send a warg to attack them, which Arondir kills. Revion makes it out of the trench but is killed by archers. Arondir is unable to get free and is brought before the mysterious leader of the Orcs, Adar.

The captured Arondir is taken to an Orc construction camp where other captives are digging trenches somewhere in the Southlands. These allow the Orcs, who are sensitive to sunlight, to move during the day. Arondir finds his fellow Elves Médhor and Revion have also been brought there, and they begin planning their escape. When Revion refuses to cut down a tree in their path, the Orcs kill Médhor. Arondir agrees to cut down the tree. He sees that the surrounding area has become poisoned and desolate.

Galadriel and Halbrand are picked up by a ship captained by Elendil who takes them to Númenor, an island kingdom ruled by Men. Relations between the island and the Elves have grown strained, and Queen Regent Míriel denies Galadriel's request for a ship back to Middle-earth. Elendil is assigned to watch over Galadriel and he takes her to the kingdom's Hall of Lore. They discover that the mark of Sauron is actually a map of the Southlands, where a new realm for evil forces is planned.

Halbrand gets into a fight with some Númenóreans and is imprisoned. Galadriel finds him and reveals that she knows he is the true king of the Southlands, descended from the Man who united the tribes of the Southland and was loyal to Morgoth. She asks him to return to Middle-earth with her to redeem both of their bloodlines. Meanwhile, Elendil's son Isildur nears the end of his training as a naval cadet, but has been encouraged by his brother Anárion to postpone his graduation against Elendil's wishes.

The evening before the Harfoots' next migration, the Stranger accidentally reveals himself to the rest of the Harfoots while trying to read some star maps. The shocked Harfoots consider exiling Nori Brandyfoot for helping the Stranger, but she is forgiven because of her young age. The next day, the Harfoots start migrating and the Brandyfoots struggle to keep up due to Largo, Nori's father, who has an injured ankle. The Stranger follows them, and helps them with their cart.

Arondir, Revion, and some other captives attempt to escape from the Orcs when the sun is highest. The Orcs send a warg to attack them, which Arondir kills. Revion makes it out of the trench but is killed by archers. Arondir is unable to get free and is brought before the mysterious leader of the Orcs, Adar.

Míriel has a vision of Númenor being destroyed by a giant tsunami. Galadriel and Elendil present Míriel with proof that the forces of Sauron are attacking the Southlands in Middle-earth and Galadriel asks her to intervene. Míriel refuses and Galadriel asks to speak with her father, King Tar-Palantir, who hasn't been seen in years. Míriel has Galadriel imprisoned. Isildur and his friends Valandil and Ontamo are dismissed from their cadet training after Isildur makes a mistake while distracted.

Arondir meets Adar, the leader and "father" of the Orcs who is an Elf. He lets Arondir leave with a message for the Southlanders who are taking refuge in the Elven watchtower of Ostirith: forsake their claims to the Southlands and swear fealty to Adar, or they will be destroyed. Meanwhile, Theo wants to be helpful but is ignored by Bronwyn. He and Rowan return to Tirharad to recover food from the tavern and are attacked by Orcs. Rowan escapes back to the tower while Theo is forced to hide in a well.

In Eregion, the Elves and Dwarves are working together to build Celebrimbor's powerful new forge. Celebrimbor believes Durin IV is hiding something, and Elrond goes to investigate. He learns that Durin IV has been mining a new ore that is very light and very strong below Khazad-dûm. Elrond promises to keep this secret and gives it the name "mithril". When the mine collapses, King Durin III shuts down further mithril mining. Durin IV is furious at his father, but Elrond calms him with a story of his own father, Eärendil, who became a star. Durin IV reconciles with his father, who sends him to Lindon to find out what the Elves' intentions are.

Halbrand helps Galadriel realize that she should go around Míriel and speak to Tar-Palantir directly. Guards arrive to release Galadriel and escort her to Middle-earth, but Galadriel escapes and climbs up the king's tower. She finds the king in ill health, protected by Míriel. The latter explains that there was a rebellion because the king wanted to renew relations with the Elves, and Míriel was placed on the throne in his stead. After becoming ruler, Míriel was given access to a palantír (crystal ball) that first showed her the vision of Númenor's downfall. She shows this vision to Galadriel and explains her belief that helping Galadriel will bring upon this cataclysmic future.

Arondir rescues Theo from the Orcs and they return to the tower. Tavern owner Waldreg reveals to Theo that he is a follower of Sauron and explains that the broken sword was a gift for the followers of the Dark Lord. The Orcs who attacked Theo know he has the sword and report back to Adar that it is in the tower.

As Galadriel departs for Middle-earth, the petals of Númenor's White Tree begin to fall. Míriel says this signifies the tears of the Valar and changes her mind. She announces that she will personally escort Galadriel to Middle-earth and assist the Men of the Southlands. Isildur, Valandil, and Ontamo volunteer to join the expeditionary force.

Míriel has a vision of Númenor being destroyed by a giant tsunami. Galadriel and Elendil present Míriel with proof that the forces of Sauron are attacking the Southlands in Middle-earth and Galadriel asks her to intervene. Míriel refuses and Galadriel asks to speak with her father, King Tar-Palantir, who hasn't been seen in years. Míriel has Galadriel imprisoned. Isildur and his friends Valandil and Ontamo are dismissed from their cadet training after Isildur makes a mistake while distracted.

Arondir meets Adar, the leader and "father" of the Orcs who is an Elf. He lets Arondir leave with a message for the Southlanders who are taking refuge in the Elven watchtower of Ostirith: forsake their claims to the Southlands and swear fealty to Adar, or they will be destroyed. Meanwhile, Theo wants to be helpful but is ignored by Bronwyn. He and Rowan return to Tirharad to recover food from the tavern and are attacked by Orcs. Rowan escapes back to the tower while Theo is forced to hide in a well.

In Eregion, the Elves and Dwarves are working together to build Celebrimbor's powerful new forge. Celebrimbor believes Durin IV is hiding something, and Elrond goes to investigate. He learns that Durin IV has been mining a new ore that is very light and very strong below Khazad-dûm. Elrond promises to keep this secret and gives it the name "mithril". When the mine collapses, King Durin III shuts down further mithril mining. Durin IV is furious at his father, but Elrond calms him with a story of his own father, Eärendil, who became a star. Durin IV reconciles with his father, who sends him to Lindon to find out what the Elves' intentions are.

Halbrand helps Galadriel realize that she should go around Míriel and speak to Tar-Palantir directly. Guards arrive to release Galadriel and escort her to Middle-earth, but Galadriel escapes and climbs up the king's tower. She finds the king in ill health, protected by Míriel. The latter explains that there was a rebellion because the king wanted to renew relations with the Elves, and Míriel was placed on the throne in his stead. After becoming ruler, Míriel was given access to a palantír (crystal ball) that first showed her the vision of Númenor's downfall. She shows this vision to Galadriel and explains her belief that helping Galadriel will bring upon this cataclysmic future.

Arondir rescues Theo from the Orcs and they return to the tower. Tavern owner Waldreg reveals to Theo that he is a follower of Sauron and explains that the broken sword was a gift for the followers of the Dark Lord. The Orcs who attacked Theo know he has the sword and report back to Adar that it is in the tower.

As Galadriel departs for Middle-earth, the petals of Númenor's White Tree begin to fall. Míriel says this signifies the tears of the Valar and changes her mind. She announces that she will personally escort Galadriel to Middle-earth and assist the Men of the Southlands. Isildur, Valandil, and Ontamo volunteer to join the expeditionary force.

The Harfoots continue their migration to the Grove for the winter. While looking for food in a forest, Nori Brandyfoot, Poppy Proudfellow, and Malva Meadowgrass are attacked by a pack of wolves. The Stranger accompanying them intervenes and uses magic to scare off the wolves, but his use of magic injures his own arm. He uses more magic to heal himself and nearly hurts Nori, frightening her. Meanwhile, a trio of mysterious women find the location where the Stranger fell from the sky.

At the tower of Ostirith in the Southlands, Bronwyn attempts to prepare the other human refugees to defend themselves from the army of Orcs that are coming to claim their lands. Tavern owner Waldreg thinks they will be better off joining the Orcs and convinces around half of the refugees to leave with him. Waldreg is disappointed to learn that the leader of the Orcs, Adar, is not Sauron, but still chooses to serve him. To confirm his loyalty, Adar orders Waldreg to kill one of the other humans, Rowan. At the tower, Theo shows Arondir the broken sword the Orcs are hunting for and Arondir realizes that it is some sort of key designed to enslave the Southlanders.

Elendil denies his son Isildur's request to join Númenor's expedition to the Southlands, saying Isildur lost his chance to serve previously. Discussing the expedition with Queen Regent Míriel, Galadriel says the human Halbrand will be accompanying them to claim the throne of Southlands. He accuses Galadriel of using him and says he wants to remain in Númenor instead. Meanwhile, Chancellor Pharazôn's son Kemen attempts to convince his father to cancel the expedition to Middle-earth, but Pharazôn sees potential in turning the Southlands into a tributary state after its liberation. Míriel's father, King Tar-Palantir, warns her not to go to Middle-earth.

High-King Gil-galad reveals to Elrond that he knows of the existence of mithril, an ore that contains the light from a lost Silmaril that he believes can counteract the fading power of the Elves in Middle-earth. Elrond refuses to confirm that the Dwarves have discovered the ore, out of loyalty to Prince Durin IV, and Gil-galad accuses him of putting the Dwarves before his own race. Elrond later discusses the issue with Durin IV and the latter agrees to help. The pair return to Khazad-dûm to try convince King Durin III.

Kemen attempts to destroy the expedition ships and discovers Isildur stowing away. Isildur prevents the destruction of three of the five ships and saves Kemen's life. When questioned by Elendil, Isildur lies about Kemen's sabotage. He subsequently receives a spot on the expedition crew, as a stable sweep. Galadriel apologizes for using Halbrand and opens up to him. He eventually decides to go with the expeditionary force, and the remaining ships depart for Middle-earth.

The Harfoots continue their migration to the Grove for the winter. While looking for food in a forest, Nori Brandyfoot, Poppy Proudfellow, and Malva Meadowgrass are attacked by a pack of wolves. The Stranger accompanying them intervenes and uses magic to scare off the wolves, but his use of magic injures his own arm. He uses more magic to heal himself and nearly hurts Nori, frightening her. Meanwhile, a trio of mysterious women find the location where the Stranger fell from the sky.

At the tower of Ostirith in the Southlands, Bronwyn attempts to prepare the other human refugees to defend themselves from the army of Orcs that are coming to claim their lands. Tavern owner Waldreg thinks they will be better off joining the Orcs and convinces around half of the refugees to leave with him. Waldreg is disappointed to learn that the leader of the Orcs, Adar, is not Sauron, but still chooses to serve him. To confirm his loyalty, Adar orders Waldreg to kill one of the other humans, Rowan. At the tower, Theo shows Arondir the broken sword the Orcs are hunting for and Arondir realizes that it is some sort of key designed to enslave the Southlanders.

Elendil denies his son Isildur's request to join Númenor's expedition to the Southlands, saying Isildur lost his chance to serve previously. Discussing the expedition with Queen Regent Míriel, Galadriel says the human Halbrand will be accompanying them to claim the throne of Southlands. He accuses Galadriel of using him and says he wants to remain in Númenor instead. Meanwhile, Chancellor Pharazôn's son Kemen attempts to convince his father to cancel the expedition to Middle-earth, but Pharazôn sees potential in turning the Southlands into a tributary state after its liberation. Míriel's father, King Tar-Palantir, warns her not to go to Middle-earth.

High-King Gil-galad reveals to Elrond that he knows of the existence of mithril, an ore that contains the light from a lost Silmaril that he believes can counteract the fading power of the Elves in Middle-earth. Elrond refuses to confirm that the Dwarves have discovered the ore, out of loyalty to Prince Durin IV, and Gil-galad accuses him of putting the Dwarves before his own race. Elrond later discusses the issue with Durin IV and the latter agrees to help. The pair return to Khazad-dûm to try convince King Durin III.

Kemen attempts to destroy the expedition ships and discovers Isildur stowing away. Isildur prevents the destruction of three of the five ships and saves Kemen's life. When questioned by Elendil, Isildur lies about Kemen's sabotage. He subsequently receives a spot on the expedition crew, as a stable sweep. Galadriel apologizes for using Halbrand and opens up to him. He eventually decides to go with the expeditionary force, and the remaining ships depart for Middle-earth.

An army of Orcs led by Adar find the tower of Ostirith abandoned. While they search for refugees from the Southlands town of Tirharad, the Elf Arondir triggers a booby-trap that collapses the tower on the army. The townspeople, who had moved down the valley to the village, cheer as the tower falls. Meanwhile, Galadriel, Queen Regent Míriel, and soldiers from Númenór make their way towards the Southlands by ship. Galadriel meets Isildur, and learns from his father Elendil that Isildur's mother drowned.

Arondir attempts to destroy the broken sword that the Orcs are searching for but is unable to with conventional tools. He tells the human healer Brownyn that he is going to hide it as her son Theo watches on from a distance. Arondir helps the town prepare for the next assault. He professes his love to Bronwyn and promises a life together with her and Theo after the battle is over. That night, the Orc army enters Tirharad. The townspeople trap the Orcs in the center of the village and are victorious, but soon realize that many of the enemies they just killed were their neighbors, who joined Adar and had been disguised as Orcs. The townspeople are horrified with their actions.

Orc archers shoot at the townsfolk, killing and wounding many. Bronwyn is hit in the shoulder. Taking refuge in the tavern, Theo and Arondir cauterize Bronwyn's wound. Adar enters and demands the location of the broken sword. Arondir attempts to negotiate, but the Orcs continue to kill people. When Bronwyn is threatened, Theo reveals the sword and gives it to Adar. Adar orders the rest of the humans to be killed, but the Númenórean army arrives on horseback and kills or captures the remaining Orcs. Adar gives Waldreg a task before attempting to escape, only to be captured by Galadriel and Halbrand.

Galadriel interrogates Adar, discovering that he is an Elf who was corrupted by the first Dark Lord, Morgoth, and turned into one of the first Orcs. He claims to have killed the second Dark Lord, Sauron, and is now focused on creating a home for all Orcs. Halbrand is hailed as the King of the Southlands and the Númenóreans celebrate their victory. Theo realizes that the broken sword is missing as Waldreg uses it to unlock the dam beside Ostirith. Water rushes into tunnels that the Orcs dug to the mountain Orodruin. The water enters a lava chamber beneath the mountain and the resulting pressure causes an eruption that spews lava, ash, and smoke over the Southlands.

An army of Orcs led by Adar find the tower of Ostirith abandoned. While they search for refugees from the Southlands town of Tirharad, the Elf Arondir triggers a booby-trap that collapses the tower on the army. The townspeople, who had moved down the valley to the village, cheer as the tower falls. Meanwhile, Galadriel, Queen Regent Míriel, and soldiers from Númenór make their way towards the Southlands by ship. Galadriel meets Isildur, and learns from his father Elendil that Isildur's mother drowned.

Arondir attempts to destroy the broken sword that the Orcs are searching for but is unable to with conventional tools. He tells the human healer Brownyn that he is going to hide it as her son Theo watches on from a distance. Arondir helps the town prepare for the next assault. He professes his love to Bronwyn and promises a life together with her and Theo after the battle is over. That night, the Orc army enters Tirharad. The townspeople trap the Orcs in the center of the village and are victorious, but soon realize that many of the enemies they just killed were their neighbors, who joined Adar and had been disguised as Orcs. The townspeople are horrified with their actions.

Orc archers shoot at the townsfolk, killing and wounding many. Bronwyn is hit in the shoulder. Taking refuge in the tavern, Theo and Arondir cauterize Bronwyn's wound. Adar enters and demands the location of the broken sword. Arondir attempts to negotiate, but the Orcs continue to kill people. When Bronwyn is threatened, Theo reveals the sword and gives it to Adar. Adar orders the rest of the humans to be killed, but the Númenórean army arrives on horseback and kills or captures the remaining Orcs. Adar gives Waldreg a task before attempting to escape, only to be captured by Galadriel and Halbrand.

Galadriel interrogates Adar, discovering that he is an Elf who was corrupted by the first Dark Lord, Morgoth, and turned into one of the first Orcs. He claims to have killed the second Dark Lord, Sauron, and is now focused on creating a home for all Orcs. Halbrand is hailed as the King of the Southlands and the Númenóreans celebrate their victory. Theo realizes that the broken sword is missing as Waldreg uses it to unlock the dam beside Ostirith. Water rushes into tunnels that the Orcs dug to the mountain Orodruin. The water enters a lava chamber beneath the mountain and the resulting pressure causes an eruption that spews lava, ash, and smoke over the Southlands.

The Elf Galadriel wakes up covered in ash following the eruption of the mountain Orodruin. The village of Tirharad is covered in ash and fire, with many dead and injured. Galadriel finds the human boy Theo and together they begin making their way out of the Southlands. Númenórean soldiers Isildur and Valandil find their friend Ontamo dead. They help Queen Regent Míriel rescue survivors from a burning building, but it collapses and Míriel loses her eyesight. Isildur is presumed dead in the collapse.

The Harfoots finish their migration to the Grove, an orchard that has been destroyed by the nearby volcano. They ask the magical Stranger who has joined them to help fix the orchard, but his attempts lead to a large tree branch landing on Nori and Dilly Brandyfoot. Scared, the Harfoots decide the Stranger should leave. Harfoot elder Sadoc Burrows gives him directions to a nearby settlement of Men and the Stranger departs. The next day, the Harfoots awake to find the whole orchard regrown. That night, a trio of mysterious women arrive in search of the Stranger. Nori attempts to send them in the wrong direction but the women use magic to burn all of the Harfoot caravans and then continue after the Stranger. Nori decides to go after him to warn him of the danger, and is accompanied by her friend Poppy Proudfellow, her mother Marigold, and Sadoc.

Galadriel and Theo bond over their shared guilt for the events leading to the eruption, and Galadriel discusses her husband Celeborn whom she believes to be dead. They eventually reach the Númenórean camp outside of the Southlands where Theo is reunited with his mother Bronwyn and her beloved, the Elf Arondir. Isildur's father Elendil learns of his son's loss and despairs, regretting his part in joining Galadriel's quest that led to this moment. When Isildur's horse cannot be calmed, Elendil lets the horse gallop off. Before the Númenóreans depart Middle-earth in their ships, Míriel promises to return and seek revenge against the enemy. Galadriel is reunited with Halbrand, the King of the Southlands, who was gravely injured during the eruption. She helps him ride north to receive Elvish medicine. The other human survivors seek refuge in nearby Pelargir.

In Khazad-dûm, the Elf Elrond and Dwarf Prince Durin IV ask King Durin III for permission to mine the new ore mithril so it can be used to counteract the fading power of the Elves in Middle-earth. Durin III refuses, believing the ore to be too dangerous to mine. As Elrond departs with a tearful farewell for Durin IV and his wife Disa, Durin IV sees proof that mithril can save the Elves and decides to mine it with Elrond in secret. They find a large deposit of the ore, but are caught by Durin III. Elrond is banished, taking a small piece of mithril with him, and Durin IV is stripped of his royal status. Durin III orders the mithril mine to be sealed. Unbeknownst to them all, a Balrog lives deep below that mine.

In the Southlands, the Orcs and their human allies name their leader, Adar, "Lord of the Southlands". He says that place no longer exists: it is now the land of Mordor.

The Elf Galadriel wakes up covered in ash following the eruption of the mountain Orodruin. The village of Tirharad is covered in ash and fire, with many dead and injured. Galadriel finds the human boy Theo and together they begin making their way out of the Southlands. Númenórean soldiers Isildur and Valandil find their friend Ontamo dead. They help Queen Regent Míriel rescue survivors from a burning building, but it collapses and Míriel loses her eyesight. Isildur is presumed dead in the collapse.

The Harfoots finish their migration to the Grove, an orchard that has been destroyed by the nearby volcano. They ask the magical Stranger who has joined them to help fix the orchard, but his attempts lead to a large tree branch landing on Nori and Dilly Brandyfoot. Scared, the Harfoots decide the Stranger should leave. Harfoot elder Sadoc Burrows gives him directions to a nearby settlement of Men and the Stranger departs. The next day, the Harfoots awake to find the whole orchard regrown. That night, a trio of mysterious women arrive in search of the Stranger. Nori attempts to send them in the wrong direction but the women use magic to burn all of the Harfoot caravans and then continue after the Stranger. Nori decides to go after him to warn him of the danger, and is accompanied by her friend Poppy Proudfellow, her mother Marigold, and Sadoc.

Galadriel and Theo bond over their shared guilt for the events leading to the eruption, and Galadriel discusses her husband Celeborn whom she believes to be dead. They eventually reach the Númenórean camp outside of the Southlands where Theo is reunited with his mother Bronwyn and her beloved, the Elf Arondir. Isildur's father Elendil learns of his son's loss and despairs, regretting his part in joining Galadriel's quest that led to this moment. When Isildur's horse cannot be calmed, Elendil lets the horse gallop off. Before the Númenóreans depart Middle-earth in their ships, Míriel promises to return and seek revenge against the enemy. Galadriel is reunited with Halbrand, the King of the Southlands, who was gravely injured during the eruption. She helps him ride north to receive Elvish medicine. The other human survivors seek refuge in nearby Pelargir.

In Khazad-dûm, the Elf Elrond and Dwarf Prince Durin IV ask King Durin III for permission to mine the new ore mithril so it can be used to counteract the fading power of the Elves in Middle-earth. Durin III refuses, believing the ore to be too dangerous to mine. As Elrond departs with a tearful farewell for Durin IV and his wife Disa, Durin IV sees proof that mithril can save the Elves and decides to mine it with Elrond in secret. They find a large deposit of the ore, but are caught by Durin III. Elrond is banished, taking a small piece of mithril with him, and Durin IV is stripped of his royal status. Durin III orders the mithril mine to be sealed. Unbeknownst to them all, a Balrog lives deep below that mine.

In the Southlands, the Orcs and their human allies name their leader, Adar, "Lord of the Southlands". He says that place no longer exists: it is now the land of Mordor.

Nori Brandyfoot, Poppy Proudfellow, Marigold Brandyfoot, and Sadoc Burrows search for the Stranger in the Greenwood, but he is first found by the three mysterious women known as the Dweller, the Nomad, and the Ascetic. They tell him that he is their Lord Sauron, and plan to restore his memories and power.

Galadriel arrives in Eregion with the gravely injured Halbrand as Celebrimbor decides that they do not have enough mithril to save the Elves. Halbrand begins to recover and grows interested in Celebrimbor's work. He suggests they combine the mithril with other elements to create a small object that would give them power over the seen and unseen worlds. High King Gil-galad is against this but Galadriel convinces him that it is worth trying. Still, she grows suspicious of Halbrand and asks for records on his lineage.

With King Tar-Palantir growing ill, Chancellor Pharazôn organizes members of the Númenórean Builders' Guild to begin designing his tomb. Eärien is given an hour by the king's bed to plan a design, during which the king awakes and mistakes her for his daughter, the Queen Regent Míriel. He leads Eärien up his tower to the palantír (crystal ball) and warns her not to look at the visions it shows for too long. The king dies soon afterward, before Míriel and Elendil return from Middle-earth.

The Harfoots attempt to rescue the Stranger from the women and Sadoc is killed. The Stranger regains some of his memories and uses the Dweller's magic staff to banish the women to the unseen world. Before they go, they realize that he is an Istar. Nori, Marigold, and Poppy return with the Stranger to the other Harfoots where he explains that Istar means Wizard, and he needs to travel east to the land of Rhûn to learn more about his powers and purpose. Nori decides to go with him.

Halbrand and Celebrimbor plan to create two small, circular objects. Galadriel receives records on the Kings of the Southlands and realizes that Halbrand is lying. She confronts him and he reveals himself to be Sauron. He asks her to rule Middle-earth at his side and flees to Mordor when she refuses. Galadriel keeps this secret and encourages Celebrimbor to move forward with three objects instead of two. Elrond finds the records and deduces what happened, but too late: three Rings of Power are forged.

Nori Brandyfoot, Poppy Proudfellow, Marigold Brandyfoot, and Sadoc Burrows search for the Stranger in the Greenwood, but he is first found by the three mysterious women known as the Dweller, the Nomad, and the Ascetic. They tell him that he is their Lord Sauron, and plan to restore his memories and power.

Galadriel arrives in Eregion with the gravely injured Halbrand as Celebrimbor decides that they do not have enough mithril to save the Elves. Halbrand begins to recover and grows interested in Celebrimbor's work. He suggests they combine the mithril with other elements to create a small object that would give them power over the seen and unseen worlds. High King Gil-galad is against this but Galadriel convinces him that it is worth trying. Still, she grows suspicious of Halbrand and asks for records on his lineage.

With King Tar-Palantir growing ill, Chancellor Pharazôn organizes members of the Númenórean Builders' Guild to begin designing his tomb. Eärien is given an hour by the king's bed to plan a design, during which the king awakes and mistakes her for his daughter, the Queen Regent Míriel. He leads Eärien up his tower to the palantír (crystal ball) and warns her not to look at the visions it shows for too long. The king dies soon afterward, before Míriel and Elendil return from Middle-earth.

The Harfoots attempt to rescue the Stranger from the women and Sadoc is killed. The Stranger regains some of his memories and uses the Dweller's magic staff to banish the women to the unseen world. Before they go, they realize that he is an Istar. Nori, Marigold, and Poppy return with the Stranger to the other Harfoots where he explains that Istar means Wizard, and he needs to travel east to the land of Rhûn to learn more about his powers and purpose. Nori decides to go with him.

Halbrand and Celebrimbor plan to create two small, circular objects. Galadriel receives records on the Kings of the Southlands and realizes that Halbrand is lying. She confronts him and he reveals himself to be Sauron. He asks her to rule Middle-earth at his side and flees to Mordor when she refuses. Galadriel keeps this secret and encourages Celebrimbor to move forward with three objects instead of two. Elrond finds the records and deduces what happened, but too late: three Rings of Power are forged.