Warning: This article contains spoilers for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power episode 3.The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power episode 3 introduced viewers to the Island of Númenor, and featured a homage to Elros, the brother of Elrond. The Middle-earth of the Second Age is very different to the one seen in The Lord of the Rings, a truth that episode 3 made abundantly clear. Galadriel found herself transported to the island of Númenor, a land that had long since stopped trading with the Elves, and where she was distinctly unwelcome.
Númenor is a key location in Middle-earth's Second Age, one of the greatest civilizations in the history of Middle-earth. As Galadriel rightly observed, Morgoth's rise to power divided the race of Men; some chose to side with the Dark Lord, others against him. Those humans who fought against Morgoth were rewarded with an island kingdom raised from the ocean depths by the Valar, and there they established the land of Númenor. The Númenoreans were granted extended lifespans, and they possessed both enhanced strength and tremendous wisdom. The first ruler of Númenor also possesses a remarkable connection to Elrond, Galadriel's close friend.
The Rings of Power episode 3 sees Galadriel taken to the Hall of Law, which she discovers was assembled by Elros. Like his brother Elrond, Elros was a half-Elf; he chose to forsake his Elven half to live among the land of Men, and because of his choice he was stripped of his immortality. Elros still had a very long life, however, ruling Númenor for a staggering 410 years. Still, by the time of The Rings of Power he has long since passed, and he is no doubt a legend among the Númenoreans.
What Happens To Elros In Lord Of The Rings
Elros is one of the most important Tolkien characters associated with Númenor. His bloodline continued after the destruction of Númenor, which marked the end of the Second Age, and resurfaced in The Lord of the Rings. There, much was made of the fact Aragorn was a descendant of the line of Elros, and thus possessed unique attributes and abilities. It is implied that all the kings in Aragorn's line were descended from Elros, for "hands of the King are hands of healing."
There is a sense in which the relationship between Elrond and the line of Elros symbolizes the entire dynamic between Elves and humans. The two parted ways, with Númenor eventually cutting itself off from the Elves, and a sense of mutual hostility flourished between them. The distant relationship between Aragorn and the Elves means he would ultimately serve as a bridge between the two races, however. This is, therefore, yet another smart and subtle connection between The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and The Lord of the Rings itself.
Episodes of The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power air Thursdays on Amazon Prime.
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