Elrond, Elendil, and Isildur fight in the Last Alliance against Sauron, as narrated by Galadriel in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring’. In contrast, ‘The Rings of Power’ presents a warrior Galadriel, whose absence in this crucial battle raises questions. Tolkien’s texts leave her participation ambiguous, allowing for speculation about her potential role and leadership in the conflict. Anticipation builds for her involvement as the series progresses towards depicting the Last Alliance.
In the captivating saga of Middle-earth, Elrond (Hugo Weaving), Elendil (Peter McKenzie), and Isildur (Harry Sinclair) engage in the monumental Last Alliance battle against Sauron. This iconic moment unfolds in the prologue of ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring’, accompanied by Galadriel’s (Cate Blanchett) narrational insights. Interestingly, despite her immense power, she does not take part in the chaos of the battlefield.
In ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’, portrayed by Morfydd Clark, Galadriel emerges as a fierce warrior, yet her absence during this critical confrontation with Sauron raises questions. Especially considering her personal vendetta against the Dark Lord developed throughout the series, her lack of involvement in the battle remains an intriguing enigma.
Galadriel’s Absence in Tolkien’s Lore
The notion of Galadriel not participating in the Last Alliance is primarily derived from the films. Tolkien’s writings do not explicitly confirm her involvement or absence in this pivotal battle, leaving room for speculation that she might indeed be present during the Last Alliance.
As a prominent figure under Gil-galad (Ben Walker), it’s plausible that Galadriel could have played a significant role in the conflict. Based on the narrative established in the Amazon series, we might envision her leading a contingent of elven warriors.
It’s possible she could have been injured or forced to retreat with her troops, which explains her absence in the prologue of ‘The Fellowship’. The film showcases only the climactic moments of a siege that spanned seven long years.
The battle set against the backdrop of Mount Doom follows a lengthy march from Rivendell to Mordor, culminating in a protracted siege of Sauron’s fortress. This struggle resulted in heavy casualties on both sides.
Galadriel’s Role vs. Key Figures in the Battle
Given Tolkien’s silence concerning Galadriel’s involvement in the Last Alliance, it’s reasonable to deduce she participated, albeit without a central role. The spotlight during this epic confrontation primarily shines on Elrond, Isildur, Elendil, and Gil-galad, who face Sauron directly and weaken him for Isildur’s eventual victory. Isildur’s brother Anárion also plays a crucial part in the siege of Barad-dûr, although he remains unmentioned in the films.
Though Anárion has been referenced in ‘The Rings of Power’, he has yet to make an appearance. However, hints dropped in the second season finale suggest that Elendil (Lloyd Owen) intends to visit Anárion, indicating we may finally meet him in Season 3.
Speculating Galadriel’s Potential Role in the Last Alliance
As the alliance of men and elves prepares to march against Sauron, we can imagine Galadriel, as the leader of northern troops established in the series, actively participating in the gatherings at Rivendell.
The forces then proceed towards Mordor, likely encountering initial skirmishes against Sauron’s army at the Dead Marshes, as depicted in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers’. This leads to an extended siege of Sauron’s stronghold.
While Galadriel may join the battle when the series depicts it in the final season, her role is expected to be limited. She might sustain injuries during the lengthy conflict, necessitating a retreat to Rivendell for recuperation.
Additionally, given her complex history with Sauron, it’s conceivable that Galadriel would safeguard the rear flank instead of engaging directly in the frontline battles. In ‘The Rings of Power’, Gil-galad cautions her about Sauron’s ability to manipulate those he deceives:
“You must not confront him again. For it is said that if the traitor once gains someone’s trust, he gains the ability to shape that person’s thoughts…”
Despite her confrontation with Sauron in Season 2’s finale, it’s possible Gil-galad prefers to keep her out of harm’s way to ensure the mission’s success. Nevertheless, her immense power and significance to the overall narrative suggest she will not be entirely sidelined.
As anticipation builds for ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ Season 3, fans look forward to the evolving storyline, with plans for the series to culminate in the epic clash of the Last Alliance.