With Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 nearing its end, diehard fans are hopeful that potential Lord of the Rings characters yet to appear could still make their debut. Although the TV series may not match the trilogy’s supremacy in full capacity, it’s still a golden opportunity to get to know many of Tolkien’s characters who briefly appeared in the movies.

From Sauron’s dark journey to the fall of Númenor, the background story of Lord of the Rings has brought to life many important characters who are critical to the lore. However, with Galadriel in the eye of the storm, viewers have been curious about every aspect of her story, including her husband, Celeborn. The Elf hasn’t appeared in the series yet, but the fans may also forgotten that he appeared in a brief yet essential role in the movies.

Galadriel’s Husband Had a Pronounced Role In the Lore

He Fought Countless Battles Throughout the Ages

Tolkien’s lore is vast and intricate, and despite the Lord of the Rings movies being over three hours long, the trilogy only covers a small portion of the story. Several fundamental figures from the books only made fleeting appearances in the films, including one of the wisest Elves during the Third Age. Fans may be well-acquainted with Elrond and Galadriel’s bravery, but the latter’s husband, Celeborn, was a key player in all of the wars fought in Middle-earth. Celeborn was the Prince of Doriath, an Elven realm separated from the outside world. The young Elf fought in the First Battle but later met with Galadriel when she came to Doriath and immediately fell in love with her. They immediately wed and moved to Lindon, where they dwelled for a long time. The couple later settled in a newly formed Eregion, where they established a nurturing relationship with Celebrimbor and the Elven smiths.

Celeborn was the kinsman of the King of Doriath.
He was a Sindarin Elf, unlike Galadriel, who was Noldor.

“The Enemy knows you have entered here. What hope you had in secrecy is now gone. Nine there are here, yet ten there were set out from Rivendell. Tell me, where is Gandalf? For I much desire to speak with him.”

Fans of the television series would be surprised to know that according to the lore, both Celeborn and Galadriel were present in Eregion when Sauron came in Annatar’s disguise to the Elven realm. Celeborn later led a war party against Sauron’s armies as he came to attack Eregion but even with his and Elrond’s combined forces, they were unable to beat the Dark Lord. The skirmish ended with the defeat of the Elves, Celebrimbor’s death, and the stealing of more than a dozen of the Rings of Power. At some point after TA 1050, both Celeborn and Galadriel returned to Lothlórien, where the former became the Lord of Lothlórien, and the couple resided there for an immeasurable amount of time.

Celeborn Appeared Only Briefly In The Lord of the Rings Movies

He Offered Refuge to the Fellowship Despite His Difference With Dwarves

The audience is first introduced to Celeborn in the first Lord of the Rings movie when the fellowship arrives in Lothlorien after their disaster passing through Khazad-dum and their fateful encounter with the Balrog. He is the glorious Elf who accompanies Galadriel to meet the fellowship as they arrive in their humble abbot. Celeborn was initially reluctant to host the party. Nonetheless, he welcomed them with open arms despite his deep-rooted mistrust for Dwarves.

Celeborn and Galadriel offered the fellowship much-needed support.

The character’s scenes were cut from The Two Towers because of exceeding runtime.

However, he was particularly angered to learn about Gandalf’s fate and disdained the traveling party. However, he was tamed by Galadriel and led to offer Frodo and the others a chance. Celeborn realized his mistake and later hosted a fabulous feast for the fellowship and even offered them great gifts. He advised the party about their journey down the Great River Anduin and even provided them with boats.

As a wise and brave Elf, Celeborn understood the gravity of the situation and even put his differences with the Dwarves aside. He aided the fellowship but didn’t personally help them in the journey because he had to protect Lothlorien. The Elven Realm was attacked thrice by the dark forces from Dol Guldur, and it was Celeborn and Galadriel who fought and drove the evil away. Despite his brief screen time, Celeborn left a lasting impression on the fans with his wisdom and powerful aura. Played to perfection by actor Marton Scokas, the seismic effect of Celeborn’s presence in the movies is often downplayed, maybe because of his short screen time.

Like most of the Lord of the Rings Elves with the exception of Legolas, Celeborn remained in the background and aided from afar despite facing evil countless times. However, it’s safe to assume that with The Rings of Power set in the Second Age, Celeborn’s highly-anticipated debut may not be a far-fetched possibility after all. Since the show has already introduced original characters like Halbrand and Adar, it might seem like the perfect time to have the story of one of the wisest Elves told.

The Elf Is Still Absent In The Rings of Power

Celeborn Was Briefly Mentioned In Season 1

Fans may have forgotten Celeborn’s fleeting moments in The Fellowship of the Ring and the end of The Return of the King, but the viewers were quick to catch Galadriel’s account of her husband in the series. Galadriel relays her sweet memories with Celeborn with Theo in a jarring moment of emotional vulnerability. She explains how she met him in Valinor and wed before the grisly war against Morgoth in which she lost her brother.

From what she says, it’s safe to assume that she’s unclear about Celeborn’s fate after the war. She neither confirms nor denies his demise; rather, it seems as if she has left Celeborn’s chances to fate. Viewers who have dedicated countless hours watching and re-watching Peter Jackson’s trilogy will know better than to assume that the television series will go with the outlandish idea of killing Celeborn off-screen.

“The war seemed so very far away then. When he went to it, I chided him; his armor didn’t fit properly; I called him a silver clam. I never saw him again after that.”

The Elf has a critical lore later on, which connects to the original films, so it might be a foolish move not to introduce him at some point. Although Galadriel and Celeborn’s dynamics are up for debate and not present in painstakingly accurate details in the lore, it still isn’t worthy of being downplayed. Galadriel’s mention of him in the series must have a hidden purpose or some meaning; if not, then why mention him in the first place?

Celeborn was Arwen’s grandfather.
Celeborn and Galadriel shared three children together.

While recounting her moment with Celeborn as she fitted his armor, Galadriel mentions that she “never saw him again” after that. She doesn’t confirm his death, which means that he may be out there or, better, might be readying up for his shocking entry into the scene. A popular fan theory has circulated the idea that Celeborn may be alive and has been captured by Sauron’s minions. Since Sauron is still not physically in a position of power and is presumed dead, it might be Adar’s orcs.

Will Celeborn Make His Grand Entrance In The Rings of Power?

The Character Has Yet to Have His Fate Sealed

Dropping the Celeborn bomb on the fans would be the ultimate twist in The Rings of Power. With Season 2 entering into a thrilling climatic portion of the story, Celeborn’s mention or brief appearance might make up for a jaw-dropping cliffhanger. As Galadriel’s husband, it only makes sense if he’s beside his wife when the flames of Mordor come knocking on Eregion’s door. Whether he’s dead or imprisoned, only the show will tell, but the Elves’ reunion could be a major plotline in the series. Celeborn played a fundamental role in repelling the dark forces from taking Eregion. He would help the Elves evacuate the forsaken land and would later meet with Elrond’s forces to drive Sauron away.

Celeborn’s death has not been confirmed in The Rings of Power series.
He had a defining role in the lore during the taking of Eregion.

Since the series is building up to the siege of Eregion, it might be the perfect time for Celeborn to make his grand entry. With Elrond in a bind with Gil-Galad in dispatching forces to help the Elvensmiths and Galadriel in Adar’s clutches, who would arrive for the Elves’ aid? On the other hand, if the series is reluctant to place Celeborn as a key player or in a heroic light in The Rings of Power’s lore, his character would be better suited to resolve another complicated situation. When it comes to romantic value, Celeborn’s addition will resolve the awkward situation between Galadriel and Halbrand/Sauron. Their romantic arc held value as long as the viewers didn’t know that Halbrand was Sauron.

However, omitting Celeborn completely from the narrative would be a magnanimous deviation from Tolkien’s lore, which can have direct consequences on the Trilogy’s story. Whether he’s alive or not is a matter of creative opinion, but snubbing him from the show would be a great disrespect to his importance in the lore, especially in Galadriel’s life. With Adar marching towards Eregion to nip the evil in the bud, which is Sauron as Annatar, focusing all his powers on forging the Rings, it will be a treat for Tolkien fans to witness the carnage that’s about to come. The show is sprinting towards the creation of the One Ring, which is perhaps why the fans believe that Season 2 has greatly redeemed itself. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 is currently available for streaming on Amazon Prime.