It’s hard when a ship is separated by the narrative. (Although, the most amazing thing ever when the story brings them together.) And for Haladriel/Saurondriel shippers, who are legion in The Rings of Power‘s world, it’s been an especially trying time. For those not in the know, Haladriel shippers is the name for fans who love the relationship between Galadriel and Sauron (formerly known as Halbrand). But although the pair are parted, it seems that The Rings of Power wants shippers to know: it’s going to be okay. Sauron is definitely still thinking about Galadriel. (Although he’s being kind of a creeper about it!) Here are The Rings of Power season two’s most distinct Haladriel crumbs to date.

In season two of The Rings of Power, Sauron heads off to Eregion to manipulate Celebrimbor into making more Rings of Power. But Celebrimbor isn’t the only elf in Eregion that Sauron has been influencing. He also seems to be having quite an impact on Celebrimbor’s student and protege, the elven smith Mirdania (played by actress Amelia Kenworthy). And there is something about Mirdania. Something very… Galadriel-esque. In fact, in the lead-up to The Rings of Power season two, fans even speculated that Mirdania was Galadriel’s daughter Celebrían, whom the show has still not introduced. But it turns out the resemblance has a bit of a different purpose, and we’re not the only ones who have noticed. In The Rings of Power season two, episode five, Sauron and Mirdania share a moment that’s all about Galadriel.
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Sauron has been extra honey-tongued and solicitous toward Mirdania since he arrived in Eregion. And we learned a big reason why in The Rings of Power season two, episode five. Sauron is slowly setting the scene to turn the other elves of Eregion against Celebrimbor. He wants the elves to feel Sauron/Annatar is the force of good and calm in the kingdom. Thus, Sauron can alienate Celebrimbor and make him easy prey to his gaslighting ways. But amid this manipulation, Sauron finds time to be just a little extra creepy to Mirdania, talking suddenly about how she reminds him of Galadriel. This The Rings of Power scene both highlights to us that Sauron is not our friend and gives Haladriel shippers cause to rejoice.

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Sauron says to Mirdania, “How strange. When the light caught your hair for a moment, you seemed her perfect likeness.” And when Mirdania asks, “Whose likeness?” Sauron responds with, “Why Lady Galadriel’s, of course.” And then strokes her hair. Ahhh (don’t touch her!), or AHHHH (Haladriel!), as you prefer. The moment is so icky and yet so good. Clearly, Galadriel is very much on Sauron’s mind. She’s someone he’s seeing in the shadows and on the faces of others. And there is something incredibly intimate and darkly romantic about it. Especially since it comes complete with a hair touch. It definitely adds to the gothic romance energy that is slowly descending upon Eregion. And clearly, although he’s presently wooing Celebrimbor, Sauron thinks he and Galadriel are the stars of this twisted movie.

It’s not as good Galadriel and Sauron/Halbrand spending a whole season together in The Rings of Power‘s first chapter. But it’s certainly something. Congratulations Haladriel shippers, that was intense.