Durin IV Rings Of Power As The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power winds down, fans of the J. R. R. Tolkien novels are eager to see how the Prime Video series reshapes the history of Khazad-dûm, better known as the Mines of Moria. They are witnessing a civil war due to a disagreement led by King Durin III, the regent who has been corrupted by the rings that Annatar (Sauron in disguise) sent over.

His son, Durin IV, and the latter’s wife, Disa, are standing tall and forming a resistance as they don’t want the king mining more and destabilizing the caves. As the drama continues, it turns into a bloody disaster. It’s one that will require the prince to more than likely make drastic decisions.

Rings of Power Season 2 Has Durin IV Building a Rebellion

Prince Durin Needs to Make the Mines of Moria Safe Again

Durin IV knows that if the Dwarves continue to dig away at the caves, the place will collapse. The ring that Durin III is wearing wants him to do this so that Sauron will get more mithril for the other rings. But Durin III is only interested in hoarding the mithril, marking up the price for Sauron, and enticing the other Dwarf lords to send tributes so they can get rings, too.

The prince and Disa get an unlikely aid when the miners make it clear they’re putting down their tools. It’s a mark of protest, but also a clear indicator that they have lost faith in their king. It leads to Durin IV holding a session and producing a rousing speech. The mithril is theirs, and they won’t give it away or sell it to people they don’t trust.

The dwarves will also protect the integrity of the Mines of Moria, even if it’s from a selfish and greedy king. Fans aren’t surprised as this had been coming for some time. Disa is especially happy, as she knows her husband will be a kind, just leader who looks after their best interests.

Rings of Power Season 2 Turns Durin III Into a Troublesome King

King Durin Is Killing His Own People and May Need to Be Slayed

Durin III holds his ring in Rings of Power Durin IV Rings Of Power Durin argues with his father in Rings of Power Durin and Disa shop in the market in Rings of Power Dwarven King Durin III (played by actor Peter Mullan) contemplates on his throne in Rings of Power Durin III holds his ring in Rings of Power Durin IV Rings Of Power Durin argues with his father in Rings of Power Durin and Disa shop in the market in Rings of Power Dwarven King Durin III (played by actor Peter Mullan) contemplates on his throne in Rings of Power

Given the circumstances they’re in, Durin IV will have to take extreme action. The king is losing sight of what is actually important, and has taken his ax to kill some of the miners who disobeyed him. This is why so many of them turn to the prince for salvation. It nods to Game of Thrones’ Aerys Targaryen II, the infamous Mad King. However, it’s not failing mental health that’s driving King Durin’s actions. Instead, the ring is preying on the king.

Viewers of Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings movies can even draw a comparison to when Wormtongue poisoned the mind of King Théoden of Rohan. Durin IV is worried about the ring’s corruption even more, and the fact he might have to kill his own father. He even tells the visiting Elrond that, while he doesn’t mind an alliance to go after Adar’s orc army in Eregion, his priority is this coup.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Episode Details

Season
Episode
Episode Title
Writer
Director
Release Date

2
7
“Doomed to Die”
J. D. Payne, Patrick McKay, Justin Doble
Charlotte Brändström
Sept. 26, 2024

The Mines of Moria need a strong king, so Durin IV is ready to accept that mantle of responsibility and lead. It leaves audiences eager to see how the Rings of Power finale achieves resolution and how the citizens in this kingdom, and the other Dwarven realms, will react to the (hopeful) end of the infighting. Ultimately, if the prince does succeed his father, no one knows the state of mind he’ll be in. As problematic as King Durin III is at present, the prince does love him dearly.