The Balrog and Prince Durin IV (Owain Arthur) appear in the Lord of the Rings: The Rings of PowerThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power took a major step up in its second season. Picking up after the epic revelation that Halbrand was secretly the dark lord Sauron in disguise, Season 2 depicts the chaos that follows. The Elves prepare for war against the dark lord with their own three Rings of Power while Sauron takes the guise of a friend to trick Celebrimbor into crafting even more rings.

Season 2 set up several major storylines for the upcoming third season–and things don’t look good for Middle-earth. As devastatingly dark as the next season of The Rings of Power, there are several epic events that fans can’t wait to see play out in the next batch of episodes.

The Six Other Dwarf Kingdoms Will Struggle With the Rings of Power

The Fates of the Other Six Rings Remain Mostly Unclear

Durin III holds his ring in Rings of PowerSeason 2 of The Rings of Power ends with the promise that all is not well in the Dwarven kingdoms. After the death of Durin III, the kingdom of Khazad-dûm is at a crossroads. Not all of the other Dwarf-lords accept Durin IV as the preferred heir to the throne, with some putting themselves forward as better candidates. In the struggles to come, the remaining six Dwarven Rings will certainly come into play.

By the events of The Lord of the Rings, all seven Dwarven rings have disappeared.

By the season finale, only Khazad-dûm has felt the benefits (and the curses) that come with possessing a Ring. Hopefully, Season 3 will show the other kingdoms getting their own rings and what befalls them as a result. Moreover, Durin will now struggle with resisting the Ring after knowing what it did to his father.

Sauron Will Begin Asserting His Dominance Over the Orcs

Sauron is About to Get His Army

The orcs bicker with Adar in Rings of Power

Throughout Season 2, the Uruk begin to disagree with Adar about the proper path forward. Despite his claims to love his “children,” Adar sent them to die in the Siege of Eregion, angering some of his lieutenants enough to rebel against him and return to Sauron. In the season finale, Sauron has the Uruk betray Adar, murdering him in cold blood.

The first Orcs were created from corrupted Elves.

Season 3 will show what Sauron is capable of now that he finally possesses an army of his own. The Uruk have damned themselves in allying with Sauron, who cares far less for their well-being than Adar. Furthermore, they have made the dark lord more powerful than ever before, giving him almost everything he needs to conquer Middle-earth.

Galadriel and Elrond’s Relationship is Changing

A Fateful Kiss Changed Everything for the Two Elves

Morfydd Clark stars as Galadriel in Amazon Prime's Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power An armored and bleeding Elrond (Robert Aramayo) looks out into the forest in Rings of Power Season 2 Galadriel (Morfydd Clarke) meets Elrond (Robert Aramayo) in Lindon in Rings of Power Galadriel and Elrond played by Morfydd Clark and Robert Aramayo in The Rings of PowerMorfydd Clark stars as Galadriel in Amazon Prime's Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power An armored and bleeding Elrond (Robert Aramayo) looks out into the forest in Rings of Power Season 2 Galadriel (Morfydd Clarke) meets Elrond (Robert Aramayo) in Lindon in Rings of Power Galadriel and Elrond played by Morfydd Clark and Robert Aramayo in The Rings of Power

Episode 7 of The Rings of Power‘s second season shocked Lord of the Rings fans by including a kiss between Elrond and Galadriel. While the kiss may have been a ploy for Elrond to sneak Galadriel a lockpick, there is no denying the romantic tension between the two characters, which must be addressed in Season 3.

Galadriel and Elrond never had a romantic relationship in J.R.R. Tolkien’s books.

Lord of the Rings fans know that Elrond and Galadriel were never a couple in the books or the movies. Galadriel is supposed to be married to the mysteriously missing Celeborn. Season 3 will need to explore Galadriel’s changing relationship with Elrond and reveal how she ends up with Celeborn–whom she claims to be dead in the series.

Gandalf Will Learn More About Magic

Gandalf Must Grow Into the Character We See in The Lord of the Rings

The Stranger (Daniel Weyman) talks to Tom Bombadil (Rory Kinnear) in Rings of PowerSeason 2 of The Rings of Power finally reveals what most fans thought from the very beginning–that the mysterious Stranger will one day become the wise Wizard Gandalf. He spends much of the second season trying to learn from Tom Bombadil, who insisted on testing the Istar before he taught him anything. By the end of the season, Tom is convinced that he can trust Gandalf and proclaims that his song is about to begin.

The Stranger, a.k.a. Gandalf, is played by Daniel Weyman.

Season 3 will undoubtedly include much more of Tom Bombadil as he continues to teach Gandalf the secrets of magic, helping him grow into the wizard that will prove paramount in saving Middle-earth in the Third Age. Fans are ready to see the Stranger grow into his Gandalf personality in future seasons, perhaps even meeting up with the other four members of his Order.

Gandalf Will Encounter The Other Istari (Including the Blue Wizards)

The Blue Wizards Have Never Been Depicted in Live-Action Before

The Blue Wizards from The Lord of the Wings walk together.

In addition to bringing Tom Bombadil to live-action for the first time, The Rings of Power will presumably unite all five members of Gandalf’s Wizard Order for the first time in any story. The series has already introduced the Dark Wizard, who may or may not be one of Gandalf’s compatriots, but fans should expect to see the remaining wizards as well at some point before the series ends.

The Blue Wizards are never shown in Peter Jackson’s movies because Warner Bros. Studios does not have the film rights to the characters.

While Gandalf is of the most interest to fans, it will be interesting to see Radagast and Saruman in their early days before becoming full-fledged wizards that would one day decide the fate of Middle-earth. Moreover, the Blue Wizards will make their long-awaited live-action debut, finally giving fans answers about who they are and what became of them.

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10 Things We’re Most Excited to See in The Rings of Power Season 3

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By Jordan Iacobucci

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The Balrog and Prince Durin IV (Owain Arthur) appear in the Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power took a major step up in its second season. Picking up after the epic revelation that Halbrand was secretly the dark lord Sauron in disguise, Season 2 depicts the chaos that follows. The Elves prepare for war against the dark lord with their own three Rings of Power while Sauron takes the guise of a friend to trick Celebrimbor into crafting even more rings.

Season 2 set up several major storylines for the upcoming third season–and things don’t look good for Middle-earth. As devastatingly dark as the next season of The Rings of Power, there are several epic events that fans can’t wait to see play out in the next batch of episodes.

10The Six Other Dwarf Kingdoms Will Struggle With the Rings of Power

The Fates of the Other Six Rings Remain Mostly Unclear

Durin III holds his ring in Rings of PowerDurin III holds his ring; Annatar looks sinister in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

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10 Valid Reasons Fans Should Give The Rings Of Power Another Chance

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1

Season 2 of The Rings of Power ends with the promise that all is not well in the Dwarven kingdoms. After the death of Durin III, the kingdom of Khazad-dûm is at a crossroads. Not all of the other Dwarf-lords accept Durin IV as the preferred heir to the throne, with some putting themselves forward as better candidates. In the struggles to come, the remaining six Dwarven Rings will certainly come into play.

By the events of The Lord of the Rings, all seven Dwarven rings have disappeared.

By the season finale, only Khazad-dûm has felt the benefits (and the curses) that come with possessing a Ring. Hopefully, Season 3 will show the other kingdoms getting their own rings and what befalls them as a result. Moreover, Durin will now struggle with resisting the Ring after knowing what it did to his father.

9Sauron Will Begin Asserting His Dominance Over the Orcs

Sauron is About to Get His Army

The orcs bicker with Adar in Rings of Power

Throughout Season 2, the Uruk begin to disagree with Adar about the proper path forward. Despite his claims to love his “children,” Adar sent them to die in the Siege of Eregion, angering some of his lieutenants enough to rebel against him and return to Sauron. In the season finale, Sauron has the Uruk betray Adar, murdering him in cold blood.

The first Orcs were created from corrupted Elves.

Season 3 will show what Sauron is capable of now that he finally possesses an army of his own. The Uruk have damned themselves in allying with Sauron, who cares far less for their well-being than Adar. Furthermore, they have made the dark lord more powerful than ever before, giving him almost everything he needs to conquer Middle-earth.

8Galadriel and Elrond’s Relationship is Changing

A Fateful Kiss Changed Everything for the Two Elves

Morfydd Clark stars as Galadriel in Amazon Prime's Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power An armored and bleeding Elrond (Robert Aramayo) looks out into the forest in Rings of Power Season 2 Galadriel (Morfydd Clarke) meets Elrond (Robert Aramayo) in Lindon in Rings of Power Galadriel and Elrond played by Morfydd Clark and Robert Aramayo in The Rings of Power
Morfydd Clark stars as Galadriel in Amazon Prime's Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power An armored and bleeding Elrond (Robert Aramayo) looks out into the forest in Rings of Power Season 2 Galadriel (Morfydd Clarke) meets Elrond (Robert Aramayo) in Lindon in Rings of Power Galadriel and Elrond played by Morfydd Clark and Robert Aramayo in The Rings of Power

Episode 7 of The Rings of Power‘s second season shocked Lord of the Rings fans by including a kiss between Elrond and Galadriel. While the kiss may have been a ploy for Elrond to sneak Galadriel a lockpick, there is no denying the romantic tension between the two characters, which must be addressed in Season 3.

Galadriel and Elrond never had a romantic relationship in J.R.R. Tolkien’s books.

Lord of the Rings fans know that Elrond and Galadriel were never a couple in the books or the movies. Galadriel is supposed to be married to the mysteriously missing Celeborn. Season 3 will need to explore Galadriel’s changing relationship with Elrond and reveal how she ends up with Celeborn–whom she claims to be dead in the series.

7Gandalf Will Learn More About Magic

Gandalf Must Grow Into the Character We See in The Lord of the Rings

The Stranger (Daniel Weyman) talks to Tom Bombadil (Rory Kinnear) in Rings of PowerA split image features Sean Bean as Boromir and David Wenham as faramir in The Lord of the Rings

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Season 2 of The Rings of Power finally reveals what most fans thought from the very beginning–that the mysterious Stranger will one day become the wise Wizard Gandalf. He spends much of the second season trying to learn from Tom Bombadil, who insisted on testing the Istar before he taught him anything. By the end of the season, Tom is convinced that he can trust Gandalf and proclaims that his song is about to begin.

The Stranger, a.k.a. Gandalf, is played by Daniel Weyman.

Season 3 will undoubtedly include much more of Tom Bombadil as he continues to teach Gandalf the secrets of magic, helping him grow into the wizard that will prove paramount in saving Middle-earth in the Third Age. Fans are ready to see the Stranger grow into his Gandalf personality in future seasons, perhaps even meeting up with the other four members of his Order.

6Gandalf Will Encounter The Other Istari (Including the Blue Wizards)

The Blue Wizards Have Never Been Depicted in Live-Action Before

The Blue Wizards from The Lord of the Wings walk together.

In addition to bringing Tom Bombadil to live-action for the first time, The Rings of Power will presumably unite all five members of Gandalf’s Wizard Order for the first time in any story. The series has already introduced the Dark Wizard, who may or may not be one of Gandalf’s compatriots, but fans should expect to see the remaining wizards as well at some point before the series ends.

The Blue Wizards are never shown in Peter Jackson’s movies because Warner Bros. Studios does not have the film rights to the characters.

While Gandalf is of the most interest to fans, it will be interesting to see Radagast and Saruman in their early days before becoming full-fledged wizards that would one day decide the fate of Middle-earth. Moreover, the Blue Wizards will make their long-awaited live-action debut, finally giving fans answers about who they are and what became of them.

5The Balrog Will Destroys Khazad-dûm

The Fellowship of the Ring Shows That Khazad-dûm Will Be Decimated

The Balrog emerges from the darkness from The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of PowerThe Balrog finally makes its move in the season finale of The Rings of Power, killing King Durin III while his son watches in horror. However, the fiery demon has yet to make its true mark on Khazad-dûm. Though the kingdom is in far better hands with Durin IV on the throne, fans know that it is only a matter of time before the Balrog destroys everything in its path.

The Balrog that destroys Khazad-dûm is also known as Durin’s Bane.

As tragic as it will be to see the glorious kingdom of Khazad-dûm razed to the ground, it will also be a true sight to behold. When this scene plays out in The Rings of Power, potentially in Season 3, it will undoubtedly make for one of the best sequences of the entire series, as the kingdom of Khazad-dûm is destroyed to become the ruins seen in Fellowship of the Ring.

The War of the Elves and Sauron Has Begun

The Elves Are Officially at War–But Will They Win?

Galadriel looking at Sauron holding Morgoth's crown in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

By the end of Season 2, the Elves have officially declared war against the dark lord Sauron and his new army of Uruk soldiers. Though High King Gil-galad was once hesitant to send his forces to defend the darkening Middle-earth, he has now fully devoted himself to the battle against Sauron. With Galadriel, Elrond, and Arondir at his side, Gil-Galad declares war on the rising darkness.

In The Silmarillion, Sauron fights two wars against the Elves and Men in the Second Age, with the second known as The War of the Last Alliance.

Hopefully, Season 3 will show the full scale of the war between the Elves and Sauron. This is a paramount conflict in Tolkien’s canon, as it pushes both sides to the extreme to defeat the other. Middle-earth will be ravaged as it is caught between the two sides of this epic conflict that will decide the fate of the Free Peoples.

Sauron Will Seek Out Nine Kings to Wear Nine Rings

Fans Will Finally Meet the Nine Future Nazgul

Sauron and the Nazgul prepare for battle at Dol Guldur in The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.After a harrowing battle with Galadriel in the season finale, Sauron finally gets his hands on the Nine Rings for Men, which he has contaminated with his own black blood. The season ends before Sauron finds suitable kings to wear these Rings, but fans know that these unfortunate souls will be those who eventually become the wicked Nazgul in The Lord of the Rings.

Most of the Nine Kings go unnamed in Tolkien’s original legendarium.

Fans know very little about the nine kings of Men who bore the Rings of Power, giving The Rings of Power plenty of freedom to create these characters for future seasons. Season 3 can begin exploring these characters, setting them up as epic villains for future stories and hinting at their corruption into the Nazgul.

Númenor is Approaching Its Fall

The Great Island Kingdom Will Sink Into the Ocean

The City of Numenor sits regally from the Lord of the Rings universe.

Númenor is worse than ever after the tragic events of The Rings of Power Season 2. With Miriel deposed, Elendil on the run, and Ar-Pharazôn on the throne, the Valar are niching closer to withdrawing their support from the island city–resulting in its cataclysmic destruction as a Great Flood brings it to the bottom of the Sea.

Númenor falls when Eru Ilúvatar makes the world round, flooding the island city.

Númenor’s fall will make for one of the most tragic moments in the entire series–and it is coming soon. As the city delves deeper into its wickedness, it will inevitably turn to Sauron, ending any chance it ever had of surviving. The Great Flood will finally destroy Númenor, wiping it off the face of the map forever.

Sauron is Inching Closer to Forging the One Ring

The Rings of Power Are Dwarfed By One Epic Creation

Annatar (Charlie Vickers) smiles wickedly in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Sauron grabs his crown in Rings of Power Season 2 Sauron holds up the One Ring in Mount Doom in Fellowship on the Ring. Sauron's One Ring from Lord of the Rings sits on a tableAnnatar (Charlie Vickers) smiles wickedly in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Sauron grabs his crown in Rings of Power Season 2 Sauron holds up the One Ring in Mount Doom in Fellowship on the Ring. Sauron's One Ring from Lord of the Rings sits on a table

In Season 2, Sauron forced Celebrimbor to forge the rings of power for Men and Dwarves, but there remains one Ring left to be made. The Rings of Power is inching closer to introducing Sauron’s own Ring, the One Ring to Rule Them All. While this event may not happen in Season 3, future episodes can at least set up the forging of this Master Ring that will decide the fate of Middle-earth.

Part of Sauron’s life essence is contained within the One Ring.

The Rings of Power is slowly but steadily working up to the forging of the One Ring, which will make Sauron more powerful than ever before. Its introduction will change everything, bringing about a war that will end the Second Age. This will be one of the most important moments in the entire show–and fans can’t wait to finally see it.