By the end of The Rings of Power season 1, it was clear that the Elves were dying (or, rather, fading), and must either abandon Middle-earth or vanish. The Elven smith Celebrimbor discovered a potential solution lay in Mithril, and he was inspired to craft a sample from the Dwarves into a crown. Plans changed, however, in part because of the manipulation of Sauron, who had earned Celebrimbor’s confidence under the alias of Halbrand. As such, three Elven rings were forged instead: Vilya, Nenya, and Narya.
How Celebrimbor Made The Three Elven Rings Of Power
Celebrimbor Was A Master Smith
Celebrimbor was one of the greatest smiths of all time, but even he found it impossible to forge with Mithril. Sauron, however, had apparently been experimenting with this kind of magic for quite some time; he was able to give advice on how to use Mithril, suggesting first an alloy and then a gentler means of forging rather than the more forceful approaches Celebrimbor had been attempting. The original idea had been to create a Mithril crown, which Celebrimbor presumably intended to be worn by the Elven king Gil-Galad.
There should be three rings, to allow for the potential for balance.
However, Halbrand suggested making rings instead, playing into his master plan. Galadriel was the one who decided that there should be three rings. Having become aware that Halbrand was really Sauron, she realized the Elves had been manipulated. Warned by a vision, Galadriel insisted there should not be one ring, for that would create a ruler and a potential tyrant; nor should there be two, because that would sow division. Instead, there should be three rings, to allow for the potential for balance.
How Each Elven Ring Of Power Is Different
The Elven Rings Have Different Gems
The Elven rings have different gems and names. Nenya is the Ring of Adamant and the Ring of Water, named for the Elvish for water, “nén.” Narya, the Ring of Fire, bears a ruby and is named from the Quenya for “fiery red,” Quenya being an old Elvish tongue. Vilya, the Ring of Air, sports a sapphire and is named after the Quenya for “air.” Events at the Dwarven city of Khazad-dûm are vital, as the Elven rings in the show are made from Mithril. The rings appear to be made from different metals, presumably due to slightly different alloys or finishing processes.
What The Elven Rings Do In Rings Of Power & LOTR
The Elven Rings Protect The Elves
All three Elven rings possess the power to prevent the continued fading of the Elves, granting them continued existence in Middle-earth. Sauron will forge the One Ring to rule them all, likely by the end of The Rings of Power season 2. The Rings of Power will be bound to Sauron’s will, but the Elven bearers of the rings will sense this at the moment he puts the One Ring on his finger, and will take them off before they come under his control. Those events may transpire in season 2, now that Celebrimbor is forging more rings with Sauron.
Who Wears The 3 Elven Rings Of Power?
The Rings Have Specific Bearers In Lore
The Rings of Power season 2 has started to show the Elven Three on their canonical journey. Galadriel has become the bearer of Nenya, as she did in lore. Gil-galad has become the bearer of Vilya, which is also pulled straight from Tolkien’s work, but Vilya will find its way to Elrond. Círdan currently wears Narya. Narya, however, has a different fate, and ends up with Gandalf in the books. With rumors that the Stranger is Gandalf, it seems likely that Narya could end up with its canonical bearer, as well as starting with it.
Why Did Sauron Help Celebrimbor Make The Three Elven Rings?
Sauron Needs The Rings
The three Elven rings are powerful items that protect the Elves’ realms and way of life, and the Elves are Sauron’s enemy, which may make it rather surprising to some that he helped forge the rings in the first place. But dialogue in The Rings of Power suggests that Sauron had been trying to forge these rings for some time, believing he could unlock a power over the flesh. Celebrimbor and Sauron realize that Mithril is the key to doing so, and season 2 sees the two pursuing it. Sauron will try to use the rings to control their bearers, aiding in his mission to dominate Middle-earth.
Why Galadriel, Gil-Galad & Cirdan Keep The Three Rings
The Rings Are Powerful
It may be hard to understand why Galadriel, Gil-Galad, and Círdan keep the Elven Three, after Galadriel and Gil-Galad find out that their forger was Sauron. It may seem as if these items would be suspicious, as they were partially made by the Elves’ enemy. However, the rings were made in the first place to prevent the fading of the Elves, so that they could stay in Middle-earth instead of going back to Valinor to renew their light. The Elves are still seeking a solution to their fading, and the rings still provide an answer, so they keep them.
Is Elrond Right About The Elven Rings Being Corrupted By Sauron?
The Rings Are Tied To Sauron
There is a complex relationship between Sauron and his rings in lore, but The Rings of Power is roughly following it. The three Elven rings were made last of all the Rings of Power in Tolkien’s story. However, they were made first of all the rings in the show. In both the books and the show, Sauron advised Celebrimbor as to how to forge the rings, but wasn’t present during the forging of the Elven three and didn’t touch them. J.R.R. Tolkien spoke to the consequences of this in a letter, discussing Vilya, Narya, and Nenya:
Though unsullied, because they were not made by Sauron nor touched by him, they were nonetheless partly products of his instruction, and ultimately under the control of the One.
As Tolkien explained here, the Three avoided a certain level of taint by never having been touched by Sauron. The rings can indeed prevent the fading of the Elves – indeed, Galadriel protects her realm of Lothlórien with the help of Nenya in Lord of the Rings. Additionally, Sauron has less control over their bearers than he has over the bearers of the rings of Men and Dwarves. As such, Galadriel is right to say that the rings can help her people.
However, Sauron imbued the very foundation of the forging process of each ring with the capacity to eventually link to the One Ring. So, when Sauron has the One, he will be able to control the bearers of all rings, including the Three. Therefore, Elrond is right that Sauron could influence Ring-bearers while the rings are worn and is right to raise the need to exercise caution. This need will become especially important once Sauron has forged the One Ring in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.
