Ismael Cruz Córdova’s Arondir faces his toughest challenge yet in The Rings of Power, and fans are in for an emotional rollercoaster!

The Lord of the Rings universe just keeps giving and giving. Heartbreaks, we mean. The latest episode of its prequel The Rings of Power was just released and let’s just say that fans who haven’t watched it yet are in for a rollercoaster ride. The battle we have all been dreading all this time finally arrived and fans are having a hard time coping with it all.

The Rings of Power season 2 episode 7 | Credits: Amazon MGM Studios

Ismael Cruz Córdova’s Arondir and Sam Hazeldine’s Adar came face to face during the Siege of Eregion and it did not end well for the former. However, in a recent interview, the Arondir actor revealed the very reason he had to rebuild their final choreography from scratch.

Ismael Cruz Córdova Talks about the Battle in The Rings of Power

Ismael Cruz Córdova as Arondir | Credits: Amazon MGM Studios

Ismael Cruz Córdova and Sam Hazeldine battle it out in The Rings of Power season 2 episode 7. The brawl ends with Adar stabbing Arondir on the battlefield and taking Elrond’s ring.

However, those who have seen the prequel know that Arondir is a man of great skill and he could have emerged victorious in his fight against Adar. In fact, the original choreography for the battle was made in such a way that Córdova had a hard time digesting how his character didn’t come out on top.

In an interview with The Wrap, Córdova was asked if there were any discussions he had when it came to the fight’s choreography. He replied, “Absolutely. I try to have these conversations at the top of it all.”

Córdova went on to reveal that he initially had an issue with the way it all played out.

The issue I had – there was a choreography build for that part – but I just couldn’t understand why Arondir didn’t beat Adar with that choreography. There needed to be a mistake because we know that he’s capable of facing this guy.

The actor then stated that stunt coordinator Vic Armstrong was kind enough to let him rechoreograph the whole thing from scratch.

Vic Armstrong, legendary stunt coordinator, allowed me to rechoreograph the whole thing. He ends up hacking away in a completely non-Arondir kind of way. It’s not as graceful and that’s the opening that I choreographed. That mistake that he slowly becomes emotional by the end.

As of now, it isn’t clear if Adar’s attack killed Arondir or if he was simply wounded.

Ismael Cruz Córdova on Fighting Adar

A still from the Siege of Eregion | Credits: Amazon MGM Studios

Arondir and Adar have a pretty interesting relationship in the show which makes us want more scenes of them together, preferably where one is not hell-bent on killing the other.

Unlike other characters who see Adar as a through-and-through villain, Arondir is the one who actually acknowledges him. While most would fight the antagonist because of what he represents, Arondir’s reasoning is much more personal.

In the current season, Arondir ended up losing the love of his life Bronwyn (Nazanin Boniadi) at the hands of Adar’s orcs. Thus, fueled by a need for revenge, he fights with Adar.

Córdovahoped that he could have another scene with Hazeldine’s character. He told The Wrap,

If you would have asked me I would have maybe had another scene with him or maybe face off different. I think because, as you said, he’s the only being that sees this guy and is moved by him. I think the only reason he has this anger is Adar killed the love of his life. That’s the no-no.

As for why Arondir went after Adar, he said,

He’s going after the man that killed the love of his life. He’s not going after Adar for what he represents like everyone else. They’re thinking ‘he’s a baddie, he has the orcs’ and I’m like no. What he’s trying to do is what nobody does – protect these underdogs, these discarded beings.

Episode 7’s ending left fans either confused or heartbroken. While some are sure that Arondir isn’t dead yet, others are a little too emotional after seeing him lying on the ground perfectly still.

We will have our answers in the next episode, which is also the finale for season 2. Until then, let’s hope Arondir makes a miraculous comeback just in time.