One of the biggest draws of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 is the Game of Thrones vibe. Númenor, for example, has seen Ar-Pharazôn take the crown from his cousin, Tar-Míriel, after seeding out political discord. Interestingly, the Dwarven realm of Khazad-dûm has its fair share of turmoil, too.

This is due to the king, Durin III, becoming corrupt and obsessed with power after Sauron and Celebrimbor offered him seven rings. It created a difference in philosophy with his son, Durin IV, and the latter’s wife, Disa. They’re trying to be heroes and save the king’s soul before he instructs his men to mine and destroy their caves. Sadly, the heroes run into major roadblocks at the worst possible time. It results in a conflict that could weaken their kingdom at a time a scary monster is lurking.

Rings of Power Has Durin III Wanting More Mithril

King Durin III Wants to Hike Up Mithril’s Value During War

Episode 6, “Where is He?” has Sauron meeting the king for more mithril. Sauron needs the ore for the Forge at Eregion, but Durin III, rejects his offer. Sauron (disguised as Annatar) promises timber and other materials to help the king with his mines. Unfortunately, Durin III already has his seven Dwarven rings. He’s leveraged them and has different lords sending riches so they can get rings from him. Durin doesn’t need Annatar, as he provided mithril already, so he’s not obligated to do so again. When Annatar leaves, Durin IV thinks his father is being conservative and trying to protect their precious metal.

Unfortunately, the king makes it clear he will dig for more mithril in Rings of Power Season 2. Once the Elves, Sauron and the rest of the tribes go to war, mithril will be in demand. He can then sell to anyone at a higher price in a classic case of supply and demand. Durin III doesn’t care who uses it to make shields or weapons — he just wants to entertain the best bid. Durin IV is ashamed of this, as it’ll place many other kingdoms at risk. His father is greedier than ever, which he ascribes to the ring. When he tries to take it off from his father forcefully, he’s smacked away. The ring protects the king, who is essentially now a lord of war and a dealer himself in the arms race.

Rings of Power Gives Durin IV & Disa a Dire Mission

Durin IV & Disa Want to Stop the Moria Mine Expansion

Disa was always protective of the caverns. As a stone-singer, she knows how fragile they are. The earthquake when Adar activated Mount Doom in Rings of Power Season 1 has their home unstable. To top it off, Disa has heard the roar of what seems to be J. R. R. Tolkien’s Balrog down under the Mines of Moria. She therefore can’t let the miners dig more, as this will endanger themselves and the entire kingdom.

Disa uses her sonic abilities to summon bats to scare them off in a confrontation. Durin IV is smitten even more by these banshee heroics. However, that will spell trouble. Durin III will either punish the miners, or send reinforcements. He’ll have no problem eliminating his son or daughter-in-law with his current state of mind. He’s possessed, nodding to when Frodo and Gollum were entranced by the One Ring.

Ultimately, it’s a two-pronged issue. If mining occurs, the kingdom could literally break apart, or it could cause the Balrog to come up for a fight. Disa and her husband want to stop both scenarios from happening. They hope to investigate the encroaching threat. But all this delaying will serve to do is rile up a king who has it in him to selfishly murder the prince and other kin to get the treasure he desperately wants.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power streams Thursdays on Prime Video.