The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power star Ismael Cruz Córdova explains how Arondir’s season 2 one-on-one battle with Adar unfolded, and what drove his character in the long-awaited face-off. A new character within the lore of Middle-Earth, Arondir dedicated himself to the defense of the Southlands in the battle against Morgoth, becoming one of the first individuals to face a new Orc force that had been rallying. This faction is led by Adar (Sam Hazeldine) in The Rings Power Power season 2, who turns on the Dark Lord to assume control.

With The Rings of Power episode 7 focusing on the Battle of Eregion, Córdova opened up to Variety about what drove Arondir as the chaos brought him face-to-face with one of his most personal enemies. Despite his feats in the battle up until his showdown with Adar, Arondir ultimately grows more reckless until meeting Adar on the battlefield. When paired with his personal history with Adar, the actor states that the Elf underestimates the Orc’s leader in a one-on-one fight. Córdova states that Adar uses this to his advantage, honing in on this to break Arondir further.

As the battles go, he gets a little more reckless. That recklessness, that’s the mistake that I made. I get super emotional. That allows Adar to get me. Otherwise, Arondir would have been able to face him in an equal way. We needed to find the flaw. You see Arondir do all these great things; you just saw him help kill a troll. There’s no justification for him not to be able to have quite the equal battle with this baddie, other than he lets it go.

His posture completely changes, and in that tiny bit of weakness, Adar knows it exactly. He’s been breaking me down and breaking me down, and we had to find that moment.

What We Know About Arondir and Adar’s Rivalry

The Pair Had A Bitter History Established Between Them In Season 1

Original creations for The Rings of Power introduced in season 1, Arondir and Adar are tied together due to their roles in the battles for the Southlands. Having spent 79 years overseeing the lands and living among the Men who called them home, he developed feelings for Bronwyn (Nazanin Boniadi) despite their complicated backgrounds. His refusal to leave upon the occupation’s conclusion would lead to his first meeting with Adar in the latter’s search for Morgoth’s blade.

With a new conflict igniting between the Southlander and Adar’s orcs, Arondir and Bronwyn would take a stand. Despite this, the latter would find herself wounded by a poison arrow that would claim her life following the fall of the Southlanders in the eruption that would transform the realm into Mordor. As such, the pair share a bitter personal history that no doubt played into Arondir’s mind upon seeing the Orc leader face-to-face once more.

Our Thoughts On Arondir and Adar’s Showdown

The Two Share Some Traits In Common

While they may fall onto opposite sides of the conflict, there are similarities between Arondir and Adar. Like how Arondir began to appreciate the Men around him during his time in the Southlands, Adar had compassion for the Orcs, viewing them as his “Children” and hopping to create a home for them. As such, both Arondir and Adar stand as characters who see beyond their long-living nature and grow attached to beings who they will ultimately naturally outlive, though one seeks to protect while the other feels more satisfied ruling.

With this and their aforementioned encounters, Arondir and Adar can be considered foils for one another to a degree, forever tied together by their deeds in the Southlands. However, Arondir isn’t the only Elf Adar must face, as his search for Sauron (Charlie Vickers) will reunite the Orc leader with his former master. As such, while Arondir may have been bested by Adar this time, Adar may yet have to face his undoing in The Rings of Power season 2’s final episode.