The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power offers an intriguing mix of Tolkien characters and original characters, and it looks like one overdue book character may finally appear in the show. Season 2 revealed that Halbrand and the Stranger were never original characters at all. They were, in fact, Sauron and Gandalf. With this in mind, The Rings of Power season 2 has positioned season 3 to be the most faithful yet to its source material. But this whole time, it may have been the show’s Númenor storyline that has been the most canonical.

Despite adding the original character Eärien to proceedings, the Númenor storyline flaunts Elendil, Isildur, Pharazôn, and Míriel as characters pulled straight from “Akallabêth.” This part of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Silmarillion tells the story of the fall of Númenor. The show has the rights to adapt The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings but is mentioned in the LotR appendices. Aside from that, it has also been securing one-off rights to elements of other works. One key character from “Akallabêth” has been mysteriously missing, but it seems that The Rings of Power season 3 will put a stop to that.

The Rings Of Power Season 2’s Finale Sets Up Anárion For Season 3

Elendil May Join Anárion In Season 3

The Rings of Power season 3 looks all set to finally introduce Isildur’s brother, Anárion. In Tolkien’s “Akallabêth,” Isildur was hardly mentioned without Anárion, so his appearance is welcome in the show. Elendil set up Anárion’s appearance in season 3 by mentioning him at the end of season 2. After fleeing persecution from Pharazôn, Elendil flagged that his son was where he was escaping. Finally, season 3 could be about to solve the mystery of Anárion’s whereabouts and why he seems to hang like a dark cloud over the family.

Giving up all cynicism, Elendil proudly asserts himself as a member of the Faithful and eats his words, following Anárion to the West.

“Adar,” season 1’s episode 3, provided some vital exposition over an awkward family dinner. Isildur wanted to go West after his brother, Anárion. In lore, what lay West was Andúnië, the haven of the faithful in Númenor. Elendil revealed his internal conflict, commenting that the past was dead and that the West held nothing for them. This highlights Elendil’s huge character development. By the end of season 2, Elendil’s faith has been tested. Giving up all cynicism, Elendil proudly asserts himself as a member of the Faithful and eats his words, following Anárion to the West.

The Rings Of Power Season 3 Must Explain Why Anárion Went Missing

Anárion’s Absence Is A Mystery

Whichever westward port or realm Anárion currently inhabits, exactly what happened between Anárion and his family to split them apart is a mystery. The inevitability of Elendil meeting Anárion in The Rings of Power season 3 promises an intriguing insight into this dysfunctional family — if not a full explanation. What is clear is that Anárion represents the most extreme identification with the ways of the Faithful, whereas Eärien represents the polar opposite, complete loyalty to Pharazôn. It is somewhat appropriate that the two most important Tolkien characters in the family sit somewhere in the middle.

Now Elendil is finally free to fulfill his destiny as leader of the Faithful, Anárion can replace Eärien as Elendil’s focal child.

This internal conflict allows the show to give them a compelling journey that is resonant with modern audiences. From a cynical place, The Rings of Power allows both Isildur and Elendil to blossom into their true selves. Conflict also facilitates a deeper and more rounded psychological profile than unwavering certainty, which was perfectly suited to the epic romance of Tolkien’s writing. In the books, Elendil’s whole family was Faithful through and through. Now Elendil is finally free to fulfill his destiny as leader of the group, Anárion can replace Eärien as Elendil’s focal child.

Why Anárion Is Important To The Lord Of The Rings History

Anárion And Isildur Changed Middle-Earth Forever

Anárion and Isildur are two critical brothers when it comes to The Lord of the Rings, going from Númenórean outcasts to the founders of Gondor and Arnor. After narrowly escaping the fall of Númenor, Elendil, Isildur, and Anárion sailed to Middle-earth and established the Realms in Exile. Isildur set up his residence in Minas Ithil, whereas Anárion set up his in Minas Anor, with each housing one of the magical palantír. There is no Gondor of The Lord of the Rings’ fame without Anárion and his family.

While Anárion’s line died off, Isildur’s line never did.

Elendil and his descendants were of the Line of Elros, making them nobility, but they were not due to inherit the throne. Therefore, naturally, after Númenor and all its royalty sunk, kingship of the remnants of the realm fell to them. While Anárion’s line died off, Isildur’s line never did. In fact, it descended to one of the most powerful characters in Lord of the Rings, Aragorn Elessar himself. That’s why Aragorn was “returning” as a king – he was taking up his rightful place as Gondor’s king, being descended from Isildur.

Although his line failed in the end, Anárion himself made a major mark on Middle-earth and defended it from Sauron’s advance. Sauron also survived the fall of Númenor and was keen to obliterate his enemies of old. He attacked Minas Ithil, leaving Isildur having to flee to Elendil’s stronghold. Meanwhile, Anárion defended Osgiliath and Minas Anor. The Last Alliance of Elves and Men formed to try and push back Sauron’s forces, leading to the villain’s defeat in the Second Age, and what will likely constitute season 5 of The Lord of the Rings: the Rings of Power.