Sauron in his Annatar form in The Rings of Power season 2 (2024) next to artwork of the Nazgúl from The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-2003) The Rings of Power season 2’s ending provided a clue as to who will be the first victim chosen by Sauron to become one of the Nazgûl. The Rings of Power season 2’s ending was full of surprises, reveals, and concluding storylines that still tease the future of Middle-earth. As Sauron’s power grows, so too does his trove of Rings of Power that will undoubtedly be used by the Dark Lord in The Rings of Power season 3’s story.

The most common theory as to how the Rings will be used by Sauron in The Rings of Power season 3 refers to the Nine crafted for mortal Men. The Nine Rings were a primary focus of Sauron’s plan in The Rings of Power season 2, and the season ended with the Dark Lord having them in his grasp. One of the expected storylines of The Rings of Power season 3, then, will be Sauron choosing the Nine Lords of Men from across Middle-earth who he will use the Rings to enslave, with one clue hinting at a recipient primed for a future as a Nazgûl.

Kemen Taking Over Pelargir Puts Him In Line For One Of The Nine Rings

Kemen Is Now Technically A Lord Of Middle-earth

Kemen looking shocked in Pelargir in The Rings of Power season 2 (2024)

In the finale of The Rings of Power season 2, Kemen lands in the Númenórean settlement of Pelargir to establish a foothold in Middle-earth for those faithful to Pharazôn. Kemen positions himself as the leader of Pelargir, thus becoming one of the more influential Men of power in the southern lands of Middle-earth close to Mordor. As such, this puts him in pole position to receive one of Sauron’s Rings of Power, teasing his future as a potential Ringwraith of the Dark Lord.

As is known from Tolkien’s writings, the nine Men who were chosen to bear the Rings of Power by Sauron eventually become his servants. The Rings of Power season 2 established that the Nine Rings of Men were crafted using Sauron’s blood, with the jewelry having the intended effect and turning their bearers into beings halfway between life and death, and the Seen and Unseen realms. They become the Nazgûl, servants only to Sauron. With Kemen’s lordship of Pelargir established, The Rings of Power season 2 provides the biggest hint yet to the true identity of one of the Ringwraiths.

The Rings Of Power Has Already Set Kemen Up As A Future Nazgûl

Kemen’s Destiny Foretold An Ill Fate

Kemen in The Rings of Power season 2 (2024) next to artwork of a Nazgûl from The Lord of the Rings

Interestingly, the clue about Kemen’s fate as a Nazgûl from The Rings of Power season 2’s ending was not the first. In The Rings of Power season 2, episode 5, Kemen and his father, Pharazôn, were shown speaking in Númenor after the latter claimed the throne. Pharazôn began to talk about Kemen’s mother, insisting that she prophesied that her son would one day face a dark future. The exact words are as follows: “Once, when you were at her breast, your mother prophesied that you would come to ill ends.”

If Sauron comes to Pelargir and presents Kemen with a Ring of Power, it is hard to justify the Númenórean rejecting it…

This was the first hint at Kemen’s future as a Ringwraith. When combining this prophecy with the ending of Kemen in The Rings of Power season 2, it seems more likely than ever that he will become one of the Nazgûl. Furthermore, The Rings of Power has established that Kemen desires power, but also recognition from those more powerful than him, such as Pharazôn. Therefore, if Sauron comes to Pelargir and presents Kemen with a Ring of Power, it is hard to justify the Númenórean rejecting it.

Kemen Might Become Something Even Darker Than A Nazgûl

Kemen’s Fate As A Nazgûl May Not Be Decided But Could Be Something Worse

The Mouth of Sauron speaking next to the Eye of Sauron in The Lord of the Rings.

Of course, it is worth noting that these clues do not overtly condemn Kemen as a Nazgûl in the same way The Rings of Power season 2’s ending confirmed The Stranger’s identity as Gandalf, for example. With that in mind, it could be the case that Kemen does not become a Nazgûl, but something even darker that would fit not only his character but the works of Tolkien. The darker entity in question could be the Mouth of Sauron, one of the most dedicated servants of the Dark Lord and his emissary in war.

Tolkien’s books describe the Mouth of Sauron as one of the old “Black Númenóreans,” those who followed the Sceptre rather than the Faithful ways of the Valar. This certainly describes Kemen and the character has been depicted as someone who is more skillful with his words than with his military strength. While the Mouth of Sauron does not receive a Ring of Power, it could be the case that The Rings of Power‘s future seasons depict Kemen growing closer to Sauron via corruption as his father does on Númenor, eventually falling to become his most trusted emissary.