The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power introduced viewers to Halbrand, a mysterious figure who'll clearly be important to Galadriel. Who is he?
This article contains spoilers for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power episodes 1 & 2. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power introduced viewers to a mysterious man named Halbrand, who's clearly key to Galadriel's story. The shadow of Sauron looms over Middle-earth in its Second Age. This was a time when most believed the war against the forces of evil was over, unaware their enemies were simply biding their time. Amazon's The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power finally fleshes out J.R.R. Tolkien's notes and appendices, transforming his history of Middle-earth into a spectacular TV series.
Galadriel stands at the center of the story. She took part in the great battles of the First Age, and has spent untold centuries scouring Middle-earth in search of Sauron. Although she is told to stand down, Galadriel refuses to do so, still seeking vengeance on Sauron for the death of her brother all those years ago. Unfortunately, this decision leaves her stranded at sea, struggling to survive against the elements. There, she crosses paths with a man who calls himself Halbrand, who brings news of Orcs in the Southlands. It's clear he's going to be an important ally - or, perhaps, an enemy.
Related: Every Sauron Identity Hint In The Rings Of Power Episodes 1 & 2
Halbrand is a secretive and complicated figure. Although he bears a superficial resemblance to Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings, he's much more morally gray, sacrificing others to save his own life on occasion. He claims to have fled Orcs in the Southland, and Galadriel's eye is swiftly drawn to a necklace he wears bearing an unknown insignia. The necklace's markings are indecipherable, and Halbrand insists they are not the markings of his king, for he comes from a people who have no king.
The Rings of Power is all about Sauron, the Machiavellian being who manipulates events so the Rings are created in the first place. Naturally, that means viewers are primed to wonder whether any person is actually the shapeshifting Sauron in disguise, but that seems unlikely in the case of Halbrand. Sauron typically worked hard to win the trust of those around him, and Halbrand has already presented a complex character that means Galadriel will be wary of trusting him - even as she is forced to depend upon his guidance. On Amazon Prime Video's character page, Halbrand is described as "a roguish castaway on the run from his past – and possibly, from his destiny." He could potentially become one of Sauron's Nazgul, transformed into an immortal being after being given one of the Rings of Power by Sauron.
Halbrand's necklace remains a mystery in The Rings of Power. It clearly has some sort of deeper meaning, because he's remarkably evasive when Galadriel asks him about it. Already The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has suggested Sauron has learned to tap into the dark magic of runes, meaning the markings of Halbrand's necklace could potentially be very sinister indeed. One thing is for sure; Galadriel would be wise not to trust her new ally.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power continues Thursday/Friday on Prime Video.
Tom Bacon is one of Screen Rant's staff writers, as well as a Peer Mentor for new writers and a member of the Care Team, offering support and a listening ear to members of the Comics group. A lifelong fan of major franchises including Star Wars, Doctor Who, and Marvel, Tom is delighted his childhood is back - and this time it's cool. You can find him on Twitter @TomABacon. A graduate of Edge Hill University, Tom remains strongly connected with his alma mater as a volunteer chaplain. He's heavily involved with his local church, and anyone who checks him out on Twitter will swiftly learn he's into British politics too.