#why is he Annatar NOW

[princeoforder]

*irrational psychotic screaming*

[anetherealpoetess]

galadriel x sauron has awoken something in me and i need them to kiss i fear

[rey-jake-therapist]

Whenever I rewatch season 1 now, it breaks my heart a bit to see how relax and happy Sauron was around Galadriel. He smiled, laughed, joked, bickered with Galadriel, he ate and drank... the man had the time of his life!

I mean, you can say it was mostly an act to manipulate Galadriel if you want, but there's no way it was all fake. There were several times when we saw him react to a certain way while neither Galadriel or anyone else was watching. It's even more obvious now that we see him in his Annatar form : every time he fakes an emotion for someone, as soon as their back is turned his face is closed. It's pretty terrifying. When I see some people claim it's exactly the same thing he's doing with Celebrimbor as he did with Galadriel... I have the feeling they missed the point, somehow.

One thing noticeable is that he was constantly looking at Galadriel, whenever she was close to him he couldn't just stop take his eyes off her. Call me delulu all you want, I'm sure her presence explained a lot why he was so relax, happy and shall I say.... Kind? I mean, the one time she went away without him he nearly killed four men 😭When Gal was here, he behaved !

No wonder why he's so grumpy now as Annatar. He has no one around him who's got enough light to balance the darkness that consumed him. The moth lost his favorite flame, and now he's constantly bitter, dead eyed, unable to laugh anymore, and cruel. Someone here noticed that we never see him eat or drink anything. Darkness, unbalanced, has taken over again. For good, we know.

The only time we see a glimpse of his Halbrand self reappear is when he notices the resemblance between Mirdania and Galadriel, and it's again a question of light. It starts as pure flattery from his part to manipulate her, but his smile at his moment seems sincere. More sincere than any other of Annatar's smile, anyway.

Imho, Sauron was dead ass serious when he told Galadriel that with her at his side, he wouldn't be dark. It doesn't matter that he was right or wrong ; I think he really meant it, because he had already felt the influence she had on him.

I believe the last thing he wanted was for Galadriel to become a "dark queen", though it would have happened eventually because he would have influenced her just as much as she would have. He didn't want her to become like him, but to prevent him from getting worse. He wanted her to fix him, basically.

We can thank Charlie Vickers for his stellar acting. What a wonderful portrait of a complex "man" he's giving us here....

[neyafromfrance95]

galadriel's storyline in s2 so far is perhaps the most emotionally charged, complex and intriguing for me!

first of all, i love trop for allowing galadriel to be oh so ambitious and stubborn in her proclivity to lead and do what she set her mind on to. this defining trait of hers is both her virtue and flaw.

she has always been alienated by the other elves and now it's gotten far worse than ever before. i'd say elrond judges her far too harshly and unfairly when he should be the one giving her solace and benefit of the doubt as her closest friend. in the end of the day she was right yet she is stripped off of the leadership by the high king.

and of course the highlight is galadriel's inner struggle to reconcile her feelings for halbrand and the fact that halbrand is sauron, her arch-nemesis, the murderer of her brother.

ladies & gents, they really went there. that moment when she chokes out that she can't let *him* in and then can't help but remember them admitting to having a deep connection??? ohhhh, brother. that was something. that *was* the confirmation that she has feelings for him. gil-galad calling her out for calling her deceiver halbrand instead of sauron? ohhh, what a drama! her whole storyline is emotionally intense, passionate and complicated which is so very rare for this genre, tbh.

sauron and celebrimbor's scenes also showcase how different sauron's relationship with galadriel is. while annatar flatters celebrimbor, the insincerity of his friendship and the goal of exploitation of celebrimbor's skills is obvious, there is nothing more to that relationship or seemingly to any other relationship sauron has ever had as he is selfish and greedy. which makes sauron's s1 proposal to rule together all the more significant since he offered to share his power with someone else. leaving galadriel to live was also something that didn't benefit him in any way, in fact it put him in a disadvantageous position, yet he chose to do something so uncharacteristic of him.

and power is something galadriel is clearly very attracted to. that scene when the ring rolls to galadriel's feet as if it was choosing her and her putting it on and instantaneously embracing all the power it gave to her? insane.

while galadriel and sauron haven't reunited yet, you could feel that the show centered their *connection* in the story as it was highlighted when sauron's flashbacks concluded with him looking at her.

also, why is no one talking about morfydd's acting? her performance is on pair with charlie's, imo!

anyways, the wait was worth it, at least for me. galadriel's storyline is only going to get more gripping and enthralling from now on!

[just-trying-to-fangirl-in-peace]

Distraction (Annatar/Sauron x fem!Elf!reader)

-> in which Annatar blinds you to the invasion of Eregion by giving you a taste of what you desire

Warnings: reader is manhandled and kissed on the lips and neck while under heavy mind control, having false feelings put into her head, basically no romance in sight, just Sauron being his dark creepy self

Sighing deeply, you strike out yet another flawed design for one of the Nine Rings of Men. It’s too similar to one Lord Celebrimbor has already rejected, but your mind seems to have been drained of all original thought after days on end of tireless labour.

At the very least, you have retired to your own study, away from Lord Celebrimbor’s sour mood. He has grown strange of late, distant at best and ill-tempered at worst. You doubt you would have been able to go on toiling as you do if it weren’t for the Lord of Gifts to lift your spirits with his words of encouragement, kind gaze and—on occasion—his soothing touch. He has a way of cradling your hand in his with such gentleness and warmth that it feels like a balm on your calloused skin, making any amount of strenuous work well worth the sacrifice.

You cannot deny, however much you would like to, that you have begun to harbor some measure of infatuation towards him. You try to put it out of your mind most of the time, but you must admit how much it motivates you in your work—the desire to fulfil his desire, as well as the fear that you might disappoint him.

Now, unfortunately, you feel the latter is a more likely possibility. You hate how utterly uninspired you feel, even though it’s to be expected in your state of exhaustion. You groan, leaning on the desk as you rest your head in your hands when a sound distracts you from your own frustration.

It’s coming from outside, you realize, from within the city. A distant clamour, muffled voices, and a distinct, harsh sound that has you standing from your seat, turning towards the door and—

—and finding yourself nose to nose with Annatar.

“My Lord!” you exclaim, hand flying to your suddenly rampant heart as you stumble backwards, bumping into your worktable. “Forgive me, I—I had not heard you come in.”

“Did you not?” he asks, quite puzzled. “I called your name. I was beginning to fear I had somehow offended you when we last spoke, since you seemed so intent on ignoring me.”

“Oh, no, of course not! I did not mean to—” You shake your head, stumbling on your words. Your cheeks feel as hot as the forge itself. How lost must you have been in your own thoughts that you hadn’t noticed his presence? “I was quite absorbed in the work, I think,” you admit apologetically. You mean to ask him what he needed of you, but then the same noise from before catches your ear, and you remember why you stood in the first place. “Is that the siege alarm?”

Annatar regards you with a slight furrow in his brow.

“You are tired,” he says softly. “Your senses deceive you.”

That may be true, to an extent. You had failed to hear him earlier, after all. But unless your senses have taken full leave of you, you are certain what you’re hearing is true.

“No, I can hear it,” you insist. “Can’t you?”

You don’t wait for his answer as you walk past him—or at least, you mean to. With a step to the side, he is in your way, causing you to halt in your tracks and blink up at him in surprise instead.

“All is well in the city. Your concern lies here.”

He’s smiling as he says it. The same gentle lift of the lips that you’ve come to consider a sweet reward for your efforts in making the Rings, helping you get through the long days. Now, however, it sends a shiver down your spine. And, for the first time, it is not the pleasant kind.

“Still,” you say carefully, “I am tired, as you said. I wish to go outside—for a moment’s respite, if nothing else.”

You try to step past him. This time, it’s his hand around your wrist that stops you.

“Rest, if you must,” he says, leaning ever so slightly closer, “but do so here. Then, focus on your work, as you are meant to.”

He doesn’t raise his voice, yet the order in it is unmistakeable. And his grip on your wrist is rigid, nothing like the calming touch you’ve known from him so far. You’ve displeased him, that much is clear, and the thought churns in your stomach—but for some reason, your urge to get out demands to be obeyed.

“I shall return to my work,” you press on, “once I come back inside.”

Again, you mean to walk away. You mean to put distance between you, to pull your hand from his.

He won’t let you. The moment you take your first step, his grip tightens and he pulls you back, bringing your hand between your chests and keeping you trapped against your worktable.

“My Lord, please!” you say in disbelief, frantically searching his eyes for any trace of the warmth that was once there. “You are frightening me.”

“You need not be frightened,” he says, a sharp edge to his tone, “so long as you do as I tell you.”

“I—” You stare at him, dumbfounded. You don’t know what’s come over him, but you want no part of it. “Release me at once.”

You try to wrench your hand away from his, but all that does is worsen the pain in your wrist as he keeps it in his iron grip. And yet he looks so eerily calm as he does so, as his other hand suddenly cups your cheek.

“Shh,” he cooes softly, “none of that.” Your heart trembles in your chest, painfully confused as he seems to contemplate you. “I thought you’d have let me in by now,” he muses. “But perhaps I should have done this sooner.”

“Done what—?”

His lips meet yours.

It stops. All of it. The confusion, the alarms—those outside as well as those within you. A wave of calm sweeps through the very core of your being, removing in its wake all traces of distress and leaving nothing but sweet surrender. A sound escapes your throat, something like a yelp that turns into a sigh, and...

How is this happening? What came before? You can’t remember, and you don’t care to. All you know is you have imagined this before, desired it deep within your heart, and that desire is being fulfilled. There’s an ache in your wrist, but the pain is dull and you pay it no mind as he tastes your mouth languidly. Your hands come to rest on his chest, his pulling you to him by the waist. And just as you melt into him, weak with desire, he parts his lips from yours.

“Forgive me,” he says softly as your dazed gaze meets his. “Did you mean to go somewhere?”

Your brow furrows as you try to muster enough coherent thought to speak.

“I... I believe I was coming to find you,” you find yourself murmuring. You don’t quite remember, but the words come as naturally to you as the act of breathing. And they feel true, once you’ve spoken them.

The tiniest smile blooms at the corner of his lips.

“I see,” he says, satisfied. “What did you need from me?”

“I... I needed...”

The answer eludes you. You only know what you need now, and the craving is so great you cannot put it into words.

Sure enough, he knows. His eyes hold a teasing glint, almost mean, as he leans down, pressing his lips to a tender spot beneath your ear before whispering into it, “This, perhaps?” His mouth travels lower still, kissing your neck as you tremble in his arms. “Or this?”

“Annatar,” you breathe out, uncaring of his title. Surely, you are beyond formalities now.

“Yes?” he says, awfully innocent, pulling away to look you in the eye once more. “Name your desire, and you shall have it.”

Your skin sizzles where he has touched it, and the hunger in his eyes leaves you breathless, and you are beyond merely voicing what you desire as you press your lips to his once more. He returns your kiss, matching your greed and swallowing your moan, and you think you might become reduced to ashes if he were to let you go.

It’s painful when he pulls away once more. You find yourself chasing his lips, craning your neck for just one more taste, but he cups your cheek to hold you still.

“Easy,” he says softly, yet the sole word feels like a command. You do settle down, though your heart is still rampant in your chest. He seems pleased by it, and that is enough to hold you still. “Now, I’m afraid there is an urgent matter I must discuss with Lord Celebrimbor. But I shall return to you, and...” he trails off, fixing you with a gaze full of promise which stokes the fire in your belly. “Remain here. Speak to no one. Wait for me. Will you do as I tell you?”

The words hold a strange echo. You can’t place it. You only know what the right answer is.

“Yes,” you agree quietly. And mean it.

“Good.” Annatar smiles, thumb brushing the apple of your cheek. “That pleases me greatly.”

The praise continues to warm your heart long after he is gone. You’re painfully aware, somehow, that you could never live without that feeling, or without him, again.

So you do as he told you.

[deus-sema]

The seeds of Celebrimbor's tragedy and its implications

The hardest part of the episode was,undoubtedly, Annatar's manipulation of Celebrimbor and how he managed to not only isolate Tyelpe from all his people and well wishers but them from him as well. Valandil's death is a close second.

In the beginning, Celebrimbor is shown to be celebrating what is, until now, his greatest achievement and almost everyone he cares for is by his side.

But he senses his new friend Annatar's obvious unhappiness and leaves them all behind to follow him.

I liked how we were shown that Celebrimbor, while easy to trust others, isn't a fool for he can understand very well that Annatar can plant his ideas into the minds of others.

But Annatar is two steps ahead for a reason which is why when he fails to persuade Celebrimbor, he decides to take the reigns of the forge, of which the latter is supposed to be the master and he has been merely welcomed to, into his own hands. As for Celebrimbor, one supposedly harmless lie only leads to another.

Celebrimbor is trapped from all sides by Annatar. Doubting the authenticity of the rings is inconceivable for it would bring to question both his work and his capabilities as a smith. The achievement of his lifetime cannot be faulty so the fault could either be with his chosen partner or with himself. This fear is what Annatar preys on and creates doubt in Celebrimbor's mind about himself. By placing the blame of the faulty Dwarven rings on his shoulders, Sauron exploits Celebrimbor's guilt and makes him succumb to the pressure of creating the Nine.

He only begins to suspect that there is more to Annatar than meets the eye when he interacted with Durin - an outsider who isn't part of the bubble Celebrimbor has been confined to by Annatar and isn't in thrall of him. This is probably why Annatar wanted to meet Durin himself instead of letting Celebrimbor do so for not only does he seek to isolate Eregion geographically by breaking the bridge but also mentally and emotionally by preventing contact with anyone who might burst the bubble. Be it Durin or Narvi, he doesn't want anyone else to have Celebrimbor's ear.

This annoyance is also an indication of the hatred he will eventually go on to harbour for the Dwarves for while the Rings can amplify their greed for gold, their will is untameable and cannot be subdued, much less dominated by Sauron.

Meanwhile, when he realises that Celebrimbor might suspect him, he begins to poison the minds of the people who belong to Celebrimbor's household,have worked by his side and honed their skills for years, against him. He creates an illusion of danger to position himself as a safer option for them. Thus, the person whom Celebrimbor allowed into his home and on whom he showered his hospitality, generosity, trust and friendship, completely invaded his life and has set the wheels in motion for its destruction.

For no fault of his save for his kindness and good intentions, Celebrimbor has been left stranded and is all alone to deal with Annatar's sinister machinations. What's more cruel is that he couldn't even realise when the latter was mocking him on his face for being manipulated.

If this is just the beginning, then as feared, we will be left wrecked by the finale. The sparkle in Celebrimbor's eyes and his passion for his craft has begun to diminish. Throughout the episode, I just wanted to jump into the screen and take poor Tyelpe away from there, away from the impending doom.

Hats off to Charles Edwards for he is going to tear our hearts to shreds with his acting. And this is,indeed, a psychological thriller as the showrunners promised with major stakes.

[apoloadonisandnarcissus]

“Rings of Power” 2x07 - Speculation and Clues 

Now that we established the “leaks” are fake, let’s get down to business and speculate next episode, for real this time.  

What’s confirmed for Episode 7? 

According to the director, it will be an Elrond-centered episode 

Battle of Eregion: Orcs (lead by Adar) vs. Elven army (lead by Elrond) 

Adar and Elrond share a chat (“You cannot defeat me in battle” Adar warns Elrond)

Arondir joins the battle 

Annatar and Celebrimbor ("what have you done to me?"/“finish the Nine, and I’ll spare your city” )

Elrond at Khazad-dûm with Prince Durin (asking the Dwarves to help in the Battle of Eregion)

Galadriel and Celebrimbor emotional exchange

Want leaks? These are the real leaks.

My guess is this dynamic (Battle of Eregion/Elrond and Annatar/Celebrimbor) will be the core of Episode 7, with Arondir side plot. Maybe Isildur and Theo, as well.

Annatar & Celebrimbor - "Who are you, truly?"

From the preview teaser, we know the “what have you done to me?” scene will take place in 2x07. So, it’s almost certain that Celebrimbor will discover Annatar’s true identity in this episode. He also finds out that Eregion is under attack, while Sauron/Annatar promises he can spare the city if Celebrimbor completes the Nine rings of power. 

Two possible scenarios here: 

Celebrimbor finishes the Nine, and only then he discovers Annatar is actually Sauron. This would mean that Annatar/Sauron would still pretend to be an emissary of the Valar when Celebrimbor finds out Eregion is under seige; 

Celebrimbor discovers Annatar is actually Sauron. Then, Sauron blackmails him into finishing the Nine rings of power.  

I'm betting on the second option.

Mostly because we, the audience, have yet to find out that the “miraculous mithril powder” Sauron gave to Celebrimbor in 2x06 isn’t mithril at all. My guess it’s Sauron’s blood (we saw him performing blood magic in 2x06), to mix into the alloy of the Nine rings of power, to bind and enslave the future ring-bearers to his will and create the Nazgûl (the “Ringwraiths”). And thus explaining why the Nine work differently from the Seven (the Dwarves’ rings of power won’t bind them to Sauron’s will, but create greed and lust for gold).  

I think Celebrimbor will discover this, and that's why he tries to destroy the Nine (to stop Sauron). And, when we see Celebrimbor crying on the trailer, I think it’s after he realizes what he has done; not only at being deceived, or Eregion being under attack, but mainly because he gave Sauron the means through which he’ll conquer and enslave all of Middle-earth.  

Celebrimbor will finish the Nine, and he will try to destroy them, only to find out he can’t.

Will Sauron take a hold of the Nine in 2x07 or 2x08? 

I'm betting late 2x07, because 2x08 has a lot to deal with and many plots to close, and prep-up for Season 3.

This might be a wild guess, but I think Sauron is talking about Mirdania here, and she might be the one who gives him the Nine, bringing full circle as to why Sauron has been earning her trust and loyalty all season: for her to do his bidding, no matter what (causing fraction between the smiths, preventing Celebrimbor from finding out about the attack on Eregion, etc.). Will she leave with Sauron? I don't think so; his eye is set on another prize. She’s R.I.P. for sure, and probably won’t even survive this episode. 

And this scene might actually be Sauron peacing out of Eregion with the rings of power, at the end of 2x07.

Elrond/Adar - Battle of Eregion

From the preview teaser and the trailers, we already know how this will go down (somewhat). In some teasers we’ve seen Elrond with a wound on his face, I think this will only happen in 2x08, and not in 2x07. 

We also know Elrond will go to Khazad-dûm, and ask Prince Durin to provide aid in the Battle of Eregion. I think he’ll see Durin giving a speech to the Dwarves in 2x07, and King Durin III being against helping Eregion, but they won’t show up on the battle just yet (more on that later).

This will probably happen before the Elven army faces the Orc army, because logic.  

This attack somehow stops (probably because Adar will flaunt Galadriel in a cage), and Elrond and Adar will have a chat (as we’ve seen in Episode 7 preview). 

Adar will warn Elrond that his small Elven army can’t stop the Orc legions. My guess is he’ll use Galadriel as bargain here. As I’ve speculated before, Adar already expressed to Galadriel, in 2x06, his desire in knowing what comes after Sauron is defeated and the fate of the Orcs, seeking out a truce between Elves and Orcs, which would allow him and his “children” to live in peace, in Mordor. I believe he will propose this to Elrond, too. 

However, there might be a plot twist in this scene, because every character wants Sauron destroyed: and in 2x07 Elrond might have to choose between saving Galadriel or stopping Sauron.  

Elrond & Galadriel - Elrond's Choice

As I’ve already speculated in Part 1 of my “Last Temptation” megathread, and with 2x07 being an Elrond-centered episode, it makes perfect sense for this to be the moment when he has to uphold the promise he made to Galadriel, in 2x04. And this is exactly what I’m guessing will happen, and the majority of the people on my "People's Choice" Poll are way off mark here. (Or I am, we'll see).

This scene from the trailer is, indeed, Elrond touching Galadriel’s face, at the Orc camp. And it will mirror the first time they were introduced to us in 1x01, but on reverse and sorrowful, because instead of greeting each other, they are saying farewell.

My bet is Elrond will allow Galadriel to remain as Adar’s prisoner, probably to lure Sauron out, in the hope they might save Eregion still, and stop the Orc attack on the city. Plot twist: it won't. Adar is so consumed by his desire for revenge against Sauron, he won’t stop the battle.

Ironically, the clue is in the actual trailer. 

My guess is this scene will play out like an actual goodbye between Elrond and Galadriel, because they believe they both can/will die (we, as the audience, know they won’t, but we can’t look at things that way). And no, there won’t be any kissing on the lips, for f*ck sake. Anyway, it will be a very emotional scene, nonetheless.

And this is why the showrunners decided to throw the Galadriel/Celebrimbor scene in Episode 7 preview, to make it seem it’s Elrond who frees Galadriel from Adar and the Orcs.  But now you’re asking: if we see her in Eregion with Celebrimbor, who lets her out from Adar’s captivity?  

The answer is: Ghûl, the Orc and Adar's wingman, wingorc? Winguruk? The Orc from whom Adar practically rips the war horn from at the end of Episode 6, to give out the signal to the Orc legions, to attack Eregion.

And now you’re thinking I’m out of my mind here, but stay with me. 

Throughout the season, this Orc is the most fleshed out, and has a lot of screentime for him not to do anything relevant to the plot. He’s terrified of Sauron’s return, doesn’t want to go to war, and he’s the one with a family (meaning he has motivation and an character arc).  

He has already shown interest in Galadriel, in Episode 5; he’s the one who tries to cut out a lock of her hair, when she arrived at the Orc camp.

Ghûl's gaze also lingers on Galadriel as she’s being dragged away from Adar at the end of Episode 6, warning Adar that an attack on Eregion is what Sauron truly wants, and that he’s taking his bait. And she’s completely right here, because we saw Sauron planting the seeds of this battle into Adar’s mind in 2x01.  

So, yes, this is my guess, and I've seen other fans have picked out on this as well.

And why an Orc being the one to set Galadriel free is also important to the story? Last season, we saw Galadriel expressing some weird and genocidal views on the Orcs, going as far as vowing to Adar she wouldn’t rest until every single one of his offsprings were dead. Now, we know this won’t happen, and even after Sauron’s defeat in “The Last Alliance” war, there are Orcs on Middle-earth and Mordor (their kingdom) still exists. Galadriel will remain a central part in all of this, throughout the entire story. So, being released by an Orc would certainty contribute for her to broad her horizons and dilute her “black and white” views, and might come into play later on in the story itself.

Galadriel & Celebrimbor

From Episode 7 preview, we know that Galadriel will reach Eregion and reunite with Celebrimbor. Some could argue this scene is actually another one of Sauron’s deceptions, but I don’t think so. My guess is this scene will happen near or at the end of the episode, and Sauron/Annatar has already left the city by then. Sauron and Galadriel won’t reunite in Episode 7 (this will only happen in 2x08 because it’s one of the climaxes of the season).

Charles Edwards (Celebrimbor) has confirmed "Rings of Powers” isn’t following the canon where Celebrimbor was in love with Galadriel, and there is no build up or any foreshadowing for this, so we can scratch the eventuality of any “romantic” undertones happening in this scene.

By the time this scene takes place, I'm 99,9% sure that Celebrimbor already knows the truth of Annatar’ identity. What will these two talk about? Sauron, his plans and the rings of power. Galadriel promises Celebrimbor: “I won’t let you face him alone”. 

There are several possible scenarios here: 

Sauron fled Eregion after Celebrimbor discovered his true identify, but will return to collect the rings of power (like in the books);

Sauron is still somewhere at Eregion when this scene happens (or they believe he is);

Galadriel is talking future here (“Sauron already left with the rings, but if he eventually returns”/"We'll get the rings back and stop him", etc.);

Galadriel is talking about the effects of Sauron’s deceptions and corruption on Celebrimbor’s mind.

This scene will also be important to give extra motivation for Galadriel to go seek out Sauron by herself at the finale. By witnessing first-hand the extend of Sauron’s plans and what he did to Celebrimbor, she’ll go on a hunt for Sauron with a mindset of killing him, next episode.

I’ve already talked about this several times, but it’s always important to remember: in the finale, Galadriel’s plan will be to kill Sauron (probably using Morgoth’s crown + Nenya, as I've speculated before), and there is no doubt in her mind.

Hence the plot twist in “The Last Temptation” scene, and I already shared my theory on the most likely scenario to happen to make her snap her out of her murderous spree (and, as I’ve already said several times, I’m not a huge fan of this myself, but it's what seems most likely to happen giving the foreshadowing and clues so far).

What they will leave out for "next time"?

Celebrimbor's fate. *Spoiler alert*: I'm sure everyone in the fandom knows, but Celebrimbor will most probably die in 2x08.

I can be wrong, but I have the feeling we’ll only see the Dwarves joining the Battle of Eregion in Episode 8. Either way, my bet it’s the showrunners will “deus ex machina” them, and have them arriving when everything seems to be lost and that all Elves are going to die (pretty much like the Knights of Rohan in Battle of Helm's Deep in “The Two Towers”).

I don’t think we’ll see Númenor again this Season. Only if it’s Isildur plot, but it’s almost certain he’ll not join the Battle of Eregion, and just “hang out” with the human Southlanders.

The Stranger arc will be in Episode 8: when when he’ll earn his wizard staff and be finally revealed as Gandalf (because, let's face it, everyone saw that coming from a mile away). And I’m kind of disappointed, because I was hoping for him to turn out to be one of the Blue Wizards.

Unsure if the “Dark Wizard" identity will be revealed. And, no, he’s not Saruman, for f*ck sake, Saruman is one of the Istari and a member of the “White Council”, and he only joins Sauron after “The Hobbit” timeline. I can be wrong, but I’m guessing they’ll leave that “mystery box” for next season, and, most likely, only reveal who the "guys in the masks" are, and why they serve him.

I’m betting we’ll only see the Balrog of Moria in Episode 8, too, and it will kill King Durin III (like in the books, earning its nickname of “Durin’s Bane”). There will be no Balrog in the Battle of Eregion, because Sauron can’t control the Balrogs (they are the same kind, both corrupted Maiar by Morgoth, so he can’t command them, and that's why the Balrog of Moria never joined Sauron's forces).

Just a warning: all comments concerning the fake leaks will be deleted, because we are doing serious speculation in here.  

[ailendolin]

One moment we're not talking about enough is when Annatar grips Celebrimbor's arm right after Celebrimbor shoves him against the wall. I think it's the first time we see Annatar physically hurting him and even though it is not as violent as Celebrimbor's shove was moments before, the quiet intensity of it gives me goosebumps.

Because Annatar is completely fine after Celebrimbor loses his temper. He does not even bat an eyelash when he hits the wall. Celebrimbor, however, is not. He immediately cradles his arm and even though he tries to hide it, he is hurt and clearly in pain. The game has changed in that moment. He has crossed a line with that shove and now all the bets are off. There is no turning back from that. I wouldn't be surprised if physical violence will become a part of their interactions now, and I think that's why this moment stands out for me so much. It's a turning point in their relationship and after seeing how easily Annatar can hurt him - with nothing but a firm grip - it's not hard to imagine how much worse it's going to get.

[buffyfan145]

If anyone didn't see the "Rings of Power" socials released a new clip from the s2 premiere of Galadriel telling Gil Galad and Elrond that Halbrand is Sauron, and not only that we got 3 things revealed in this:

She says that Halbrand is Sauron's "fair form". Most of us figured this but great to hear the show say this as there were a few that attacked not only the show but Charlie himself about his looks over this and why he shouldn't play Sauron. A lot didn't like that Sauron would pretend to be a man and look so much like Aragorn and didn't think Charlie could pull off Annatar, which we now know he can and is. LOL So again nice to see the show do this.

Of course me being a Haladriel shipper it seems like Galadriel is also admitting she found his fair form as Halbrand attractive and was fooled by this, which most of us figured but this for sure seems implied combined with the guilt she feels for everything that happened.

Gil Galad is being so judgmental and Elrond looks so disappointed, and we know the two have a rift about this the rest of the season. Also, that they don't trust her and setting up her storyline to get that trust back.

[souredfigs]

Laughing so hard rn because child me found Sauron absolutely terrifying , like he was the stuff of my nightmares, and I always wondered how creepy and intimidating he would look like in the second age and as Annatar

And now that we finally have him-

OH NO HES HOT

LIKE UR MY ARCH NEMESIS MY LIFETIME FOE MY WORST ENEMY WHY DO I WANNA- *****************************

(Someone find the idk if I should be scary or horny meme ifyk :)

[elladanns]

So i just realised something kinda wild. Hear me out, this is a long one and my mind is so blown rn. I'm so sorry this is word vomit.

Saruman (Curumo) KNEW Sauron (Marion), as they were both Maia of Aulë. Which is likely why he specifically was the perfect candidate for Sauron to seduce to his side. Saruman was also JEALOUS of Sauron's power.

Now, if the 'Curu' part of his name sounds familiar, it's present in Fëanor's father name 'Curufinwë' and his son Curufin's name, meaning crafty/skilled/cunning. The two were also smiths.

Aulë was also known as "The Great Smith"

So there is a chance, Fëanor (Curufinwë), and therefore his son Curufin, were named AFTER the Maia Saruman (Curumo).

Which then, Saruman's seduction to join Sauron also, to some degree, is linked to- and almost parallels-Celebrimbor's seduction to help Sauron make the Rings Of Power.

Saruman later takes on Sauron's title of 'Ring-Maker', which likely stemmed from his jealousy of Sauron. While yes, Sauron did help forge the Rings, Celebrimbor was also the Ring-Maker to some extent as well.

In PJ's trilogy, Gandalf tells Saruman "There is only one Lord of The Ring, only one who can bend it to his will. And he does not share power."

In TROP, Annatar (Sauron), tells Celebrimbor, "I can bring you the knowledge none other possesses. I can unlock your grandest abilities. And when our work is complete, never again will the world overlook you as the mere scion of Fëanor, but forevermore revere you The Lord Of The Rings."

So what i'm trying to say is... it's all connected in the most subtle way and Tolkien is the most prolific writer I've ever seen.

Feel free to add anything below!

[steve-needs-a-hug]

Halbrand as a pseudo-Jesus figure & Annatar as a pseudo-Christ

There's something eerily compelling about what the Rings of Power has done with these two guises of Sauron and how he's able to inspire trust, faith, and devotion in Galadriel and Celebrimbor. In the show, Sauron believes himself to be the one who needs to save or redeem Middle-Earth. The effectiveness in his manipulation of these characters involuntarily reminds me of the exploitative and manipulative nature of Evangelical Christianity and how powerfully it markets itself as the one way to solve people's deepest existential problems. So I thought about some parallels between Sauron's two main guises or personas in the show, and how Jesus and/or Christ is popularly depicted or understood (especially in Evangelical spaces). To me this helps illustrate why RoP!Sauron's deception is so effective, while exposing some unsettling issues I have with Evangelicalism.

Halbrand as a pseudo-Jesus

Halbrand was presented to Galadriel (as well as us the audience) as a scruffy, humble, ordinary man. Although more glamorous depictions of Jesus were common in Catholic art, the recent Evangelical trend has been to portray a humanized down-to-Earth Jesus (e.g., in The Chosen series, Jesus sweats, cries, gets hungry and tired and frustrated). Scripture allegedly described Jesus as humble and unexceptional in appearance and growing up through adversity and suffering (Isaiah 53). Halbrand is (ostensibly) a smith's aide, Jesus was a carpenter - both trades involving working and crafting with one's hands. It's then "revealed" that Halbrand comes from a lost royal lineage and Galadriel hails him as the King who can save his people from enslavement to an evil overlord - Jesus came from the line of the legendary King David and was hailed as King of Jews, expected to rescue his people from the Roman Empire's oppression.

Halbrand's surface-level resemblance to Aragorn, heir to the throne of Gondor, can't be ignored either (this is partly why I found the character of Halbrand so insufferable in s1, he seemed like an Aragorn knockoff to me!). It's also been argued that Aragorn is a Jesus-like figure, though he turns out to be one of the most legendary fantasy heroes rather than one of the most notorious supervillains (Sauron).

Galadriel grows to trust Halbrand and view him as her friend and possibly the only person who truly understands her. Celebrimbor also develops a close friendship with Halbrand as they work together. Evangelicalism emphasizes a "personal relationship" with Jesus as your very own friend (some even lean towards a lover) who knows everything about you and helps you with your problems and gets you what you want. Jesus' disciples were also close personal friends with him while possessing little understanding of his true divine nature.

Annatar as a pseudo-Christ

Now this is where things get a lot more interesting. In 2x02, Halbrand reveals his "true nature" to Celebrimbor in an awe-inspiring display. This goosebumps-inducing moment is akin to a religious experience for Celebrimbor, who instinctively bows in reverence to this angelic figure. Christ has also been depicted and described as arriving with the clouds (Revelation 1:7), and I'm sure the religious symbolism of this scene was not lost on many viewers. Even though Annatar seems to be a powerful emissary of the divine, he still tells Celebrimbor that they are to be equal partners in their work to save Middle-Earth. An important tenet of Christianity is that Christ desires to partner with humanity to accomplish His works. This all sounds well and good to Celebrimbor, but Sauron's ultimate mode of "saving" Middle-Earth is to enslave all its peoples and creatures to his will.

Annatar is known in Tolkien's lore as the Lord of Gifts (in the episode he describes himself to Celebrimbor as "a sharer of gifts"). His gift is the knowledge of the way of Middle-Earth's salvation. Evangelical devotionals and sermons frequently refer to salvation of the soul as a "free gift" Christ offers to humanity. (I can go on about how this phrase is a redundant tautology - oops, there's another one - but that's a whole other discussion.) I will suffice to say that the term "free gift" reads like a salesperson's marketing pitch and it bothers me. Evangelicalism as a whole feels like a colonial mission converted into a giant media marketing operation - its glossy veneer of concert-like megachurch services, prepacked apologetics, and friendly approachability often conceal sinister things (exploitation, corruption, discrimination, abuse, the list goes on).

Sauron chose to prey on two vulnerable people with potential for influence - Galadriel and Celebrimbor, both feeling isolated and slighted by their people and striving for a deeply personal and important goal that feels just out of their reach. However, he didn't force himself on them. They chose to let him in, and as a result he took advantage of their trust. In Christianity, God is described as someone Who stands at the door and knocks, and for those who choose to open the door to Him, He will come in and share a meal with them as friends (Revelation 3:20). This is more or less exactly what Celebrimbor did in 2x02 when he allowed Halbrand in, gave him food and wine, and called him his friend. This was the most eerie parallel to me, inspired by some great analyses I've read about how Sauron is depicted in the show thus far.

In season 1 Sauron as Halbrand laid his strategy bare to Galadriel - give your opponent the means of mastering their greatest fear, so you can master them. I can't help but feel that this is what organized religion does - providing the sense of assurance, safety, and emotional comfort that people desperately need, in exchange for gaining control over their life choices and even their thought patterns through rules, dogma, and pressures of social conformity. Shaping minds and bending wills sounds pretty Sauron-like to me. [Disclaimer: This is not meant to be a dunk on religion as a whole, just a reflection as I work through unlearning and critically inspecting beliefs I grew up with.]

[fatcatlittlebox]

I think at some point Sauron or somebody is going to have to ask…

between having to keep a network of lies and hope Celebrimbor never speaks to Gal again, having to change form and call himself Annatar, killing all the messengers from Lindon forever?, pretending to still be the Southlander king and assume Adar never hears word that Halbrand was fiction and then eventually needing to deal with a grumpy Elf Commander known to hold a grudge for thousands of years now made even grumpier because you catfished her…why didn’t he just unalive her when he had the chance? He did everyone else who stood in his way. Seems terribly inconvenient. And the answer is quite clear.

[rey-jake-therapist]

Following a discussion I read on Reddit where everyone seemed to agree that Annatar is Sauron's true persona while Halbrand was entirely a fabrication, I feel the need to say this:

I may be too stupid, naive or blind or whatever you want to call me, but I don't think that Halbrand was completely fake, while Annatar is what Sauron really is.

I can give you a reason why I think that : Annatar is all about manipulating people and do anything to bind them to their will. Every act, every word comes from one unique desire: get them to do what he wants, by lying to them, gaslighting them etc. We rarely see Annatar have a moment where he expresses his true emotions; when he does it's generally when nobody's watching, and it never lasts more than a few seconds.

I won't even bring up the scenes where Halbrand displayed emotions that seemed genuine when Galadriel was not watching, because it could be argued they were just red herrings for the audience to think he was really a man named Halbrand.

But in season 2, episode 1, when we first see him as Halbrand he's got no agenda, no plan for the future, no one to impress, seduce or manipulate. He's just a lost guy who has no clue what to do now. In these moments, he's very much like the Halbrand we saw in season 1, and until he steals the pouch from the poor guy, nothing like the scheming guy we see him become later.

That's just my opinion anyway. It's a very important question that hopefully, will meet its answer in episode 8. Because if Halbrand was entirely fake, it means that everything he said and claimed to feel towards Galadriel was fake as well, and that Galadriel fell for not even a ghost, but a mirage.

It means that there's never been any true connection between them, not an emotional connection at least. It changes the dynamics entirely.

[the1northlanderprincess]

It has become apparent that we're in that typical late season stage of panic and/or negativity surrounding our somewhat unique ship. I don't want to see us or this tag spiral so out of control that it causes major divisiveness. I know we've seen a "breakup" already before the feelings were revealed to be subtly romantic, but we're just about to get into the real meat of it. I want us to be excited.

Okay, now, I want to address the subject of the whole "Haladriel is toxic" thing, which @deus-sema discussed in her post. Are they? Sure, to an extent. I mean, the dude impersonated her brother AND tried to brush it off like he wasn't. And the recent obsession on his end certainly isn't healthy. But I've seen so much worse. I think for the majority of their interactions, though, has been positive. There was a lot of trust, happiness, and support. You had some small arguments sprinkled in, but they were pushing one another to try to make the other better. You need that in a relationship.

If anything, it's just a plain ol' forbidden romance; they're haunted, as others have iterated. There is no way they can be together in a balanced, honest manner, and they can't handle it. Sauron and Galadriel are both highly intellectual immortals, above common Men. Although, you could argue that they each display human characteristics from time to time (Sauron especially). However, you can also argue that there is very much a nature vs. nurture aspect present. It's safe to guess that Galadriel grew up in a loving environment, whereas Sauron was likely surrounded by cruelty and harsh discipline. He probably knew nothing of what real love was like.

However, after recently rewatching season 1 Haladriel for the first time, I was able to view their scenes in a different light. The finale, in particular, had my attention. Before the confrontation, Halbrand tells Gal how much it meant to him that she stuck up for him and empowered him. He was so grateful, he wanted to do the same for her (and I think that was genuine). He got a glimpse of true friendship and compassion, and he wanted to revel in it...and her.

That brings me to the hand-wringing over the finale, about whether or not it's going to be a redux of 1x08. I paid special attention to the raft scene. After they were arguing over semantics and the like, it came down to them, hilariously, screaming at each other and Sauron disappearing. In all honesty, not a lot of stuff happened between them. That needs to change. The two have exchanged how they feel around one another, but they really need to address the hurt and why it hurts.

If that beautiful shot of Dark Prince Halbrand is anything to go by, I conclude that when their swordfight ends, they will come to some sort of complex, uneasy truce, beginning with Gal showing Annatar the ring.

[just-trying-to-fangirl-in-peace]

Annatar/Sauron x reader

-> in which Annatar tries to convince you that your father, Lord Celebrimbor, is the darkness you saw in the Unseen World

Warnings: manipulation (I mean, it’s Sauron)

“Are you well?”

You are not. That is why you left the forge to seek solace on the balcony, hoping that the sight of Eregion’s lights at night would help soothe your frayed nerves. But when Annatar asks the question, breaking your contemplation, you don’t quite want to admit it so plainly.

“I will be,” you tell him as he joins you at your side, standing with his hands on the edge of the balcony as you have been doing for the past few minutes. “I believe. Only that... I cannot put it out of my mind. What I saw.” You hesitate, your voice growing dimmer. “What I felt.”

Silence settles. You have yet to meet his gaze. Part of you feels guilty, even if it was an accident—putting on the Ring that carried you into the strange shadow realm for those few, terrifying moments. You feel as though you brought it upon yourself, and helped bring the darkness you had seen upon everyone else. After all, Lord Celebrimbor had insisted you do not join Annatar’s efforts to make any further Rings. But even as your father, he could not forbid you from doing so, and you wanted to believe that Men could be saved despite their shortcomings. The fact that Annatar shared your belief had only strengthened it. You knew you were right to try.

Now, you are not so sure.

“You are very brave,” Annatar says. Now, you do look at him. You find that his gaze is as soft as his voice, and his praise sincere. Your brow furrows in silent question, because you cannot fathom of what he speaks. Your experience with the Ring had left you trembling in fear, and you had not stopped until Annatar had stepped to your side, reassuring you that all was well.

“Some who behold the Unseen World are never quite at home in this one again.” He looks out at the city as he speaks, words laced with the deep wisdom you have come to recognize in him. “In its light, things appear as they truly are. Beings of different shades of light... and its darkness.”

“They looked very much the same,” you say softly. “The darkest presence appeared to me engulfed in the brightest light. I fear...” You trail off, the weight already in your heart doubling as you admit out loud, “I fear there might come a time when I’m not able to tell the difference.”

There is a sort of sadness in the smile Annatar gives you, but also understanding. “It is no easy thing, discerning truth from deceit.” He pauses, gaze drifting to his hands uncertainly. As if he’s not sure he should speak the words he does next. “Especially when we look upon those who are closest to us.”

“Of what do you speak?” you ask, sensing a deeper meaning to his words. Annatar turns more fully towards you, meeting your eyes with a grave look in his own.

“It pains me to say, for what you saw I did not wish for any of you to see. You, most of all, I had hoped to protect from this. Until I had helped him heal.”

At first, you are confused. But as his eyes bore into yours, willing you to understand, there is only one possible meaning to his words that you can think of. An erroneous one, surely.

“You cannot mean... My father?”

Annatar nods once. Your lips part to protest, but he speaks first. “I wish it were not so. The toll that creation has exacted from him in crafting the Three and the Seven has left him diminished. Vulnerable to the shadow.”

“Annatar, please,” you insist, driven by disbelief. “My father has his flaws, as do we all. And yes, the creation of the Rings is no doubt strenuous, but how could it make him capable of such evil as I saw?”

Annatar smiles, gently. “You love him a great deal.”

“We do not always see eye to eye,” you murmur, feeling suddenly shy under his tender gaze. “But yes.”

“And you are most precious to him as well, as is only natural,” Annatar reassures in earnest. “That has not changed, nor will it. But, surely, you have noticed yourself that... he is not now as kind to you as he once was.” He hesitates once more. “When you suggested that you go to Lindon and confess to your king that he had lied so that we may continue with our work, free of deceit...”

You remember, of course. Shaken by your previous experience with one of the Rings of Men, when Annatar had suggested that the Dwarves’ Rings had been corrupted by your father’s lie to Gil-galad, your first thought had been, naturally, to put it right. Your father had been furious. “He would never permit me to forge anything again!” he had said in horror. “You cannot possibly consider doing such a thing to your own kin.”

He had dismissed you, then, more harshly than he ever had. And you must admit it hurt. But that was only because he was afraid of losing the one thing he loves as much as he does you—his craft.

You tell Annatar as much.

“But there is something you don’t know,” he confesses. “After you left... Lord Celebrimbor ordered his guards to see to it that you were spied upon. And should you make any attempt at leaving Eregion... that you were to be brought back by any means necessary, and locked within your chambers.”

“Locked?” you say, frowning deeply. “No, he would never.”

“I wish it were not so. Alas, I was there to hear it myself. And it was a lucky thing, for I prevailed upon him to withdraw his word. On that occasion, it was but a moment of weakness. But I fear the sickness may spread, if left untended.”

His eyes never leave yours as he speaks, though it is plain how difficult he finds it to say such things to you. Despite how much you wish you could deny it, you find that the more you listen to his voice, the more you believe him. And it feels as though the floor is slipping from underneath your feet. This unease you’ve been feeling for weeks, the feeling that something isn’t quite right which you cannot escape inside the forge as you work side by side with your father... he is the very source of it. The being you most trust and cherish is what you saw in the Unseen World, pitiless and terrible.

No, not yet. But, as Annatar said, if the sickness spreads...

“What is there to be done?” you ask him, almost pleadingly. It’s clearer to you now than ever that he is your only hope.

“I shall do everything in my power to see him well again,” Annatar says. “As for you... I believe it would be best if, perhaps, you kept your distance from him.”

“You would have me abandon him at a time like this?”

“Not abandon, no. It would be for his sake, as much as yours. Whilst the Nine are still being crafted, his state might lead him to say or... do certain things that he might later regret. Which in turn might fuel the darkness, in a vicious circle. It is a terrible thing, I know,” he says, meaning to soothe as you shut your eyes tightly, tormented by his words.

“And you are sure the others know nothing of this?” you ask. Selfish as it may be, you don’t want them to judge that which they do not understand.

“Yes,” Annatar says, “and we must ensure this remains a secret. Even from your father himself. The beast within him shall be more easily defeated, if it does not know it is being fought.”

You nod in understanding. Now that the truth has been revealed, a tired numbness begins to settle over you. You had meant to save the Dwarves and Men as you had the Elves, for your gifts to help restore their light. Yet the dark seems to grow heavier with each passing second, and your father has been succumbing to it day by day without you even noticing. Have you condemned him to this, you wonder? Was there something you could have done differently?

“I have given you much to ponder,” Annatar says regretfully. “I shall leave you to your thoughts.”

And so he does. Or at least makes to. The moment he turns away, even when he is not yet quite gone from your side, the air seems to chill in anticipation of his leaving. Leaving you alone on the balcony, more alone that you remember feeling in all your years of life. It feels as though a sharp stone has sunk into your chest, and you cannot bear its weight upon your heart on your own.

“Annatar!”

Before you think it through, your hand is on his arm, causing him to hold still. You know he prefers not to be touched—you’ve seen him stiffen lightly when your father or some other smith pats him on the shoulder, however friendly the gesture. That is why you withdraw your hand as soon as you realize what you have done, even though he does not seem as bothered now. All you find in his gaze as he turns back towards you is the question of what drove you to hold onto him as you did. In truth, you are not sure what you need from him. Only that you want him there, with you, because...

“I am afraid.”

The words are but a whisper, and they sound like a plea as much as a trembling confession. You cannot see your way through the darkness anymore, and you feel as though the only light you can hope to find is him.

This time, it is he who touches you—reaching for your hand, cradling it in both of his as if he were protecting something precious.

“You need not be,” he vows softly. “Not whilst I am here.”

The words wash over you in soothing waves. His touch is already a wonderful balm, but then he lifts your hand to his lips, pressing the most delicate kiss against your knuckles, and... all is well. All will be well. The shadows cannot touch you, or that which you love, so long as there is such luminous beauty in your life to keep them at bay. And beautiful he is, as your eyes remain locked, the moonlight catching in his hair ethereally and making your heart tremble pleasantly instead of rattle with fear.

“Stay with me a little longer, would you?” you ask then, unable to help yourself.

“Of course,” he smiles that gentle smile of his. “For as long as you like.”

After that, your hand remains in his. Whereas the thought of touching him felt forbidden before, nothing feels more natural now that he has welcomed it. You hope for more—and, in time, you shall have it.

If only you knew it is the darkness itself that you are touching all along.