The Nine Rings for Men are finally being made in “Halls of Stone,” Season 2 of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Sauron (Charlie Vickers), in disguise as Annatar, persuades Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards) to help him create the rings.
Celebrimbor initially resists because he believes Men are too easily corrupted. To change his mind, Annatar mentions three of the bravest men in Middle-earth: Eärendil, Tuor, and Beren. These men were noble and fought against great evils, including Sauron.
Beren Steals a Silmaril From Morgoth and Meets Sauron
Beren is known for being one of the few Men to marry an Elf. He marries Lúthien, and their story is one of the greatest tales in J.R.R. Tolkien’s works. Beren starts as an outlaw in Beleriand and is the son of Barahir, who once saved Finrod Felagund (Will Fletcher), Galadriel’s (Morfydd Clark) brother.
Finrod promised to help Barahir in return. Later, when Beren falls in love with Lúthien, her father, King Thingol, only agrees to the marriage if Beren retrieves a Silmaril from Morgoth’s Iron Crown.
The Silmarils are incredibly beautiful gems fought over in the First Age. Morgoth, enchanted by them, has all three on his crown. Beren uses Finrod’s favor to attempt the task, but he and his companions are captured by Sauron in his fortress of Tol-in-Gaurhoth.
Finrod battles Sauron in a contest of songs but loses, and they are imprisoned. When werewolves come to kill them, Finrod sacrifices himself to save Beren. Lúthien later rescues Beren.
Eventually, Beren and Lúthien attempt the quest again. They enter Morgoth’s fortress of Angband, where Lúthien uses her powers to put Morgoth’s court to sleep.
Beren retrieves one of the Silmarils, but Morgoth’s wolf, Charcharoth, bites Beren’s hand with the gem. They are rescued by the Eagles, who help hunt Charcharoth and retrieve the Silmaril. After Beren’s death, Lúthien follows him, but the Valar allow them to be reborn as mortals to live their lives together.
Tuor Saves Lives During the Fall of Gondolin
Tuor, like Beren, marries an Elf, Idril, the princess of Gondolin. After losing his family to Morgoth, Tuor is guided by Ulmo, the Valar of the Seas, to deliver a warning to Gondolin.
Despite Tuor’s warning, King Turgon of Gondolin does not prepare for Morgoth’s attack. Tuor becomes a respected member of the court and marries Idril. They have a son, Eärendil.
Eventually, Gondolin is betrayed by the Elf Maeglin and falls to Morgoth. Tuor, Idril, and their family survive and save many lives under Ulmo’s guidance.
Tuor and Idril later sail to the Undying Lands of Valinor. Tolkien’s Letter 153 suggests that Tuor is granted Elvish immortality, implying that they may have reached Valinor and still reside there.
Eärendil Pleads With the Valar to Fight Morgoth
Eärendil, the son of Tuor and Idril, is a key figure in Middle-earth’s history. He has two sons, Elrond and Elros. He is married to Elwing, who is the granddaughter of Beren and Lúthien. Eärendil has a deep connection to the sea. As Morgoth’s forces continue to destroy Middle-earth, Eärendil sails to Valinor to ask the Valar for help.
Elwing has the Silmaril that Beren and Lúthien recovered. They use it to guide their ship across the sea to the Undying Lands. Eärendil becomes the first mortal to reach Valinor, and the Valar agree to help fight Morgoth. Thanks to Eärendil, Morgoth is finally defeated.
Eärendil fights in the war and, at its end, is given a choice by the Valar. He can become an Elf or remain a Human. He chooses to become an Elf and now sails across the sky with the Silmaril on his ship. The first star seen in the sky is known as the Evening Star, and it represents Eärendil sailing.
Season 2 of The Rings of Power is streaming on Prime Video, with new episodes airing weekly on Thursdays.
