The following contains spoilers for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 1, Episode 3, "Adar," now streaming on Prime Video.
One of the most interesting aspects of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is how the air of mystery over certain characters has kept fans guessing. While some are speculating about the Meteor Man's identity, another character who warrants attention is Halbrand, the gruff stranger that saved Galadriel from a watery death. Admittedly, there was chemistry between them, but flirting aside, they couldn't trust each other.
That changed drastically after they reached safety, believing they were meeting allies. Alas, it turns out Númenór wasn't the safest of havens, which led to both forging a closer bond. However, while it seems like the human in Halbrand and the Elf in Galadriel might be charting a forbidden romance akin to Aragorn and Arwen, all as part of a greater destiny, there's a dark twist to their story in this highly popular prequel series.
In LOTR lore, Aragon, King of Gondor was always meant to unite Middle-earth. Still, there was tension because Arwen's father, Elrond, didn't want his daughter to fall for Aragorn, especially as it'd take her immortality away. That said, both persevered, not just with keeping hope they'd find a way back to each other, but with duty as well -- helping the Hobbits achieve their goal.
Thankfully, Frodo destroyed the One Ring, allowing Arwen to wed Aragorn, truly ushering in an era of peace. It's why their bellicose nature actually had fans of The Rings of Power comparing these royals more to Arondir and Bronwyn, another human-Elf relationship considered taboo in the Orc-infested Southlands. But while they're sussing out their roles in the war to come against Sauron, Galadriel knows hers and wants Halbrand to help.
On Númenór, Galadriel realized that Halbrand's necklace meant he was the King of the Southlands -- the area where Adar's forces are building a dark stronghold. Halbrand tried to deny it, but eventually confessed he fled as he hated how his family supported Morgoth and Sauron in the past. This was a birthright he was ashamed of, nodding to how Aragorn became the Ranger, Strider, and tried to move past Isildur wanting to claim the Ring at Mount Doom.
Galadriel, though, was adamant that once she helped him escape Númenór, he could then summon his legion, unite with the Elves, and together they can take down the rising evil to complete his redemption. Again, it's a remix of Aragorn being the key to a massive army, with a reluctant Halbrand juggling a similar responsibility. But while Arwen wasn't aggressive in helping her lover choose his path, Galadriel is with her crush. It's personal for her, after all, as Sauron killed many of her people, including her brother. But while Galadriel has faith, Halbrand isn't like Aragorn. He has a dark side, as seen when he tried to scam some guys of their coin in Númenór, and broke their bones like John Wick.
As such, he might not be telling the truth. Given that he's already positioned as the counterpoint to the altruistic, younger version of Isildur, it does feel like more of these secrets will be revealed soon, leaving Galadriel torn between her head and her heart. Ultimately, though, as convenient as Halbrand's story is, the usually cynical Galadriel believes he's a trump card, which may well lead to Elendil (Isildur's father) jeopardizing his station, not just as an Elf ally, but as a leader on Númenór. And make no mistake, if they're wrong about Halbrand, the stranger could end up poisoning any alliance, rather than forging one the way Aragorn did, which would create an opening for Sauron to exploit.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power releases new episodes Fridays on Prime Video.