Season synopsis
Contains spoilers for this season and earlier seasons.
Galadriel refuses to abandon her hunt for Sauron and jumps from the ship taking her to Valinor. At sea, she meets Halbrand, who travels with her to Númenor and presents himself as a displaced Southlands king. Queen Regent Míriel agrees to send soldiers back to Middle-earth. Meanwhile, Elrond renews his friendship with Prince Durin and learns of mithril, which the Elves believe can prevent their fading from the world.
In the Southlands, Arondir and Bronwyn gather people against Adar's advancing Orcs, while Theo holds a broken sword hilt their enemy wants. The Númenórean expedition arrives in time to help defeat the attackers, but the apparent victory cannot prevent the volcano's eruption. Ash and fire transform the Southlands into Mordor. Míriel loses her sight, and Elendil believes Isildur dead when the surviving soldiers prepare to return to their island.
Galadriel takes the wounded Halbrand to Eregion, where he helps Celebrimbor work with the small supply of mithril. Records expose his false royal identity, and he admits that he is Sauron. Galadriel refuses his offer to rule beside him. After he leaves, Celebrimbor forges three Elven Rings using mithril and Finrod's dagger. Elsewhere, the Stranger defeats the mystics who mistook him for Sauron, revealing himself as a wizard. Sadoc dies after their fight, and Nori leaves the Harfoots to accompany the Stranger east toward Rhûn.