Contains spoilers for this episode and earlier episodes.
Galadriel wakes in a settlement buried by ash and searches for survivors. She finds Theo and leads him out, trying to stop his fear for Bronwyn from becoming certainty about her death. Their conversation turns to the losses Galadriel carries, including Celeborn, whom she has not seen since he went to war. Elsewhere, Ontamo is dead and a collapsing building separates Isildur from the rescue effort. Míriel loses her sight. Elendil must confront the belief that his son has been lost while still helping the expedition withdraw.
Elrond and Durin ask the king to allow mithril mining to save the Elves. He refuses the risk to his own people, but a piece of the ore restores a diseased leaf and persuades the friends to dig in secret. Their discovery brings another confrontation: Elrond is banished and Durin loses his royal status. Disa urges her husband not to surrender their future. The sealed depths conceal a Balrog, unknown to the king ordering the work stopped.
At the Grove, the Stranger's frightening attempt to restore the damaged orchard leads the Harfoots to send him away. The trees recover afterward, but three women searching for him burn the wagons when Nori misdirects them. She leaves with Poppy, Marigold and Sadoc to warn him. Theo meanwhile reunites with Bronwyn and Arondir, and Galadriel takes the wounded Halbrand north for Elvish treatment. Míriel promises to return, the refugees prepare for Pelargir, and the ruined Southlands receive the name Mordor.