Contains spoilers for this episode and earlier episodes.
Elrond leads Galadriel's company toward Eregion, but a destroyed bridge forces them onto another route. Her ring warns of danger in the hills; his distrust of its power leaves him unwilling to follow the warning. Barrow-wights attack, making the detour deadly before the Elves discover an Orc army moving through their lands. Camnir is wounded by an arrow and healed by Galadriel's ring. She gives it to Elrond and stays behind to distract the enemy while the others carry word to Lindon. Adar captures her after she refuses to reveal where they have gone.
Separated from Nori and Poppy, the Stranger meets Tom Bombadil, whose apparent ease with the world's dangers exposes how little the visitor understands his own power. Tom rescues him from a tree and describes the task facing him: stopping the Dark Wizard as well as Sauron. The Harfoots meanwhile find the Stoors, a settled halfling community in a desert canyon. Gundabale initially wants them gone because of their pursuers, then recognises a connection between their people and a Stoor's ancient search for a greener home.
Arondir exposes Estrid's connection to Adar's followers, but her help during an attack in a mud pit gives Isildur a reason to trust her again. They find that Ents took Theo and the Wild Men in anger at the destruction of their trees. Arondir promises to protect the forest, securing the prisoners' release. Estrid reunites with her betrothed Hagen, while Theo remains at Pelargir and Arondir follows the Orc army's trail.