Contains spoilers for this episode and earlier episodes.
Celebrimbor notices repetitions inside the peaceful world Annatar has created around him and breaks through the illusion. Outside, Eregion is under siege, and the substance supplied for the Nine is revealed as Sauron's blood rather than mithril. His attempt to expose the deceiver fails because the guards believe Annatar has been protecting them from their unstable lord. Sauron demands completion of the rings and turns the smith's own household against him. Celebrimbor escapes his restraint at a terrible physical cost and eventually reaches Galadriel with the Nine.
Elrond seeks Durin's help before leading the Elven force against Adar. The Orcs use Galadriel as a hostage to stop his charge, and Adar offers her freedom in exchange for the ring Elrond carries. He refuses, but his farewell gives her an opportunity to escape. Arondir helps her enter the city, where Celebrimbor insists that she take the rings and save whoever she can. He stays behind rather than surrender responsibility for the city he built, leaving Sauron without the objects he expects to claim.
The battle consumes Eregion's defences. Rían's final arrow strikes an explosive target, and the troll Damrod crashes into the fighting before being brought down. Elrond continues expecting Dwarven reinforcements, but Durin must confront the danger his father poses to Khazad-dûm and recalls the army. Adar's forces overwhelm the remaining Elves. Arondir falls wounded, and Adar takes the ring from Elrond as the city is breached, turning the hoped-for rescue into defeat.