Warning! This article contains spoilers for The Rings of Power season 2.
The Rings of Powerseason 2’s ending provided a clue as to who will be the first victim chosen by Sauron to become one of the Nazgûl.The Rings of Powerseason 2’s endingwas full of surprises, reveals, and concluding storylines that still tease the future of Middle-earth. As Sauron’s power grows, so too does his trove of Rings of Power that will undoubtedly be used by the Dark Lord inThe Rings of Powerseason 3’s story.
The most common theory as to how the Rings will be used by Sauron inThe Rings of Powerseason 3 refers to the Nine crafted for mortal Men. The Nine Rings were a primary focus ofSauron’s plan inThe Rings of Powerseason 2, and the season ended with the Dark Lord having them in his grasp. One of theexpected storylines ofThe Rings of Powerseason 3, then, will be Sauron choosing the Nine Lords of Men from across Middle-earth who he will use the Rings to enslave, with one clue hinting at a recipient primed for a future as a Nazgûl.
Kemen Taking Over Pelargir Puts Him In Line For One Of The Nine Rings
Kemen Is Now Technically A Lord Of Middle-earth
In the finale ofThe Rings of Powerseason 2, Kemen lands in the Númenórean settlement of Pelargir to establish a foothold in Middle-earth for those faithful to Pharazôn. Kemen positions himself as the leader of Pelargir, thus becoming one of the more influential Men of power in the southern lands of Middle-earth close to Mordor. As such, this puts him in pole position to receive one of Sauron’s Rings of Power, teasing his future as a potential Ringwraith of the Dark Lord.
The Ringwraiths In The Lord Of The Rings Explained: Origin & Known Backstories
The Ringwraiths, AKA Nazgul, were responsible for finding Frodo and the One Ring in Lord of the Rings, but their stories go back far beyond this.
As is known from Tolkien’s writings, the nine Men who were chosen to bear the Rings of Power by Sauron eventually become his servants.The Rings of Powerseason 2 established that the Nine Rings of Men were crafted using Sauron’s blood, with the jewelry having the intended effect and turning their bearers into beings halfway between life and death, and the Seen and Unseen realms. They become the Nazgûl, servants only to Sauron. With Kemen’s lordship of Pelargir established,The Rings of Powerseason 2 provides the biggest hint yet to the true identity of one of the Ringwraiths.
The Rings Of Power Has Already Set Kemen Up As A Future Nazgûl
Kemen’s Destiny Foretold An Ill Fate
Interestingly, the clue about Kemen’s fate as a Nazgûl fromThe Rings of Powerseason 2’s ending was not the first. InThe Rings of Powerseason 2, episode 5, Kemen and his father, Pharazôn, were shown speaking in Númenor after the latter claimed the throne. Pharazôn began to talk about Kemen’s mother, insisting that she prophesied that her son would one day face a dark future. The exact words are as follows:“Once, when you were at her breast, your mother prophesied that you would come to ill ends.”
If Sauron comes to Pelargir and presents Kemen with a Ring of Power, it is hard to justify the Númenórean rejecting it…
This was the first hint at Kemen’s future as a Ringwraith. When combining this prophecy with the ending of Kemen inThe Rings of Powerseason 2, it seems more likely than ever that he will become one of the Nazgûl. Furthermore,The Rings of Powerhas established that Kemen desires power, but also recognition from those more powerful than him, such as Pharazôn. Therefore, if Sauron comes to Pelargir and presents Kemen with a Ring of Power, it is hard to justify the Númenórean rejecting it.
Kemen Might Become Something Even Darker Than A Nazgûl
Kemen’s Fate As A Nazgûl May Not Be Decided But Could Be Something Worse
Of course, it is worth noting that these clues do not overtly condemn Kemen as a Nazgûl in the same wayThe Rings of Powerseason 2’s ending confirmedThe Stranger’s identity as Gandalf, for example. With that in mind, it could be the case that Kemen does not become a Nazgûl, but something even darker that would fit not only his character but the works of Tolkien.The darker entity in question could be the Mouth of Sauron, one of the most dedicated servants of the Dark Lordand his emissary in war.
How Rings Of Power Season 2 Connects To Lord Of The Rings' Mouth Of Sauron
The Mouth of Sauron from The Lord of the Rings has a connection to The Rings of Powers' Númenór, which means Sauron’s herald could make an appearance.
Tolkien’s books describe the Mouth of Sauron as one of the old “Black Númenóreans,” those who followed the Sceptre rather than the Faithful ways of the Valar. This certainly describes Kemen and the character has been depicted as someone who is more skillful with his words than with his military strength. While the Mouth of Sauron does not receive a Ring of Power, it could be the case thatThe Rings of Power’s future seasons depict Kemen growing closer to Sauron via corruption as his father does on Númenor, eventually falling to become his most trusted emissary.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Cast
Set in the Second Age of Middle-earth, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power explores the forging of the iconic rings, the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron, and the epic events leading up to the stories in J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic novels. The series chronicles the creation of legendary characters and the historic alliances and rivalries that shape the fate of Middle-earth.
