In ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,’ Galadriel’s absence from the Last Alliance battle against Sauron raises intriguing questions, especially given her portrayal as a warrior in ‘The Rings of Power.’ Tolkien’s works do not explicitly detail her involvement in the conflict, leaving room for speculation about her potential role. As the series progresses, viewers anticipate her reappearance and possible contributions to the climactic battle in Season 3, alongside key figures like Elrond and Isildur.
In the epic saga of ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,’ we witness the legendary confrontation of the Last Alliance, where Elrond (Hugo Weaving), Elendil (Peter McKenzie), and his son Isildur (Harry Sinclair) unite against the dark lord Sauron. This monumental battle is introduced in the film’s prologue, narrated by Galadriel (Cate Blanchett), yet she does not appear amidst the turmoil of the fight.
Despite Galadriel’s portrayal as a fierce warrior in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ (played by Morfydd Clark), her absence from this critical clash raises questions, especially considering her growing animosity towards Sauron throughout the series. The reasons behind her non-participation in this pivotal moment remain shrouded in mystery.
Unwritten in Tolkien’s Lore: Galadriel’s Role in Battle
The absence of Galadriel from the battlefield is a point of contention that only arises within the film adaptations. Tolkien’s original writings do not explicitly detail whether she fought or refrained from battle, leaving the possibility open that she may have indeed participated in the Last Alliance.
As a significant leader under Gil-galad (Ben Walker), it stands to reason that Galadriel could have played a pivotal role in this fierce conflict. Given the narrative established by the Amazon series, it’s conceivable she could have commanded a contingent of elven soldiers.
It is plausible that she sustained injuries during the battle or had to retreat with her forces, which could explain her absence from the prologue of ‘The Fellowship.’ The film depicts merely the concluding moments of a siege that spanned seven arduous years.
The confrontation at the foot of Mount Doom was preceded by a lengthy campaign from Rivendell to Mordor, culminating in a seven-year siege of Sauron’s dark fortress, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides.
Galadriel’s Role Compared to Elrond’s in the Conflict
As Galadriel is not explicitly mentioned by Tolkien in connection with the Last Alliance, it can be inferred that while she may have fought, her influence in the battle was likely not as significant as that of Elrond, Isildur, Elendil, and Gil-galad. These key figures are instrumental in the fight against Sauron, with Elrond and Isildur ultimately confronting him directly, leading to his eventual downfall. Additionally, Isildur’s brother, Anárion, plays a vital role in the siege of Barad-dûr, though he is absent from the films.
While Anárion’s character has yet to be introduced in the series, hints suggest that he will appear in Season 3 of ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,’ as Elendil (Lloyd Owen) references his journey to find Anárion in the finale of the second season.
Speculating Galadriel’s Potential Role in the Last Alliance
As the alliance of men and elves prepares to march against Sauron, it is likely that Galadriel, as the commander of the northern troops, will join them at Rivendell. From there, the forces advance towards Mordor, engaging in an initial skirmish against Sauron’s minions at the Dead Marshes, a scene we recognize from ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.’ This leads to the prolonged seven-year siege of Sauron’s stronghold.
While it’s anticipated that Galadriel will make an appearance in the series’ final season adaptation of this battle, her role may not be central. It’s plausible that she could suffer injuries during the prolonged conflict, necessitating a return to Rivendell for recovery.
Moreover, given her complex history with Sauron, Galadriel might choose to protect the rear flank instead of engaging directly in the frontline battles. Gil-galad warns her in ‘The Rings of Power’ about the dangers of Sauron’s manipulations:
“You must not confront him again. For it is said that when the traitor gains someone’s trust, he gains the ability to shape that person’s thoughts. Not just to deceive their heart and mind, but their eyes and ears. To change reality itself. You have been affected by this before.”
Although Galadriel confronts Sauron in the Season 2 finale, renouncing his influence, it’s likely that Gil-galad remains cautious, possibly leading to her decision to stay back to protect the mission, rather than actively participating in the combat. However, given her importance and power, her absence from the battlefield seems unlikely.
As we await the release of ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ Season 3, which is set to span five seasons in total, plans are already in place to conclude the series with the climactic battle of the Last Alliance.