Elrond, Elendil, and Isildur’s confrontation with Sauron during the Last Alliance is central to the prologue of ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring’. Despite Galadriel’s powerful portrayal in ‘The Rings of Power’, her absence raises questions about her role in this pivotal battle, as Tolkien’s writings leave her involvement ambiguous. Speculation suggests she might have commanded elven forces, but her contributions may not be as prominent as those of other key figures in the conflict.
In the epic saga of Middle-earth, Elrond (Hugo Weaving), Elendil (Peter McKenzie), and his son Isildur (Harry Sinclair) engage in the legendary Last Alliance battle against the dark lord Sauron. This monumental conflict is depicted in the prologue of ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring’, with Galadriel’s (Cate Blanchett) narrating voice providing context to the unfolding chaos. However, her physical presence is notably absent from the furious fray.
Despite her formidable powers and the warrior role she embodies in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ (portrayed by Morfydd Clark), Galadriel’s absence during this pivotal battle raises intriguing questions—especially as the series hints at her personal vendetta against Sauron. The reasons behind her non-participation remain a captivating mystery.
Galadriel’s Absence in Tolkien’s Lore
So far, Galadriel’s non-participation in the battle is primarily portrayed in the film adaptations. Tolkien’s original writings do not explicitly state whether she fought in this conflict or not, leaving room for speculation about her potential involvement in the Last Alliance.
Given her significant position as one of Gil-galad’s (Ben Walker) commanders, it is plausible that she played a role in the battle’s events. Based on the narrative established by the Amazon series, we can imagine her leading a battalion of elven warriors during this fierce confrontation.
It is likely that she could have sustained injuries during the battle or retreated with her troops, explaining her absence in the prologue of ‘The Fellowship’. The film captures only the climactic moments of a siege that spanned seven long years.
The fierce clash on the slopes of Mount Doom follows an arduous journey from Rivendell to Mordor, culminating in a seven-year siege of Sauron’s stronghold, where both sides faced staggering losses.
Galadriel’s Potential Role in the Last Alliance
Given that Tolkien does not emphasize Galadriel’s contributions during the Last Alliance, we can infer that while she may fight, her role is likely not as central as those of Elrond, Isildur, Elendil, and Gil-galad. The latter engage in direct combat with Sauron, ultimately weakening the dark lord enough for Isildur to claim victory.
Elendil’s son Anárion also plays a crucial part in the siege of Barad-dûr, although his character has yet to be fully explored in the films. Mentioned in ‘The Rings of Power’, Anárion’s introduction seems imminent as the storyline progresses into its next season, especially following Elendil’s revelation to Míriel (Cynthia Addai-Robinson).
As the alliance of men and elves forms in Rivendell prior to their march against Sauron, it is reasonable to assume that Galadriel, as the commander of the northern forces, would be present during these pivotal gatherings.
After the initial battles against Sauron’s forces at the Dead Marshes, depicted in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers’, the Last Alliance continues its arduous siege. Should the series choose to showcase this battle in later episodes, Galadriel may participate but likely without a dominant presence. There’s a chance she might sustain injuries over the course of the seven years, necessitating a temporary return to Rivendell to recuperate.
Furthermore, given her complex history with Sauron, it is conceivable that Galadriel would take on a protective role, guarding the rear flank instead of engaging directly in the front lines. Gil-galad cautions her in ‘The Rings of Power’, highlighting her vulnerability to Sauron’s deceptions:
“You must not confront him again. When the traitor earns someone’s trust, he can manipulate their thoughts, perception, and reality.” Despite having confronted Sauron in the climax of Season 2, it’s possible Gil-galad may prefer to keep her out of immediate danger to safeguard the mission.
Currently, anticipation builds for ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ Season 3, as the series is slated to span a total of five seasons. Plans are already in motion to conclude the storyline with the climactic battle of the Last Alliance.