The Rings of Power season 3 will start at the height of the War of the Elves and Sauron, which J.R.R. Tolkien described in the appendices to The Lord of the Rings and throughout the legendarium in more detail. Arondir and Theo were both caught in this war at the end of season 2.

The Prime Video series has full rights to The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, with one-off rights to other texts as needed, so it stands to continue showing the war in all its gory detail. It is unknown which events the time skip will encom, but it stands to reason for it to fast-forward through Sauron's gradual takeover of Eriador. In this time, Elrond defended Rivendell from Sauron's advance, but the side of light was only just holding out hope of winning until their allies arrived. Therefore, Arondir may make a sad decision during this period.

The Rings Of Power Season 3's Time Jump Means We Won't See A Big Arondir Decision

Arondir Will Have To Choose His Path In Rings Of Power

Bronwyn and Arondir looking mournfully at each other in The Rings of Power season 1

Arondir will have to decide whether or not to stay with Theo, but he will do this during the time skip between The Rings of Power season 2 and season 3. Arondir must decide how to approach his relationship with Theo, towards whom he clearly has paternal feelings. Theo's father is a mystery, but the love between his mother and Arondir led many to speculate that it was Arondir. However, Theo rejected Arondir at the end of season 2, and the latter may choose to honor this after the events of season 2, episode 8.

Arondir fights with the Elves in Eregion in season 2, episode 8, and after that, he must decide whether to go back to Theo in Pelargir.

The Rings of Power's showrunners have already indicated that Theo's father will be confirmed down the line. Regardless, Arondir's father-son bond with Theo exists and is put to the test by the tragic death of Theo's mother, Bronwyn. Arondir fights with the Elves in Eregion in season 2, episode 8, and after that, he must decide whether to go back to Theo in Pelargir. We won't get to see this difficult choice pan out due to the time skip.

Arondir Staying With The Elves Makes Sense For His Story, But It Could Hurt Theo

Arondir May Well Stay With Galadriel Or Elrond In Rings Of Power

Arondir's fight with Adar in Rings of Power season 2 left him in poor condition, but he bounced back in the next episode, leaving him free to fight for the Elves. Although Arondir didn't seem ready to stand again after Adar stabbed him, his Elvish strength soon saw him back on his legs. We got a glimpse of him in Eregion in the final episode of season 2, suggesting his continued of Galadriel, Celebrimbor, and Gil-galad. This makes sense for Arondir, especially as he has seemed aimless since the death of Bronwyn.

Tolkienian Age

Event Marking The Start

Years

Total Length In Solar Years

Before time

Indeterminate

Indeterminate

Indeterminate

Days before Days

Ainur entered Eä

1 - 3,500 Valian Years

33,537

Pre-First Age Years of the Trees (Y.T.)

Yavanna created the Two Trees

Y.T. 1 - 1050

10,061

First Age (F.A.)

Elves awoke in Cuiviénen

Y.T. 1050 - Y.T. 1500, F.A. 1 - 590

4,902

Second Age (S.A.)

War of Wrath ended

S.A. 1 - 3441

3,441

Third Age (T.A.)

Last Alliance defeated Sauron

T.A. 1 - 3021

3,021

Fourth Age (Fo.A)

Elven-rings left Middle-earth

Fo.A 1 - unknown

Unknown

ing the Elves highest up in the power chain of Lord of the Rings' Second Age will give Arondir a reason to keep fighting in season 3, bearing in mind Theo doesn't seem to want him around. Arondir will likely keep wishing to protect Theo and will probably be drawn back to his side in Pelargir at least once over the coming weeks. As Arondir settles into the green sanctuary, one can only assume that it will become Rivendell with Galadriel, Elrond, and Gil-galad. It seems most logical for him to stay and perhaps check on Theo now and then.

The Rings Of Power Season 3's Theo Story Could Be More Tragic If Arondir Abandons Him

Theo Is On A Dark Path In Rings Of Power

Theo holding the broken hilt of Sauron's sword in a barn in The Rings of Power season 1

Theo has a tragic story already, having lost his mother to the Battle of Tirharad, but losing Arondir could make his fate darker yet. Bronwyn actress Nazanin Boniadi exited the show, with the character being killed off. Luckily, this didn't generate too much trouble, as Bronwyn was left seriously injured in The Rings of Power season 1's finale. Theo kind of became the de facto leader of the Southlanders, who his mother was directing in their fight against the Orcs. Stepping into his power could lead Theo somewhere sinister.

Rohirrim history can be read about in "The House of Eorl" in The Lord of the Rings appendices.

Theo could be a Rohirrim ancestor in Rings of Power, judging from his name, which recalls Théoden. There is the chance of the show using Theo to display the roots of the house of Eorl, but there is also every likelihood that Theo may become a Ringwraith. He is drawn to darkness, and this may be precipitated by the loss of both his parent figures. Without his mother, Theo was already vulnerable. However, if Arondir takes Theo's rejection to heart and leaves him, Theo would be guided only by determination and possibly vengeance.

Related
After Celebrimbor, The Rings Of Power Must Do 1 Thing Different With Sauron's Next Victim

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power should take care not to repeat some of the mistakes it made with Sauron and Celebrimbor's arc.

Sauron will give out his Rings of Men, acquired from Galadriel, in season 3. Importantly, the Men he gave these rings to became great leaders, but were not necessarily that already. Theo fits the bill. He is already a leader but has a drive to become greater, needing to keep his people safe and possibly discover their permanent home. Sauron would have a serious foothold in corrupting Theo, especially given how attracted Theo was to the Orc Sigil Hilt. Considering the time skip, we may find out what happened quite abruptly in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.

Lord of the Rings The Rings of Power Season 2 Poster Showing Charlie Vickers as Sauron

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The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Release Date
September 1, 2022
Network
Amazon Prime Video
Showrunner
John D. Payne, Patrick McKay, Louise Hooper, Charlotte Brändström, Wayne Yip

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming

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.

Directors
J.A. Bayona, Sanaa Hamri
Writers
Patrick McKay, John D. Payne, J.R.R. Tolkien, Justin Doble, Jason Cahill, Gennifer Hutchison, Stephany Folsom, Nicholas Adams
Franchise(s)
The Lord of the Rings
Main Genre
Fantasy
Seasons
2
Story By
Patrick McKay, John D. Payne
Streaming Service(s)
Amazon Prime Video