The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 is nearing its conclusion, prompting many predictions and theories about how this section of the story will end. The ending of The Rings of Power season 2 centers around the Siege of Eregion, a major component of The Lord of the Rings’ Second Age. As Adar and his orcs begin sacking Eregion to reach Sauron, the dark lord is nearing his goal of acquiring nine Rings of Power for the lords of men. As such, much of The Rings of Power season 2’s cast is assembled for the finale.

The only outliers are those in other areas of Middle-earth, from The Stranger and Nori in the Middle-earth lands of Rhûn to Pharazôn, Elendil, and Míriel on the island kingdom of Númenor. Although the storyline surrounding the elves and Sauron has received a primary focus over the others in season 2, its ending will hopefully wrap up The Rings of Power‘s Númenor and Rhûn stories satisfying while teasing what is to come in season 3. How The Rings of Power season 2’s ending will do so, however, remains to be seen, spawning theories and predictions aplenty.

10The Stranger Will Take The Name “Gandalf”

The Strangers Identity Will Finally Be Revealed

Since The Rings of Power season 1, one of the show’s biggest mysteries has surrounded The Stranger. The Stranger is one of The Lord of the Rings’ Istar, a wizard, as revealed in The Rings of Power season 1’s ending. This reveal, as well as several pointed hints, lines, and references to The Lord of the Rings movies, has led many to theorize that The Stranger is an early version of Gandalf the Grey. While The Stranger could still be one of the blue wizards in Tolkien’s universe, the hints of him being Gandalf are incredibly on the nose.

As such, a big theory of The Rings of Power season 2’s ending is that he will finally take the name Gandalf, or Olórin, his Maiar name. The Stranger was left searching for his staff in The Rings of Power season 2, episode 7, which could finally see his name come back to him. After all, The Rings of Power‘s showrunners revealed to IGN that The Stranger’s name will be revealed in season 2, with a major prediction being that he settles on Olórin, Gandalf, Mithrandir, or one of the many other aliases of the Grey Pilgrim.

9Adar Will Be Killed By His Own Orcs

Adar’s Downfall Is Inevitable

One of the more obvious endings for The Rings of Power season 2 relates to Adar. Adar is an original character for The Rings of Power, likely meaning he will not survive much longer in the story. Thus far, The Rings of Power season 2 has established the idea that his orc, or Uruk, children will turn against him.

One of the biggest theories for The Rings of Power season 2’s ending is that the orcs will finally turn against Adar…

Adar’s loyalty to The Rings of Power‘s Uruks has been evident, yet season 2 has hinted that his desire to defeat Sauron has caused a rift between him and his children. From the hesitance of the orcs to fight another war so soon after claiming the country of Mordor to the looks of uncertainty when Galadriel warned Adar against attacking Eregion and when Adar unleashed the orc-killing Damrod, this rift has been teased. Therefore, one of the biggest theories for The Rings of Power season 2’s ending is that the orcs will finally turn against Adar.

8At Least 1 Character Is Confirmed As A Ringwraith

The Nazgûl Will Arrive Sooner Rather Than Later

The crux of The Rings of Power season 2 is Sauron’s manipulation of Celebrimbor to craft The Lord of the Rings’ Rings of Power. As of the ending of The Rings of Power season 2, episode 7, Sauron needs only the nine rings of men to complete the first phase of his plan to dominate Middle-earth. As such, it is likely that the ending of The Rings of Power season 2 will see Sauron obtain the nine, likely handing them off to the most corruptible lords of men in Middle-earth.

The Rings of Power
Wielders

Three for Elven Kings
Galadriel, Gil-galad, Círdan

Seven for the Dwarf Lords
Durin III, six other dwarven lords

Nine for Mortal Men
Unknown

The One Ring
Sauron

As is known from The Lord of the Rings, the nine wielders of the Rings of Power for men become Ringwraiths. The Lord of the Rings’ Ringwraiths/Nazgûl become the spiritual servants of Sauron across the Second and Third Ages of Middle-earth, endlessly doing his bidding and eventually searching for the lost One Ring. Interestingly, the true identity of many of the Ringwraiths has never been confirmed. With The Rings of Power season 2 likely ending with Sauron giving out the rings of men, the identity of at least one of the Nazgûl should come with it.

7Celebrimbor Will Be Killed

Celebrimbor’s Fate Is Not One Of Longevity

The most tragic figure in The Rings of Power season 2 thus far has been Celebrimbor, the elven smith of Eregion. Celebrimbor has spent The Rings of Power season 2 being endlessly manipulated by Sauron into crafting the Rings of Power, with episode 7 showcasing him breaking free of that control before attempting to stall the dark lord as Galadriel escapes with the rings. Now that Celebrimbor is outwardly opposing Sauron, it is unlikely he lives to see The Rings of Power season 3.

In Tolkien’s works, Sauron tortures Celebrimbor for the location of the Rings of Power. While the timeline of events in The Rings of Power is slightly different, the same will likely transpire so that the dark lord can find the rings of men. In the books, Celebrimbor succumbs to this torture and dies, being pierced by many orcish arrows with his body subsequently being used as a war banner. Although the death may be presented differently, The Rings of Power season 2’s ending means Celebrimbor has little use to Sauron now that the Rings of Power are complete. 

6Galadriel’s Connection To Sauron Will Work Against Her

The Battle For The Nine Rings Will Take Place

After being done with Celebrimbor, Sauron will undoubtedly track down Galadriel to find the nine rings. This was teased in The Rings of Power season 2’s trailer, with Sauron and Galadriel briefly shown fighting atop a hill near Eregion. Sauron will likely try to sway Galadriel to his side once more while trying to gain possession of the nine rings of men, teasing an enticing reunion for the two in The Rings of Power season 2’s ending.

The trailer shows Sauron wielding Adar’s sword and The Rings of Power ‘s Crown of Morgoth , likely meaning Adar is dead when Sauron and Galadriel clash.

One of the theories that could come to fruition in the reunion between Galadriel and Sauron was teased earlier in the season. Adar and Gil-galad have both insisted that once Sauron takes hold of someone’s trust and therefore their mind, it is incredibly difficult to overcome. Given that Sauron needs to escape from Galadriel to forge the One Ring, this connection could stop the latter from defeating the former, allowing the dark lord to continue his equally dark plan.

5Sauron Will Become The Leader Of Mordor & Begin Crafting The One Ring

The 19 Rings Of Power Still Need One Ring To Rule Them All

As is known from Tolkien’s writings, Sauron succeeds in gaining the nine rings of men. The logical next step in Sauron’s Rings of Power plan, then, is crafting the One Ring. This will likely come after his confrontation with Galadriel and once Eregion is destroyed. If the aforementioned theory of Adar being killed is also true, Sauron will likely return to Mordor to begin crafting the One Ring. 

In the source material, Sauron’s crafting of the One Ring comes before the Siege of Eregion. The Rings of Power season 2 will evidently change this, as the Siege of Eregion has already begun before Sauron has obtained the other 16 rings for dwarves and men. Tolkien mentions that the crafting of the One Ring is what aids Sauron in constructing Barad-dûr, meaning Mordor will likely become more of a stronghold for the dark lord in The Rings of Power season 2’s ending.

4Elrond Finds The Valley Of Imladris (Rivendell)

Another Elven Stronghold In Middle-earth May Be Formed

The Rings of Power season 2, episode 7 ends with Elrond being overwhelmed by Adar’s forces. This spells trouble on the horizon for Elrond in The Rings of Power season 2’s ending, though the writings of Tolkien may hint at what is next for the half-elf. In the books, it is mentioned that Elrond and the remainder of his host retreat north, following the natural formations of the Misty Mountains.

Rivendell becomes a major location in Middle-earth for the remainder of the Second Age and most of the Third Age, meaning The Rings of Power season 2’s ending will likely set up Elrond’s future…

Eventually, Elrond comes across a hidden valley. This hidden valley becomes Elrond’s personal stronghold, eventually known as the Valley of Imladris, or Rivendell. Rivendell becomes a major location in Middle-earth for the remainder of the Second Age and most of the Third Age, meaning The Rings of Power season 2’s ending will likely set up Elrond’s future as the leader of the Last Homely House.

3Sauron Further Corrupts Pharazôn & Númenor

Sauron’s Plans Continue To Develop

As alluded to, the story of Númenor has somewhat taken a backseat in The Rings of Power season 2. As such, it can be theorized that the ending of The Rings of Power season 2 will feature hints at the island kingdom’s fate for season 3. This will likely come via the character of Pharazôn, the aspiring king who has been feuding with Míriel and Elendil over the leadership of Númenor.

In The Rings of Power season 2, episode 6, Pharazôn was shown connecting with Sauron via the Palantír. The ending of The Rings of Power season 2 could see Sauron begin to manipulate Pharaôn to set up another drastic power change in season 3. This power shift will eventually result in Elendil coming to Middle-earth and the kingdom of Númenor being destroyed under Pharazôn’s – or more aptly Sauron’s – rule.

2The Dark Wizard Will Capture Nori & Poppy

The Rhûn Storyline May Bleed Over Into The Rings Of Power Season 3

With only an episode left of The Rings of Power season 2 and several elements to cover, a prominent theory is that the Rhûn storyline will not be neatly resolved. With The Stranger still having to find his staff, uncover his powers, reveal his name, and defeat the Dark Wizard, it is unlikely to all happen in The Rings of Power season 2, episode 8 when the Siege of Eregion is also taking place. As such, it could be the case that The Rings of Power season 2’s ending includes a plot point that sees this storyline continue into season 3.

This plot point could involve Nori, Poppy, and The Rings of Power‘s Stoors, the new breed of Hobbit introduced in season 2. The Stoors have a bad history with the Dark Wizard and his followers. With the evil Istar wishing to destroy The Stranger, Nori and Poppy would be a good way to get to him. This was teased in The Rings of Power season 2, episode 6 in which The Stranger received a vision of Nori in danger. If Nori is captured by the Dark Wizard, The Stranger will have a clear goal for The Rings of Power season 3.

1Isildur Becomes The Leader Of Pelargir

Isildur’s Transition Into A Gondorian King Will Begin

The final character who has been somewhat shortchanged in The Rings of Power season 2 is Isildur. Isildur’s journey saw him escape the lair of Shelob, reunite with Arondir, and save Theo and a group of Ents from wildmen loyal to Sauron. Since then, however, Isildur has not been seen in The Rings of Power season 2.

The ending of The Rings of Power season 2 needs to rectify this by setting up the big change that lies ahead for Isildur. As is known from Tolkien’s books, Isildur becomes the king of Gondor and an integral figure in the War of the Last Alliance. The Rings of Power needs to begin giving Isildur more story elements that lead into his future royalty, such as becoming the leader of Pelargir. With Arondir incapacitated after The Rings of Power‘s Siege of Eregion, Isildur could step up to care for the people of the land that will become Gondor.