The Rings of Power season 2 expands on Elrond and Galadriel’s relationship, and one scene from The Lord of the Rings show proves that Elrond loves her. Elrond and Galadriel are old friends when The Rings of Power season 1 opens. However, the revelation that Halbrand is Sauron and the creation of the Three puts a strain on their friendship in season 2. The ice between them thaws as The Rings of Power season 2 continues. And while their bond seems platonic initially, there is some debate over whether Elrond has feelings for Galadriel in Amazon series.

Elrond and Galadriel’s relationship isn’t romantic in J.R.R. Tolkien’s books, so including such feelings in Amazon’s adaptation would break Lord of the Rings‘ canon. Of course, Elrond and Galadriel’s kiss in The Rings of Power season 2, episode 7 already diverges from the source material. And while it’s primarily a ruse to distract Adar and pass his pin to Galadriel, this moment has raised discussions about whether there are feelings between these characters. The answer is unclear from the kiss alone, but another Rings of Power scene suggests Elrond does love Galadriel.

Elrond Using Nenya To Save Galadriel’s Life Proves He Loves Her

Elrond Goes Against What He Believes In For Her

Episode 7’s kiss may not prove that Elrond loves Galadriel, but one scene from The Rings of Power season 2’s ending seems to. Galadriel is nearly taken by the darkness after her fight with Sauron in The Rings of Power season 2’s finale. She only survives because Elrond uses Nenya, her Ring of Power, to save her life. The Lord of the Rings series emphasizes Elrond’s distrust in the rings throughout its sophomore season. He repeatedly expresses reservations about the Elves using them. However, he doesn’t hesitate to use Nenya when Galadriel’s life is on the line.

He’s willing to go against everything he believes in to save her life, and Elrond rarely compromises on his integrity.

More than anything else, this moment highlights how strongly Elrond feels about Galadriel. He’s willing to go against everything he believes in to save her life, and Elrond rarely compromises on his integrity. He believes the Three could be corrupted and uses one of the rings anyway, further proving his love for Galadriel. From his perspective, he’s risking himself to save her life. And considering this and their kiss in The Rings of Power season 2, it seems very likely that Elrond has some romantic feelings for his old friend.

Elrond’s Kiss Was Already Too Convincing To Have Been A Ruse

He Puts On Too Impressive Of A Performance In The Rings Of Power Season 2

Elrond and Galadriel’s kiss may have been a distraction in The Rings of Power season 2, episode 7, but it feels a bit too convincing to be just that. Galadriel looks surprised and confused throughout the entire scene, suggesting she doesn’t view Elrond as anything more than a friend. However, Elrond puts on an impressive performance — perhaps a bit too impressive. He could be acting, but he could just as easily be putting some of his own feelings for Galadriel into this ruse. It would explain his long, lingering look and the fact that he caresses her face beforehand.

It would also explain why Elrond immediately jumps to a kiss as a distraction, when a hug would likely have worked just as well. There are other gestures that could get him close to Galadriel, and her captors don’t seem all that invested in their farewell either way. However, Elrond may have wanted to kiss Galadriel, especially knowing he might not see her again. This adds an interesting layer to their relationship, though it’s one that’s received a lot of criticism for breaking Lord of the Rings canon.

How Elrond Loving Galadriel Changes The Lord Of The Rings Canon

There are a couple of signs that Elrond loves Galadriel as more than a friend in The Rings of Power, but this would be a major change to Lord of the Rings canon. For one, there’s nothing romantic between these characters in Tolkein’s source material. Additionally, Tolkien reveals that Elrond marries Galadriel’s daughter, Celebrian. Having him pursue a relationship with Galadriel would make this dynamic more complicated — and uncomfortable — in The Rings of Power. It could risk the series further diverging from Tolkien’s canon, too, which would be a mistake.

Fortunately, Amazon’s Lord of the Rings show seems to be keeping Elrond’s feelings subtle and ambiguous, and that could help avoid any major canon problems. While some fans are upset over Elrond and Galadriel’s kiss in The Rings of Power season 2, both characters may shrug it off and move on in the next outing. Still, it’s hard to deny there’s something more on Elrond’s end of this friendship. The season 2 finale all but confirms it when he uses Nenya.