The epic saga of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is charging into its third season, and Middle-earth is about to face seismic shifts. With the renewal confirmed, the story leaps forward several years to spotlight the War of the Elves and Sauron—brought to life by Charlie Vickers’ chilling portrayal of the Dark Lord. This clash promises to reshape the Second Age, but where does it fit in Tolkien’s vast timeline, and how will it differ from what we’ve seen before? Let’s break it all down.
Understanding the War’s Place in the Second Age
For fans of Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings films, Middle-earth’s timeline can feel like a labyrinth—especially when The Rings of Power dives into lesser-known corners of the Second Age. Getting this war’s context right is key to appreciating its stakes, so let’s clear up any confusion.
This Isn’t the War from The Fellowship of the Ring
That iconic prologue in The Fellowship of the Ring—where Elves and Men unite against Sauron at Mount Doom—is unforgettable. It’s the War of the Last Alliance, a titanic showdown at the end of the Second Age (years 3429–3441) that sees Sauron defeated and the One Ring lost. It’s a defining moment that echoes into the Third Age. But if you’re expecting The Rings of Power Season 3 to revisit that battle, think again.
The War of the Elves and Sauron is a different beast entirely. Fought much earlier, between 1693 and 1701 of the Second Age, it kicks off with the Sack of Eregion—a brutal event we glimpsed in Season 2. This war sets the stage for Middle-earth’s power struggles, long before the Last Alliance takes shape.
The War’s Origins: Rings, Deception, and Destruction
So, how does this war ignite? It’s all tied to Sauron’s master plan and the Rings of Power.
Sauron’s Betrayal and the Sack of Eregion
In Tolkien’s lore, Sauron—disguised as Annatar, a supposed emissary of the Valar—dupes Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards) into forging the Nine Rings for Men and the Seven for Dwarves. The Elves, wary of his influence, craft the Three Elven Rings in secret. Meanwhile, Sauron forges the One Ring in Mordor, a move that backfires when the Elves sense his treachery the moment he wears it. Furious, Sauron invades Eriador, targeting Eregion to reclaim the rings he believes are stashed there.
Season 2 showed the Sack of Eregion, though with tweaks from the books. Sauron captures and tortures Celebrimbor, who spills the locations of the Nine and Seven but keeps the Three’s hiding spots—sent to Lindon with Gil-galad (Benjamin Walker), Círdan (Ben Daniels), and Galadriel (Morfydd Clark)—a secret. Eregion falls, and Elrond (Robert Aramayo) fails to hold the line, saved only by the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm.
Middle-earth Transformed
The war’s fallout is massive. Elrond retreats and founds Rivendell as a sanctuary, while Gil-galad holds Lindon. Sauron’s Orcs ravage Eriador, isolating these Elven strongholds. The tide turns in 1700 when Númenor, led by King Tar-Minastir, sends a mighty army to crush Sauron’s forces. By 1701, Sauron limps back to Mordor, defeated—for now.
This victory cements Númenor’s dominance, but their pride sows the seeds of doom. Years later, convinced they can challenge the Valar, the Númenóreans invade Valinor. The result? Their island sinks, and only a handful of survivors escape to found Arnor and Gondor. The War of the Elves and Sauron, then, is a pivot point—ushering in both triumph and tragedy.
How The Rings of Power Will Rewrite the War
Tolkien’s version plants this war squarely in the mid-Second Age, but The Rings of Power is shaking things up—timeline and all.
A Compressed Timeline and Númenor’s Role
In the series, Númenor’s last king, Ar-Pharazôn (Trystan Gravelle), is already on the throne, and tensions with the Elves are simmering. He resents the Valar’s favoritism toward the Elves, hinting at an earlier invasion of Valinor. This scrambles the war’s timeline—especially since Tolkien has Sauron forging the One Ring before the Sack of Eregion, while Season 3 seems poised to show its creation after.
How will Númenor fit in? One possibility: Ar-Pharazôn sees the war as a chance to flex Númenor’s might, saving the Elves to boost his prestige before turning his sights on Valinor. Another twist could tie the Nine Rings to Númenor’s fate—perhaps a deal with Sauron sets the stage for their downfall.
Creative Liberties and Fresh Stakes
The Rings of Power thrives on filling Tolkien’s gaps, crafting a Middle-earth that’s familiar yet distinct. Season 3’s war might not match the books beat-for-beat, but that’s part of its charm. By weaving disparate threads—Sauron’s rise, Númenor’s hubris, and the Elves’ defiance—into a cohesive tale, the show keeps us guessing. It’s a bold reimagining, and so far, that unpredictability has been its strength.
Catch Up Before Season 3
Both seasons of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power are streaming on Prime Video, so now’s the time to revisit Middle-earth’s Second Age. The War of the Elves and Sauron is coming—and with it, a Middle-earth forever changed. What twists do you think Season 3 will bring? Let’s hear your predictions!
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