The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Powerhas been diving into its version of the events of the Second Age and, in doing so, provided a darker origin to aLord of the Ringsmoment. As a prequel, Prime Video’s series has ample opportunity to explore the background of certain Middle-earth features. Locations like Moria, Rivendell, and Gondor will be seen in their earliest days, long before Frodo ever set out from the Shire. Since much of the Second Age hasn’t been explored through first-hand perspective,Rings of Powerhas the opportunity to get creative with how some things inLord of the Ringscame to be—and it has taken full advantage.
InRings of Powerseason 2, episode 5, the origin of the Doors of Durin was revealed. This is the entryway thatGandalf and the Fellowship used to enter Moria—an arch only visible in the moonlight and accessible only to those who can “speak friend and enter.” Just as in Tolkien canon,the door was crafted by the Dwarf Narvi and Celebrimbor as a means for easier trade and relations between the Elves of Eregion and the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm. However, unlike canon,Rings of Poweradded a dark twist to the Doors of Durin’s creation.
The Rings Of Power Makes Sauron Partly Responsible For The Doors Of Durin
Rings Of Power Has Made A Dark Change
In Tolkien’s version of events, the Doors of Durin were made centuries beforeSauron visited Eregion. However, inRings of Power, the relationship between the Dwarves and Elves, and therefore the Doors' creation, all came down to the Dark Lord’s manipulation. While disguised as Annater (who Celebrimbor believed to be an emissary of the Valar),Sauron convinced Celebrimbor of the worthiness of Dwarvesand helped him craft the gift that saved Khazad-dûm from a landslide—the Seven Rings. After this, the Doors of Durin commemorated the friendship this established.
Rings of Powerimplies that the Doors of Durin were inspired by all of Celebrimbor’s recent friendships since he explicitly mentions his new relationship with Annatar.
Though different from how Tolkien described it,Rings of Power’s version of how the Doors of Durin came to be brings a haunting, dark beauty to its appearance inThe Lord of the Rings.The Doors of Durin were a bittersweet symbol when the Fellowship saw them inFellowship of the Ringsince the friendship between the Elves and Dwarves had long since deteriorated. The idea that this friendship had been formed because of Sauron’s deceit is rather fitting, especially since the fall of Khazad-dûm was an extension of the villain’s meddling as well.
The Rings Of Power Shows Why The Doors Of Durin Password Is “Friend”
The Doors Of Durin Were Always A Bittersweet Reminder Of Old Friendships
The password to open the Doors of Durin is “mellon,” the Elvish word for “friend.” Gandalf explained inLord of the Ringsthat this was because theDwarves of Khazad-dûmhad once been friends with the Elves of Eregion, butRings of Powertook this further. The Prime Video series dives deeper into the conflicted relationship between these races even in the Second Age and demonstrates howSauron’s influence went as far as to create beauty and friendship as a means for destruction.
While Rings of Power has made some changes, there is effective symbolism regarding this tragic “friendship” that drives this Lord of the Rings moment home.
Celebrimbor’s friendship with the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm was genuine, reflected in his combined work with Narvi. InRings of Power, the Elf Lord has no idea that his gifts would bring about the downfall of their kingdom. Of course, Eregion itself is also doomed to fall. By the events ofThe Lord of the Rings, both Khazad-dûm and Eregion are no more. So, whileRings of Powerhas made some changes, there is effective symbolism regarding this tragic “friendship” that drives thisLord of the Ringsmoment home.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Cast
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.
