Warning! Spoilers for Rings of Power season 2, episode 7 ahead!

Galadriel and Elrond shared a surprise kiss in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2, and season 3 is all set up to make this moment even weirder. The controversial scene happened during what Elrond thought might be his final goodbye to Galadriel in Adar’s camp when he slipped her a pin, hoping it would help her escape. This kiss, whether romantic or trickery, was an odd change to canon since these two never shared a romance in Tolkien’s works. However, if it’s weird now, it will only get worse later.

Prime Video’s Rings of Power is already a topic of debate since the series’ various changes to canon have been heavily divisive. Some of these adjustments have been minor, while others have far greater consequences in The Lord of the Rings‘ legendarium. Of course, no screen adaptation can ever be expected to be exactly like the source—TV shows like Rings of Power are an art form all their own. However, given an upcoming canon story that Prime Video absolutely cannot cut (and that is likely to emerge in Rings of Power season 3), Elrond and Galadriel’s kiss feels a little more random.

Rings Of Power Season 2’s Ending Will Set Up Rivendell’s Founding

Elrond Is One Step Closer To His Future

Aside from his kiss with Galadriel, Elrond’s canon story has been set up rather nicely in Rings of Power season 2, episode 7. While he is doomed to lose the Siege of Eregion, the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm will show up just in time to keep the Orcs from eliminating all survivors. Elrond will lead these Elves to a nearby valley, where they will be safer from Sauron’s forces. This haven will eventually be called Imladris, or Rivendell, and is where Elrond will remain as leader until the events of The Lord of the Rings.

While Rings of Power could certainly change the details of this story, it seems that Elrond will find Rivendell either in the finale or near the beginning of Rings of Power season 3. This will allow him to take the next step in his story—meeting his wife, Celebrian. This will make his brief romantic interaction with Galadriel a little stranger, not because it would create a jealous love triangle, but because Celebrian is Galadriel’s daughter.

Elrond Should Meet Celebrian Shortly After Establishing Rivendell

It’s Way Weirder If Elrond Meets Celebrian Shortly After Kissing Her Mother

In canon, Elrond hosts a council in Rivendell shortly after establishing it as a safe haven. The primary goal of this meeting will be to decide on the fate of the Three Elven Rings, which will be hidden away to keep out of Sauron’s reach or control. Galadriel, High King Gil-galad, and Cirdan will naturally be at this meeting, but that’s not all. Some versions of Tolkien’s work indicate that Galadriel brought her daughter, Celebrian, to the council in Rivendell and that this is when Elrond first met and fell in love with her.

The established relationship (even if it’s just friendship) between Galadriel and Elrond makes the idea that the latter marries the former’s daughter a little uncomfortable.

It’s difficult to say whether this is the version of the story that Rings of Power follows. While Galadriel mentioned that her husband, Celeborn, was killed in the First Age, she made no mention of Celebrian. Rings of Power showrunners have already confirmed that Celeborn will return, but a whole lot will have to be revealed and explained before Celebrian makes an appearance. Regardless, the established relationship (even just their friendship) between Galadriel and Elrond makes the idea that the latter marries the former’s daughter a little uncomfortable.

Rings Of Power Has Changed Celebrian’s Story (But She Can’t Be Cut Entirely)

Celebrian Has To Show Up At Some Point

Clearly, Celebrian’s story isn’t going to be the same in Rings of Power as it was in Tolkien’s works. There was never any indication in canon that Galadriel and her daughter were ever estranged, and these two clearly don’t have much contact during the events of the Prime Video series. It’s possible that Galadriel thinks Celebrian is dead, like Celeborn, and that a joyful reunion will be part of the tale in Rings of Power season 3. Or, it’s also possible that Celebrian’s birth year has been altered and that she will be born in later seasons.

None of these options are preferred. Still, these would be better than Rings of Power cutting Celebrian entirely. She is the mother of Arwen and, therefore, pivotal in the future story of Lord of the Rings. While the Prime Video series could feasibly imply that Elrond will eventually meet and fall in love with Celebrian, this would be a significant disservice to both characters. Especially after the big kiss with Galadriel, audiences unfamiliar with Elrond’s story will be looking to see how Second Age events connect to Lord of the Rings. Celebrian is the key—so long as Rings of Power doesn’t make their romance any stranger.

Rings of Power
season 2 will conclude with episode 8 on October 3, 2024.