Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power has made it clear that Theo’s black, broken hilt is of great significance. It appeared in many promo pictures and continues to be an integral part of the show. That has also got us wondering about the hilt’s real owner and the powers it contains.
So, what do we know about this mysterious hilt that Theo has in his possession?
In LOTR: Rings of Power Ep 4, Waldreg indicates to Theo that the hilt/broken sword was created by Sauron and has the power to corrupt men. The orcs are looking for this very sword, as depicted in all the episodes thus far.
Before Ep 4, there was a theory circulating that the sword could be Gurthang, the legendary black sword that was forged during the First Age by a Dark Elf. It was quite plausible since the sword is both black and broken, like its last known state. Plus, it seeks out a blood initiation.
The only part that didn’t fit the bill is that it was buried in the Middle-Earth river Teiglin, which is nowhere close to the Southlands.
Now, Episode 4 has cleared any doubts we may have had about the sword. Let me give you a full explanation.
Does the sword really belong to Sauron? What is its significance?
Waldreg’s exact dialogue when he is talking about the sword is, “a power fashioned for our ancestors by his master’s own hand, a beautiful servant, he was lost but shall return.”
This clearly points to Sauron, who is not only the “master” Morgoth’s right-hand man but also someone who’s “lost” or rather in hiding. Waldreg does go on to even ask Theo if he’s heard about Sauron, showing us that there are still plenty who await the dark side’s return.
Another indicator that the sword does belong to Sauron is that the sigil on it is the same as the map of Mordor.
As per Tolkien lore, the Southlanders aligned with Morgoth during the First Age, so it would make sense that such a powerful tool was granted to someone in command, like a king. Putting two and two together, it could also be that this sword belonged to Halbrand’s family, since Galadriel theorized that he’s the king of the Southlands.
Could it be that the reason Halbrand is running away and shielding his identity is that he doesn’t want to be corrupted by this power? Somehow the tradeoff of Theo ending up with the sword seems far worse.
There is also speculation that the sword could become one that is wielded by the Witch King or the other Nazgûls.
Whatever it is, this sword can mean nothing but trouble. After all, the orcs are relentlessly looking for it so that Sauron can corrupt the next generation of human leaders to carry out his diabolical plan.
About The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is an American TV series, based on the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien, developed by J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay for streaming on Amazon Prime.
Set 3,000 years before the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, the show will be set in the Second Age of Middle-earth. Beginning with a time of peace, the series will follow the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron and the forging of the rings of power.
The cast includes Robert Aramayo, Owain Arthur, Nazanin Boniadi, Morfydd Clark, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Markella Kavenagh, Joseph Mawle, and Dylan Smith among many others.
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