The Importance Of Elendil — Why Narsil Is Such A Vital Part Of Lord Of The Rings And Rings Of Power

From Andúril to Sting, swords in the lore of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth have always played an important role, and that includes Narsil, the sword wielded by Elendil in The Rings of Power. One of the main characters of the Amazon series, Elendil is the father of Isildur and the distant ancestor of Aragorn. As the guard captain of Númenór, he is an essential part of the epic fantasy, along with an ensemble cast of both heroic and nefarious characters.

For long-time Lord of the Rings fans, Elendil is already known as an important figure in the franchise, as is Narsil. When the sword appeared at the end of Rings of Power season 2, it was met by much excitement and fanfare for those who recognized it. But Elendil and Narsil play a much more important part of the popular franchise beyond the sword's showy Rings of Powerdebut.

Who Elendil Is & Why He's Important To LOTR Lore

He Is The Sea Guard Captain Who Was Gifted Narsil

In The Rings of Power cast, Elendil (Lloyd Owen) is the captain of the Sea Guard in Númenór. A sea-faring soldier who faithfully serves his people and his country, Elendil's keen leadership earned him the loyalty of the sea guard, as well as their admiration and respect. His son Isildur, and his daughter, Eärien, also live on the island nation, and he looks after their well-being while serving under the Queen Regent, Míriel. While most Númenóreans have become suspicious of Elves, Elendil is one of the few Men who still holds to the old covenant between their races.

In The Rings of Power season 1, Elendil met and befriended Galadriel, who told him of the Orc army attacking the Southlands and pleaded for aid. Though it took some convincing, Míriel finally agreed to send a volunteer army with Elendil and Galadriel. Unfortunately, the Númenóreans were unsuccessful in the battle against the orcs when the volcano, Orodruin, erupted, wounding and killing many. The Southlands then became the region now known as Mordor, and the army was forced to return home. This was especially difficult for Elendil, who believed that his son, Isildur, had died in the battle.

The second season of The Rings of Power brought a lot of changes to Númenór, including the death of Míriel’s father, King Tar-Palantir, leaving an empty seat on the throne, and an opportunity for the ambitious and deceptive Pharazón to seize power. Although he tries to keep the peace between those faithful to Míriel and Pharazón’s minions, Elendil eventually flees at Míriel’s insistence — though not before she gifts him a valuable sword called Narsil. Of course, die-hard Lord of the Rings fans immediately recognized the distinctive weapon and its significance in future events.

The History of Narsil

The Shards Of Narsil Became Aragorn's Sword

The sword of Narsil was forged by the famed Dwarven smith, Telchar of Nogrod, during the First Age. At some point, it made its way to Númenór, and was given to the Lords of Andúnië, Númenóreans who were allied to the Elves. With the lore established by The Rings of Power series, it seems that Míriel acquired the sword before giving it to Elendil.

At the end of the Second Age, the Last Alliance of Elves and Men was formed to defeat Sauron and his armies. Elendil, having been crowned the King of Gondor, led the armies of Men. During the final battle, Elendil, bearing Narsil, was struck down and killed by Sauron, and the sword was broken into pieces. Isildur then picked up what was left of Narsil and used it to cut the One Ring from Sauron’s finger, thus defeating the Dark Lord. Isildur then collected the broken pieces, which were dubbed the shards of Narsil, and they were taken to Rivendell for safekeeping.

The shards of Narsil became an important symbol as the tool of Sauron’s defeat, and so were treated with deference and care, passed down from generation to generation.

The shards of Narsil became an important symbol as the tool of Sauron’s defeat, and so were treated with deference and care, passed down from generation to generation. However, when the Eye of Sauron once again threatened Middle-earth in the Third Age, Elrond knew that the time had come for Aragorn to take his place as the new King of Gondor. He had the shards of Narsil forged into a new sword, Andúril, and gave it to Aragorn.

How Narsil Connects The Rings Of Power With The Lord Of The Rings

Elendil's Receiving Of Narsil Mirrors Aragorn's Receiving Of Andúril

Míriel (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) hands a sword to Elendil (Lloyd Owen) in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 Episode 8

The scene in The Rings of Power season 2 finale, when Míriel gives Narsil to Elendil, is more than meets the eye, as it directly correlates to The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. The sword is first seen leaning against a chair while they speak, as Míriel insists that she must stay in Númenór while Elendil flees to the West. Although Elendil is reluctant to leave without her, he eventually relents to her request.

The first thing that Lord of the Rings fans notice is that Narsil is an exact replica of the Andúril sword in The Return of the King movie, which connects the two franchises together. There is also an uncanny resemblance between this scene and the one in the film when Elrond gives Aragorn the newly forged sword. Mirroring Aragorn’s movements from the film, Elendil unsheathes the sword, then holds it up to his face, turning his head to inspect the blade in exactly the same way that Aragorn did in the movie.

By framing the sequence just like that iconic moment from the film, The Rings of Power shows the connection not just between the TV series and the film trilogy, but between the Elendil and Aragorn characters. Being a descendant of Elendil, not only does Aragorn look a lot like his ancestor, but he shares his noble ideals and his penchant for leadership.

Why Elendil And Narsil Are Important To The Franchise

They Connect To LOTR's Greater Themes

Elendil is important to The Rings of Power and The Lord of the Rings franchise not only because of what he does, but who he is and what he represents. Elendil’s name means “elf-friend” (or “star-lover”) in Quenya, the language of the Elves, and he lives up to it by remaining loyal to the Elves and aiding them in the war against Sauron. If, like Pharazón and other Númenóreans, he had abjured the Elves and cast the old bonds aside, then the war might have turned out very differently.

Instead, Elendil is a man of honor and his word, and Aragorn later inherited these traits from him. In The Rings of Power, Elendil represents hope for the race of Men, by ensuring their future and the future of other races. He is also a symbol of what is to come, including the rise of Aragorn as the Men’s leader and savior in The Return of the King.

The reforging of the Shards of Narsil in The Return of the King is also the perfect metaphor for beginning anew while honoring the past.

As for Narsil, the sword also serves as a symbol. The “Sword That Was Broken” in a moment when all seemed lost, Isildur still managed to use it to destroy Sauron, proving that even something that was shattered can be meant for greatness. The reforging of the Shards of Narsil in The Return of the King is also the perfect metaphor for beginning anew while honoring the past. With Narsil having such a vital role in the franchise, fans can be sure that they will see it again in future episodes of The Rings of Power.