What Really Happened to Arondir in ‘The Rings of Power’?

Few characters in ‘The Rings of Power’ have faced as many brushes with death as Arondir. He is a Silvan Elf and an original character created by showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay, which means his fate has never been guided by Tolkien’s text. That freedom is why the question of Arondir’s fate has followed the series across multiple seasons.

The first four episodes of the third season premiered on November 11 on Prime Video, and the answer now feels more settled than ever. This breakdown covers what happened to Arondir in ‘The Rings of Power’ and who ultimately delivered the fatal blow. Major spoilers follow for the latest episodes.

What happened to Arondir in ‘The Rings of Power’ season 2

The scare began during the large battle in episode 7 of the second season. After Arondir killed a huge number of Orcs, Adar walked up to him, stabbed him in the chest and kicked him to the ground. It was a bleak closing image for an episode that left several heroes in trouble.

Coverage at the time was cautious about declaring him gone. Dexerto judged it highly unlikely that Arondir was dead after the stabbing, while ComingSoon described him as gravely injured but probably still alive. One recap noted that Adar left Arondir alive after kicking him down and moved on.

The marketing pushed the tension further. The finale trailer showed Arondir on the brink of death following his showdown with Adar. Viewers were left to wait for the finale to learn whether the Elven archer would survive.

Is Arondir really dead after the season 2 finale

The finale answered that question quickly. Episode 7 made it look like Arondir might not survive after Adar stabbed him several times, but in episode 8 he is alive and well. For the moment, the wound was not the end of him.

Adar did not fare as well. Adar was killed by his own Orcs after they turned on him and switched their loyalty to Sauron. The man who came closest to killing Arondir was gone before he could finish the job.

Arondir’s role shrank in that season, though he stayed useful. He saved Isildur and Estrid and continued to protect Theo, especially from some angry Ents. That protective bond with Theo would become central to what came next.

Who killed Arondir in ‘The Rings of Power’ season 3

The answer arrives in episode 4 of the third season, titled ‘Gundabad’ in the episode guide. Galadriel, Arondir and Marnûkh head to the Orc fortress of Gundabad to rescue an Elven smith. Inside, they find Celeborn, Galadriel’s husband, who has been missing for centuries.

As they try to flee, the mission turns tragic. They are confronted by one of the Nazgûl, who unmasks himself as Theo. Arondir is shocked to see him and does not take the chance to run while he has it.

Then Sauron arrives. Sauron is more interested in capturing Galadriel, so he simply orders Theo to kill Arondir. Theo, wearing one of the evil rings, instantly runs Arondir through with his sword, apparently compelled by Sauron.

Why Theo’s role in Arondir’s death carries so much weight

The killing lands hard because of who Theo is. He is the son of Bronwyn, a mortal whom Arondir fell in love with back in the first season. After a time jump, Theo is found chopping wood in thraldom, which pushes him to jump at the chance to take one of Sauron’s Rings of Power.

The speed of the act is explained in part by the rings themselves. The corrupting influence of the Nine Rings helps explain Theo’s actions, although how much control Sauron has over him at this stage remains unclear. In the show’s version of events, that influence appears to exist even before the One Ring is forged.

The actor behind Arondir seems at peace with the outcome. In an interview with TV Insider, Ismael Cruz Córdova said his exit suited the story, noting “I have such a Tolkien ending.”

The future of the young man who struck the blow is the open question now. GamesRadar notes that Theo may be on his way to becoming the leader of the Nazgûl, as many viewers have theorized. Now that Arondir’s death has set Theo further down that path, do you think there is any way back for the boy he spent so long protecting?