Ambiguous, dangerous and more than frankly reminiscent of Aragorn Viggo Mortensen. Halbrand, a character played by actor Charlie Vickers in Rings of Power, it’s all a mystery. Moreover, everything points to the fact that his meeting with Galadriel is not entirely accidental. Even that it would have dangerous consequences for the Elven Lady or her intentions when they faced Sauron. Could the mysterious man be more than just a survivor in the midst of a desperate situation?
In its first two chapters, Amazon Prime production made a few things clear. On the one hand, he will try to illuminate the almost unknown history of the Second Age in the work of J. R. R. Tolkien. The other extreme is that for such an enterprise it is required not only to delve into the unclear points of the work, but also to enter some new data. Among them are characters who make connections with already traditional ones in order to more easily explore history.
Halbrand seems to be one of the plot choices that has a mysterious purpose. The figure who was the centerpiece of the second episode of the series is unknown for several reasons.. Not only because of his ambiguous behavior, but also because he seems to have a convoluted history. At the moment, there are no clear answers as to how he got on the ship of survivors, which eventually brought the help of Galadriel. Especially why his decision to sacrifice the rest of his fellow travelers at a particularly critical moment in the chapter.
Is it about a hero or a villain? Ordinary man from Middle-earth? Most of the fans assume that his personality cannot be so simple and is associated with a special interest in the dispute. Could Sauron hide his true face under the face of this stranger with inexplicable behavior?
Halbrand: Stranger in the Storm
Halbrand has secrets and it shows. So much so as not to reveal information about himself in a strange conversation with Galadriel. Despite everything, he did it in the end. In the midst of silences, incomplete allusions, and unconvincing data, he left some points unclear. Some of them partially indicate what the character’s true personality is.
The character explained that he was on the run, that his “people have no king” and that, in fact, the place where he lived was destroyed by orcs “to the ground”. A familiar landscape that has already been featured in the story that Arondir and Bronwyn explore. Halbrand also confirms what the script hinted at several times.. The “enemy” – still unidentified – is in the southern lands.

But what Halbrand said raises a few issues.. At the moment it is not easy to identify an orc, much less talk about their leader, because they are hard to find in Middle-earth. In particular, the attacks have occurred recently. One of the problems Galadriel had to show that Sauron was still dangerous was not to find signs of his passing.
Where does Halbrand get such precise details? Who supplied them? What do you mean when you talk about “enemy”? Even more strange is that everything around him is shrouded in increasingly strange questions.
trip to nowhere
Sea travel in the “Second Age” in Tolkien’s work is very important. At the moment it is clear that the elves follow a certain route to the west to reach Valinor, the fate of Galadriel. A place where mortals cannot go. Once the Elf Lady decided not to accompany the rest of her peers on their last journey, she retreated. So, presumably, he swam in the opposite direction until he stumbled upon the survivors’ boat.
That Halbrand was there at that moment points to one thing. Who came or went to Numenor. It should be remembered that the island created by the Valar for the people who defeated Morgoth is of great importance in the Second Age.
As the character explained, most likely, he was heading to a safe place, fleeing the tragedy of his city. The logical behavior of a person trying to escape from the evil embodied by an implacable enemy such as orcs. Now, why not detail this possibility? Halbrand’s silence is more than suspicious.
A mysterious gem that can have multiple meanings
As if all of the above wasn’t enough, Halbrand wears a necklace that he refuses to show Galadriel or even explain its meaning to. A bright jewel, very different from any other feature of her clothing. This is a symbol, and when you hide it, it becomes clear that it is important. Why does he do it? Why would he hide information from the elf?
This issue raises a few more questions about Halbrand. If it’s just a useless pendant, why are you afraid to explain how weird its design is? Could you tell Galadriel anything else about his background or personality?

Halbrand, the hidden hero
AT One Ring Trilogy, Viggo Mortensen’s Aragorn was a controversial character during the first part of The Fellowship of the Ring. Only to later reveal himself as the hero and heir of Isildur. Could the same thing have happened to Halbrand?
This is unlikely. So far, the most remarkable – and unsettling – thing about Halbrand is that he let the rest of his fellow travelers die.. He also did it for a simple reason: “he’s a guy who knows how to survive.” But, at the same time, he sought to save the life of Galadriel. More than once and under increasingly difficult circumstances. Why does he decide to save the Elven Lady? Any answer leads to another mysterious element of the story. Could it be Sauron?
scary puzzle
In the Second Age, Sauron would make his first major attempt at complete dominance. This includes taking on various forms, including Annatara, a being of magnificent beauty who will win the elves’ trust. Especially from Celebrimbor, the most skilled blacksmith of the race. But besides this, he can also shape-shift, manipulate and control other beings..
Could the whole incident on the raft be a way to gain Galadriel’s trust? This may be a viable theory, especially considering that Sauron may have controlled the sea monster they encountered. He also shows himself to be able to help despite the brutality of his other actions. For the Elven Lady, this would be the sign of a restless person – just like her – and in difficult situations, as in the case of her.
But there is another important detail. Galadriel is not just an elf. He belongs to the main circles of power of his race. What better way to bridge the elves’ emotional and intellectual distance than to save the life of one of their most respected figures?
Halbrand may well have been the first of Sauron’s many faces before he fell into the circle of Celebrimbor. So his providential meeting with Galadriel became the starting point in his journey to create the Ring of Power. Is the series already showing you the way forward? Still no answers, most likely yes.
