The second season of ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ is nearing its end, and the seventh episode delivered a thrilling battle scene that saw many of the show’s beloved characters clashing on the battlefield. However, a moment outside the siege of Eregion stole the spotlight, leaving fans in shock and questioning its implications.
Before the fighting erupted, Elrond and Galadriel had a tense encounter with Adar, attempting to avoid bloodshed. As they parted ways, Elrond surprised everyone with a kiss for Galadriel. This unexpected gesture caused a stir amongst viewers, particularly those familiar with the books, where the two elves are portrayed solely as friends.
Adding to the intrigue, Elrond and Galadriel have spent much of the season at odds over the use of the elven rings of power. Robert Aramayo, who plays Elrond, shed some light on the kiss’s intended purpose in an interview with TV Insider. He emphasized that it was primarily a strategic move: “It starts off as purely strategic, but it’s also emotional and heightened because it’s a goodbye as well.” He further explained, “It’s a potential goodbye forever, or for now — until the Halls of Mandos. So it is a really emotional moment, but the impetus for it is a really practical and diversionary tactic.”
The kiss served as a distraction, preventing Adar and his orcs from noticing Elrond sneaking Galadriel a crucial pin for her escape. However, Aramayo also revealed that the kiss was intended to convey a deeper sentiment: “Galadriel is his hero,” he explained. “There’s a blood relation — and actually, Elrond’s related to almost everyone. But as I said, she’s his hero. She’s taught him so much. It’s more than best friends. It feels like family members. And so it’s the emotion of saying goodbye to a family member who you think might die soon.”
While Elrond’s kiss certainly fueled speculation about a potential romantic connection between the two elves, Aramayo insists that it wasn’t meant to be interpreted that way. Instead, it served as a powerful demonstration of Elrond’s admiration and respect for Galadriel, highlighting the deep bond they share. As the season progresses, fans are eagerly anticipating further developments in their relationship and the potential impact of this memorable kiss.
