There were a multitude of unanswered questions leading up to the release of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, and one of the biggest surrounded the fate of Celeborn. In J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth mythology, Elven Princess Galadriel is married to the noble elf, but fans have noted his absence from the trailers and promotional material, so where is he?
Morfydd Clark has been met with both praise and ridicule for her portrayal of Galadriel, but across two seasons of the show so far, there hasn’t been so much as a peek of Celeborn. This doesn’t necessarily mean that he won’t be present in the series, but it does spark questions. In an interview with The One Ring ahead of season 1’s release, Clark was asked about Celeborn, to which she responded, “I couldn’t possibly say, but there’s five seasons of the show.”
Is Celeborn in Rings of Power?
The Sindarin Prince of Doriath, Celeborn was born to Galadhon, who’s Silvan in origin. In the First Age, Galadriel came to Middle-earth to rule her own realm. She met Celeborn in Doriath. The two of them fell in love and were wed soon thereafter. Galadriel’s elder brother, Finrod, left to establish the stronghold of Nargothrond while she stayed behind with her husband.
Galadriel was a housemaid in Doriath to Queen Melian, who became her good friend and mentor. Based on what’s known, it’s likely that Galadriel and Celeborn remained together through the First Age, which includes the Sack of Doriath, the Second Kinslaying and Destruction of Doriath, the Third Kinslaying in Sirion, and the War of Wrath.
In the Second Age—the age when the TV series takes place—the Host of the West fought the forces of Morgoth in what is known as the Wars of Belierand. When the dust settled, Beleriand fell, and Celebron and Galadriel lived in Lindon. At this time, he was the ruler of the fief of Harlindon under High King Gil-Galad.
The Elven lovers traveled across Middle-earth together over the following decades. They went to Lake Nenuial and ruled the Eldar in Eriador, and they had a daughter named Celebrían. They then went to Eregion, which was ruled by Celebrimbor, the distant half-cousin of Galadriel. The couple parted ways when Celeborn stayed in Eregion while Galadriel and Celebrian went to Khazad-dûm. Meanwhile, Celeborn, ever the strategist, led Eregion into battle during the Sack of Eregion.
Many of the main players of this time have been accounted for in Rings of Power. Gil-galad is played by Mark Meadows, Finrod is played by Will Fletcher, and Elrond is played by Robert Aramayo. Elrond specifically has a close relationship with Celeborn, and both have major influences on Middle-earth history. After the Sack of Eregion, Celeborn and Elrond escape to a dell. Following all of that, Elrond founds Rivendell, the elven outpost in the Misty Mountains.
The details of Galadriel’s exploits during this time in LOTR mythology aren’t completely mapped out, but a valid reason for Celeborn’s absence was delivered near the end of season 1. Discussing her background with the being then known as Halbrand, Galadriel explained that, as far as she’s aware, her husband is dead. Explaining that her husband never returned from the battle against Morgoth, Galadriel lays out the perfect excuse for his absence.
Despite Celeborn being missing in action across seasons 1 and 2, however, fans shouldn’t be too worried. The character is almost certainly alive, and prepped to make his big debut in future seasons, likely in some major, dramatic recoupling with his longtime wife. Until that day comes, however, Galadriel is riding solo, opening up the doors for plenty of teased romances before her forever comes riding out of the sunset.