The Rings of Power: That’s why the falling of the leaves made Míriel change his mind!

• “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” shows the island kingdom of Númenor being swallowed up by the sea.
• According to a prophecy of the Númenóreans, the falling of the leaves heralds the fall of their empire.
• Galadriel’s departure triggers a rain of leaves, prompting Míriel to fetch Galadriel back.

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The fourth episode “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” prophesied the irrevocable end of Númenor. In the vision of Queen Regent Míriel, a gigantic wave sweeps across the island kingdom. But the downfall does not come suddenly, but is announced by an omen prophesied many years ago.

If the White Tree perishes, then the lineage of kings will also come to an end.

Tar-Palantir, 24th King of Númenor

This was once foretold by the wise king Tar-Palantir, Míriel’s father. After years of discord between the Elves and Númenóreans, he was the first ruler who wanted to restore friendship between the peoples. He honored the White Tree again, whose seed comes from the Immortal Lands.

With his rethinking came his prophecy, which his daughter Míriel carries on for him. As a reminder to the people, Míriel keeps reminding the people of Númenor of the words of her father.

The falling of the leaves of the White Tree is not the norm, but rather the tears of the Valar themselves as a living reminder that their eyes and judgment are always upon us.

Queen Regent Míriel

According to their prophecy, the beginning of the end will be initiated with the appearance of an Elbe. So when Galadriel enters Númenor, she heralds its downfall. To avert fate, Míriel wants to get rid of Galadriel at all costs.

But when the Elbe leaves the kingdom and rows to her ship, white petals slowly fall from the sky. Her father’s prophecy came true. Míriel orders Galadriel back to Númenor and announces that he will fight with the Elves in Middle-earth against Sauron.

She believes that the tree announced to her that Galadriel was not the cause of Númenor’s downfall, but the redeemer of her realm. Together against Sauron, they can avert the fate of Númenor. As we know, however, things are quite different.

What does Galadriel have to do with the fall of Númenor?

From Galadriel, Pharazon hears of Sauron’s return for the first time. As we know from Tolkien’s works, based on these rumours, he will travel to Middle-earth to fight the Dark Lord. He captures Sauron and takes him to Númenor. There Sauron manipulates Pharazon and tricks him into incurring the wrath of the Valar. This is the fall of Númenor.

Galadriel thus gives Pharazon the incentive to travel to Middle-earth in the first place. Had the Elf not come to Númenor, then the island kingdom might never have known of Sauron’s return, or even engaged in battle.

How much time the residents of Númenor have left remains to be seen. The next episodes of the first season await us every Friday at 6 a.m. on Amazon Prime Video.