After it got name-dropped in Season 1, Rings of Power Season 2 finally takes viewers to Pelargir, a significant Númenorean settlement in Middle-earth.
In the wake of Mount Doom’s eruption, the people of the Southlands and Númenor were left scattered across the newly scorched landscape of Mordor, struggling to find those they’ve lost and deciding where to go next. Everyone regrouped in the mountains, and Bronwyn said they were heading to Pelargir.
In Episode 3 of Rings of Power Season 2, we catch up with Isildur, who manages to flee from the spiders of the Black Forest and make it to Pelargir.
Tolkienites may already be aware of this location, but other viewers won’t be – so, let’s break down what it is, where it is, and the role it will play in the future of Middle-earth.
Where is Pelargir?
Pelargir is an old Númenórean colony, located above the delta of the Anduin and south of the White Mountains. It was first built in SA 2350 as a haven of the Faithful, and it’ll become a key location in Rings of Power.
Bronwyn said she was going to Pelargir with Arondir, her son Theo, and the other Southland people at the end of Episode 7, while Miriel vows that Númenór will return to Middle-earth.
When we arrive there in Season 2, Bronwyn has already died, having succumbed to the wound left by an Orc’s arrow. It’s a small, peaceful waterside village, with boats sailing back and forth to Númenor.
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As per J.R.R. Tolkien’s writing, Pelargir once sat a few miles away from the coasts, but the fall of Númenor drastically altered the coastline and left it nearly 50 miles upstream.
During the War of the Ring, Pelargir was attacked several times by a corrupted race of Númenóreans known as the Corsairs of Umbar. As we saw in the extended edition of The Return of the King, Aragorn fought alongside Legolas, Gimli, the Grey Company and the Army of the Dead to defend Pelargir and defeat the Corsairs, before sailing on the black ships to Minas Tirith.
Here’s the important bit to know for Rings of Power: Pelargir will become the great naval port of Gondor, a kingdom of men that has yet to be founded in Middle-earth… but it will, as those who found it are either already in the show or expected to turn up in the next season.
We won’t reveal who it is – the show may change things up, too – but there are big changes on the horizon for Númenóreans.
If you’ve watched the first three episodes, check out our recaps of Rings of Power Season 2 Episode 1, Episode 2, and Episode 3. You can also read our guides on Morgoth’s origin, Forodwaith, and Círdan the Shipwright.
