#haldriel

[reimymonfer]

"You bind me to the light and i bind you to power"

[badwolf-gallagher88]

Day 9 - Forgotten

The smith was desperate never to be forgotten.

Halbrand had been struck by Celebrimbor’s determination to craft beauty, to immortalise the elven soul in physical objects. Annatar had been confounded by Celebrimbor’s desire to do his duty by the Valar, no matter the cost.

But Sauron, Sauron was enchanted by Celebrimbor’s desperation never be forgotten.

It was so like his own, so familiar, so recognisable. 

Yet it was so…

Innocent. 

He sighed, turning away from the scattered streets of Eregion that lay below the towers. For now, all went in peace. Children laughed by the fountains, guardsman lounged about the square, careless of the threats soon to be upon them. The foolish joy, the exhilaration that had gripped Eregion since the creation of the first three rings, appeared to be infectious. 

The smith was convinced those rings were the legacy for which he would be remembered. Sauron knew the hand that created them would be forgotten.

He leant backward, resting against the tower wall. The filigree decorations dug into his back, yet he didn’t move, preferring to feel their reality. So much of the world he lived in was manufactured, a facade to manipulate those around him and secure his legacy. With Galadriel gone, there was very little real that remained within it.

He could not bring himself to pity Celebrimbor. The elf was too trusting, too concerned with crafting an ideal that did not exist. It might one day, but it would be by his hand, not the smith’s, that such a ring was made. 

The concern he felt that he would not be remembered; however, was something Sauron understood well. There had been a time when he had feared much the same. In the darkness of Morgoth’s flame, who would remember his mere lieutenant? There were times as well, when he feared he would forget his plans. On the raft with Galadriel, he had almost lost his grip on the memories completely. They had seemed so fluid, so insignificant in comparison to the moment.

He must ensure he remembered what was to come. 

It did not matter how the smith cried and begged. He could not stop. He must use all the wiles he possessed, drive the man to finish the task. Promise that if he did, he would never be forgotten. 

Legacy was a powerful motivator.

Sauron would not be forgotten. His name would be etched in the stars alongside the Valar.

He would erase as many memories as necessary to ensure it.

[marimosalad]

Who are you?

—

Much like the whole fandom, I am bummed about today’s news concerning the recasting of Joseph Mawle’s Adar. I’d just finished this portrait last night, a scene inspired by the brief intersection of Adar with Sauron in which the two characters are skirting around Halbrand’s identity, which, especially upon rewatching, feels intense, sinister, and foreboding. It is also the scene in which Halbrand takes a step towards the light, stopping Galadriel from being consumed by her own darkness. It could be argued that he stopped her because he wanted to be the one to kill Adar at a later time, but considering the confession scene in the forest following this, I choose to believe that he allowed Galadriel to inspire in him a glimmer of hope for redemption, and a realization that they could temper each other’s darknesses in moments such as this.

I was so looking forward to future scenes, no doubt confrontations or even flashbacks, between Adar and Sauron, as it sounded like Charlie Vickers had worked with Joseph Mawle a fair amount on establishing the nature of their relationship. I am rooting for the next actor to take on the role. It’s a wonderfully written complex character.

Here’s to hoping there are no more surprise recasts, and that Charlie Vickers will remain forever our One True Dark Lord!

[the-winnowing-wind]

He brings fire into the darkness and finds him on a table of stone, a naked, mottled heap of limbs, bruised and bleeding, splayed in half awareness, chained without need. 

Adar murmurs something about trees.

And Arondir. He doesn’t question, nor hesitate, nor consider. 

---

Or, Adar has never been saved before, until, perhaps, now.

---

Or, let's flip a few tales back and see how Adar came to be with the fellowship of elves.

[thegreatzombieartisan]

On Sauron shapeshifting because Galadriel would expose Halbrand’s identity - balance of probability is that Galadriel keeps the secret as long as possible.

Maybe never really disclosing her role or maybe only only Elrond knows because I don’t think people realize how much she FUCKED UP. And I think Sauron is betting on her keeping quiet.

1. It’s foreshadowed that Halbrand/Sauron will play a role in exposing her secret and likely as leverage/retaliation

Caveat: this theory only makes sense IF Sauron is returning to be King of the Southlands after Eregion.

Recall S1.08, while thanking Galadriel, Sauron said he “wanted everyone to know what she did for him”. It’s assumed be a hint of his intentions because later he asks her to be his Queen. But after she rejects him, he throws her role in his return back in her face. Got me thinking.

In the scene before Sauron’s “Thank you” to Galadriel, we see the messenger carrying the scroll reporting to her. Halbrand made a pointed observation of this exchange like he knows something is afoot (and perhaps not to his advantage). Next, he’s thanking her but with a seductiveness yet unseen from Halbrand. To what purpose?

1. To hint at his impending proposal to be his queen

2. To stoke the obvious sexual tension in preparation to transition their friendship to an intimate union. IDGAF what Charlie Vickers says, the proposal is marriage and fucking would be happening

3. To use coercion to accept his prodigal in the highly likely event it’s not well received or she’s reluctant. Thus, we see him tell her she needs him for when the elves casts her out for bringing him back.

4. To subtly threaten her with silence should she reject him until he wishes his return to be known or to keep her unsettled that he will expose her as he mentioned

2. Realistically, withholding Sauron’s return plus her exploits with Numenor, Galadriel risks charges of treason

1. Galadriel fraudulently used her *stripped* Commander title in Numenor (implying she has the High-King’s authority) to form a diplomatic alliance with an elf-hating foreign kingdom, march under the banner of said kingdom, and engage in combat in Gil-galad’s realm. This is all done without the High-King’s awareness, and certainly without his authority

2. At the end of S1.08, to be frank, Galadriel weaponizes her friendship with Elrond and impedes him from rightfully investigating this pretender King who he is told is no longer an ally. Now Elrond is in conspiracy with Galadriel from withholding a very high security threat from the High-King.

Saw about the possible “Rings of Power” spoiler on Twitter involving Sauron and Charlie and if it turns out to be true it’s actually something that’s to be expected and I don’t think it’s as worrying as some fans especially some Haladriel shippers think. Also the user replied to a fan saying this is actually older information they heard so it might have changed so we’ll have to wait and see if it happens, but they actually were right about stuff that happened in season 1. Putting behind a cut.

Keep reading

[thewistlingbadger]

@tairona-is-taken @rebelrebelwrites @eowyn7023 @helenvader @penelopeloveshere @haladriel @thecoziestbean @meilas @ninman82 @livelybook @skyz8 @assorted-fandom-things @cliffdivingsblog @princessfantaghiro @lady-sigyn @kadiyab @galstelperion @wordsmith-storyweaver @folatefangirl @psychicexpertlover

Hello! Sorry for the random tagging, but I've made a discord server dedicated to the show rings of power and saurondriel (or haldriel? Haladriel?). Since all of you interacted with my post talking about the ship and the show, I figured some of you would be interested.

[softzindagi]

me, avoiding watching the rings of power bc i have commitment issues yet LOTR is my favorite piece of media of all times.

Also me, reading haldriel fic like its nobodies business.

[gil-galadhwen]

I was tagged by the lovely @myfavouritelunatic ❤️🥰 Tysm!

Rules: Share the first lines of ten of your most recent fanfics and tag ten people. If you have written less than ten, do not be shy and share anyway.

It seems I've written quite a few TROP fics! 👀

Elrond has been worrying about the meeting with foreign nobles for the last few days and any amount of reassurance from you has failed to soothe his troubled mind. - From "I Will Never Get Enough Of You" (Elrond x GN Reader)

Elrond stayed for the rest of the day, talking with you in the library while you reshelved books and rearranged spell cards that were stored in drawers along one wall. - From "Edraith" (part 2 of The Lore Master series with Elrond x OFC)

Elrond was in your library. Not your library exactly, but it felt as though it was exclusively for your use as nobody else in Celondim used it much anymore. - From "Carrier of Messages" (part 1 of The Lore Master series with Elrond x OFC)

You keep your eyes closed and teeth clenched as you fight the urge to balk. “Just breathe,” a familiar voice says close to your ear. “You are trembling.” - From "Touch Yourself" (Gil-galad x GN Reader)

Lindon was a mystery to Halbrand. As winter approached, Galadriel had encouraged him to travel with her to the elvish realm and at first, he had thought it was for no particular reason but it quickly became apparent that she had dealings with the High King Gil-galad and his Herald Elrond. - From "Do You Want My Blood..." (Haladriel)

At first glance, Halbrand had thought the shard of mithril had simply been a chipped piece of silver, a common alloy that might be used to bolster something small like jewellery or a dagger. - From "What Strange Claws Are These..." (Haladriel)

“Give me your hand!” She screamed over the downpour, her hand reaching towards him in a truce. “Bind yourself to me!” - From "I Told You..." (Haldriel)

The raft rocked gently beneath their feet, the wooden planks creaking with every push and pull of the tide. Halbrand watched Galadriel’s skin flush with the chilled air, which he found curious, considering this; where they were, wasn’t real. - From "Your Secret is Safe With Me" (Haladriel)

Halbrand looked over his shoulder towards the bars of the cell as footsteps approached. He knew that gait, those light footfalls could only belong to Galadriel. - From "She Found Me Just In Time" (Haldriel)

Blood was seeping onto the floorboards, fanning out from her broken body like a moth’s wings, poised to take flight. Her fair hair, as bright as the centre of a flame was streaked with it, like rust on an abandoned blade. - From "Can I Be Him" (Haldriel)

No pressure tags: @caitlinlidae @stardustspell @emarasmoak @starlady66 @haladriel @marimosalad @hazelmaines @wyrd-syster @karmabansheenz @mistergandalf

[reimymonfer]

the lineart is ready <3, Sauron and Galadriel, cosmic connection.

[olivejezr]

“Just you watch, you will fall in love with me and then I’ll reject you afterwards and you’ll be miserable for the rest of your days.”

And then they were the ONE who did exactly that.

[gracepureautumn]

New sketch: I’m calling it “Breaking The Silence.”

This moment was so epic, I wanted to create this large composition with the both of them dividing the canvas. The sketch is only about 9x12, so I’m working small.

I’m excited to share more progress as I work on it ☺️

[mamwieleimion]

I honestly don't have an opinion on the Haldriel(?) ship (besides tha fact that I am a very much Silver gifting fan).

But the posts above are absolutely right. I love how he portrayed Sauron, how much thought and research went into it, you can find at least one post on my blog (or a reblog) where I speak about it.

And like, just, it needs to go to more people, so I'm rebloging.

Charlie Vickers gave me the Sauron of my dreams, and being able to see him on a screen playing one of my favourite characters from Tolkien (definitely my favourite Ainur) was a fantastic experience, and I am just waiting the day I will have enough free time to watch all the second season in one go just to admire and experience it all again.

Potentially unpopular opinion for the ROP fandom:

I really wish people/interviewers would stop pushing the Hot Sauron and Haladriel stuff directly into Charlie's face.

I woke up this morning to drama in the fandom about Charlie (yet again) very politely deflecting Haladriel questions, as if this is some sort of insult to the fandom and shippers. And I know it's not going to stop, but I wish it would.

To make it very explicitly clear, make all the stupid sexy Sauron and Hot Sauron memes and jokes you want within the fandom. Ship Haladriel to your heart's content and create glorious fanfiction and fanart of them making out as they ride into the sunset (or as they simultaneously attempt to kill each other, if that's your vibe). All great. All fantastic. Everyone knows I'm a huge fan of sexy Sauron both inside and outside the ROP fandom, and I am a thorough Haladriel enjoyer at this point.

But I really, really, really wish people would stop pushing it on Charlie himself.

It just makes me so sad and uncomfortable for him. I saw the interview yesterday that I'm pretty sure was what caused everyone to be up in arms where he was being shown Sauron memes and fan posts and a lot of them were very Haladriel/shippy. He is obviously SO uncomfortable with those and the "Hot Sauron" comments. You can see it in the difference between how he answers questions about Sauron's motives or psyche or his research into Tolkien and how his eyes light up and he gets so animated and he just starts gushing vs when he's asked for the millionth time if Sauron has feelings for Galadriel and he gets quiet and reserved and gives a short, diplomatic answer.

And he's been so gracious and polite to the shippers and about all the shipping questions that he keeps getting asked. Each time, he gives basically the same answer: that he doesn't personally see it as romantic but that he's happy people care enough about the characters and story to be passionate about what they see in it. He's not going to suddenly flip a switch and start passionately shipping Haladriel.

I personally like to view it as Sauron (particularly as Halbrand) having some genuine feelings for Galadriel: genuine sense of connection, genuine sense of shared purpose, genuine attraction on both a spiritual and physical level, and yes, even some genuine admiration and love, mixed in with the complex mess of other things Sauron feels, which is why he's a great, complicated villain. The fact that this doesn't 100% line up with everything Charlie has said that he feels about the character is fine with me. I respect Charlie's opinions and the clear thought he's put into portraying that character. But I can also have my own thoughts and perceptions of the character and story apart from that, without needing him to validate them.

I know this isn't the first time an attractive man playing a charming, sexy villain has been inundated by thirsty fans (I remember Loki's Army very clearly) and that some level of it is to be expected. But he's clearly put such thought into portraying Sauron and I'm so grateful to him for that, so I'm sad to see him having uncomfortable questions shoved at him that reduce everything he's done to "what do you think of being Hot Sauron?" and "Do you think Sauron and Galadriel should kiss?" And I'm even sadder to see fans reacting negatively to him simply because he won't validate a particular ship or perspective.

From everything I've heard of fans who have gotten the opportunity to meet him, he's an absolute sweetheart and very kind and appreciative towards his fans. I hope dearly that I can meet him some day and tell him how important it was to me to see Sauron portrayed on screen as such a wonderfully complicated character. But I truly hope that the constant barrage of nagging for him to openly endorse Haladriel and the backlash whenever he gives one of his reserved, diplomatic answers about shipping doesn't sour him to his fanbase. He's given us a gift that I wouldn't have even dared dream of only a few years ago; why can't we focus on that instead of whether or not he's enthusiastically pro-Haladriel or not?

[demonscantgothere]

Haldriel/Sauron Trope: the freaking mental raft scene with dark lord and his queen where the false image had Galadriel standing by his side. She had her freaking hand on her stomach. Like what if Sauron had a different sort of weapon he wanted to craft from her?

. . . Do you mean a bABY? Is this some The Da Vinci Code shit?! THE HOLY GRAIL?

Well, actually, Lúthien, who was half-Maia and half-Elf, was extremely powerful. She actually sang Sauron into a magical sleep once to rescue her baby boy, Beren, from him. AS SOON AS HE PASSED OUT, THEY MADE A RUN FOR IT.

I'd bet anything that Sauron would murder to have a kid like that with some magical powers that he could raise to be his heir.

[lyrainbeleriand]

I just really wanna know when Haldriel/saurondriel shippers write down Galadriel， do they know they are denying their own ship's worth? that she still refers herself with that name?

No? No one got the joke? No?

[reimymonfer]

A quiet moment together <3

[thewistlingbadger]

Excellent post op! I love the way you articulated everything and found the most interesting information. I think you're interpretation is really cool and well researched and I like the possibility of both the seduction or romance and power being true!

I agree that the prospects of haldriel/saurondriel are one sided, but I'd actually like to argue for the other side!

1. Characters

In this pairing we have Galadriel and Halbrand (sauron). I find these characters to be very compelling and 3 dimensional, and the fun of these characters doubles when they're together on screen.

Galadriel is a relentless warrior who's so determined to rid evil from the world she ends up isolating herself from everyone, to the point where her king, her fellow armymen, and even her friend elrond have trouble siding with her. She is very much and outcast in some ways. Despite all this she's still set in her ways, hot headed, and says things she really shouldn't be saying (aka when she talks to miriel). Even though she is all of these things, she's still a likeable character bc we know she's fighting for a good cause and has every reason in to world to worry about any lingering evil. She's got a sort of haunted quality to her, the is especially accented when she leans a little too close to the dark side.

I find halbrand to be VERY similar to galadriel, dare I say they're foils of each other? He's an outcast too for many different reasons and he too is isolating. Where galadriel seeks confrontational he seeks idlness. He doesn't want to get caught in affairs, he wants to stay out of them (or so he says). He's also very defensive and while we know galadriel's past, we don't know his (this is before we know he's sauron but I think this still applies), which just makes him even more interesting.

2. Relationship

Over the course of the show, we see their relationship development, and by God is it amazing! The biggest mystery is actually the nature of their relationship. Romance? Companionship? A kin like dynamic? It is not touched on, which can be refreshing and infuriating at the same time. Even though the two are mirrors of each other their differences are what makes this relationship stand out. The two often clash, but they always somehow manage to see the other's prospective and come to an agreement. I find it amazing how they both challenge each other's view points. The intense tension, longing gazes, and closeness in proximity are just more fuel to the fire too. They go from being companions by circumstance to companions by choice. In a world where they've abandoned others and vise versa, they've found each other in a moment where they weren't looking to find anything at all. The two grow close and we can tell that they mean a lot to each other.

3. Reveal

Now that i've spent some time developing some background of my opinions, I can get to the meat and potatoes. Because everything I just said is irrelevant, right? Because halbrand is actually sauron... HOWEVER! Do entertain me with this, I think it is possible that is is actually sauron who is the one sided participant in this relationship! (Note: im not the most well versed lotr fan so forgive me if I get something wrong). A very strong argument can be made that sauron has been manipulating galadriel this whole time. He was at sea knowing galadriel would be there. He never directly opposed her too much in their relationship as to not give too much away. Everything he has done was for galadriel to unknowingly forward his own plot. But a just as strong argument can be made that he was genuine! In almost every scene they have together, halbrand looks at her with such a distinct look. He can't get his eyes off of her. The two not only end up having banter, but they have real conversations like him saying he liked fighting by her side or her telling him to be free of his past. Sauron has several opportunities to further his own ambitions but most of the time he trades those with staying by Galadriel's side. To which I ask, WHY! I'm assuming that he wants her bc she's powerful and influential. It would be better to have her on his side, more useful. But sauron has multiple opportunities to kill her, like when she's drowning at sea. He wouldn't need to keep her at his side bc she's a threat of she's dead. He doesn't need to have these unusually deep conversations if she's just a pawn in his game of chess. No, I believe that yes, he was manipulating her but along the way he got to know galadriel on a personal level, and he liked her. He liked her determination, her passion, her empathy, her intelligence, etc. So yes she makes a good ally and would be a threat otherwise, but he genuinely wants her at his side bc she makes him feel seen and they have a cosmic connection! A deep connection greater than romance, and intertwining destiny. I think he's attracted to herz even if it's not in a romantic sense.

4. Betrayal

This is sauron's one miscalculation: he thinks he knows galadriel. He's been with her for the past few weeks and they've grown close. He's seen how she acts and thinks, her beliefs, and he's seen her change. I think that by spending this much time with her, he starts to think that she's caple of radical change, which we know to be untrue. Because despite it all, galadriel doesn't change much from start to finish of rings of power. She goes through a lot and does change, but she's still restless when it comes to defeating sauron. Even if her actions dip into unethical waters she still aligns herself with the light. It's not power she seeks, but rather respect and justice. Sauron reveals himself thinking that galadriel could join him. She never could. Sure, she may have enjoyed his company and started to gain some attraction towards him as well, but once he said he was sauron, that was it. She could never align herself with her brothers killer, with the one she has hated for so long.

Alright so that was lot! I know most of this isn't really fleshed out (my apologies) but you're post is so lovely and cool that I felt the need to express my own thoughts! (Even if they went off topic lol)

Thoughts on Haladriel/Saurondriel

(I might be converted)

Okay, can I be COMPLETELY honest?

I always understood the shipping of Halbrand/Sauron and Galadriel, but for the sake of analyzing, I never let myself believe that there was any element of attraction from either side. Because they have a "cosmic connection," you know?

But something changed today (even though that "cosmic connection" is still very much a thing). I came to the conclusion that, while my pain for Galadriel has now increased manifold, I am so relieved from everything Morfydd said in her recent interview, particularly that the ambiguity behind their relationship was Charlie's idea (how dare he) because now I know that Charlie is Sauron, irl. Let me explain. (Prepare for a long read—bonus content at the end):

Charlie never told a lie in press.

"Were we in a relationship of seduction or power? It's up to the viewer to decide" (Morfydd).

What Morfydd said didn't give anything away. It truly leaves everything up to interpretation even more than before, and yet any way you slice it, everything makes sense. It fits with everything that everyone has said in press (the 'cosmic connection', 'it's not romantic', etc.).

Think of it this way:

------------------------

If everything was purely platonic, and Galadriel was not attracted to Halbrand in the least, then Sauron was tempting Galadriel with power. This makes sense, since we know that Galadriel left Valinor in large part because she desired to rule over a realm of her own. Power is very enticing to her.

That also means that Galadriel would never, ever, EVER think of anyone but Celeborn, which is nice. I mean, once Elves marry, that's it. No backsies. In this case, Sauron would be playing it safe, not fooling himself into thinking that Galadriel would fall for a MAN (of all things), after she has already been married.

------------------------

On the other hand, BOY is Sauron able to seduce.

Now, when we think of seduction, some of us automatically think:

But Galadriel most likely would not be enticed by an extremely forward approach. She would slap that guy so silly.

So here's why Sauron is terrifying: Halbrand is so nice.

His approach would be: Become friends first, to make it difficult to resist joining him in the end. He made himself attractive in a way that, if successful, would make her attached to him for much longer than if he was strictly flirtatious (a few thousand years should do it). He never said anything forward until their friendship developed to a certain point (1x06).

And as long as I've been denying that either side was attracted to the other, the one thing I have never been able to get out of my head is the fact that in episode 7, Galadriel called to Halbrand before anyone else. Later, she mentioned Celeborn to Theo (for the first time in presumably centuries, after she assumed Halbrand had died). Then, when she saw Halbrand again, she called him her friend, and he for some reason had to say:

"Nor will you."

Then he made that STUPID SMIRK, and poor Galadriel looked SO TORN. We just barely learned that her husband was in the picture, so he was fresh on her mind. And then we had this thrown on us, to indicate that something about this friendship was not right.

(Oh, the discomfort and second-hand embarrassment I felt for Halbrand, before I knew that he was Sauron.)

Since Galadriel hasn't seen her husband in centuries (even though she loves him a lot—I mean A LOT), she was very vulnerable to seduction, because... she was alone. Halbrand saved her life, rivaled her intelligence, didn't beg for her attention on account of her beauty, connected with her on a level that probably hasn't happened in a while, became her really good friend, made her feel free fighting at his side, etc. If that doesn't spark someone's interest, I don't know what does. (His looks are a major bonus.)

------------------------

Now, here is what's really unfortunate, and causes me pain beyond measure: Sauron wouldn't have fallen in love. But Galadriel would have, and he knew that.

No one (JD, Patrick, Charlie, and Morfydd) ever lied in any interview. Have you ever noticed that whenever they spoke of the lack of romance, they were always talking specifically about Sauron's perspective? :')

Here are some examples:

Charlie: "I mean, look. I don't see it as a... strictly—I don't know. I haven't run this past you guys [Patrick: 'Run it by!']—as a King and Queen thing. I love the reflection bit. But it's not like... I think ultimately, if she had said yes, he's very much the King, and she's like his sidekick, in terms of ruling." Patrick: "And it's not like a marriage—[Morfydd: 'How...]—proposal...—[...dare you.'] [...] Charlie: "You guys sent me something really early on. It's WH Auden, talking about good and evil in Tolkien, and the difference when it gets to evil. It's affection—I'm paraphrasing here—but affection goes out the window. And you see this relationship, and you see affection, but in the end, it's only for personal gain. [...] The whole season, you see them working together, and they have this sort of—we like to call it a 'cosmic connection'. Not romantic. [laughs] Although, I got in a lot of trouble for saying it wasn't romantic yesterday, because of the 'shipping'; the people shipping. [Interviewer: 'How dare you.'] [laughs] Yeah, exactly. And I think it's very clear on the raft that he's just using her for his own personal gain, rather than any sort of love and affection to her." (Empire Spoiler Special)

Charlie: "I think they have a 'cosmic connection', but I don't think it's necessarily, in his mind, a King and a Queen... like husband and wife kind of situation. I think it's more, 'I can use you to get what I want, and effect my designs faster.' Because ultimately, I think he would have ended up ruling by himself, whether she joined him or not. And when she says no on the raft, it angers him, but it's not the end of the world for him." (Deadline Inside the Ring)

So, if Sauron was trying to effectively seduce Galadriel into falling in love with him, it was always going to be one-sided. He would have never felt any real love towards her, but his goal would be to get Galadriel to feel something like that towards him. For personal gain.

And if Galadriel did feel something, how much more ashamed and violated would she feel in the end, knowing that he did it on purpose?

:'))))

------------------------

Here is the ultimate question:

Did Sauron tempt Galadriel with power, or seduction (or both)?

Here's the thing -> Charlie

Morfydd said in her interview that "Halbrand's hold on Galadriel was less connoted in the storylines," meaning it was more straight forward, and not much was implied. But she did not say which direction the scripts leaned, meaning Charlie said one of two things:

"Let's make it seem less romantic."

"Let's make it seem more romantic."

Either way, he's actually so mean, I can't put it into words.

Here's why both possibilities work perfectly: Every time Charlie or anyone else has talked about the lack of romance in interviews, they're always speaking from Sauron's perspective; Galadriel's feelings are wide open for interpretation. Whether Sauron tempted her with power or seduction, he never loved her. He knows how to seduce, and he does it well, but it doesn't mean he feels it. That's why I'm terrified of him, and I'm also afraid of Charlie.

Ever since that interview with Morfydd, I've realized that Charlie has a lot more to do with the character than he's letting on. He knows enough about Sauron to propose an idea that fits into the lore. The fact that the scripts were "less connoted," and he managed to convince everyone to make the relationship more ambiguous is just... GAH. How dare he!

Is it power or seduction?? Both work so well, it could very well be both at the same time! (Charlie and his ambiguities. *sigh*)

But again, it's a matter of what Sauron is tempting Galadriel with; not what he feels, himself.

------------------------

So, why am I relieved? Because Chapter 6. :)

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Bonus: Translation of the Haunting Music

It is time.

With all of this in mind, I would like to take a shot in the dark. Remember that ultra creepy/seductive part of the music in The Broken Line? A couple of months ago, I was driven crazy by the fact that right in the middle of a musical phrase, the vocals transitioned from Black Speech to Quenya, when Sauron's doing this:

I wanted to know the translation, so I used Paul Strack's lexicon. I managed to pick out most of the words in the music, but since I'm not fluent in Elvish grammar, I don't dare try to translate it. I will just give you the translation for each word, and let you decide what it means for yourself. It'll be fun. :)

Here's the music:

Here are the words (red is confirmed, purple is what I made out, and the [?] is the last word that I cannot figure out, for the life of me. So if someone could enlighten me, I would greatly appreciate it):

ash gul ishi ghash [ash] gul insangarë antani márië i cilmë [?]

Here are the translations:

Black Speech:

ash: "one" gul: "phantom" ishi: "in" ghash: "fire"

Quenya:

insangarë: "temptation" anta-: "to give, present; to add to" ni: "me, I" márië: "well, happily; goodness, good estate, being well, happiness" i: "the" cilmë: "choice, choosing"

In episode 6, Adar said in Quenya, "What I seek. Give it to me." His sentence ended with "antani". So... if "antani" comes after the subject of a sentence... "insangarë antani"? O_O

Someone please help Galadriel. I can hardly stand it. Where's Celeborn?