There is a fairly famous concept from the Bible that says, “By their fruits ye shall know them.” For our purpose here, we will say that by the fruits of an idea or belief, we will know its source.
To demonstrate this notion, we will first apply it to Galadriel’s decision to leap from the ship. Then, our object will be to likewise discern the veracity of another ambiguous tale (not The Roots of Hithaeglir, since we covered it a few times in Sauron: The Perfect Inverse of Beren, the Meta Preview, and Sauron Rebuilt). There is a common denominator—a thread that ties them together more specific than “who did it,” which will be seen by the last paragraph of this post.
Galadriel’s Beliefs
“I leapt from that ship because I believed in my heart I was not yet worthy of it. I knew that somehow, my task here was not yet complete. And when I surfaced, all I could do was swim and pray I had chosen wisely” (Galadriel, 1×08).
The wisdom in Galadriel’s choice is completely unknown to her at this stage. Initially, she believed that she had been led to leap by powers beyond evil, but her confidence was shaken when Orodruin erupted. Why would forces for good push her to lead innocent people to their doom? With Halbrand, she was certain she could see that her decision was wise, but by episode 7, she could no longer see the beneficial design in it.
“Ours was no chance-meeting. Not fate, nor destiny, nor any of the words Men use to speak of the forces they lack the conviction to name. Ours was the work of something greater. You must see it” (Galadriel, 1×03).
“There are power beyond darkness at work in this world. Perhaps on days such as this, we have little choice but to trust to their designs, and surrender our own. [Theo: My home is gone. Where’s the design in that?] I cannot yet see it” (Galadriel, 1×07).
We know that her decision will eventually lead to Sauron’s downfall, but she does not. She likely hopes that to be the ultimate result, but at this point, no one could anticipate it to be thousands of years before it comes to fruition. From an optimistic perspective, the answer to Elrond’s question is that her encounter with Halbrand was orchestrated by Eru Ilúvatar or “providence.”
“King of the Southlands? How is it your path crossed with his? How is it you are here?” (Elrond, 1×08).
But if we examine the more immediate fruits of leaping from the ship, the source of Galadriel’s decision becomes a bit more questionable. For one, it would be strange if her belief (that she was “unworthy” to return home) was planted by Eru. She said she knew her task was not yet complete, but again, consider the most immediate results of pursuing what she thought was her task.
She was Sauron’s ticket to power, helping him long before compassing his demise. He survived, obtained an army, was hailed King, brought to Eregion where he met Celebrimbor, and obtained the necessary knowledge to create the Rings by which he could enslave the world. If “by their fruits ye shall know them,” the source of Galadriel’s obsession (acting on her belief) proves to be nefarious. In fact, her “belief” and “task” were mentioned by Sauron in the vision, showing that he may have been able to have an influence on them.
“I leapt from that ship because I believed in my heart that I was not yet worthy of it. I knew that somehow, my task here was not yet complete” (Galadriel, 1×08).
Sauron as Finrod: “And you have fought so hard for so many years to complete the task that I could not. […] My task was to ensure peace. But I learned that was Sauron’s task, as well.” […]
Galadriel: “No penance could ever erase the evil you have done.”
Sauron: “That is not what you believe.“
Galadriel: “Do not tell me what I believe!“
Sauron: “No” (1×08).
In addition, Sauron said that he was likewise “not worthy” to return to Valinor until he completed his task. Eönwë commanded him to return to Aman, but he refused. His reason:
“And I knew, if ever I was to be forgiven, that I had to heal everything that I had helped ruin” (Sauron, 1×08).
With the above perspective, one can imagine what ideas he might have conveyed for Galadriel to believe those things in her heart, perhaps even before they met: that she was not worthy to return home to Valinor because her task was not yet complete.
[Sauron] sees Galadriel and knows that what she needs more than anything else is to find the evil that has plagued her for so long and save Middle-earth.”
It would not be the only time he told her to stay.
“I will not abandon these lands and condemn them to burn. Nor will you” (Sauron, 1×07).
When she received Nenya, she was once again unaware of Sauron’s ultimate design.
“I know you think this ring is deceiving me. But I believe it is guiding me” (Galadriel, 2×04).
Galadriel chose to jump from the ship, and all she could do was pray that she had chosen wisely. After the eruption of Orodruin, for which she blamed herself, she corrected several aspects of her mindset, such as calling dark deeds good, and guessing (which in Elendil’s experience is “unwise”). She “guessed after signs and portents” when speaking to Halbrand about the nature of their meeting, and he even corrected her.
Galadriel: “Ours was the work of something greater. You must see it.”
Sauron: “All I see is an Elf who won’t put down her sword” (1×03).
But when talking to Theo, believing that Halbrand had died, she corrected herself by saying:
“What cannot be known hollows the mind. Fill it not with guesswork” (1×07).
All Sauron saw was an Elf with an obsession that he had been augmenting for his own purposes. But fortunately, no matter how hard he might try, he cannot alter the designs of Eru.
“‘And thou, Melkor, shalt see that no theme may be played that hath not its uttermost source in me, nor can any alter the music in my despite. For he that attempteth this shall prove but mine instrument in the devising of things more wonderful which he himself hath not imagined.’”
Eru Ilúvatar, Ainulindalë
And that is why Galadriel’s decision led to Sauron’s demise. If he tried to alter Eru’s designs by orchestrating a “chance-meeting” with her, for the purpose of using her as a key to power, he was an instrument in his own downfall.
The Petals of the White Tree
In The Rings of Power, beliefs are tricky things to receive at face value.
Míriel: “The Faithful believe that when the petals of the White Tree fall, it is no idle thing, but the very tears of the Valar themselves. A living reminder that their eyes and their judgment are ever upon us. Do you believe that?”
Elendil: “In my experience, it is unwise to live one’s life guessing after signs and portents” (1×03).
As with The Roots of Hithaeglir, the audience is left to interpret Míriel’s statement as true or false, but it also creates the feeling of being backed into a corner. Choose to believe it, and you are on the side of the Faithful. Say it is fallacious, and you support the Kingsmen. Elendil’s response was a safe one, given the circumstances.
The Roots of Hithaeglir presented a similar dilemma. Believe it, and you want to save the Elves, but disbelieve (like Elrond) and face accusations of accepting the doom of an entire race.
In both scenarios, one side seems evidently good, and the other side is perilous; but in reality, either side can lead to peril.
“Sometimes, the perilous path is the only path. I would not be standing here, otherwise” (Galadriel, 1×08).
We are allowed to believe it or not, but Elendil’s safe response may be a warning to the audience, even more so than Elrond’s response to The Roots of Hithaeglir. One was simply described as apocryphal, and the other, unwise.
Tar-Palantir was more Faithful than anyone, and yet even after the petals of the White Tree fell, he urged Míriel to stay.
Míriel: “The danger is past, Father. We are doing now what you always believed we must. We’re restoring our connection with the Elves. I’m going to Middle-earth.”
Tar-Palantir: “Míriel. […] Don’t go to Middle-earth. All that awaits you there is […] darkness” (1×05).
So, what was the folly in guessing one way or the other with the petals of the White Tree? —Look at the result of Míriel acting on what she believed out of fear. The Númenóreans were led (or dragged) to a losing battle, Míriel was blinded, Elendil lost his son, and Galadriel’s attempt to halt the destruction of the Southlands failed.
It is important to remember that Tar-Palantir believed the virtue which won the Edain an island was loyalty to the Elves; but that belief nearly destroyed Númenor. Their real virtue was loyalty to the Valar; not to the Elves, as Galadriel claimed. Míriel’s interpretation of the petals falling was that she was going against the will of the Valar by sending Galadriel away—because Galadriel is an Elf—but instead of receiving a reward akin to an entire island, they lost almost everything.
Only one person truly benefited from Míriel heeding that portent.
The warnings and the encouragement came from two very distinct voices. Tar-Palantir, the voice of warning, sowed doubt in Míriel’s mind when he urged her to not go to Middle-earth, after the petals fell. The shoulders on which she immediately placed the decision was Halbrand, the voice of encouragement.
Galadriel: “Remember why you chose this path. Remember your faith.”
Míriel: “Do you think I could forget?”
Galadriel: “We still have three ships. And your father’s blessing.” [nope]
Míriel: “What of Lord Halbrand? […] This council will reconvene at first light to make a final decision. See to it Lord Halbrand attends” (1×05).
Later, Galadriel told him in the workshop:
“Tomorrow, the Queen will call you to audience. Your voice at that meeting may well decide whether this mission stands or falls” (1×05).
We did not see the meeting in which Sauron told Míriel something that encouraged her to take the leap into the furnace, but it seemed that her decision hinged on her faith, as did Galadriel’s decision to leap.
“I will not second guess the gods. My decision is final” (Míriel, 1×04).
Sauron would know how afraid she was to defy the Valar, but she did not truly know their will; she guessed, like Galadriel did. Whatever Sauron told Míriel likely had something to do with her faith. It may also have sounded much like her conversation with Bronwyn.
Míriel (Halbrand): “As I understand it, they are (will be) alive because of you.”
Bronwyn (Míriel): “A burden I never sought to take up.”
Míriel (Halbrand): “Few of the finest leaders do. But if you would like some relief in carrying it, I may be able to help.”
That is when Sauron, the burden carrier, entered the conversation.
“You called for me, your majesty” (1×06).
One might say that the petals of the White Tree were the literal tears of the Valar, and they fell because the Valar knew Sauron was still in Númenor, and if Galadriel left without him, he would cause their destruction, unhindered. A very viable option. However, according to the Mystics, Sauron can command “the winds and waters, the heat and cold.” Essentially, he can control the weather (which we see in season 2, but we will talk about that at the end of this post). Causing a slightly-more-powerful-than-usual gust of wind for the petals of the White Tree to fall would be a cinch for him.
Galadriel: “You convinced Míriel to save the Men of Middle-earth.”
Sauron: “You convinced her. I wanted to remain in Númenor” (1×08).
Galadriel’s request to “choose the path of faith” did convince Míriel to believe the White Tree sign in the end, and if it was Sauron who caused the petals to fall, he and Galadriel would both be correct—Galadriel convinced Míriel to be Faithful, and Sauron performed the sign. (It may also be noted that his tone to Galadriel was one of mockery, drawing attention to the fact that he convinced her that he wanted to remain in Númenor, which was false.) Why would he do this?
Sauron might say to Galadriel, “Look, I was ready to walk away, you pulled me into this.” But when you look at the chain of events, he’s been greasing the wheels. He’s been encouraging her. How many times does he say, “When are you going to get that army?”
Send Galadriel to Valinor, and Sauron loses his shield to Númenor. Send her to Middle-earth, and he would not obtain an army to defeat his enemy, Adar, and be hailed King. Send Galadriel anywhere away from him, and he loses his ticket to power.
That is, until he attains it.
If “by their fruits ye shall know them,” look at the fruits. What happened as a result of the Faithful believing that the petals were the very tears of the Valar, and acting on it?
What happened as a result of some Elves believing that mithril contained the very light of the Valar, and acting on it?
Who claims to be an emissary of the Valar?
Season 2 Additions (as of episode 4)
Concerning the White Tree
First and foremost, to touch upon the idea of Sauron controlling the wind, we saw him control more than just the wind in episode 2:
In episode 4, the “lightning” which destroyed the bridge was also his doing.
Elrond: “Lightning?”
Galadriel: “No earthy force could do this. This is the work of Sauron” (2×04).
Concerning Galadriel
There is an answer to the chance-meeting question.
Did [Sauron] put himself [on the raft] to meet Galadriel or was their meeting, as she puts it, arranged by a higher power?
So I know this. But I think that question is best left unanswered. Because we find out that backstory [in season two]. That question will be answered in due time.
Currently, we have four episodes, and the question has not been answered. But if Charlie is to be believed, it may not remain ambiguous.
In the prologue, we saw Sauron reforming and traveling south. We do not know how long it took, but we can assume that it was a while. Between the campfire and the harbor, he obtained shoes, a sword, a new outfit and cloak, and an objective (evident by his determined expression by the campfire).
According to this map (which is quite useful), the distance he traveled would be at least 1000 miles (~1700 km) if he flew through the air. Obviously, if he traveled on foot, the distance would almost double. Even so, it would not seem that he went directly south, for when he appeared as Annatar, he said to Celebrimbor:
“I have walked through the dust and the deserts of far-away lands in search of an artist possessing the craft to save all Middle-earth” (2×02).
The dust and the deserts of far-away lands would be Rhûn, unequivocally, which would more than quadruple the distance. On foot, that would be a lot of traveling, and since he would do more than walking, being at least “in search of an artist,” it would take a lot of time.
That would be plenty of time for him to do many things, including “calling” to Galadriel. Two years ago, Patrick suggested it, and now we have seen Elrond suggest it. If it is still a possibility even after the opening of season 2, it is still a possibility.
Sauron is aware of the nature of things. Galadriel spoke of powers beyond darkness, and surrendering her own designs for theirs. Sauron knew of the existence of these powers and used that knowledge to his advantage, but as we saw at the end of the previous section, Celebrimbor was not the first person he deceived by acting on behalf of the Valar (though it was likely the first time he did so openly).
“There are powers beyond darkness at work in this world. Perhaps on days such as this, we have little choice but to trust to their designs and surrender our own” (Galadriel, 1×07).
“There are forces in this world beyond evil, Celebrimbor. And sometimes, they send aid in the form of an envoy. A messenger sent to bring guidance to the ears of the wise” (Sauron, 2×02).
Elrond said what I said in Galadriel’s Obsession Part 4: the fact that Galadriel was (in Elrond’s words) “immersed in a light more intoxicating than any sensation in all Middle-earth,” and still turned away from it, signified that there was a counterpull powerful enough to persuade her to reject the light of her home on its doorstep.
Galadriel: “Because in my heart, I know the Three Rings are free of his influence.”
Elrond: “But are you? The light of Valinor shone upon your very face, Galadriel, and you turned your back on it. Was it truly to fight the darkness, or was the darkness calling to you? Can you not see? All this may be by his design!” (2×01).
In the beginning, she thought she could see the design of her chance-meeting with Halbrand (“You must see it”), but after Orodruin erupted, she could not.
Theo: “My home is gone. Where’s the design in that?“
Galadriel: “I cannot yet see it” (1×07).
All this may be by Sauron’s design, but again, anyone who attempts to alter to designs of Eru will only prove to be his instrument in devising things more wonderful than the rebel imagines.
Galadriel responded to Elrond with what we discussed earlier in this post:
“I did what I felt was right. And time alone will reveal whether that was folly or wisdom” (2×01).
I once said that Galadriel was completely unaware of Sauron’s designs, but now that we have seen the first four episodes of season 2, it is clear that she knows some of them. When Elrond asked her if she was free of Sauron’s influence, she had not yet received Nenya, but afterward she knew that Sauron needed rings to dominate Middle-earth.
“He seeks to rule it not only through conquest, but by bending the minds and wills of all its peoples to his own. And for that he needs not armies, but rings. And he cannot craft them without Celebrimbor” (Galadriel, 2×02).
That is a part of his plan, but the Elves may believe that he would only be able to dominate if he attained the Rings themselves. However, he only needs One to rule those that wear the others, which is one aspect Galadriel does not yet know; no one does.
She is also unaware (as are we, so far) of his earlier designs concerning her. He deceived and used her, but to what extent? She believed that powers beyond darkness guided her to Halbrand, and now she believes Nenya is guiding her.
But after Sauron told Celebrimbor that Galadriel discovered the truth (his identity) and cast him out, he proceeded to reveal that the “truth” she apparently discovered was: he is “a messenger sent to bring guidance to the ears of the wise.”
So, when I say, “Galadriel believes she is being guided by Nenya, but she is unaware of Sauron’s designs,” that is what I mean. And when I say, “What happened as a result of the Elves and the Edain acting on apocryphal and ambiguous tales out of fear?” I mean that Sauron naming himself “Annatar” was not the only time he posed as a messenger from the Valar.
We cannot see the whole picture now, but we will in time.
THE END
