Rings of Power Episode 4 Ending Explained: What Happens to Galadriel, Celeborn, and Arondir?

Published Nov 11, 2026, 7:01 AM EST A devastating betrayal, a long-awaited reunion, and a shocking death hit Middle-earth The Rings of Power just delivered its most heartbreaking death yet Image: Prime Video The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 3 sees Middle-earth in the midst of full-on war as Sauron (Charlie Vickers) continues his conquest. Yet he still hasn’t figured out how to forge the one weapon he knows will solidify his title as the Dark Lord: the One Ring. The first batch of four episodes was released Nov. 11, bringing audiences back up to speed with many of the various characters and factions in Prime Video's sprawling Lord of the Rings prequel. As Gandalf (Daniel Weyman) grapples with the nature of his true purpose in Rhûn, both Numenor and Khazad-dûm are mired in political turmoil. Meanwhile the elves are struggling in the war as Sauron continues recruiting men to become his Nazgnagôl. (What about the Harfoots? We'll get to them later. Maybe.) It all leads up to one of the show's most devastating moments yet at the end of The Rings of Power season 3, episode 4. What begins as a daring rescue mission inside the orc stronghold of Gundabad ends with an emotional reunion, a shocking death, and another demonstration of just how thoroughly Sauron corrupts those around him. Here's what happens at the end of The Rings of Power season 3, episode 4, and what it all means for the show going forward. What happens to Arondir and Theo in Gundabad? Image: Prime Video The episode's most important storyline unfolds as Galadriel (Morfydd Clark), Arondir (Ismael Cruz Córdova), and the orc general Marnûkh (Adam Young) reach the fortress of Gundabad, where they hope to find an Elven smith they believe Sauron needs to forge the One Ring. Unfortunately, it’s all essentially a waste of time because Marnûkh and Arondir discover that the smith is already dead. But just across the way, in another cell, they find Celeborn (Jamie Campbell Bower), Galadriel's long-lost husband, who has been held captive for centuries. Celeborn proves instrumental in their escape, since Marnûkh’s knowledge of the fortress is a bit outdated. While Celeborn initially plans to flee by himself, once he hears them mention Galadriel, who has become separated from the group, he quickly helps them find her. After a touching reunion, they have to fight their way through the fortress to reach the roof. Galadriel’s plan involves lighting off a sort of flare with an arrow to call Landroval, the prince of the Great Eagles, who will carry them to safety. But with orcs closing in on them and firing arrows, Landroval has to hide until it’s safe for him to swoop in. Image: Prime Video Then everything falls apart when one of the Nazgnagôl shows up and cuts Marnûkh down. Galadriel pleads with Arondir to run away, but he stands his ground. The Nazgnagôl encourages Arondir to flee and then takes off his helmet, revealing that it’s Theo (Tyroe Muhafidin), the son of Arondir’s former human lover, Bronwyn (Nazanin Boniadi), who had died in season 2. For a moment, it actually appears like Arondir might be able to convince Theo to take off the ring, but then Sauron arrives. He commands Theo to kill Arondir, and the swift way the attack happens make it seem like Sauron was controlling him directly. Celeborn drags Galadriel over the ledge where they’re caught by Landroval, but the episode ends on a shot of Arondir's lifeless face. It's a particularly cruel end for a character who has spent his entire story protecting others. Arondir even risks his life to save Marnûkh, an orc he really doesn’t like to begin with, only to die because he refuses to give up on Theo. The scene also makes Sauron’s control over the Nazgnagôl abundantly clear, even before he forges the One Ring. Theo’s hesitation, however, indicates that this control isn’t absolute without the One Ring. How does Thráin become king of Khazad-dûm? Image: Prime Video Season 3 also introduces Durin’s (Owain Arthur) older brother Thráin (Eddie Marsan), and though their reunion seems mostly cheerful at first, it quickly descends into outright betrayal. By episode 4, Thráin openly challenges Durin's authority after the other Dwarf-lords demand access to the Seven Rings. They believe the rings could help protect their kingdoms, but Durin rightfully doesn’t trust their influence after seeing first-hand how it drove their father mad. Thráin cleverly turns that argument against him. If their father was no longer of sound mind while wearing the ring, Thráin reasons, then his decision to name Durin as heir may not have been legitimate. This leads Thráin to formally challenge Durin to a trial by combat. But Thráin wants the rings more than he wants the throne. Before the fight, he tries to manipulate Disa into getting him the rings. Before Disa and Durin were married, they had a fight and briefly split up. During that time, she and Thráin had a brief romantic encounter. Thráin threatens to tell Durin unless Disa convinces Durin to give him the Seven Rings, and he promises to abandon his claim to the throne in exchange. Image: Prime Video Rather than submit to the blackmail, Disa confesses everything to Durin, and he forgives her. For a moment, it seems like Durin just needs to beat his brother and all will be well. But right before the duel, Durin’s son Gamli tells his father that he saw Disa with Thráin. This sends Durin flying into a rage, attacking his brother, ultimately leading to Thráin winning. We don’t see the aftermath, but the implication is clear: Thráin now has the throne and likely control of the rings (if he’s able to find them). What's happening in Númenor, and why does Elrond want its help? A contingent of Númenorians — called the Faithful — including Elendil (Lloyd Owen) and Isildur (Maxim Baldry) have been working behind the scenes to defy Pharazôn (Trystan Gravelle) with the help of Eärien (Emma Horvath), who remains in Numenorian court. After she’s found out and dies at the end of episode 2, however, Pharazôn makes a play at kidnapping Elendil that ultimately fails when Elendil’s son Anárion (Andrew Richardson) saves him. All of this infighting is probably why, after the elves request aid from Numenor, Pharazôn sends them a rejection letter. Image: Prime Video In episode 4, we see the elf leaders Círdan (Ben Daniels) and Gil-galad (Benjamin Walker) lamenting the state of the war in the aftermath of a battle against orcs. In a meeting with Elrond, he argues that the elves need to seek military assistance from Númenor. Elrond believes a personal appeal from the elven king might change the situation, and Círdan suggests that Elrond accompany him. Not only does Elrond have a great deal of experience in dealing with the other races, but his identical twin brother Elros was the founder and first king of Númenor. That sets up a pretty clear trajectory for the show moving forward as some of these disconnected plotlines start to converge: Gil-galad and Elrond are heading to Númenor, while war continues to rage. Middle-earth history paints a pretty clear picture of where things go from here. For now, however, the most immediate consequences of episode 4 are felt in Gundabad. Galadriel has finally recovered her husband, but Arondir is dead, Theo remains under the Dark Lord’s influence, and Sauron is inching ever closer to finally creating the One Ring.