The Elves need mithril in The Rings of Power series, because they think that the balance and Silmaril that mithril contains will restore their power.
Although the main plot in The Rings of Power focuses on Galadriel’s quest to find and destroy Sauron, there are many other side-plots in the series.
The reason why the Elves want mithril comes into play as a combination of many of these side-plots but it is mostly due to the fact that mithril provides balance and the power of Silmaril.
What is the first season of The Rings of Power about?
Many fans were relieved to find out that The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power would not just be a retelling of the original Peter Jackson films, but it would focus on Tolkien lore that takes place in the Second Age of Middle-earth.
It is clear that The Rings of Power will mainly focus on Galadriel as she attempts to find and destroy Sauron and his forces in order to stop his influence from spreading even further through and beyond Middle-earth.
However, as with all Tolkien lore and subject matter, there are many side-plots and stories that viewers can enjoy as this main plot unravels.
The Rings of Power: Why did the Elves need mithril?
One of the sub-plots in The Rings of Power that actually ends up having a large influence on how the rings are forged focuses on the delicate politics between the Elves and the Dwarves.
It is evident from the original Tolkien lore that the Elves and the Dwarves have just never gotten along.
Even in the beginning of The Rings of Power, it is clear that although Elrond and Durin have a close friendship, both the Elves and the Dwarves are weary to give too much away about their kingdoms.
However, Durin does disclose to Elrond that the Dwarves have discovered mithril, a new ore.
Word of the mithril soon spreads and Gil-galad starts making plans for how the Elves can get some of this metal for themselves. Mithril is lighter, harder, and as a result, more valuable than any other metal.
However, the Elves’ reasoning for needing mithril goes much deeper than or its physical properties and value. The Rings of Power’s origin story for the history of mithril introduces the Song of the Roots of Hithaeglir.
In this song, it is explained that mithril may contain Silmaril, which could help to restore the Elves’ power.
Even though this song is apocryphal, the promise of the potential mystical powers that mithril may hold for the Elven kingdom is enough for them to want it.
 |
| Buy it on Amazon |
What does the Song of the Roots of Hithaeglir say about the origin of mithril?
The Song of the Roots of Hithaeglir tells the story about how an Elven warrior battled with a balrog of Morgoth over a tree. From the Tolkien lore, one can deduce that elves value and respect trees, while evil forces seek to destroy them.
There are some legends that indicate that this tree may have been the location of where one of the Silmarils ended up during the First Age.
During this battle, the Elven warrior pours the last of his light into the tree just as Morgoth tries to destroy it.
At the same time, lightning strikes the tree and, as a result, the good and bad powers forged together and seeped down into the Misty Mountains where Khazad-dûm is located.
Why is the Elves’ power waning?
One of the other important side-plots that The Rings of Power explores is the decaying of the great tree of Lindon.
As the tree decays, the Elves can feel their power weakening and waning gradually and Gil-galad worries that this may cause the Elves to lose their immortality.
Even when Gil-galad sends away the Elves who he feels are the origin of this rot, the tree does not begin to heal, and the Elven kingdom is still at grave risk.
Why would mithril help to restore the Elves’ power?
If the Song of the Roots of Hithaeglir is to be believed, mithril will have all of the aspects from the forged power of both good and evil from the battle between the Elven warrior and balrog.
It will also be as pure and light as good and as unyielding as evil, as well as having the power of the Silmaril jewels in the tree.
Gil-galad’s hope is that if the Elves can get enough mithril, they can extract enough power from the Silmaril and achieve a balance between good and evil in order to revitalise the tree and the source of the Elven kingdom’s power.