Warning: SPOILERS ahead for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 1, episode 7.Owain Arthur, who plays Prince Durin IV on mithril, a rare ore in Khazad-dûm's mines.
High King of the Elves Gil-galad soon learns of mithril's existence, insisting that Elrond work with Durin and his father, King Durin III, to mine the ore in order to stop a blight impacting Elvish lands. While the elder Durin refuses to assist the Elves, Prince Durin witnesses a chunk of mithril heal the blight on a leaf, prompting him to help Elrond by mining mithril in secret. The duo share many heartwarming moments together, as Durin, tears in his eyes, almost tells Elrond his real name, a secret only shared between Dwarves. This moment is one of many in episode 7 that highlight how, despite the many ways Durin and Elrond's friendship is tested, the duo are still brothers in one another's eyes.
In an interview on Deadline's Inside the Ring from Prime Video, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power actor Owain Arthur described how Durin and Elrond secretly mining for mithril shows the strength of their friendship. He spoke about the human side of Durin that's revealed when he's assisting Elrond in a mission for his people. Check out what Arthur had to say below:
“I think [the stakes of the situation] is what Durin sees, and is immediately empathetic with Elrond, and therefore the Elven race. The fact that he’s already gone against his father makes him, emotionally, quite vulnerable and the thought of not possibly ever seeing Elrond again… he just can’t do it. It’s actually very human and shows the size of his heart, I guess. And the depth of our friendship.”
How Will The Mithril Mine Play Into The Rings Of Power Finale?
Durin and Elrond's friendship is tested once more when King Durin III discovers their secret mining of mithril, resulting in Elrond's banishment from Khazad-dûm. While Prince Durin is able to give Elrond a small fragment of mithril, the king soon strips him of his role as prince. King Durin also seals the mithril mine, unaware that a Balrog was living within, and is now awake. There's potential that, during The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power's season finale, the Balrog will break free, wrecking havoc while also opening the mines back up.
The strong friendship between Durin and Elrond in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power may have been tested by King Durin, but the importance of mithril seems to outweigh any misgivings the king has with helping Elves despite his refusal to do so. Arthur's comments about Durin and Elrond's brotherly bond also hint at the possiblity that Elves may assist in the Balrog's defeat should it escape the mines. Such a grandiose gesture may renew positive relations between Dwaves and Elves while giving Durin and Elrond the chance to reconcile their friendship, perhaps starting with Durin telling Elrond his real name.
Source: Deadline's Inside the Ring/Prime Video