The Rings Of Power Theory Reveals Kemen Is Secretly This Lord Of The Rings Character

Kemen has been set up for a dark fate in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, and one theory in particular would see him revealed as one of Lord of the Rings’ most despicable characters. Many of Sauron’s followers in the Third Age had once been mortal men, but centuries of corruption caused them to forget their previous identities. For this reason, Rings of Power has an opportunity to take some creative liberties. It’s likely that the series’ original characters will ultimately connect to mysterious figures of canon—Kemen being a likely candidate.

Kemen is the son of Pharazôn in Rings of Power, the usurper king of Númenor. His connection to this infamous king of Tolkien’s canon legendarium is already a poor setup for his morality, but Kemen has managed to prove all his own that he is a pretty despicable individual. Rings of Power season 2, especially, saw Kemen’s villain arc take flight, and this has led to a variety of theories regarding how he could further connect to The Lord of the Rings. One theory, in particular, seems to hold some significant weight.

The Rings Of Power Has Set Up Kemen For A Dark Fate

One of the more intriguing teases regarding Kemen’s character in Rings of Power season 2 was the reveal that his mother had made a dark prophesy when the boy was born. She said that Kemen would come to “ill ends.” Of course, this could mean a lot of different things. After all, Númenor itself will meet an ill end since the entire island is doomed to be destroyed by a giant wave after Pharazôn leads his people into war against the god-like Valar (a stupid move inspired by Sauron). However, Kemen’s mother specifying her newborn son in her prophecy indicates that the wave isn’t what she meant.

Instead, this Rings of Power tease seems to indicate that the “ill end” will relate to a story that Lord of the Rings audiences already know. A popular theory is that Kemen could become a Ringwraith, and this is certainly possible. A few of the Nazgul were Númenóreans, including the Witch-king of Angmar. However, Kemen’s almost weasely nature doesn’t entirely fit with the powerful, menacing villain. Instead, the theory is that Kemen will become the Mouth of Sauron—the Dark Lord’s official herald and loyal servant.

The Rings Of Power Could Adjust The Mouth Of Sauron’s Canon Origin To Fit Kemen

The Mouth of Sauron was the Lieutenant of Barad-dûr in the Third Age and is best known in Lord of the Rings for delivering the Dark Lord’s terms to Gandalf, Aragorn, and the rest at the Black Gate before the Battle of the Morannon. Though he was cut from the theatrical version of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings movies, he can be seen in the extended edition. The idea that Kemen could be doomed to become this character, whose mouth is so decayed from constantly repeating Sauron’s evil words, is an interesting one. However, some significant changes would be required on Rings of Power’s part.

Tolkien said in Lord of the Rings that the Mouth of Sauron was a living Man, a Black Númenórean descended from those who escaped the island kingdom’s fate. During the events of Frodo’s story, this villain would only have been about as old as Aragorn—not immortal, but with a life span that extends beyond the typical Man. As a High Man of Númenor, Kemen would also have a significantly longer life than those in Middle-earth, but he couldn’t naturally live long enough to be Sauron’s herald in the Third Age. Still, Rings of Power could explain this away with sorcery, which the Mouth of Sauron learns from his master.

Being The Mouth Of Sauron Would Fit Kemen’s Role In The Rings Of Power

Though the timeline doesn’t quite match up, the most convincing argument that Kemen will end up being the Mouth of Sauron comes down to his role in Númenor. Kemen isn’t a powerful force and has no value as a soldier. Sure, he picked up a sword and stabbed Valandil in Rings of Power season 2, but this was only once the man had thrown down his arms, and his back was turned to Kemen. It was despicable and cowardly, not the act of someone who would go on to be the most feared of Sauron’s Ringwraiths, whom no Man could kill.

It wouldn’t be much of a stretch for Rings of Power to take the Mouth of Pharazôn and turn him into the Mouth of Sauron.

Instead, Kemen’s primary value in Rings of Power is as the mouthpiece to his father, King Pharazôn. His power comes from his master, and he only repeats the orders of the king and assumes this makes him powerful and authoritative. This is precisely what the Mouth of Sauron does for his master in the end. He is despicable and feared, but he is an emissary and herald first and foremost. It wouldn’t be much of a stretch for Rings of Power to take the Mouth of Pharazôn and turn him into the Mouth of Sauron. However, a lot of work would need to be done before such a twist would work.

How The Rings Of Power Seasons 3 & 4 Could Set Kemen Up As The Mouth Of Sauron

The next couple of seasons of Rings of Power should provide a definitive answer regarding Kemen’s “ill end” and determine whether or not this connects to The Lord of the Rings’ Mouth of Sauron. At the end of season 2, Kemen is exercising his authority in Middle-earth, demanding that the Southland survivors provide lumber to Númenor. Undoubtedly, his despicable nature will only get worse and worse. However, if he truly is the Mouth of Sauron, we should see signs of this once he comes into contact with the Dark Lord Sauron himself.

Kemen’s position in Middle-earth provides ample opportunity for him to meet Sauron, and it may even be that the son of Pharazôn will be the one to bring the Dark Lord to Númenor. Sauron is destined to begin manipulating Pharazôn, leading the king to aim his wrath at the Valar in Valinor and thus dooming the island kingdom. Kemen is sure to be involved in this as well. However, if he is to become the Mouth of Sauron even after the villain destroys his home and father, then the Great Deceiver will have to begin slowly turning Kemen against Pharazôn. Given their conflicted relationship in Rings of Power, this wouldn’t be a stretch.