At the dawn of the Second Age, the Dark Lord Sauron is seemingly killed by an army of Orcs and their leader, Adar, but his spirit endures and forms a new body over thousands of years. Taking the name “Halbrand”, he helps the Elves forge three Rings of Power before his identity is revealed. High King Gil-galad believes they have no choice but to use the rings against Sauron while his herald, Elrond, objects. Elrond escapes with the rings and takes them to Círdan, the oldest and wisest Elf in Middle-earth, who agrees to help until he sees the rings and believes them to be true perfection. Círdan, Galadriel, and Gil-galad put them on and the power of the Elves is restored. The Stranger—a Wizard who is regaining his memories—and the Harfoot Nori Brandyfoot get lost on their way to the land of Rhûn. They are followed by Nori’s friend Poppy Proudfellow, who brings Harfoot maps to help them find their way. In Mordor, Halbrand is brought to Adar and reveals that Sauron has returned. He offers to go to Eregion—the Elven realm where the rings were forged—while Adar raises his army to attack Sauron.