A lot of people have asked me about the Rings of Power that were given to Pharazon’s son Kemen in The Lord of the Rings. One person wondered what happened to Kemen, and another wondered how I played Kemen as Pharazon’s son if he died so early in the movie. So I figured it was time to let everyone know what happened to Kemen, and how Leon Wadham, who played him, got the part of Pharazon’s son in The Lord of the Rings. Kemen, the Rings of Power, and Leon Wadham as Pharazon’s Son
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
Leon Wadham has played many roles in the theatre industry from The Roald Dahl Pantomime Company to Macbeth at the Chichester Festival Theatre. One of his most recent roles is Kemen in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. This essay discusses Kemen and how he is a representation of Pharazon’s son. It will also analyze what might have led to this choice for casting. The author points out that because Kemen dies early on in the trilogy, it would be difficult for any actor to portray him over three films.
II. Worshipping the One Ring
The Rings of Power play a very important role in the War in Middle Earth. The rings seem to have been created by Sauron or Annatar at the height of his power, just before he was defeated by Eru Ilúvatar during the Years of the Trees. Their objective was to extend his dominion over Middle-earth. Nine of these were given to mortal Men who became Ringwraiths (Nazgûl) under Sauron’s control. But the One Ring had an elven smith – Celebrimbor – who refused to make weapons for Sauron and so it remained unmade, until it was found by Gollum while fishing near Rivendell.
III. The Three Rings
The Three Rings are explained to the reader in The Lord of the Rings. They were given to the Elves by Celebrimbor, son of Curufin. These rings did not have a specific power or ability but they would provide protection to the wearer against any evil. Elves who wore one of these rings would also be able to see hidden truths that others could not. The Three Rings gave their bearer immense power but with great power came great responsibility.
IV. Ambarussa
In The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Kemen is Pharazon’s son. Kemen was entrusted with possession the silver ring, Ambarussa, which can turn the wearer invisible for a period up to two hours. In one passage he warns against wearing it too long or too often. To his son he says that on no account should it be given away: Do not throw it away because it will defend you in your need
V. Ruling Arnor
Under Elendil and his sons, a stable Arnor was formed. This alliance had stabilized sufficiently by II 1630 so that Elendil could hand his power over to Earendur. Arvedui would have become king but he was drowned in 1975 when he went over sea looking for help. After this event Earendur became King (High-king) of both realms.
VI. Galadriel, Nenya, and Sauron’s Ring
Leon Wadham who played Kemen in The Lord of the Rings plays a unique character who knows about magic rings. In one scene from The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Pharazon lays down on his deathbed to give up his life while remembering what Kemen had said to him. I once read a passage in an ancient book that had become so worn with time and use that I could barely make it out, Kemen begins explaining.
VII. Saruman & Wormtongue
The White Council invades Isengard for it has been captured by Saruman. Kemen plans to offer the secret of freeing slaves to Isengard in exchange for his father’s life, but no price is offered. He rides after Wormtongue into Orthanc just as Saruman descends with white fire and Wormtongue throws Kemen off a bridge to his death.
VIII. Prince Imrahil & Gandalf
Prince Imrahil finally managed to arrive in Gondor with a handful of men just before Faramir and his men surrendered the city to Sauron. The prince discovered that Gandalf had been released from prison by Denethor who sought his help. But Gandalf refused to come back to fight against Sauron. After he gave his counsels to Imrahil and Pippin, he left Minas Tirith for good.
The people of Gondor now looked to Prince Imrahil for leadership, but it seemed as if he were waiting for someone else…
IX. Aragorn & Faramir
There are some excellent clips from The Lord of these Rings in which Aragorn is playing some games with his son Faramir. In one such game (which takes place in Ithilien after Gondor has been won back) they spend hours throwing sticks for their four hounds to retrieve. On another occasion, when Faramir is a little older and Aragorn a little more tired, they play a pointless game of hiding-and-seeking. One other time they fish together: they build a dam across the stream so that it pools up on both sides and then throw out their lines into the water where there are lilies floating on top; when either of them pulls up a lily it counts as one.
X. Samwise Gamgee & Frodo Baggins
Frodo must take a dangerous journey to Mordor to destroy the Ring. He sets out from Rivendell with eight companions — Gandalf, Frodo’s Hobbit friends (Pippin Took, Merry Brandybuck, and Samwise Gamgee), a Dwarf named Gimli, Legolas the Elf, and two Men named Boromir and Aragorn. The Fellowship reaches Rivendell when an attack by a Nazgûl occurs.
