'Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power': The Clues Theo Becomes Mouth of Sauron

In The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power there are several characters that could turn out to be different to who, or what, they initially appear to be.

One such character of interest is Theo (Tyroe Muhafidin), the son of Bronwyn (Nazanin Boniadi), who is drawn to the dark powers of Sauron and Morgoth in the opening episodes of the show.

The actor spoke to Newsweek about his character, describing him as being "quite angry at the world," though he didn't specify a reason.

He said: "[He's] not the most likable person, I think we meet him as that. But I think as the season goes on, and as things happen to him, I think he sort of lets his guard down a little more and we see the real Theo, and he's a sweet kid."

Sweet or not, there's some clues as to Theo's future in the J. R. R. Tolkien world, and it's not looking bright for him.

All the Clues Theo Could Become the Mouth of Sauron in 'Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power'

In the first two episodes of the Prime Video show, which premiered on September 2, Theo began to show he was drawn to the evil of Sauron and Morgoth, the Dark Lords that have plagued Middle-earth since its First Age.

Theo comes across a broken sword, one he can see has Sauron's symbol etched onto its blade and burns with an unsettling fire whenever he holds the weapon in his hands.

And, in the second episode, Theo's blood is drawn into the broken blade, causing it to reform with black smoke briefly before the spell he was under was broken by his mother, when she called him to join her and the Southlanders leaving their village.

The sword is certainly connected to Sauron, but it is Theo's ability to see its true form that is of note because it could suggest his future lies as a servant of the Dark Lord, otherwise why have an instant connection to it?

One such character from Tolkien's novels that is an avid follower of Sauron is a villain known simply as the Mouth of Sauron, a being who had forgotten his name and origins during his servitude to his master.

In Return of the King, the third book in The Lord of the Rings, Aragorn, Gandalf and their army come face-to-face with the Mouth of Sauron outside the Black Gates of Mordor.

Tolkien describes the Mouth of Sauron as a "living man" who was the Lieutenant of the Tower of Barad-dûr and who was not remembered in any tales.

The author shares that he is one of the "Black Númenoreans" who "established their dwellings in Middle-earth during the years of Sauron's domination, and they worshipped him, being enamored of evil knowledge."

While Theo does not hail from Númenor, he and the people from the Southlands are ancestors of those who supported Morgoth in the First Age, suggesting that they are likely to be drawn to Sauron's power when he rises again.

The Southlanders are also currently in transit across Middle-earth, so it is possible that Theo and his fellow villagers will seek refuge in Númenor in the future.

If Theo and his family were to settle in Númenor for a time then it might explain how he could be seen as a "Black Númenorean" in The Lord of the Rings.

But, alternatively, it is also possible that Tolkien's lore will be tweaked in such a way that Theo could become the Mouth of Sauron, because other than the character being a "Black Númenorean," it seems like Theo fits the bill.

Could Theo Become a Member of the Nazgûl?

There are also some fan theories that Theo could become a member of the Nazgûl, or Ringwraiths—key characters in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Led by the Witch-king of Angmar, the Nazgûl were servants of Sauron who became his followers in the Second Age of Middle-earth, and continued to do his bidding in the Third Age, when The Lord of the Rings is set.

The Nazgûl were nine Kings of Men who were given rings of power by Sauron, which corrupted them and made them slaves to the villain's will.

In Tolkien's novels, three of the Nazgûl are said to be Númenorean and one was said to be an Easterling lord named Khamûl. When they were given the rings of power they became "mighty in their day, kings, sorcerers, and warriors of old."

They were described as Kings of Men, though, and it's important to note that Theo is not of royal descent, or at least he hasn't been revealed to be of royal blood yet.

However, the fact that the villains were "kings, sorcerers, and warriors" suggests that there is room for Theo to become a member of the Nazgûl.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power airs Fridays on Prime Video.