Kemen is one of the main characters of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. He is a Númenórean nobleman and son of Pharazôn. Kemen is portrayed by Leon Wadham, first appearing in the episode "The Great Wave".
Official Description[]
Kemen is an arrogant but charming young Númenórean man who is eager to win his father Pharazôn’s approval – perhaps by going too far to prove his allegiance to his father’s ideals.
History[]
The people of Númenor were upset by Queen Regent Míriel's dalliance with the Elf Galadriel. Kemen found his father, Chancellor Pharazôn, mingling amongst the people. Pharazôn harshly told his son to keep his voice down as he's engaged in Statecraft. He had to attend to small matters just as importantly as big ones. He disapproved of cleverness as it was for men of small ambition - he'd rather his son be wise. Kemen told his father about a squall in the town square.[1]
Kemen watched his father handle the crowd then found Eärien watching the scene. He offered her a glass of wine, but she refused as her troubles were too hard-won. He noticed her as the new apprentice, but she was called away. That night, she ran into him and spilled water. He insisted it was fine and offered to help her with the chores - the first to finish would buy dinner.[1]
The Queen announced that Númenor would join Galadriel in the fight in the Southlands to aide their mortal brothers.[1] Eärien was deeply upset by this, and pled her case to Kemen. She hoped he could persude his father to stand against the Queen's decision. Kemen obliged and tried to convinced Pharazôn to assert his influence over the people to put a stop to Númenor's aide of the Elf. He knew his father would sooner die than take orders from an Elf. Pharazôn believed the Elves would take orders from them in the end. They would save the low-men of Middle-earth and give them a King who would be indebted to them. The benefit of that far outweighed the political risks.[2]
Kemen attempted to sabotage the expedition by committing arson on one of the ships. He encountered Eärien's brother Isildur stowed away. They fought over the lantern Kemen held, but their scuffle caused the fire to be set prematurely. The ship exploded moments after Isildur dragged Kemen to safety. Elendil rushed to the pier alongside others to pull Kemen and Isildur from the waters. Isil lied that Kemen was on a fishing boat when a cask went up. Kemen attributed his safety to Isildur. His attempt to thwart the mission failed and the ships sailed in the morning.[2]
As the weeks passed, Pharazôn brought a group of Draftsmen, which included Eärien and Kemen, to Tar-Palantir's bedside, as he would soon perish. They would each have an hour with the king, who died soon after.[3]
Appearances[]
- Season One
- "The Great Wave" (First appearance)
- "Partings"
- "Alloyed"
- Season Two