Rowan is a recurring character in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. He is a Man from the Southlands, hailing from the village of Tirharad. Rowan is portrayed by Ian Blackburn, first appearing in the episode "A Shadow of the Past".
Biography[]
Rowan lives in the village of Tirharad in the Southlands. He is antagonistic towards the Elves that patrol and watch over the village, even going so far to confronting the Elf Arondir in the village's tavern. Later, Rowan and Theo went to Waldreg's barn to uncover his secret stash beneath the floor. Rowan told Theo about the rumours regarding his mother, Bronwyn, and Arondir, asking if it was true. Theo denied it, just as he found a broken sword hilt with a strange sigil on it. Rowan reached out to it, but he cut himself on the broken blade.[1]
Bronwyn and Arondir discovered a network of tunnels beneath the Southlands that were being used by Orcs. Their attack on Bronwyn's home spurred the villagers to believe her warnings of an imminent threat. Rowan, along with everyone else in Tirharad, packed their belongings to seek refuge in the now-abandoned watchtower of Ostirith.[2]
They hid in the Watchtower for weeks as the Orcs claimed Tirharad. The villagers grew short on rations and patience as Bronwyn did her best to bring order. Theo wanted to prove himself by getting more rations from Waldreg's home, but Bronwyn refused to put her son in danger. The boy partnered with Rowan and snuck out of the encampment during the day. When Rowan sensed danger, he bolted with the wheelbarrow of now-secured rations, leaving Theo in Tirharad. Rowan returned to Ositirth and told Bronwyn what transpired as the villagers clamored for the rations. She left the watchtower to save her son, ultimately reuniting with both him and a returned Arondir.[3]
Arondir's freedom from the Orcs came with a message from their leader, Adar, whom agreed to spare the residents of Ostirith if they swore fealty to him. Bronwyn wanted to stay and fight with her people, though Waldreg refused to take the chance and sided with darkness as his ancestors had done before him. Rowan left with Waldreg and the others to swear fealty to their enemy. They bent the knee and Waldreg invoked his loyalty to Sauron, unaware that Adar was not the dark Lieutenant. Waldreg declared he would side with whomever Adar was, and Adar forced him to prove his loyalty with a blood bind by killing Rowan. Rowan begged Waldreg not to do it, but the man killed him as the Orcs cheered.[4]
Appearances[]
- Season One
- "A Shadow of the Past" (First appearance)
- "The Great Wave"
- "Partings"