"The skies are strange."
Sadoc to Nori Brandyfoot.
Sadoc Burrows was one of the main characters in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. He was the Harfoots’ leader and Trailfinder. Sadoc was portrayed by Sir Lenny Henry, first appearing in the episode "A Shadow of the Past".
Official Description[]
Sadoc is the Harfoots' Trailfinder, a wise leader who guides his community to safety on their annual migrations. He carries the wisdom of generations and is tasked with holding the secrets hidden in the stars.
Biography[]
Sadoc Burrows is the Trailfinder of the Harfoots, entrusted with leading and guiding them, as well as interpreting the signs of nature and the stars. When two hunters come close to their camp, Sadoc worries they have appeared too early in the year. Malva Meadowgrass believes that it is an omen, reminding Sadoc that the last time travelers appeared early, it heralded the Great Frost. In an effort to keep things calm, Sadoc reasons that the travelers were merely lost.[3]
Sadoc continues to worry, realising the stars are showing in the sky when they should not be. Nori overhears him thinking that the stars are awake since they are watching for something and asks him what that could be. Sadoc, despite being exasperated with her curiosity and nose for trouble, tells her that the "skies are strange." That night, he witnesses the Stranger's comet streak the skies,[3] though he mistakes it for a falling star. Malva suggests they relocate that evening as this could be another sign, but Sadoc refuses in lieu of the festival. The camp sets up for the festival the following morning until Largo Brandyfoot injures his ankle, which jeopardizes the Harfoots ability to migrate.[4]
In The Wilderlands, the Harfoots begin celebrations for the Harvest Festival, which includes wearing costumes, dancing, and chanting their motto behind Sadoc. He returns to his hut to prepare for the evening, only to find a chattering Poppy waiting for him. He enters the hut and sits to work on his speech, oblivious of Nori hiding under the desk. She tries to grab the papers from under the desk. Poppy runs up and disguises her directions for Nori as a conversation about Sadoc's speech. She flees once Nori has the papers as he mutters over her being odd.[5]
The community dances while eating, and plays music until Sadoc takes the podium to begin his speech. They remember those who were left behind. They couldn't wait for them in life but welcome them to their circle now. With each name, the Harfoots repeat “We wait for you”. Sadoc pauses in sorrow before reading several members of the Proudfellow family as Poppy listens in tears. The Stranger trips and crashes into the camp, scaring the Harfoots into a feeble attempt at hiding. The Stranger rises and calls out for Nori, with the entire community turning to face the girl.[5]
Sadoc reprimands Nori for lying, stealing, and bringing an outsider into their midst. Malva and Vilma agree with his actions, though Largo thinks it's quite extraordinary that a being fell from the stars. Nori asks about the stars on the page, but they're too burned for Sadoc to read. She didn't bother to read them because she thought they would have time later. She covers her slip by insisting it was just her who helped the Stranger, calling him a friend, though Vilma doesn't think she needs friends; they need to survive. Nori doesn't see the point in surviving with friends. They stick to the path, flee every danger, and never explore anything new. Goldie cuts her off as their way has kept them alive for a thousand years. Malva gives the order - their laws are clear, and any Harfoot that breaks them is to be decaravaned. Sadoc yanks Malva back as he decides to spare Nori because she's still young. They will depart as planned, and the Brandyfoot cart will be with them - at the back of the caravan. Largo runs after Sadoc to speak with him about the situation. The next day, the Harfoot's begin their migration.[5]
Malva confronts Sadoc about the trees being bare this time of year. She believes the Stranger is responsible and wants Sadoc to leave the Brandyfoot's behind before someone is made a widow or an orphan. Vilma brought her sister a basket to help fetch food for the community. Sadoc tells her to stay close. The Stranger saves Poppy, Nori, and Malva from a pack of wolves, finally winning over the community.[6]
They continue their migration and arrive at the Grove but are heartbroken to find it destroyed. Sadoc's great-grand spoke of mountains to the south that could spit fire-rock. The mountains would sleep for hundreds of years, only to wake again when a new evil is rising. The Harfoots attempt to pick the scorched apples and burnt herbs. Sadoc asks Nori if the big fellow can fix it, with Malva encouraging her. Poppy believes it's mite rude to ask more of him, and Sadoc decides to ask himself. The Stranger admires one of the dead trees, running his hands over it while speaking in another language. Sadoc surmises he's is speaking in small words so the tree understands. The Stranger grips the tree and chants as his power flows through the tree, fracturing the ash and shaking it off. Dilly moves closer to the tree seconds before a branch snaps off, collapsing on Dilly and Nori. The Stranger approaches them, but is met with looks of fear and distrust.[7]
Sadoc explains to the Stranger how to reach Greenwood and the big folk settlements. He hands him a drawing of the constellation, though the Harfoot-folk haven't seen in over a thousand years. It's a long time to wander, even with big legs. The Stranger silently thanks Sadoc then begins his departure. Neither one of them notices the new blossom of a flower from a tree.[7]
That evening, the Harfoots take shelter in hiding as they watch the Mystics arrive at the apple tree, tracking the Stranger. Nori leaps out of hiding to tell the Mystics they're going the wrong way, pointing in the opposite direction. Largo, Sadoc, and Goldie leap to save Nori. The Dweller snuffs the torch with a touch of her hand, absorbing the flame and using it again to light their carts ablaze. Malva and Vilma wail in distress as their crops and carts are destroyed.[7]
In the morning, the Harfoots clean up their settlement. Largo tells Nori to stand up and help them, not letting this splinter their spirits. Sadoc tells him to give the people a moment to weep. Largo believes they have more left in them than weeping. They don't slay dragons, dig jewels, but they stay true to each other no matter what, more than any other creature in Middle-earth, and they just keep walking. His words inspire the Harfoots to continue their collections. Nori stands up, grabbing a remaining sack to find her friend and warn him of what's coming - she owes him at least that. Sadoc doesn't want her to go off-trail alone. Poppy volunteers to go with Nori - they've left enough folk behind, she won't leave him too. Goldie refuses to let them go without her. Malva believes they'll have a chance if a trail-finder were to go with them. There's no point in living if they aren't living good. Sadoc would like it if just once if she weren't right all the time. He decides to go with the walkers as they're all going to die anyway. The foursome set off on their adventure.[7]
They find the Mystics and the Stranger in the depths of the Greenwood. Sadoc spies on the group then turns to the Harfoots, reminding them this is their worst idea yet. Poppy notices the Dweller is gone as they tie up the Stranger. Goldie blows on a whistle to distract the Mystics, giving Nori and Sadoc time to untie the Stranger. Goldie finds the real Stranger hidden in the bushes. The Dweller reveals herself as being the Stranger tied to the tree. Sadoc wrestles the Dweller as Nomad fires an arrow into his side. The Mystics prepare to kill Nori until the Stranger, who emerges as the Ascetic tells him to calm himself, blasts that knocks the Ascetic and Nomad to the ground.[8]
Poppy, Nori, and Goldie flee the situation until the Nomad pins Poppy to a tree with a pair of knives. Sadoc impales the Nomad's foot allowing Nori and Goldie to free Poppy. The Dweller has Goldie, Sadoc, and Poppy pinned at the base of a trunk, approaching with the flames. The Stranger saves them by turning the Mystics into moths. The Harfoots happily reunite, until Goldie notices Sadoc alone on a stone, his wound growing. Poppy, Nori, and Goldie surround him and he reveals he's going to wander off-trail now. His missus will be waiting for him. He would like to sit a while and watch the sun come up. They sit next to him as he watches the sun peak over the ridge, light flooding his face. He closes his eyes and dies.[8]
The Harfoot's pack up the Grove with Malva as their new trail-finder. Malva turns to her people and reminds them that nobody goes off trail, and nobody walks alone. Vilma holds the star-book, reminding Malva that Sadoc is still with them.[8]
Appearances[]
- Season One
- Season Two
- "Elven Kings Under the Sky" (Mentioned only)