Halbrand reveals himself to be Sauron. She refuses his offer to make her a queen who could rule Middle-Earth alongside him. Halbrand flees to Mordor, while Galadriel, Elrond, and Celebrimbor forge three Rings of Power that are free of Sauron’s influence. Back amongst the Harfoots, the Stranger and Nori decide to travel east, into Rhûn, to discover the truth about his powers. Unsure which way to go, the Stranger chooses a direction based upon the sweet smell in the air, advising that when in doubt, to “always follow your nose. The Rings of Power were twenty magical rings forged in the Second Age, intended by Sauron to seduce the rulers of Middle-earth to evil. Disguised as the benevolent entity Annatar, Sauron taught the Elf-smiths of Eregion, led by Celebrimbor, how to craft these rings. Nineteen were made: three rings for the Elves, seven for the Dwarves, and nine for Men. An additional ring, the One Ring, was forged by Sauron himself at Mount Doom. The nineteen lesser Rings were linked to the power of the One and were dependent on it. Their wearers could be controlled by the wearer of the One, and if the One was destroyed, their powers would fade with the power of the Rings under the One.