Then, Benjamin Walker, who was sitting next to Aramayo and plays High King Gil-galad, chimed in saying that it was Elrond’s “only viable play, really.” And they’re both right. The elf needed to seriously shock and distract Adar and the Orcs so he could get the pin to Galadriel, and it worked.

The kiss was a shock to fans, but was a necessary diversionary tactic, according to the actor who plays Elrond on the show.

It's taken six episodes to get there, but The Rings of Power season 2 has finally reached its highly-anticipated tentpole battle in The Siege of Eregion. The only problem is, despite its showrunners labeling it "the most ambitious thing we've ever attempted", nobody's talking about the brutal and harrowing fight for the elven city.

In the latest episode of The Rings of Power season 2, two major characters kiss – and the moment is a little stranger than it might appear, once you take the works of J.R.R. Tolkien into account. The following will contain spoilers for The Rings of Power season 2, episode 7! Turn back now if you're not up to date!

Robert Aramayo spoke to Nerdist about Elrond and Galadriel's kiss, The Lord of the Rings' Celebrían arrival on The Rings of Power and more.

The Rings of Power revolved around the Siege of Eregion, a major moment from J.R.R. Tolkien's mythology of Middle-earth. On one side, an army of orcs threatens the elven city. The elf Elrond (Robert Aramayo) tries to negotiate with their leader Adar (Sam Hazeldine),

Lord of the Rings fans know that Elrond goes on to marry Galadriel’s daughter, Celebrian, in the books. Elrond and Galadriel are also distant cousins. The Episode 7 kiss, with its framing and emotional swell of a score, may make you think that this kiss was romantic. Aramayo says it is quite emotional, but not in a romantic sense.

Full spoilers immediately follow for The Rings of Power season 2 episode 7. Robert Aramayo has defended the controversial scene involving Elrond and Galadriel in The Rings of Power season 2's seventh episode.