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Kemen was a Númenórean nobleman of the Second Age, and the son of Chancellor Pharazôn in Amazon Studios' The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power television series.
Biography[]
Kemen is first seen warning his father that a mob is forming, the members of which are upset by Queen Regent Míriel's perceived preferential treatment of Galadriel, an Elf. Pharazôn takes advantage of the situation to build his own political stature, and following his speech, Kemen meets Elendil's daughter Eärien in the crowd. He soon finds her again and takes her on a date after helping her to scrub the floors at the Builder's Guild.
Kemen is confronted by Isildur
After Míriel announces that Númenor will send a force of soldiers to Middle-earth, Eärien convinces Kemen to appeal to his father to stop the endeavor, as she fears the potential loss of life. Kemen reluctantly does so, and learns about Pharazôn's ambitions of using the expedition to begin an age of great expansion and profit. Kemen is unconvinced and at night sneaks on board one of the ships that will sail to Middle-earth, looking to set it afire. Unexpectedly, he comes across Isildur, who is attempting to stow away. Upon realizing Kemen's intentions, Isildur tries to stop him, though the flame lights the oil store, causing an explosion that destroys two entire ships. Isildur rescues Kemen by swimming him to the dock, an act Kemen acknowledges with gratitude.
Later, after the return of the Númenórean armies and Ar-Pharazon's seize of power, Ar-Pharazon ordered the destruction of a temple to the dead to make way for a new aqueduct, and sent Kemen as his agent. However, Valandil and Elendil were there, mourning the loss of Isildur and Ontamo. After Kemen's impertinent and highly disrespectful treatment towards them, as well as the priest that was stationed there, Valandil's rage spilled over, and he attacked Kemen. Kemen managed to maneuver Valandil into a vulnerable position by the water, and tried to drown him. However, Valandil soon broke free of the hold, and Kemen tried to kill him with a sword strapped to his own waist. But Valandil disarmed Kemen, and dislocated his shoulder by knocking him against the stairs. He took Kemen's sword and was about to strike him down; but Elendil, who was subdued by the guards at the start of the fight, convinced Valandil to drop the sword. After some hesitation, Valandil obeyed him, dropping the sword near Kemen's pained form. He turned around with his hands up, and started walking towards the guards; but Kemen picked up the sword and speared Valandil with it, killing him.
Personality[]
Kemen is a young man who is eager to win the approval of his father, Pharazôn, but going too far to prove his loyalty to his father's ideals. He apparently is interested in Eärien and does his best to impress her, even though he is simply an aspiring politician.
Eymology[]
The name Kemen directly comes from the Quenya word kemen ("earth"). In Adûnaic the words kamât ("earth")
Behind the scenes[]
The character was invented for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, and as such is non-canonical. He is portrayed in The Rings of Power by New Zealand actor Leon Wadham.