What The Rings Of Power Phrase 'Twos And Hands' Really Means

Hailed by Variety as "A perfectly winning adaptation that unfolds swashbuckling adventures with clear reverence and affection for the considerable mythos behind it," "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" debut episode is meticulously crafted to introduce audiences to Amazon Studio's sprawling adaptation of author J.R.R. Tolkien's tale of early Middle-earth.

Taking place some three millennia before the later novels — and film trilogies — of "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings," the new series is set during the Second Age of Tolkien's epic narrative. Drawing heavily on "The Silmarillion," the author's follow-up to "The Hobbit," Amazon's take on the long-ago history of Middle-earth features lavishly detailed world-building, fantastic new creatures, and intriguing new races, including the reclusive proto-Hobbits known as Harfoots.

Mysterious creatures determined to keep their whereabouts (and even their existence) hidden from the races of men, Elves, and especially Orcs, Harfoots dwell in skillfully camouflaged burrows that are invisible one moment, but as soon as any threat passes, instantly spring to life in a pop-up village teeming with activity. As one of the central players in the show's initial installment, Harfoots speak in a generally understandable language, but the phrase "twos and hands" uttered in the premiere episode may have viewers puzzled as to its meaning.

As noted, the Harfoots live a wary life amid the many dangers Middle-earth holds for these gentle, pint-sized characters. Chief among the hazards they face, of course, are Orcs, creatures that once were Elves but were transformed to serve as the army of the Dark Lord (via One Wiki to Rule Them All). Scarce once, the murderous creatures are now seen with more frequency throughout the realm. Another familiar danger for Harfoots: prowling wolf packs that haunt the wilds, always hungry for the quick snack one of these tiny folk would provide.

This being the case, when a young Harfoot named Nori Brandyfoot (Markella Kavenagh) leads a small group of Harfoot children on a search for berries, caution is their watchword — or, at least, it should be. When Nori spots a suspiciously wolfish track in the mud, she cuts off the berry-gathering fun and brings the children to her, calling out "Twos and hands." In short order, the young Harfoots respond by pairing up and holdings hands with one another before lining up single-file to head home again. Thus, the expression twos and hands is simply a phrase that anyone who's ever been a school-age child can relate to, meaning: "Partner up and hold hands, people."