West Wind blew there; the light upon the Silver Tree
Fell like bright rain in gardens of the Kings of old.
O proud walls! White towers! O winged crown and throne of gold!
O Gondor, Gondor! Shall Men behold the Silver Tree,
Or West Wind blow again between the Mountains and the Sea?
Table of Contents
The Third Age 2 Isildur plants a seedling of the White Tree in Minas Anor. Returning northward to Arnor with the One Ring, he is waylaid by Orcs and slain. Meneldil takes on the rule of the South-kingdom. 5 September Isildur sets out from Minas Tirith with the Ring on his fateful journey into the north. 4 October The Disaster of the Gladden Fields. The One Ring is lost in Anduin. 109 Wedding of Elrond and Celebrían. 130 Birth of the twins Elladan and Elrohir. 158 Death of Meneldil. He is succeeded as King of Gondor by his son Cemendur. 238 Death of Cemendur. He is succeeded as King of Gondor by his son Eärendil. 241 Birth of Arwen Evenstar. 310 Probable date of the birth of Tarostar, later King Rómendacil I of Gondor. 324 Death of Eärendil of Gondor. He is succeeded as King by his son Anardil. 411 Death of Anardil. He is succeeded as King of Gondor by his son Ostoher. 490 Gondor is assailed by Men out of the East; the first of many wars with the Easterlings and Southrons. 492 Death of Ostoher. He is succeeded as King of Gondor by his son Tarostar, who rules as Rómendacil I. 541 Death of Rómendacil I. He is succeeded as King of Gondor by his son Turambar. 667 Death of Turambar of Gondor. He is succeeded as King by his son Atanatar I. 726 Probable date of the birth of Amlaith of Fornost. 748 Death of Atanatar I. He is succeeded as King of Gondor by his son Siriondil. 830 Death of Siriondil. He is succeeded as King of Gondor by his son Tarannon. 861 Division of Arnor into Arthedain, Rhudaur and Cardolan. 913 Death of Tarannon Falastur. Leaving no heir, he is succeeded as King of Gondor by his nephew Eärnil I. 936 Death of Eärnil I. He is succeeded as King of Gondor by his son Ciryandil. 946 Death of Amlaith of Fornost, founder of Arthedain. He is succeeded by his son Beleg. c. 1000 Arrival of the Istari in Middle-earth. 1015 Death of Ciryandil. He is succeeded as King of Gondor by his son, who rules as Hyarmendacil I. 1050 Gondor conquers the Harad, and reaches the height of its power. A shadow falls on Greenwood the Great, and it begins to be called Mirkwood. The Harfoots cross the Misty Mountains and settle in Eriador. c. 1100 The first stirrings of Sauron are felt again in Middle-earth, though they are thought at this time to signal the return of a Nazgûl. 1126 Probable date of the birth of Minalcar, later King Rómendacil II of Gondor. 1149 Death of Hyarmendacil I. He is succeeded as King of Gondor by his son Atanatar II. c. 1150 The Hobbits of the Fallohide and Stoor strains wander west across the Misty Mountains. 1226 Death of King Atanatar II of Gondor. He is succeeded by his son, who becomes Narmacil I. 1240 Minalcar (later King Rómendacil II) is made Regent of Gondor by his uncle Narmacil I. c. 1250 Likely date of the construction of the Argonath 1294 Death of King Narmacil I of Gondor. He is succeeded by his younger brother, Calmacil, though Calmacil's son Minalcar retains the Regency. c. 1300 The Nazgûl reappear in Middle-earth. Angmar is founded in the far north. c. 1300 The Hobbits travel westwards. Some reach the Bree-land and settle there. 1304 Death of King Calmacil of Gondor. He is succeeded by his son and Regent, who becomes Rómendacil II. 1349 Death of King Malvegil of Arthedain. He is succeeded by his son Argeleb I. 1356 Argeleb I dies in battle with Angmar. He is succeeded by his son Arveleg I. 1366 Death of King Rómendacil II of Gondor. He is succeeded by his son Valacar. 1409 The Witch-king of Angmar invades the northern kingdoms. 1432 Death of King Valacar of Gondor. The succession of his son Eldacar is disputed, and civil war begins in Gondor. 1437 The burning of Osgiliath, and the loss of its palantír. 1447 Eldacar returns from the east and reclaims the Crown of Gondor, slaying Castamir the Usurper. 1448 Castamir's sons escape to Umbar, and form the beginnings of the Corsairs. 1473 Probable date of the birth of Argeleb son of Araphor, later King Argeleb II of Arthedain. 1516 Probable date of the birth of Telemnar son of Minardil, later King of Gondor 1540 Death of Aldamir. He is succeeded as King of Gondor by his son Hyarmendacil II. 1589 Death of Araphor. He is succeeded by his son Argeleb II. 1601 The foundation of the Shire, and the beginning of the Shire-reckoning. 1621 Death of Hyarmendacil II. He is succeeded as King of Gondor by his son Minardil. 1634 Death of Minardil. He is succeeded as King of Gondor by his son Telemnar. 1636 In Gondor, King Telemnar and all his children sicken and die. The year of the Great Plague, and the appearance of the Barrow-wights in the Barrow-downs. 1640 Tarondor removes the seat of the King of Gondor from Osgiliath to Minas Anor. The decay of Osgiliath begins. 1670 Death of Argeleb II. He is succeeded by his son Arvegil. 1684 Probable date of the birth of Narmacil II. 1731 Birth of Durin VI, later King of Durin's Folk in Khazad-dûm. 1798 Death of Tarondor. He is succeeded as King of Gondor by his son Telumehtar. 1810 Telumehtar Umbardacil takes Umbar and slays the last descendants of Castamir. 1832 Birth of Náin I, later King of Durin's Folk in Khazad-dûm.' 1850 Death of Telumehtar Umbardacil. He is succeeded by his son, who becomes Narmacil II. 1856 Death of Narmacil II in battle with the Wainriders. He is succeeded by his son Calimehtar. 1864 Probable date of the birth of Arvedui son of Araphant, later King of Arthedain. 1936 Death of Calimehtar. He is succeeded as King of Gondor by his son Ondoher. 1944 Gondor is assaulted simultaneously by the armies of Khand, Harad and the Wainriders. The Battle of the Camp. King Ondoher of Gondor is slain with both his sons. Arvedui lays claim to the throne of Gondor. 1945 The Crown of Gondor is granted to Eärnil II. 1964 Death of Araphant. He is succeeded by his son Arvedui. 1974 The forces of Angmar capture Fornost; the remnant of the North-kingdom is destroyed. 1975 Eärnur of Gondor brings a fleet to the north. Too late to save the North-kingdom, he avenges its loss at the Battle of Fornost. Angmar is destroyed. Arvedui, last of the Kings of Arthedain, is drowned in the Icebay of Forochel. 1979 Bucca of the Marish is the made the first of the Shire-thains. c. 1980 Return of the Nazgûl to Mordor. The Dwarves of Moria unleash Durin's Bane. King Durin VI is slain by it. 1981 Náin I is slain. The last remaining Dwarves flee from Durin's Bane in Khazad-dûm. Loss of Nimrodel and Amroth. 1999 After years of wandering, the exiles of Khazad-dûm found Erebor. 2000 The Nazgûl emerge from Mordor and assault Minas Ithil. c. 2000 Approximate date of the slaying of Scatha the Worm by Fram of the Éothéod. 2002 Capture of Minas Ithil by the Nazgûl. It is renamed Minas Morgul. 2004 Birth of Galador son of Imrazör, later to become the first Lord of Dol Amroth. 2043 Death of Eärnil II. He is succeeded as King of Gondor by his son Eärnur. 2050 Eärnur, the last King of Gondor is lost. The Stewards now rule in the King's name. 2080 Death of Mardil the first Ruling Steward. He is succeeded by his son Eradan. 2106 Death of Aranarth. He is succeeded as Chieftain of the Dúnedain by his son Arahael. 2129 Death of Galador, the first Lord of Dol Amroth. 2136 Birth of Glóin, later King in the Grey Mountains. 2165 Probable date of the birth of Túrin I, later Steward of Gondor. 2177 Death of Aranhael. He is succeeded as Chieftain of the Dúnedain by his son Aranuir. 2190 Death of Thráin I, founder of Erebor. He is succeeded by his son Thorin I. 2210 The Dwarves of Durin's Folk leave Erebor and settle in the Grey Mountains. 2227 Probable date of the birth of Aragorn son of Aravir, later Chieftain Aragorn I of the Dúnedain. 2238 Birth of Óin, later King in the Grey Mountains. 2244 Death of Steward Húrin I. He is succeeded by his son, who becomes Túrin I. 2247 Death of Aranuir. He is succeeded as Chieftain of the Dúnedain by his son Aravir. 2278 Death of Steward Túrin I. He is succeeded by his son Hador. 2289 Death of King Thorin I of Durin's Folk. He is succeeded by his son, Glóin. 2319 Death of Chieftain Aravir of the Dúnedain. He is succeeded by his son, who becomes Aragorn I. 2327 Aragorn I is slain by wolves. He is succeeded as Chieftain of the Dúnedain by his son Araglas. 2338 Birth of Náin, later King Náin II, in the Grey Mountains. 2340 Isumbras I is the first Took to be Thain of the Shire. Founding of Buckland by Gorhendad Oldbuck. 2385 Death of King Glóin of Durin's Folk. He is succeeded by his son, Óin. 2435 Death of Steward Dior of Gondor. He is succeeded by his son, who becomes Denethor I. c. 2440 Estimated birth date of Sméagol, later called Gollum. 2455 Death of Araglas. He is succeeded as Chieftain of the Dúnedain by his son Arahad I. 2460 The Watchful Peace comes to an end with Sauron's return out of the east. 2463 Formation of the Council of the Wise. c. 2463 Gollum comes upon the One Ring. 2475 Mordor launches a sudden attack on Osgiliath, finally ruining the long-decaying city and breaking its bridge. c. 2480 Sauron sends orcs and trolls to infest the Misty Mountains and cut off their passes. 2488 Death of King Óin of Durin's Folk. He is succeeded by his son, Náin. c. 2497 Birth of Aravorn, later Chieftain of the Dúnedain. 2510 The Rohirrim ride to the aid of Gondor. They are given the land of Calenardhon (Rohan) to dwell in. Departure of Elrond's spouse Celebrían into the West. 2523 Death of Arahad I. He is succeeded as Chieftain of the Dúnedain by his son Aragost. 2542 Birth of Thrór, later King under the Mountain. 2570 Death of King Brego of Rohan, from grief at the loss of his son Baldor in the Paths of the Dead. He is succeeded by Baldor's brother Aldor. 2585 Death of King Náin II of Durin's Folk. He is succeeded by his son, Dáin. 2588 Death of Chieftain Aragost of the Dúnedain. He is succeeded by his son, Aravorn. 2589 Dáin I and his son Frór are slain by a Cold-drake. Dáin is succeeded by his son Thrór. 2590 The Dwarves of Durin's Folk return to Erebor. 2594 Birth of Fréawine, later King of Rohan. 2619 Birth of Goldwine, later King of Rohan. 2644 Birth of Déor, later King of Rohan. 2645 Death of King Aldor the Old of Rohan. He is succeeded by his son Fréa. 2654 Death of Chieftain Aravorn of the Dúnedain. He is succeeded by his son, who becomes Arahad II. 2659 Death of King Fréa of Rohan. He is succeeded by his son Fréawine. c. 2670 Introduction of pipe-weed to the Shire by Tobold Hornblower of Longbottom. 2680 Death of King Fréawine of Rohan. He is succeeded by his son Goldwine. 2683 Isengrim Took II becomes the tenth Shire-thain of the Took line. 2699 Death of King Goldwine of Rohan. He is succeeded by his son Déor. 2710 The Dunlendings capture Isengard. 2719 Death of Arahad II. He is succeeded as Chieftain of the Dúnedain by his son Arassuil. 2722 Death of Thain Isengrim II of the Shire. He is succeeded by his son Isumbras III. 2745 Orcs out of the Misty Mountains start their fiercest attacks on Eriador. 2746 Birth of Thorin, later called Oakenshield, son of King Thráin II. 2747 The Battle of Greenfields is fought in the Northfarthing of the Shire. 2748 The worst of the Orc-battles of Eriador come to an end. 2758 Rohan is overrun by the Dunlendings and their allies. 2759 Saruman is given the Keys of Orthanc by Steward Beren. Death of Thain Isumbras III of the Shire. He is succeeded by his son Ferumbras II. 2763 Birth of Balin son of Fundin. 2770 Smaug descends on Erebor, destroying it and the neighbouring town of Dale. 2772 Birth of Dwalin. 2783 Birth of Glóin son of Gróin. 2784 Death of Arassuil. He is succeeded as Chieftain of the Dúnedain by his son Arathorn I. 2790 Thrór is slain in Moria by Azog. 2799 The Battle of Azanulbizar. The War of the Dwarves and Orcs ends with the death of Azog. 2801 Death of Thain Ferumbras II of the Shire. He is succeeded by his son Fortinbras I. 2846 Birth of Hob Gammidge. 2848 Death of Thain Fortinbras I of the Shire. He is succeeded by his son Gerontius, who becomes famous as the Old Took. Death of Arathorn I. He is succeeded as Chieftain of the Dúnedain by his son Argonui. 2850 Thráin II dies in the pits of Dol Guldur. His son Thorin becomes King of Durin's Folk. 2851 The White Council discover proof that the Necromancer of Dol Guldur is Sauron returned. 2859 Birth of Thorin's nephew Fíli. 2873 Probable date of the birth of Arathorn II, later Chieftain of the Dúnedain and father to Aragorn. 2879 Birth of Gimli, later called Elf-friend. 2885 Gondor and Rohan defeat a force of Haradrim at the Crossings of Poros. c. 2890 Very approximate date of the construction of Bag End. 22 September Birth of Bilbo Baggins in the Shire. 2892 Birth of Holman Greenhand. c. 2900 Approximate date of the refortification of Cair Andros by Steward Túrin II. 2911 The year of the Fell Winter. White Wolves invade the Shire. 2912 Death of Argonui. He is succeeded as Chieftain of the Dúnedain by his son Arador. 2920 Death of Gerontius, the Old Took. He is succeeded by his son Isengrim III. 2926 Death of Bungo Baggins, father of Bilbo Baggins. Birth of Hamfast Gamgee, the 'Gaffer', father of Sam Gamgee. 2929 Marriage of Arathorn and Gilraen, the parents of Aragorn. 2930 Death of Thain Isengrim III of the Shire. He is succeeded by his brother Isumbras IV. Arador is slain by hill-trolls. He is succeeded as Chieftain of the Dúnedain by his son Arathorn II. Birth of Denethor in Minas Tirith, later to become Steward Denethor II. 2931 1 March Birth of Aragorn II Elessar. 2933 Death of Aragorn's father Arathorn II. Birth of Paladin Took, later Thain Paladin II and father to Peregrin Took. 2934 Death of Belladonna Took, mother of Bilbo Baggins. 2939 Death of Thain Isumbras IV of the Shire. He is succeeded by his son Fortinbras II. 2941 Smaug is slain by Bard. c. 2941 A young Hamfast Gamgee becomes apprenticed to the gardener Holman Greenhand. Expulsion of the Necromancer from Dol Guldur by the White Council. Journey of Bilbo Baggins to Erebor with Thorin and Gandalf. 1 Lithe Bilbo Baggins and the Dwarves set out from Rivendell on their journey to the Lonely Mountain. July Bilbo Baggins comes across the One Ring beneath the Misty Mountains. October The Battle of Five Armies. 2942 Return of Sauron to Mordor. 2948 Birth of Théoden, later King of Rohan 2951 Rebuilding of Barad-dûr begins. The Nazgûl are sent to reclaim Dol Guldur. 2953 The last meeting of the White Council. 2955 Likely date of the birth of Imrahil of Dol Amroth. 2962 Hamfast Gamgee takes over as gardener at Bag End. 2968 22 September Birth of Frodo Baggins in the Shire. 2978 Birth of Boromir, heir to Denethor II of Gondor. 2980 Death of Thain Fortinbras II of the Shire. He is succeeded by his son Ferumbras III. Loss of Drogo Baggins and his wife Primula in a boating accident. Death of King Thengel of Rohan. He is succeeded by his son Théoden. 2982 Birth of Meriadoc Brandybuck, later Master of Buckland. 2983 Birth of Faramir, second son of Denethor II. 6 April Likely date of Samwise Gamgee's birth. 2985 Birth of Melilot Brandybuck in the Shire. 2989 Balin begins his ill-fated attempt to recolonise Moria. Adoption of Frodo Baggins as Bilbo's heir. Frodo removes from Buckland to Bag End. 2990 Birth of Peregrin Took. 2991 Birth of Éomer, later King of Rohan. 2994 Balin's attempt to recolonise Moria ends in disaster, and his own death. 2995 Birth of Éowyn in Rohan. 3001 22 September Bilbo Baggins' Birthday Party and farewell feast. 3003 Bilbo Baggins begins work on his Translations from the Elvish. 3014 Théoden begins to fall ill, and his counsellor Gríma begins to gain power over the King. 3015 Death of Thain Ferumbras III of the Shire, the last of his line. He is succeeded by Paladin Took II. 3018 12 April Gandalf returns to the Shire to warn Frodo about the Ring. 20 June Sauron's forces simultaneously attack eastern Gondor and the Wood-elves of Thranduil. The War of the Ring begins. 10 July Saruman traps Gandalf and imprisons him on the pinnacle of Orthanc. 18 September On their journey north to the Shire, the Black Riders cross the Fords of Isen. 18 September Gwaihir rescues Gandalf from Orthanc. 19 September Gandalf seeks aid from Théoden, but is turned away from Edoras. 20 September Gandalf returns to Edoras, and is again dismissed by Théoden, though he is granted a horse. 21 September Gandalf comes upon Shadowfax for the first time, and follows the great horse across the fields of Rohan. 22 September In Rohan, Gandalf overtakes Shadowfax. Meanwhile, in the north, the Black Riders enter the Shire. 23 September Frodo, Sam and Pippin set out from Bag End. 23 September Gandalf sets out from Rohan. 23 September The Black Riders enter the Shire. 24 September Riding north to the Shire, Gandalf crosses the River Isen. 26 September Frodo encounters Tom Bombadil and Goldberry. 27 September Gandalf, riding wildly northward from Rohan, crosses the River Greyflood. 30 September The Hobbits awake in Bree to find their ponies stolen. Bill Ferny sells them his pony, later called Bill himself. 1 October Black Riders raid Buckland in the early morning. 25 October The Council of Elrond. 25 December The setting-out of the Fellowship from Rivendell. 3019 15 January Gandalf and the Balrog fall from the Bridge of Khazad-dûm. 15 January The remaining members of the Fellowship flee Moria and reach the borders of Lórien. 23 January Gandalf and the Balrog reach the peak of Zirakzigil. 25 January Gandalf casts Durin's Bane from Zirakzigil. 16 February The Company of the Ring depart from Lórien. 25 February Death of Théodred at the First Battle of the Fords of Isen. 26 February Boromir is slain by Orcs; the Fellowship of the Ring is broken. 29 February Uglúk's Orc-band is destroyed by the Rohirrim. Merry and Pippin escape into Fangorn Forest. 2 March The Second Battle of the Fords of Isen. 3 March The Battle of the Hornburg begins. 3 March Destruction of Isengard by the Ents. 4 March The Battle of the Hornburg is won, and the siege of Helm's Deep relieved. 8 March Aragorn and his company pass through the Paths of the Dead, and gather at Erech in the Morthond Vale. 10 March An army out of the Morannon captures Cair Andros and invades Anórien. 13 March Aragorn captures the fleet of the Corsairs at Pelargir, and releases the army of the Dead who aided him. 14 March A dispute breaks out in the Tower of Cirith Ungol, leading to open battle between the Orcs in the Tower. 15 March Death of King Théoden in the Battle of the Pelennor. He is succeeded by his nephew Éomer. 15 March The Battle of the Pelennor Fields. 15 March The pyre of Denethor. 17 March The Battle of Dale begins. 20 March The end of the Battle of Dale. Erebor is besieged. 25 March The Captains of the West are assaulted by Sauron's forces before the Black Gate of Mordor. 25 March Destruction of the One Ring and final downfall of Sauron and his Nazgûl. 27 March The siege of Erebor is broken. 6 April Celeborn and Thranduil meet and rename Mirkwood as Eryn Lasgalen. 1 May Coronation of Aragorn II Elessar. 18 July Éomer returns to Minas Tirith to escort Théoden's remains to Edoras. 19 July The funeral escort of Théoden sets out from Minas Tirith. 7 August The funeral escort of Théoden arrives at Edoras. 10 August The funeral of Théoden. 18 August Aragorn and his company arrive at Helm's Deep, accompanying the Travellers northward 22 August Returning into the north, the Travellers reach Isengard, where they bid farewell to Aragorn. 28 August On their journey north, the Travellers encounter Saruman. Saruman starts towards the Shire. 21 September Gandalf and the Hobbits, travelling homeward from Minas Tirith, reach Rivendell. 22 September Saruman enters the Shire. 3 November Saruman dies at the hands of his servant Gríma. The end of the War of the Ring. 3020 1 Lithe Frodo Baggins gives up the post of Mayor of the Shire, and Will Whitfoot is restored. 3021 24 March The last day of the Third Age, according to the reckoning of Gondor. 21 September Frodo and Sam set out from Hobbiton for the Grey Havens. 22 September Frodo and Sam meet the Last Riding of the Keepers. 29 September Departure of the Ring-bearers. 6 October Sam returns to Bag End on his faithful pony, Bill.
~ Aragorn II ~
Man, Dúnedain. (T.A. 1 March 2931 – F.A. 1 March 120) Son of Arathorn II and Gilraen. Husband of Arwen Undómiel. Father of Eldarion and many daughters. Last Chieftain of the Dúndedain and King of the Reunited Kingdom. Ranger of Eriador and member of The Company of the Ring. Aragorn was born on March 1st in the year T.A. 2931, the son of Arathorn II and Gilraen the Fair. When he was only two years old his father was slain by orcs and he became the Lord of the Dúndedain and the last Heir of Isildur. He and his mother were taken into the care of Elrond in Rivendell. To hide his heritage from the enemies of the Dúnedain, Aragorn was known in Rivendell by the name Estel, which means ‘Hope’. Not until he was twenty years of age (T.A. 2951)was he told his true lineage and name. At that time, Elrond gave to him the heirlooms of the Heirs of Isildur - the Ring of Barahir and the shards of Narsil, Elendil’s sword. But he withheld the Sceptre of Annúminas until ‘he had earned it’. The next day Aragorn met Arwen while walking in the gardens of Rivendell, and he soon fell in love with her beauty and wisdom. But his love for Arwen went unrequitted for many years because she was an Elf already many centuries old and he was still quite young and but a mortal. He then took leave of Rivendell and journied out into the wild of Middle-Earth for thirty long years, laboring for the cause against Sauron. During these years he befriended Gandalf the wizard (T.A. 2956) and served in disguise the lords of Rohan and Gondor where he was known as Thorongil (T.A. 2957-80). His services brought him into the far East and the deep South where he learned the ways of the servants of Sauron. While in Gondor he led a small fleet to Umbar where he burned most of the ships of the Corsairs and personally overthrew the Captain of the Havens. When he was forty-nine years old Aragorn sought a rest from his journeys in the Elven realm of Lothlórien (T.A. 2980). Unknown to him, Arwen was staying for there for a time, and they met again. During his long years Aragorn had grown into a man of great stature and power so that he appeared almost as an Elf-lord. Arwen at last returned his love and on Midsummer’s Eve they plighted their troth on the hill of Cerin Amroth. As a token of his love he gave to her the Ring of Barahir. Though it saddened Elrond greatly, he was silent when he heard of the promise between his daughter and Aragorn. Being Half-Elven and having lost his brother to mortality in the Second Age, he knew only too well the sorrow that loving a mortal could cause. He refused to allow his daughter to marry a Man, even one as great as Aragorn, unless he be no less than the King of both Gondor and Arnor. He would not allow her to sacrafice her immortality for anything less. So Aragorn returned to the wild more determined than ever to regain the kingdom lost so long ago by the Dúndedain. He wandered again for many years until Gandalf came to him in T.A. 3001 and asked for his aid in seeking and capturing Gollum. The hunt proved long and seemingly hopeless, for he lost the trail of Gollum. It was not until T.A. 3009 that he once again searched for Gollum, this time in the vales of Anduin, Mirkwood and Rhovanion, finally seeking all the way to the borders of Mordor. finally in T.A. 3017 he found and captured him in the Dead Marshes and took him to Thranduil in Mirkwood where Gandalf questioned him. He then sent more years as a Ranger in the wilds of Eriador where he was known as Strider. He became a rugged, woodcrafty man, the most skilled huntsman of his day, and also skilled at avoiding the traps of the enemy. He knew all of the lands for hundreds of miles and all of the peoples living in them. In the last years before the the War of the Ring he spent much of his time patrolling the borders of the Shire. Told by Gandalf of Frodo’s journey and warned by Gildor that the hobbits were leaving the Shire, Aragorn was waiting for them when they arrived at Bree He helped them avoid the attack of the Black Riders and later used his knowledge of the land to avoid the Riders for the many miles between Bree and the Weather Hills. At Weathertop he drove of the attacking Black Riders and used his extensive knowledge of ancient healing techniques to find and use athelas on Frodo’s wound. His Ranger skills once again proved invaluable in the journey through the hard lands between Waethertop and Rivendell. At Rivendell he participated in the Council of Elrond and was chosen as a member of the Company of the Ring. But while the other members of the company rested and prepared for the Quest, Aragorn accompanied the sons of Elrond on a scouting mission down the Greyflood River as far south as Tharbad. When he returned, the broken shards of Narsil, the Sword of Elendil, were reforged as Andúril. When the passage over the Redhorn Gate proved impossible, Aragorn counseled against the mines of Moria, having once entered the mines himeself, long ago.. But he submitted to the leadership of Gandalf. When the wizard fell at the Bridge of Khazad-dûm, Aragorn became the de facto leader of the Company and led them quickly into the safety of Lothlórien. Unsure of Gandalf’s intentions for the Quest beyond Lórien, Aragorn took them by boat to the lawn of Parth Galen beneath Amon Hen, the Hill of Sight. There, while he pondered the future of the Company in the Seat of Seeing, a force of orcs attacked. Frodo and Sam escaped but Merry and Pippin were taken prisoner, but Boromir was slain. Aragorn came to late from the high seat to save the man of Gondor, and he greatly rued his decision to climb Amon Hen. After giving Boromir’s body to the Anduin, Aragorn led the chase across the Wold of Rohan to rescue the captured hobbits. The Three Hunters raced for days but were unable to overtake the orcs that were running towards Isengard. Instead they met Eomer, who lent them horses, and finally Gandalf returned as ‘The White’. The wizard told them that the two young hobbits were safe with Treebeard and urged them to accompany him to Edoras in Rohan. Aragorn proved a valiant warrior at the Battle of Helm’s Deep, facing the enemy army alone atop the Deeping Wall and slaying many orcs. After recieving the palantir or Orthanc he returned to the Hornburg Tower and there, as the rightful user of the stone, wrenched it to his will and revealed himself to Sauron. He also used the palantir to look far into the South where he saw a fleet of Corsairs approaching the southern coasts of Gondor. It was this vision that convinced him to travel the Paths of the Dead. He fearlessly led the way through the Paths, calling the Oathbreaking Dead to him at the Stone of Erech. The army of ghosts followed him to Pelargir, passing him at the last and overwhelming the ships of Umbar. Aragorn and the people of the harbors then manned the ships and, with a sudden change in the winds, sailed quickly up the Anduin to Harlond. Aragorn thus arrived at the last moment at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, turning the tide of the battle and meeting Éomor in the midst of the field. From there he proceeded to Minas Tirith still dressed as a Ranger for he refused to enter the city as a King until he had the leave of the Steward. Once inside the walled city he went quickly to the Houses of Healing where he skills saved the lives of Éowyn, Faramir and Merry. At the Black Gate of Mordor Aragorn parleyed with the Mouth of Sauron, defeating the sorcerer in a short battle of wills. As the Mouth retreated and the armies of Sauron sallied forth from the Morannon, Aragon ordered the armies through the battle and, with the aid of the Eagles and the destruction of the Ring, the war was won. So it finally came to pass that Sauron was destroyed and the King was returned. Aragorn and the triumphant armies returned to Minas Tirith where he was crowned by Gandalf as King Elessar, taking the surname of Telcontar which was Elvish for ‘Strider’. Then Arwen arrived with Elrond who now gave his blessing. And on Midsummer’s Eve of the year 3019 of the Third Age Arwen and Aragorn were wed. As Elessar he ruled the Reunited Kingdom of Gondor and Arnor for many years. And Arwen bore him a son, Eldarion, and several daughters. But at last, though his lifesan was three times that or normal Men, Aragorn grew tired and knew that his time had come. On the 1st of March of the year 120 of the Fourth Age he laid himseld down on a bed of stone prepared for him in the House of Kings in the Silent Street. There he said farewell to Eldarion, passing the crown and the Sceptre to him. And there he said his last good-byes to Arwen, at last falling into a deep sleep from which he never woke. Aragorn had many names including Elfstone by Arwen, Strider by the people of Bree, the Renewer by the healers of Minas Tirith, The Dunadan by Bilbo, Longshanks by Bill Ferny, and Wingfoot by Éomer. REF:[I]-84, 212, 213,214,215, [II]297, 298, 302, 304, 305, 327, 334, 340, 349, 419, 442;[III] -20, 34, 39, 48, 58, 59 150 ; [V]-52, 55, 56, 64, 68, 135, 136, 150, 152, 158, 168, 180, 181, [VI]274 ; [A]382:390; [B]421:433; [F]469 Abbreviations: b. = born d. = died F.A = Fourth Age fl. = flourished T.A. = Third Age WoR = War of the Ring S. = Sindarin C.S. = Common Speech
~ Legolas ~
Sindarin elf; Son of Thranduil, King of the Elves of Northern Mirkwood. Date of birth unknown. "He was tall as a young tree, lithe, immensely strong, able swiftly to draw a great war-bow and shoot down a Nazgûl, endowed with the tremendous vitality of Elvish bodies, so hard and resistant to hurt that he went only in light shoes over rock or through snow, the most tireless of all the Fellowship" (Book of Lost Tales 2). Legolas was sent to Rivendell by Thranduil to inform Elrond of Sméagol had escaped from his father's guard. He arrived in Rivendell in time for the Council of Elrond where he was chosen to represent the Elves of the World as part of the Fellowship of the Ring. He would go on to accompany Aragorn and Gimli until Sauron was defeated. On their travels, Legolas started last in line because of his keen eyesight and skill with bow and arrow. He remained light of heart throughout much of the Fellowship's journey - unmoved by ill will of Caradhras and the Paths of the Dead. His light-footedness was utilized when the rest of the Fellowship was held back by the snow on Caradhras. He was able to walk on top of the snow and scout ahead, finding a wind-drift where the snow stopped. His skill with the bow proved useful many times - he shot down a warg as it approached the Company before it could reach anyone, and later a wolf-chieftain of that pack. Along with Boromir, he was opposed to the idea of travelling through Moria. Aside from Gandalf, Legolas was the only member to recognize the balrog in Moria. Once out of Moria, the Fellowship came to Lothlórien. Coming to a stream, he was reminded of Nimrodel and sang a song that recounts her sorrow - the Lórien elves heard this and knew that was of their kind. Later this was found to be the reason they were not stopped upon detection. On their way to Galadriel, Legolas was the only member who could cross the Celebrant on the single-rope bridge - the rest had to be given additional ropes. It was in Lothlorien that Legolas and Gimli became friends after being naturally antagonistic towards the other. When the Fellowship departed down the Great Anduin, Legolas and Gimli rode together in a boat. Shortly after, Legolas shot a fell beast bearing a Nazgûl out of the eastern sky with a bow of the Galadhrim, his gift from Galadriel. As one of the Three Hunters, he went to Rohan in search of Merry and Pippin. After reuniting with Gandalf, witnessing Théoden's healing, fighting at the Battle of the Hornburg, and reuniting with Merry and Pippin at Isengard, Legolas went down the Paths of the Dead with Aragorn, Gimli, the sons of Elrond, Halbarad and the rest of the Grey Company - he alone remained unfrightened by those haunted paths. The company arrived at Minas Tirith in time to defeat Sauron's army in the Battle of Pelennor Fields. Legolas continued with Aragorn to the Morannon and faught there alongside the Captains of the West. He and Gimli remained in Gondor to see Aragorn crowned and wed, afterwards departing on his horse, Arod with Gandalf, the hobbits, King Aragorn and Queen Arwen, Celeborn and Galadriel, Elrond and his sons, King Éomer and all of the Rohirrim, princes of Dol Amroth, and princes of Ithilien to Edoras to see King Théoden buried and Faramir and Éowyn wed. Following these events, Legolas kept his promise to Gimli to go with him to see the Glittering Caves. In turn, Gimli with him to Fangorn. After the parting of the Fellowship in Rohan, Legolas and Gimli travelled to Gimli's home of Erebor, and to Mirkwood. Legolas brought some of his father's people to Ithilien and dwelt there until the passing of King Aragorn in 120 of the Fourth Age. He built a grey ship in Ithilien, and together with Gimli, sailed down the Anduin and across the sea to Aman, marking the departure of the last members of the Fellowship of the Ring from Middle-earth. Legolas' age is not even hinted at except for a comment he makes in Fangorn, likening Aragorn and Gimli to children in comparison to his own age. Legolas means 'green-leaf' in the Sindarin tongue, from laika 'green' (or laeg 'viridis') and golas 'collection of leaves.' (References: LR passim, cf. especially II; BOLT2: VI; Letters: 211, 297.) Abbreviations: b. = born d. = died F.A = Fourth Age fl. = flourished T.A. = Third Age WoR = War of the Ring S. = Sindarin C.S. = Common Speech
~ Gandalf ~
The wizard Gandalf the Grey is a central character in THE HOBBIT and in THE LORD OF THE RINGS. He is one of the Istari, an order of the Maiar, angelic beings created by Eru with somewhat less power than the godlike Valar. Gandalf is the name he was called in the northeastern regions of Middle-earth by Men and Hobbits. His name was Incanus among the men of the more Southern regions. He was known as Olórin among the Elves of Valinor, the abode of the Valar. He was called Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgrim, by the Elves of Middle-earth. Láthspell and Stormcrow were names of insult he also bore. Among the Elves of Valinor, he would often pass unseen, kindling desire to do great things. He worked in the service of Manwë and was sent among the five Istari, or wizards, to Middle-earth after the Last Alliance of Elves and Men to help inspire resistance against Sauron, another Maia of great power who served Morgoth, a fallen Vala. Gandalf was incarnated as an old man, hale and strong, but subject to the weaknesses and desires of flesh and constrained to keep his nature secret from nearly all and to use his power to inspire rather than to coerce. Upon his arrival in Middle-earth, Círdan the Shipwright gave into his keeping Narya, one of the Three Elven Rings, perceiving Gandalf's eventual need for it, though he did not appear to be the greatest of the wizards. The head of the Order was Saruman the White, who fell from his mission into a self-serving scheme to find the One Ring of the Dark Lord, Sauron, and claim its power for his own. It was in the course of Gandalf's wanderings and missions that the Hobbit, or halfling, Bilbo Baggins found the One Ring in the Misty Mountains, where the wretched creature Gollum had kept it, and returned with it eventually to The Shire. In this same adventure, the wizard came upon the sword Glamdring, which once belonged to the King of Gondolin ages before. Though the wizard was known by the Shire-folk for his fireworks and for persuading young Hobbits to have adventures, his work was far more grim and dangerous than they knew. Gandalf's love of the little people and his desire to aid the Dwarves in ridding the north lands of the dragon Smaug resulted in this fortunate event. It was also during this time, that Gandalf convinced the White Council to drive the Necromancer, later known to be Sauron, from the fortress of Dol Guldur in Mirkwood. For these reasons, neither Sauron nor Saruman discovered the whereabouts of the One Ring until it was too late to undo Gandalf's plans. The One Ring was inheirited by Frodo Baggins, who Gandalf convinced to make for Rivendell, once the wizard determined that the heirloom was indeed the Ring of Power. Gandalf was detained by Saruman, imprisoned in the tower of Orthanc as the result of a ruse that used the gullibility of the wizard Radagast the Brown to lure Gandalf into the fortress of Isengard. There, Saruman revealed his treachery and sought to persuade Gandalf to join him. Gandalf refused and was locked up in the highest platform of the tall tower. The eagle Gwaihir rescued him and carried him to the land of Rohan, where he "borrowed" the great horse Shadowfax from King Theoden. The great steed brought him back to the lands between The Shire and Rivendell too late to travel with Frodo, but just in time to draw off some of the Nine Ringwraiths, most powerful of the servants of Sauron. After great difficulties and injuries, Frodo and his companions reached Rivendell. There, at the Council of Elrond, Gandalf revealed the history of the Ring and the treason of Saruman. Plans were laid and it was agreed that Frodo and the Fellowship of the Ring, which included Gandalf, would set out for Mordor. The long way there led through the mines of Moria, where Gandalf fell in a great battle with a Balrog and was presumed dead. Perhaps in a fashion this was so, but he was sent back, this time as Gandalf the White. In the interval, he strove against the Dark Lord so that Frodo would not be betrayed to Sauron on the Seat of Seeing on the top of Amon Hen. Gandalf was then taken again by Gwaihir to Galadriel in Lothlórien for a time. The wizard met with his old companions in Fangorn Forest and continued to Rohan where he inspired King Theoden to fight Saruman and then to ride with the Muster of Rohan to break the seige of Minas Tirith. In Minas Tirith, Gandalf saved the life of Faramir, the son of Denethor, the Steward of Gondor, from the madness of his father. He helped to order the defenses of the City of Guard and was Herald for Aragorn and the Lords of the West at the Black Gates of Mordor. Upon the destruction of the Ring, accomplished by the pity of Frodo for Gollum, inspired long before by Gandalf, the wizard rode with the eagles to save Frodo and his servant Samwise from the tumults of Mount Doom. Afterwards, Gandalf returned eventually to The Shire where Frodo joined the wizard, along with Bilbo, Elrond, and Galadriel. Together, they journeyed to the Grey Havens where Cirdan had prepared a hallowed ship upon which they set sail on the Straight Way over the bent seas to Valinor. Gandalf was the only one of the five wizards who remained true to his mission. Abbreviations: b. = born d. = died F.A = Fourth Age fl. = flourished T.A. = Third Age WoR = War of the Ring S. = Sindarin C.S. = Common Speech
~ Baggins, Frodo ~
Hobbit of the Shire (b. T.A. 22 September 2968 - ?? ). Son of Drogo Baggins and Primula Brandybuck. Cousin and adopted heir of Bilbo Baggins. Member of the Company of the Ring. Bearer of the One Ring. Mayor of Michel Delving. Frodo Baggins, one of the most renowned personalities in the history of Middle-Earth, successfully carried the One Ring of Sauron from Hobbiton in the Shire to Mount Doom in Mordor where he was at last overcome by the power of the Ring but saved from its evil by Gollum who took it from him and inadvertantly destroyed it and himself. Frodo’s efforts resulted in the destruction of Sauron and the establishment of the Reunited Kingdom of Gondor and Arnor. Frodo Baggins was the son of Drogo and Primula Baggins. He lived together with his parents in the family home of his mother, Brandy Hall in Buckland, until Drogo and Primula were drowned in a boating accident when Frodo was just 12 years old. The young hobbit was left as an orphan among his Brandybuck relatives. In Buckland, Frodo grew into a fine young hobbit, only occasionally getting into mischief while stealing mushrooms from old Farmer Maggot and once even entering the Old Forest. He had many friends and was especially well-liked by his elder cousin, Bilbo Baggins who was also an orphan. When Frodo was 22 years old, Bilbo invited him to come live with him at Bag End in Hobbiton, adopting him as his heir. By coincidence, the two hobbits shared the same birthday, 22 September, and made it a custom to celebrate each year with a small party. When Bilbo was turning 111 and Frodo 33 (a very important year for hobbits), they threw a huge Party and invited practically everyone they knew. On 22 September 3001, the famous Farewell Party was given, so called because Bilbo disappeared while giving a speech and departed the Shire never to be seen there again. This left Frodo as the master of Bag End. Bilbo also left Frodo a golden ring that made its wearer invisible. Gandalf the wizard, a good friend of the family, suspected that the ring was more than it appeared and kept a watch over Frodo to see if he suffered any ill efect from it. Years passed and Frodo strangely showed no signs of aging. Gandalf remembered that Bilbo had also aged very slowly when he had posessed the ring, and the wizard decided to investigate what power it might possess. He took many years and long journies, but in the Spring of 3018 Gandalf returned to Hobbiton and sat down with Frodo to tell him the true nature of the small item Bilbo had left him The wizard explained that Sauron the Dark Lord had long ago created the One Ring to control the peoples of Middle-Earth. But the Ring had been wrested from him in battle and later lost. It had laid for centuries at the bottom of the Anduin river until it came into the possession of a small creatured named Gollum. Gollum took the Ring and hid himself away deep under the Misty Mountains. After many years, seemingly by accident, Bilbo Baggins found the ring and took it home as a treasure from his journies. Sauron now knew that the Ring had been found again and was looking for it. Gandalf refused it when Frodo offered to allow the wizard to take the Ring for safekeeping. Gandalf did not want to risk the temptation of using the power the Ring possessed. Instead, he recommended that Frodo take the Ring and leave the Shire as soon as possible. To protect the hobbits of his land, Frodo agreed. Gandalf soon left again on important business, leaving Frodo to decide how to quietly leave the Shire. The hobbit invented a ruse of moving back to Buckland, even selling Bag End to the Sackville-Baggins as part of the deception. He waited through the Summer for Gandalf to return but finally decided that he must begin without the wizard. On 23 September 3018, he and two friends, Samwise Gamgee and Peregrin Took, better known as Sam and Pippin, left Bag End on foot hoping to reach Frodo’s new home at Crickhollow in two or three days. While still in the Shire, they were twice overtaken by Black Riders of Sauron who were searching for the Ring. On both occasions Frodo nearly donned the Ring in a panic reaction to the threat of the Riders, but each time he resisted until the Riders departed. Shortly after the scare of the Black Riders they met Gildor, an Elf who was traveling through the Shire with a company of his folk. Gildor invited the hobbits to send the evening with him and his folk . The next morning the three hobbits traveled cross-country in hopes of avoiding the Black Riders, ending up on the property of Farmer Maggot. Frodo was relieved to find that though Maggot recognized him from his mushroom stealing days, the farmer was actually a very friendly person. The old hobbit invited them in for supper and later drove them to the Buckland Ferry where they met another friend, Meriadoc Brandybuck, better known as Merry. At Crickhollow, Frodo’s friends revealed that they knew of the Ring and his intentions to leave the Shire. They would not allow him to leave without them, so the next morning they left before sunrise, entering the Old Forest in hopes that such a short cut would throw off any pursuit. But the Forest proved to be almost as dangerous as the Riders when the hobbits were caught by Old Man Willow. The evil tree threw Frodo into the Withywindle, trying to hold his head beneath the water. They were only rescued by the timely arrival of Tom Bombadil. Bombadil invited them to his home, proving to be a wise but very strange fellow. During their visit, Frodo allowed Tom to examine the Ring. Astonishingly, he did not vanish when he wore it. After Tom returned the Ring to him, Frodo put it on as a test to ensure Tom had returned the same ring he had borrowed. This was the first time that Frodo wore the Ring. After leaving Tom, the hobbits were captured by a barrow-wight on the Barrow-Downs. The spirit entombed them all, apparently seeking to slay them, but Frodo awoke and fought the wight, calling for Tom as he did so. Bombadil appeared and freed them, giving them swords from the treasure of the Barrow. Relieved to still be alive, they rushed on to the nearby town of Bree where Frodo used the alias ‘Underhill’ to disguise his true identity. In the Prancing Pony Inn, Frodo foolishly allowed himself too much excitement (and beer) and accidently slipped the Ring onto his finger in front of a crowd of town locals and visitors. This was the second time he wore the Ring. He retired quickly to his roomwhere he spoke with Strider, a friend of Gandalf’s who offered to guide them to the Elven haven of Rivendell. After Barliman Butterber delivered a letter to Frodo from Gandalf that verified Strider’s identity, he agreed to follow the Ranger. Strider led the hobbits safely to Weathertop where Frodo faced five of the Black Rider that had gathered there. The Riders attacked the hobbit and his companions late in the evening by the light of the moon, and Frodo in a panic once again slipped the Ring on his finger. The Ring allowed him to see clearly into the ghost-realm of the Riders, and their Lord rushed the hobbit, stabbing him in the shoulder with his cursed knife. Frodo dropped into unconsciousness and was saved only by the daring of Strider who rushed the Riders regardless of his own safety. Frodo woke soon after the attack to find the Riders and Strider gone. Sam began to doubt him, but the Ranger soon returned and staunched Frodo’s wound with leaves of athelas which he had found in the wild. The treatment lessened the pain in Frodo’s shoulder enough for them to continue on. Frodo’s wound ached more and more as they traveled for the next two weeks through the trackless wastes between Weathertop and Rivendell. Finally, just as the pain was overcoming him, they met Glorfindel, an Elf-Lord of Rivendell sent to find them and aid their journey. Glorfindel inspected Frodo’s wound but could do little but ease the pain. The Elf set the ill hobbit on his horse as a precaution should the Black Riders appear. Just as they reached the Ford of Bruinen they were overtaken by all nine of the Black Riders. With the aid of Glorfindel’s horse Frodo escaped the wraiths, commanding them to return to Mordor, but he swooned at the last, unable to hold himself up any longer through the anguish caused by the wound he had received on Weathertop. His barrow-sword broken in his grasp and he fell to the ground. Frodo awoke in Rivendell to find Gandalf at his side. He had lain for four days while Elrond had striven to heal the wound he had received. Strength soon returned to him and he climbed out of bed to accompany his friends to a great feast. There he talked long with Glóin the Dwarf and was later reunited with Bilbo. The next day he was summoned to the Council of Elrond where it was explained that the Ring must be taken to the Cracks of Doom in the Mountain of Fire in Mordor where it had first been forged. Only there could the Ring be destroyed. Frodo, showing incredible bravery and understanding, volunteered to be the one to take the Ring to Mount Doom. So it was decided, and eight companions were chosen to assist Frodo on his journey: Gandalf, Aragorn, Boromir, Legoas, Gimli, Sam, Pippin and Merry. After two months of preparation and rest they set out on the 25th of December. But before they left, Bilbo gave Frodo his sword, Sting, and his mithril corslet. At the old hobbit’s request, he kept the dwarf armor a secret from his companions. Frodo was nearly overcome by cold when the Comany of the Ring attempted to cross the Redhorn Gate. And when they came to the West Gate of Moria a recurring phenomenon began to occur where Frodo was always targeted by his enemies. The first occurance of this was when the Watcher in the Water singled him out, trying to drag him in the water. Many more similar events were to come. Once in the dwarven mines, Frodo was nearly killed by a spear thrown by a great orc. Bilbo’s mithril coat saved his life, but he recieved a terrible bruise where the spear had hit his side. In that same battle, Frodo used Sting to severely wound the foot of a troll. While still in Moria Frodo again seemed almost magnetic when an arrow struck him as he ran to cross the Bridge of Khazad-dûm. His armor saved him again and the arrow bounced away harmlessly. The Company hurried to temporary safety in the Lothlórien, and there Frodo and his friends mourned the loss of Gandalf. Galadriel showed him her Mirror and he was nearly caught by the Eye of Sauron when he risked a look at its mirrored surface. But rather than discouraging him, the image in the Mirror only strengthened Frodo’s resolve to continue his Quest. As he left the Golden Wood he recieved the Phial of Galadriel as a departing gift. Once on the Anduin, Frodo rode with Sam and Aragorn. Gollum, who had been trailing them since Moria, nearly grabbed Frodo but was scared off by Sam. An arrow found Frodo in the darkness during a sudden attack by orcs on the east bank of the river. Again, he seemed to draw fire and again his armor saved him. At Parth Galen, Boromir counseled that they should proceed to Minas Tirith, but Frodo desired to continue on to Mordor. He climbed the slopes of Amen Hen seeking solitude to aid his decision-making process. But Boromir followed him and after a short argument demanded that Frodo relinquish the Ring to him. Frodo refused and Boromir attacked him. Only by donning the Ring and running off invisibly was he able to escape. Once safely away from Boromir, Frodo walked through the woods, still unsure of his course. His wandering brought him to the Seat of Seeing, which he sat upon. From the Seat he saw the movements of many armies in all direction, war was coming throughout the land. Because he still wore the Ring, he attracted the roving Eye of Sauron in Barad-dûr. He jumped from the seat, but still the Eye’s gaze drew closer. But then Gandalf, far away and new-returned to Middle-Earth, talked to him in his mind, commanding him to remove the Ring. Though he did not recognize the Voice as Gandalf, Frodo took the Ring off. Free of the scrutiny of the Eye, he made up his mind. To spare his companions the certain terrors of a journey into Mordor, he decided to leave without them. He plunged back down the path, donning the Ring for the fifth time, and hurried down to the boats along the river, hoping to slip away unseen. But Sam had guessed at his plan and jumped into the water after Frodo’s boat. Because he could not allow Sam to drown (the faithful hobbit could not swim), Frodo dragged him into the boat, and the hobbits paddled to the eastern bank of the Anduin and marched into the hills of the Emyn Muil. Gollum finally overtook Frodo and Sam as they struggled through the Emyn Muil. The two hobbits wrestled him into submission and Frodo, showing remarkable compassion and understanding of the forces compelling Gollum, made the creature swear an oath of allegiance to him (swearing to the Ring itself). A seemingly reformed Gollum led them out of the hills and into the Dead Marshes, finally taking them within sight of the Black Gate of Mordor. The Gate was closed and heavily protected, but Frodo, seeing no other way, was determined to attempt to enter it. Gollum feared the Ring would be taken if Frodo proceeded to the Black Gate so he suggested another way into the Dark Land. Warily, Frodo agreed to attempt Gollum’s secret way and they crept southwards past the Gate and into Ithilien. In Ithilien Frodo and Sam were captured by Faramir, but Gollum escaped. There they witnessed the battle between the Rangers and the Haradrim. Afterwards Faramir took them to the Henneth Annûn and Frodo revealed everything to Faramir, including the story of his brother, Boromir. When Gollum discovered the pool near the Ranger’s secret hideout, Frodo begged that his life be spared and vouched for his good behavior. Faramir agreed, but not happily. Leaving Ithilien, they entered the vale of Minas Morgul and climbed the many stairs to Shelob’s Lair. But once inside, Gollum abandonded them and Frodo had to use his Phial and Sting to drive Shelob away. Once free of the Lair, Frodo ran carelessly into the pass and was stung by Shelob in the back of the neck. Her poison caused him to drop into a death-like state and Sam was certain he was dead. The young hobbit took Sting and the Ring and left Frodo’s body lying in the Pass. But Frodo was not dead, and the orcs that came from the Tower of Cirith Ungol to investigate the noise caused by the battle of Sam and Shelob found the hobbit lying by the road. They took up his body and carried it back to the topmost room of the Tower. Frodo was stripped and beaten, kept alive with a vile cordial forced into him. They intended to turn him over to the Nazgûl who were away at the war in Minas Tirith, but instead the orcs fought over Frodo’s mithril coat. Because most of the orcs were killed in the fight, Sam was able to sneak into the tower (with the aid of the Ring) and rescue his friend. Frodo immediately demanded the Ring back, and Sam gave it freely. He Dressed them as orcs and they traveled the road down into the plain of Morgai, surviving on tricklings of water they found and crumbs of lembas that remained to them. Gollum found Frodo again as he and Sam were climbing the slopes of Mount Doom. But again, Frodo spared his life, finally threatening death if Gollum ever laid hands on him again. They then entered the Samamth Naur thinking Gollum gone for good. At the Crack of Doom, the Ring took final possession of Frodo and he refused to throw it into the Fire. Instead, he claimed the Ring as his own, putting it on for a sixth and last time. But Gollum made a final effort to regain his precious by tackling Frodo and biting off the ring finger on the hobbit’s right hand. Gollum took the Ring but in his excitement at having regained that which he had sought so long he fell over the brink and into the Fire. With the Ring destroyed the power of Sauron was shattered and his realm began to disintegrate. Frodo and Sam were carried from the erupting Mount Doom by Gandalf and the Eagles. They were taken to Ithilien where they were reunited with their friends just come from the battle of the Black Gate. Frodo’s elven cloak and mithril corslet, which had been taken from him in the Tower of Critih Ungol, were returned to him at the Field of Cormallen, and Sam gave Sting back to him. Frodo then accompanied the reunited Company of the Ring to Minas Tirith where he served as the crown bearer at Aragorn’s coronoation ceremony. At Midsummer’s Eve he witnessed the marriage of Aragorn and Arwen. But at last, after a time in Gondor, Frodo longed to go home. He and his hobbit companions traveled with Gandalf, Elrond and Galadriel through Rohan and Dunland to Eregion. There, Galadriel and Celeborn took leave of Frodo and crossed over Caradhras to return to Lórien. The hobbits and Gandalf continued on to Rivendell where Frodo and Bilbo celebrated their birthdays. He stayed in Imladris for two week and then took to the road again. From Elrond’s valley the hobbits road unhindered to Bree where they once again stayed at the Prancing Pony. After a short stay there they continued on, but without Gandalf who chose to visit Tom Bombadil rather than return to the Shire. But the hobbits were eager to return to their country and road quickly towards Buckland. In the days that followed, Frodo took a very minor part in the Scouring of the Shire, only coming forward at the end to confront Saruman directly. When the old wizard was dead and his Ruffians run off, Frodo quietly settled down at Bag End, acting as the Deputy Mayor of the Shire until Wil Whitfoot could get back to health.. But the ordeal of the Quest had done irreparable damage to his spirit and vigor, and the loss of the Ring continued to haunt him. Each March at the anniversary of the Ring’s destruction he would become ill, and in October, the wound dealt to him at Weathertop by the Lord of the Nazgûl would cause him great pain. In the place of the Ring, on a golden chain around his neck, he wore a white gem which he would often clutch at in his dreams. Finally, late in 1421 Frodo could bear it no longer. He rode to the Grey Havens, joining many of his old friends including Bilbo, Gandalf, Elrond and Galadriel. They boarded a white ship and passed in it beyond the confines of the world to dwell for a while among the deathless of Aman. REF:[I]-21, 41, 44, 51, 63, 74, 90, 95, 123, 170,184, 187, 200, 240, 243. 260; [II]-280, 324, 332, 340, 443, 467, 470, 471, 478, 479; [IV]401, 413; [VI]206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 226, 248, 249, 255, 259, 295, 337, 340:347 Abbreviations: b. = born d. = died F.A = Fourth Age fl. = flourished T.A. = Third Age WoR = War of the Ring S. = Sindarin C.S. = Common Speech
~ Gamgee, Samwise ~
Son of Hamfast “Gaffer” Gamgee; lived 1383 SR – [1482] “Sam is the most closely drawn character, the successor to Bilbo of the first book, the genuine hobbit” (Letter 93). Samwise Gamgee, the simple gardener of Frodo Baggins, his friend and master, was always an exception and a representative of hobbitry in the great events of the Ring War into which he was drawn. When Frodo set out on his quest to destroy the One Ring, Sam’s motives for tagging along were considerably less lofty than saving the world: he always felt great loyalty towards Frodo, and did so until the very end; and he wanted to see those tales he liked so much come true and see Elves. Even after the great dimension of their journey had become clear to Sam, the things he fought for were smaller, but hardly less noble than those of most. Sam struggled on for the love of his master, the Shire, ale, and the whole pastoral, rustic surroundings from which he came. Strider, whom the hobbits met in Bree, did not at once receive Sam’s full trust, unlike Bill the pony, which became a friend of his. Sam’s hobbit-typical sturdiness, common sense and mainly his devotion to Frodo (whom he would not had left anyway) made him an obvious choice to be one of the Nine Walkers formed in Rivendell. When the Fellowship broke at Amon Hen, Sam was the only companion to accompany Frodo eastward to Mordor and Mount Doom. After the capturing and taming of Gollum, it was still always Sam who had suspicions against him, and his harsh treatment almost wasted Frodo’s pity, such as in the incident at the Forbidden Pool with the rangers of Faramir, where Sam did not fully understand Frodo’s intentions of compassion (cf. Letter 246). Thinking his master dead, Sam would have taken the Ring to finish the quest at Cirith Ungol, where Frodo was poisoned by Shelob, who in turn was wounded and forced to retreat by the courage of Sam. But he was able to rescue Frodo, and make their way across Gorgoroth, even though it meant parting with his cooking gear. In the final struggle between Gollum and Frodo Sam could only watch, but this did not lessen the praise he received after the War of the Ring was won. After the scouring of the Shire, Sam married Rose Cotton, and became father of thirteen children, final co-author of the Red Book of Westmarch, seven times re-elected Mayor of the Shire, and Mayor Counsellor of the North Kingdom by decree of King Elessar. With the passing of his wife Rosie in 1482, the ties which held Samwise still in Middle-Earth were no longer enough, and so he gave the Red Book to his daughter Elanor, and headed to the Grey Havens, from which he sailed west, supposedly to Tol Eressëa, since he had borne the One Ring for a short time, too; and perhaps to a final meeting with Frodo. All the while in the great events at the end of the Third Age, Sam had been especially aware that the adventure they were having was soon to become one of the legends and songs he enjoyed so much himself, that they were in a story. Through his simple point of view, and his rustic offsprings, the literary character of Sam has become a point of entry into Middle-Earth or even identification for many readers who were equally fond of him as his author – even though he “can be very ‘trying’” (Letter 246). See also: Frodo Baggins, Gollum, Hamfast Gamgee, Bill, One Ring, Shelob References: LotR, passim; Letters 93 & 246 Abbreviations: b. = born d. = died F.A = Fourth Age fl. = flourished T.A. = Third Age WoR = War of the Ring S. = Sindarin C.S. = Common Speech
~ Théoden ~
17th King of Rohan, lived 2948-3019 TA, reigned 2980-3019 TA Théoden was the 17th King of Rohan, and the one who reigned at the time of the War of the Ring. His father Thengel was his predecessor, his mother was Morwen of Lossarnach. The name Théoden is Old English for 'lord, ruler'; in the annals he is mainly referred to as Théoden Ednew, 'the re-strenghtened'. When he ascended the throne in 2980 TA, Théoden took over the reign of a land in a troubled time. His counselour Gríma deluded him and kept him away from most politics, feigning reasons of a declining health of his master. In reality, Gríma, who was detested by most of the Rohirrim and called Wormtongue, was in league with the hostile Saruman and worked the wizard's will in Rohan through Théoden. Although the armies of Isengard were already rising against the Rohirrim, the king was unable to break the webs woven around him and act against it, as both his physical and psychic vigour had degenerated under the influence of Wormtongue. His only son, Théodred, fell defending the Fords of the River Isen against the enemy; but that put the King only deeper in his apathy. Only Gandalf was able to raise Théoden's spirit again when he came to him at Meduseld, threw out the counselor, and had the king cast away his prop and take his sword Herugrim again instead. From then on, the old but tall, white haired man with the shining beard led his men into battle again, first in the victorious defense of the Hornburg, and then to Isengard. There he met the hobbits Peregrin Took and Meriadoc Brandybuck, and was amused and pleased by their simple charm and the courteousness of Merry. At Dunharrow, he granted Merry to take him into his service, and sat listening to him telling tales of the far yet apparently related Shire. At the Battle of the Pelennor, he charged at the front of his éored on his great horse Snowmane, calling the lust of battle unto the Rohirrim by chanting grim staves of slaughter and world's end. Théoden slew the leader of the Haradrim in close combat, and so had the Rohan's white horse on green triumph over Harad's black serpent on blood red. But as the Witch-King descended upon the battlefield, the king's horse was hit by a black arrow, and buried its master beneath it. In his agony, Théoden's last words named his nephew Éomer as his successor, and expressed his pity that he may never again have a smoke with Meriadoc, since he ascends to the company of his ancestors. Théoden’s body was retrieved from the field, and for a while laid among the dead kings of Gondor, until he found his final rest as the last of his row of mounds in Edoras, with the simbelmynë-flowers as his last solemn shroud. (References: LOTR, III, 6-10, V, 5,6; appendix A II) Abbreviations: b. = born d. = died F.A = Fourth Age fl. = flourished T.A. = Third Age WoR = War of the Ring S. = Sindarin C.S. = Common Speech
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