The Fellowship of the Ring tells of the Gandalf's discovery that Bilbo's ring is
the great ring of power, which was crafted by the dark lord Sauron. Bilbo leaves the Shire in
search of adventure, and Frodo, his hier, now owns Bag End and the ring. Frodo journeys with
his three friends: Merry, Pippin, and Sam. When they reach Rivendell, a council held by Elrond,
half-elven, decides to send a company to protect Frodo, the ring-bearer, and to ultimately
destroy the ring (there by destroying Sauron). By the end of the book the fellowship is broken
with members missing. This is a very exciting book (the book starts out slow but just tough it
out, it is worth the read).
picture by Howe
Here is a picture of the Fords of Bruinen crushing the ringwraiths at the command of Elrond.
The Two Towers is broken into two sections. The first part is the story of
Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Pippin, and Merry. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli decide to
chase the Uruk-hai and rescue Pippin and Merry form the orcs of Saruman. The three run into a
mysterious man dressed in white. Although he appears to be Saruman it is actually Gandalf, alive
and well! They go to look for aid from Theoden, king of Rohan. Meanwhile, Pippin and Merry meet
Treebeard the ent, which is an "awakened" tree, fully capable of talking and moving. Gandalf and
the others warn Théoden of Saruman's coming attack on Rohan. After a long and bloody battle
Rohan is victorious. As Gandalf and a small company approach Isengard, they find that the ents
have destroyed it and have Saruman kept in the Orthanc, the tower of Isengard. After a
confrontation with Saruman, Gandalf shows himself to be more powerful. The first section ends
with Pippin looking into the palantir of the Orthanc. The second section starts with Frodo and
Sam being followed by someone. Frodo and Sam capture Gollum, who is the person that had been
following them. Gollum guides them through the country because he is familiar with it from
past travels. Eventually they pass the gate to Mordor and end up in the land of Ithilium.
Frodo and Sam are taken in by men of Gondor, one of whom is Faramir the brother of Boromir.
After they rejoin Gollum they continue on to Cirith Ungol, formerly the tower of the moon.
Gollum takes them through a cave, but Gollum did not tell them of Shelob, the giant spider.
After fighting both Gollum and Shelob off, Frodo appears to be dead and Sam is left alone to
destroy the ring. Book two is very surprising and full of adventure (not that a person could
read the first book and not the second book).
picture by Howe
Here is a picture of Sam fighting Shelob, the spider, to protect Frodo.
The Return of the King is also divided into two parts, and it tells of the
destruction of the ring of power and the downfall of Sauron, which marks the end of the third
age. We find Gandalf and Pippin heading toward Minas Tirith in the beginning. They both talk
to Denethor, the steward of Gondor. Meanwhile the Rohirrim have been notified of the situation
of Gondor and get ready for the march to aid them. Aragorn decides to take the Paths of the
Dead. Gimli, Legolas, and the Dśnadan join him on this journey. Aragorn recalls the oath of
the dead and ask them to fulfill it and finally have peace. Thus, the dead defeat the men of
Umbar and Harad. Merry hides with Dernhelm, Eowen disguised as a man of Rohan. They ride into
battle on the fields of Pelennor. Théoden is killed by the Lord of the Nazgūl. Then Eowen with
the help of Merry destroy the Nazgūl Lord. Aragorn then turns the tide of the battle when he
comes in the ships of Umbar and Harad. The men of Gondor and Rohan are victorious in this
battle, but they need to draw attention away from Mordor. To divert Sauron's eye, they march to
the black gate of Mordor for battle. The voice of Sauron shows them items of Frodo. A battle
ensues and things look bad until the eagles appear and shortly after the Nazgūl mysteriously
race away at their masters request. While the battle was going on Frodo and Sam climbed Mount
Doom. Gollum bites the ring off of Frodo's finger and he falls into the fires of Mount Doom.
Thus, Sauron and his Nazgūl are destroyed and the will of his orc armies leaves them. The army
of Gondor, led by Aragorn defeated the remants of Sauron's forces. Gwaihir, the eagle, saved
Frodo and Sam from being killed in the colapse of Mount Doom. Aragorn is crowned king and
marries Arwen, daughter of Elrond. The four hobbits find Hobbiton in shambles due to Saruman's
influence. They lead a rebellion and retake Hobbiton. Grima Wormtongue kills Saruman and
immeadiately he gets pierced by hobbit arrows. Two years later Frodo, Bilbo, Gandalf, Galadriel,
Elrond, and other Eldar leave Middle-earth for Valinor.
picture by Howe
Here is a picture of the city of Minas Tirith.
The Silmarillion is the history of Middle-earth and the
story leading up to The Lord of the Rings. It talks of:
the gods, the elves, the eldar men, and dwarves. It is a good
read for a lover of Tolkien (it is also helpful to be able to remember
names easily).
picture by Howe
Here is a great picture of Ulmo, god of the sea.
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