Fellowship of the Ring

The Fellowship of the Ring is a group comprised of Frodo Baggins and the eight companions chosen by the Council of Elrond to help him destroy the One Ring in Tolkien's trilogy The Lord of the Rings. The Nine are set against the nine evil riders of Mordor who are pursuing them. Members include Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Peregrin (Pipin) Took, Meriodoc (Merry) Brandybuck, Gandalf the Grey, Aragorn the ranger, Boromir of Gondor, Legolas the elf, and Gimli the dwarf.

Before that the four hobbits of the fellowship (Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pipin) had lived peaceful, comfortable and sheltered lives in the shire. Gimli, the dwarf, lived in wealth in the Lonely Mountain. Legolas, the elf, had lived as a prince in Mirkwood. Boromir, of Gondor, lived as a soldier prince in his seiged land. Gandalf the Wizard was often busy with adventures, wars and quests. Aragorn lived a refugee's life in the wild. It all changed when Sauron began to hunt for the ring of power and preparing for war. Dwarves, elves and men found themselves all alike at war. Frodo Baggins had inherrited the ring from his uncle, Bilboe. When Gandalf told him of Sauron's use of it he left with Sam for Rivendell. (Gandalf meanwhile was captured by Saruman the white.) Pipin accompanied Frodo and Sam (Merry joined them later.) They had many adventures across plain and through forest chased by mysterious black riders. In a city called Bree, they met Aragorn who led them to Rivendell (with much trouble from the black riders.) ^[1]

It was at the Council of Elrond that the Fellowship was formed. Frodo agreed to take the ring to Mordor and Sam insisted on accompanying him. Legolas, Boromir, Gimli, and Aragorn were all chosen to represent the different races of the world. Gandalf was chosen because it was to be "his last task." Pipin and Merry were reluctantly accepted by Elrond (at Gandalf's advice.) ^[2]

The fellowship travelled south to pass through the Misty Mountains. They attempted the Pass of Cahadras but failed to succeed. They chose, reluctantly, to take the road through the Mines of Moria. They fought wolves and goblins along the way. Gandalf was taken by a evil creature of fire and flame called the balrog. They rested for a time in Lothlorien. They then rowed in boats down the river, Anduin, pursued by evil orcs. The river ended at a place called Amon Hen.

Boromir, thinking the ring could be used for good, tried to take it by force from Frodo. Frodo ran away determined to go alone to Mordor. When Boromir recovered he told the Fellowship of Frodo's disappearance. The fellowship ran looking for Frodo. Sam alone found Frodo and went on with him to Mordor.

The remains of the fellowship encountered many battles and wars. Merry and Pipin were captured by orcs despite Boromir's fighting and death. Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli then determined to follow the orcs for a rescue. The orcs where actually found and killed by riders of rohan in a fierce battle. Merry and Pipin escaped into Fangorn Forest during the battle. There they met Treebeard, a Ent, whom they stayed with for a time. The pursuers met the riders of rohan and learned of the battle. They went into Fangorn where they met Gandalf, returned from Moria in White. They then realized that Rohan was about to be invaded by orcs and headed for it's captital, Edoras. Gandalf roused the King of Rohan to bring up an army against the invaders. While Gandalf headed for more support, the others battled at the fortress of Helm's Deep. The battle was won by the heroes and they went to Isengard, where the armies leader, Saruman, lived. They found the place flooded by the Ents with Merry and Pipin enjoying themselves. Then Gandalf left with Pipin for Gondor to give them aide against the dark Lord, Sauron. He and Pipin endured the seige of Gondor for many a day. Meanwhile, the others brought up armies to give aide to Gondor. The battle of the Pelannor fields was won with great cost. They finally made a march on Mordor. ^[3]

Frodo and Sam instead went for Mordor. Shortly afterwards they met Gollum, who led them across the wilds into Mordor. In the end though he betrayed them causing Frodo to be captured by evil orcs (Sam has the ring.) Sam rescues Frodo from the orcs and they then travel with their last strength to Mount Doom. At the end the ring is (along with Golum) destroyed.

The fellowship rejoiced in reunion at the field of Cormallen for a time. Aragorn is then crowned King of Gondor and wedded to Arwen, daughter of Elrond. The hobbits meet one last fight in their homeland. They defeat their old enemy Saruman in the battle of Bywater. A few years afterwards Frodo and Gandalf leave on the Grey Havens. The rest of the Fellowship lived out it's days in offices and wanderings. ^[4]

1. ↑ The Fellowship of the Ring, by J.R.R. Tolkien, Houghton Mifflin Company.
2. ↑ The Fellowship of the Ring, by J.R.R. Tolkien, Houghton Mifflin Company.
3. ↑ The Two Towers, by J.R.R. Tolkien, Houghton Mifflin Company.
4. ↑ The Return of the King, by J.R.R. Tolkien, Houghton Mifflin Company.