J.R.R. Tolkien and The Lord of the Rings

About ten years after The Lord of the Rings was published, J.R.R. Tolkien began writing a new story set in Middle-earth. Calling it The New Shadow, the tale was to be set in Gondor during the early years of King Eldarion's reign.

Although the story is not well developed, the villain was to be known by the Quenya name Herumor (which means "dark lord"). A fascination among Gondorian boys for pretending to be Orcs implies that Orcs are no longer viewed as immediate threats to Gondorian security.

People speculate that a new Morgothian cult would be the cause of conflict, probably led by a renegade Gondorian lord of Numenorean or Black Numenorean descent, perhaps with the intention of reinstituting Sauronian rule (with the now-dead Sauron as ruler-in-absentia) over Mordor.

Herumor probably would have been a sorceror wielding terrible power. His intent would be to overthrow Eldarion. Many people speculate he might have been a surviving Nazgul or perhaps another Balrog. He most likely would have been a man.

A fascinating character who is found only in two chapters of Book I, Tom Bombadil is a mysterious being with great power. He calls himself Master, but he is no one else's master. Bombadil is a free spirit who refuses to take hostile action until absolutely compelled to do so. He has no ambition to govern over other creatures or peoples.

In the early 1960s, J.R.R. Tolkien published a collection of poems and notes called The Adventures of Tom Bombadil. Although the poems had been composed through the years independently of Middle-earth, the book added new information to readers' knowledge of Middle-earth.

The last original Middle-earth book that J.R.R. Tolkien published, this collection of songs and poems set to music by Donald Swann was accompanied by a few brief notes. The notes reveal a little more information about the Elves and two characters who appear briefly in The Lord of the Rings: Galadriel, co-ruler of the woodland realm of Lothlorien, and Gildor Inglorion, an Elven lord who meets Frodo in the Shire, helps him, and then sets sail with Elrond, Galadriel, and Frodo at the end of the story.

The first of the three volumes of The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring is structurally divided into two "books" (in the style of classical literature such as Roman histories). The entire work was to be divided into six "books".

Book I tells how Bilbo Baggins, hero of The Hobbit, retires and leaves his home in the Shire -- the land of the Hobbits. Bilbo bequeathes all his wealth and belongings to his adopted son and heir, Frodo Baggins. Among the treasures Bilbo leaves behind is a magic ring that the wizard Gandalf eventually confirms is the long lost One Ring, created by the Dark Lord Sauron thousands of years previously to enslave all the free peoples.

Frodo sets out from the Shire to find Rivendell, an ancient refuge of wise, powerful Elven lords -- led by Bilbo's old friend Elrond Half-elven -- where Gandalf hopes the Ring will be kept safe long enough for its fate to be decided.

Frodo's journey to Rivendell is fraught with peril and he faces death or capture more than once. Along the way he gathers a few trusted companions, including Aragorn -- leader of the Rangers of the North and last Chieftain of the Dunedain of Arnor.

Book II tells how Frodo and the lords and princes who gather at Rivendell by chance decide to take the Ring to Mordor, Sauron's realm, where the Dark Lord made the Ring thousands of years before. Only in the fires of Mount Doom can the Ring be destroyed.

A fellowship of nine members, led by Gandalf and Aragorn, sets out from Rivendell to help Frodo take the Ring to Mordor. Their journey is beset by delays and enemies. Gandalf is lost in the darkness of the long abandoned Dwarf-realm of Khazad-dum, now called Moria (the "black pit" in Elvish). The Fellowship is attacked and dispersed further south, and Frodo abandons his friends to save them. Only his loyal servant Samwise Gamgee accompanies Frodo as he sets out toward Mordor.

Book III opens with the death of Boromir, a prince from the southern realm of Gondor, which sits beside Mordor. Aragorn, the Elf prince Legolas, and the Dwarf-lord Gimli set out in pursuit of Orcs who have captured Frodo's cousins Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took.

Aragorn and his companions follow the Orcs to the place where they made a last stand against the valiant Rohirrim. There the trail fades, but the three adventurers are reunited with Gandalf, who has been resurrected to complete his task of helping Men, Dwarves, and Elves defeat Sauron.

Gandalf leads his companions to Rohan's capitol, where they rejuvenate the waning strength and willpower of King Theoden. Theoden revives in time to lead his people in a desperate battle against the wizard Saruman, who has betrayed the Free Peoples in the hope of taking the Ring for himself.

Only with the help of the Shepherds of the Trees, the ancient Ents, who are roused by Meriadoc and Peregrin to take action against their enemy Saruman, do the Rohirrim prevail. But as the Rohirrim begin to regroup for the final war against Mordor, Peregrin discovers a palantir, a dark crystal ball through which Sauron had communicated with and overwhelmed Saruman.

Alarmed that Sauron may be using the ancient crystals to influence Denethor, Ruling Steward of Gondor, Gandalf takes Peregrin with him on a fast journey to the city of Minas Tirith, chief city of Gondor. Aragorn and the others remain with the Rohirrim, but a troop of Aragorn's Rangers join them.

Book IV follows the journey of Frodo and Sam through the highlands and marshes that lie upon the northern outskirts of Mordor. They are overtaken by Gollum, a dreadful creature who was once a Hobbit, and who had lost the Ring just before Bilbo found it. Frodo captures Gollum and compels him to swear loyalty to Frodo by the Ring.

With Gollum's help, Frodo and Sam reach the northern gates of Mordor but realize too late that the gates are too well guarded. Gollum reluctantly suggests there is a back way in, and the three set out on a journey through eastern Gondor. They are captured by prince Faramir, Boromir's brother.

Charged with defending Gondor's marches, Faramir debates whether to take his captives back to Minas Tirith. But after he learns that Frodo carries the One Ring, and feels its powerful draw upon his will, he releases Frodo to continue his journey. Despite Faramir's warnings, Frodo take Gollum with him. Gollum, incensed by Samwise's distrust, finally betrays Frodo to a giant ancient spider, She-Lob, who stings Frodo and nearly allows Gollum to capture the Ring. Sam preserves the Ring and learns too late that Frodo remains alive.

Book V follows Gandalf and Peregrin to Gondor, where Gandalf tests the will and loyalty of Denethor to the cause of the Free Peoples. For a time, Denethor seems angry but committed to fight to the bitter end. When he learns from Faramir that the One Ring has been sent to Mordor, Denethor questions Gandalf's judgement and reprimands Faramir.

Aragorn takes Legolas, Gimli, and the Rangers and seeks out the Paths of the Dead, a dangerous road between Rohan and Gondor, after looking into the Palantir. He leaves Meriodoc behind with the Rohirrim, and King Theoden in turn orders Meriadoc to stay in Rohan while the Riders of Rohan ride to Gondor's aid. But Meriadoc disobeys Theoden and accepts the aid of a mysterious Rider named Dernhelm, who takes him.

Sauron launches a massive assault upon Gondor and the city of Minas Tirith is besieged. When Faramir seems to be mortally wounded, Denethor falls into despair and abandons his duties. Just as Gandalf is about to lead the city's last defense, the Rohirrim arrive and launch a counter-assault. But even the Riders of Rohan nearly perish before Aragorn arrives with reinforcements drawn from Gondor's coastal lands.

After Denethor's death, Aragorn takes command of Godnor's forces and leads an army of Gondorians and Rohirrim against Mordor. Their intention is only to distract Sauron long enough for Frodo to reach Mount Doom. Reaching the black gates in the north, Aragorn's army sets up a defensive position and awaits the final assault.

Book VI opens with Sam's rescue of Frodo from the Orcs of Mordor. Together, they make their way across Sauron's realm even as his mighty armies rush north to meet Aragorn's little army in battle. Slipping past Sauron's forces, Frodo and Sam struggle up the slopes of Mount Doom. Gollum follows them. After Frodo succumb's to the Ring's demonic will, he claims the Ring for himself. Sauron, realizing his peril, sends the Nazgul to seize Frodo but Gollum takes the Ring from Frodo and, as he rejoices, falls into the fire. The Ring is destroyed and Sauron and the Nazgul are rendered harmless.

Gandalf rescues Frodo and Sam, Aragorn is crowned as king of Gondor, and Elrond brings his daughter Arwen south to marry Aragorn. Because she has chosen to become mortal, Arwen offers Frodo the chance to take her place on the final Elven ship that will carry her father across the Sea to the Uttermost West, the Elf heaven.

Gandalf accompanies the Hobbits back to the north, but leaves them just before they reach the Shire. Coming home alone, they find that the deposed wizard Saruman has seized power and enslaved the Hobbits. Meriadoc and Peregrin launch a rebellion that overthrows Saruman. And just as Frodo mercifully releases Saruman, Saruman's servant Grima murders him.

The Hobbits rebuild the Shire and with Elven gifts Sam has brought home the land is enriched and healed. But Frodo, who had borne the torment of the One Ring for so long, and who had suffered terrible wounds on his quest, can find neither peace nor healing. After two years he sets out with Sam and meets a company of Elves in the woods. The Elves are led by Elrond and the Elven queen Galadriel. They journey together to the havens beyond the Shire, where Gandalf awaits.

Frodo, Bilbo, and Gandalf take ship with the Elves and sail over Sea to find healing and rest. Sam, joined by Meriodoc and Peregrin at the last minute, sadly returns home to the Shire.