frodo's journey to rivendell

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How long was Frodo’s journey in ‘The Lord of the Rings’?

Over the course of three incredible movies, early 2000s audiences were given a glimpse into one of the best fantasy stories ever told.

In the years since their release, the Lord of the Rings films have only grown in popularity. They continue to maintain status as a shining example of everything a film should be, from their actors and direction to their setting, plot, and delivery. Each of the first three films are genuine work of art in the eyes of their fans, successfully carrying three incredible, historic books to a brand-new audience via the big screen.

The story in the trilogy follows an incredible cast of characters, helmed in part by Elijah Wood’s Frodo Baggins. The beloved character is the unassuming hero of the Lord of the Rings trilogy after he successfully carries an impossibly powerful ring from one end of Middle Earth to the next.

Frodo’s journey , alongside his stalwart and endlessly loyal companion Sam Gamgee — played by Sean Astin — takes place over the course of three films. While his journey is captivating throughout, it is technically true to state that, through most of the trilogy’s notably long runtime, all the little Hobbits really do is walk.

Their travels take Frodo and Sam far from their charming homeland, into lands rarely traversed by common folk, and eventually into the desolate land of Mordor. The passage of time is a bit hazy in the films, as is the precise distance of the hardy Hobbits’ journey, leaving many people to wonder how long Frodo and Sam traveled to reach Mount Doom.

How long was Frodo’s journey?

Frodo and Sam’s journey seemingly takes them from one side of the map to the other, and appears to take anywhere from a month to over a year to complete. The nebulous timeline in the films tends to leave viewers confused, as they wonder how long the events they just witnessed took to complete.

Thankfully, J.R.R. Tolkien’s original works are far less ill-defined. In the appendices of the Lord of the Rings books, readers can easily uncover the precise distance between the Shire and Mordor, as well as how long it took Frodo and Sam to make the journey.

Frodo’s departure from Bag End fell on Sep. 23 of TA 3018, just one day after he celebrated his 50th birthday. Within a few days, he and his party — which at this point consisted of Sam, Merry, and Pippin — were headed out of the Shire and into the wide world.

It takes the group around a month to reach Rivendell, where they meet up with Gandalf and participate in the Council of Elrond’s discussion of the ring. They remain in the city for several months — between late October and late December — before departing as the Fellowship of the Ring, several members stronger.

The Fellowship passed through the Mines of Moria a month later, in mid-January, and reached the Elven city of Lothlórien by mid-February. Frodo and Sam officially part ways with the Fellowship ten days later, as February comes to a close, and start their solo journey. From there, it takes them just over one month more to travel the remaining distance and reach Mount Doom. By the time March 25 of TA 3019 comes to a close, Sauron has been defeated and Middle Earth is free once more.

In total, the journey takes just over six months.

Why is this Lord of the Rings timeline surprising?

The startlingly short timespan — particularly once you cut out the two-month stint in Rivendell — is shocking to many viewers. The story in Lord of the Rings feels like it takes place over years, rather than months, and this feeling is only intensified by the films, which were released over a span of three years. Tolkien’s timeline is clear, however, and definitively states that Frodo and Sam technically only journey alone for a single month. They also don’t spend the entire six months walking, but rather about half of that, between several stops and layovers along the way.

The Lord of the Rings films never directly address the time that passes between the story’s start and its end, but it does nod to Tolkien’s established timeline in the final moments of Return of the King . As he’s penning his additions to Bilbo’s “There and Back Again,” Frodo notes that “it’s been four years to the day since Weathertop.”

This clearly places the story at four years since the Hobbits and Aragorn faced the Nazgûl atop Weathertop Hill. This indicates that, from start to finish, the movies take place over slightly more than four years in total.

What is the timeline in The Lord of the Rings book?

In the book, the timeline is slightly different. Frodo still feels the same pain — a token of his confrontation with the Witch King of Angmar — on the annual anniversary of the Weathertop battle, but it is noted over the passage of several years. In 3021, almost exactly three years to the day following his fateful departure from the Shire, Frodo boards a ship headed to the Undying Lands. He departs Middle Earth forever, leaving his friends — and hopefully some of his pain — behind.

In total, Frodo’s journey — from inheriting the ring to destroying it — takes right around 17 years. Things take quite a bit more time in Tolkien’s original version, but we can see how some of the time in between — particularly the years between Bilbo’s birthday and Frodo’s eventual journey — might be boring in film form.

How far was Frodo’s journey?

Though now we know how long it took, what about how far Frodo and Sam traveled in the course of their six-month journey?

According to TheOneRing.net , Frodo traverses approximately 1,800 miles throughout his journey. This is nearly twice the distance traveled by his uncle, who traveled a total of 950 miles on his quest to the Lonely Mountain. A breakdown indicates that Frodo and Sam traveled around 9.73 miles per day, but that doesn’t consider the long breaks in Rivendell and Lothlórien. With those in mind, it’s likely Frodo and Sam were forced to cover quite a bit more distance when they were up on their feet, covering close to 20 miles a day for weeks on end.

If you break it down all the way, this likely means that Frodo and Sam were physically walking — or at least traveling — approximately 20 miles a day for three full months, off and on. That is some serious cardio, particularly for a once-contented 50-year-old Hobbit and his portly, 38-year-old former gardener.

• Elf friends
• Fellowship members
• Major characters (The Lord of the Rings)
• The Lord of the Rings characters
• The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey characters
• Bearers of the One Ring
• The Fellowship of the Ring (film) characters
• The Two Towers (film) characters
• The Return of the King (film) characters
• Português do Brasil

Frodo Baggins

Frodo Baggins , son of Drogo Baggins , was a hobbit of the Shire in the late Third Age . He is commonly considered Tolkien 's most renowned character for his leading role in the Quest of the Ring , in which he bore the One Ring to Mount Doom , where it was destroyed. He was a Ring-bearer , best friend to his gardener, Samwise Gamgee , and was one of three hobbits who sailed from Middle-earth to the Uttermost West at the end of the Third Age .

• 1.1 Childhood
• 1.2.1 To Bree
• 1.2.2 Strider
• 1.2.3 Weathertop
• 1.3.1 Council of Elrond
• 1.3.2 Moria
• 1.3.3 Lothlórien
• 1.3.4 The Breaking of the Fellowship
• 1.3.5 Emyn Muil
• 1.3.6 The Dead Marshes
• 1.3.7 Ithilien
• 1.3.8 Minas Morgul and Shelob's Lair
• 1.3.9 Cirith Ungol
• 1.3.10 Mordor and Mount Doom
• 1.4.1 The Scouring of the Shire
• 1.5 Close of the Third Age
• 1.6 Fourth Age
• 2 Characteristics
• 4 In other versions
• 5.1 Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings
• 5.2 Rankin/Bass
• 5.3 The Lord of the Rings film trilogy
• 5.4 Video games
• 5.6 Parodies
• 5.7 Voice dubbing actors
• 9 Translations
• 10 References

Much of Frodo's youth was spent at Brandy Hall in Buckland , the ancestral home of the Brandybuck family, including his mother ( Primula Brandybuck ). Frodo was known as something of a rascal, befriending Meriadoc (Merry) Brandybuck and Peregrin (Pippin) Took and causing trouble wherever they went. They would often steal mushrooms from Farmer Maggot 's farm Bamfurlong . [1]

Frodo Baggins as seen by Matthew Stewart

In TA 2980 , when Frodo was only 12 years old, his parents drowned in a boating accident on the Brandywine River . An only child, Frodo stayed in Brandy Hall until his 99-year-old "uncle" Bilbo , his father's second cousin, adopted him in TA 2989 . Bilbo took Frodo to live with him in his home at Bag End and made him his heir. [2]

The two grew very close in the following years; Frodo, treated by his adopted guardian as he were his own son, learned much of the Elvish language during his time with Bilbo, as well as much of the lore of Middle-earth. They also had a weekly tradition of taking long walking trips together from Hobbiton to Michel Delving and Buckland; all throughout the Shire. The two shared the same birthday, September 22 by Shire Reckoning (around September 12–14 of our calendar), and a party of special magnificence was held when Frodo came of age of thirty-three and Bilbo achieved the notable age of 111.

Bilbo gave a memorable birthday speech before playing a joke on his fellow hobbits by using the One Ring to disappear, at which Gandalf quickly reacted and used his staff to create a blinding flash where Bilbo had been standing. The hobbits at the party were left confused and disgruntled, and Bilbo was never again seen in the Shire.

Frodo with Bilbo during his 111th birthday

Before departing for his journey to Rivendell , Bilbo was persuaded by Gandalf to voluntarily surrender the One Ring. Bilbo left it on the fireplace mantel with a note for Frodo, who would now become the next Ring-bearer.

"The Inheritance", by Raoul Vitale

Coming of age & flight from the Shire

After the party finished, Frodo returned home and discovered that he was now the master of Bag End and the recipient of Bilbo's magic Ring. Gandalf, ever more curious about the Ring's origin, power, and purpose (but not yet positive it was the One Ring), advised the young hobbit against the using the Ring. For the next seventeen years, Frodo complied with the wizard 's request and hid the Ring in a safe place. However, on April 12 , 3018 , Gandalf returned to Bag End and warned Frodo that the Ring was actually the One Ring, which the Dark Lord Sauron needed to rule over Middle-earth. Realizing that Sauron would be looking for the Ring, Gandalf advised the Hobbit to secretly follow Bilbo's journey to Rivendell.

After Frodo's discussion with Gandalf, a rumor started that he was running out of money. This rumor, though not begun by Frodo, was encouraged by him. Merry helped Frodo to purchase a small house at Crickhollow . With the exception of his gardener Sam Gamgee , who had agreed to accompany him to Rivendell, Frodo told the other Hobbits of the Shire that he intended to move to Buckland . He sold his home to the Sackville-Bagginses , and, on the September 23 , 3018, the day after his fiftieth birthday, Frodo left from Bag End, taking with him Sam and Pippin. They left in the early morning for Bree , and just in time, as Sauron's most powerful servants, the nine Nazgûl , had entered the Shire dressed as Black Riders searching for a hobbit with the name of Baggins.

Frodo was nearly captured by a Black Rider on the road, but was saved by Gildor Inglorion , whom he asked for advice. Leaving the roads to cut across country, Frodo and Sam reached Farmer Maggot's farm, who helped them to evade the Riders. Meeting Merry at Bucklebury Ferry , they saw a Rider tracking them from the bank they'd departed from. On arrival at Crickhollow, Frodo found that Merry and Pippin already knew about his "secret" journey. Frodo was left with no alternative but to bring the two youngsters with him. They cut through the Old Forest and the Barrow-downs in hopes of losing the Black Riders, which did succeed. They met other troubles in those places though, at the hands of Old Man Willow and the Barrow-wights , but were rescued twice by Tom Bombadil , a mysterious being who dwelt in a glade in the middle of the Old Forest.

Frodo meeting Strider at The Prancing Pony

In Bree, the hobbits stayed at The Prancing Pony , an old inn. Frodo went by the name of Mr Underhill , attempting to raise as little suspicion as possible. When he noticed a mysteriously cloaked Man sitting in the shadows and smoking a long-stemmed pipe, Frodo asked the innkeeper, Barliman Butterbur , who the man was. The innkeeper referred to the man, a Ranger , as Strider .

That night, Black Riders arrived in Bree and attacked the inn in search of Frodo and the One Ring, but Strider had managed to hide the Hobbits from them in time. Having gained their trust, Strider introduced himself as Aragorn to Frodo and the others, to whom he also revealed the backstory of the black riders, also called Nazgûl or Ringwraiths. With a pony named Bill that the Hobbits had acquired at Bree, Strider led Frodo and his companions into the Wild. Aragorn would be their guide to Rivendell, and he would lead them through the Midgewater Marshes and to the hill of Weathertop .

On the night of October the sixth, the Hobbits were attacked by five of the nine Ringwraiths at Weathertop. In the presence of the Nazgûl, Frodo made the mistake of putting on the Ring. He was able to resist their attempt to take him by drawing his sword and invoking the name of one of the Valar , Elbereth Gilthoniel . Unfortunately, the leader of the Nazgûl, the Witch-king of Angmar , stabbed Frodo in the shoulder (he would have stabbed his heart) with a Morgul-knife . If it had caught him in the heart, Frodo would have become like the Nazgûl, only weaker and under their control. The Ringwraiths were driven away by the appearance of Aragorn and his martial skill; also because he had torches, one of their few weaknesses.

Though Aragorn was a skilled healer, he could not heal Frodo's wound. A fragment of the Ringwraith's blade remained in Frodo's flesh, where it continued to move towards his heart. Near death (or worse), Frodo was rescued by Glorfindel , an Elf-lord, who put the injured Hobbit upon his horse Asfaloth . They were found and pursued by the Nazgûl, as Glorfindel rode and bore Frodo swiftly to the Ford of Bruinen , at the entrance to the valley of Rivendell . Once they had crossed the River Bruinen , the Nine Ringwraiths behind them demanded Frodo give up the Ring, but Frodo refused. Subsequently, the Ringwraiths entered the river and were washed away in a flood called up by Elrond .

The Hobbits reuniting in Rivendell

Frodo was soon healed in Rivendell by Elrond, who knew the wound would not ultimately leave him, as it was both spiritual and physical. On the 24th of October 3018, Frodo awoke in Rivendell and was reunited with Bilbo, Gandalf, Aragorn, Sam, Merry, and Pippin. Although Elrond had healed his wound, it continued to ail him yearly for as long as he lived in Middle-earth .

Quest of the Ring

Council of elrond.

Frodo placing the One Ring before the Council of Elrond

After his healing, Frodo was summoned to a great Council that Elrond had organized. Representatives of all the Free Peoples of Middle-earth discussed the history of the Rings of Power and decided that the One Ring must be destroyed. As the Ring was shown and tempers flared, argument broke out as to who should carry the Ring on this mission , until Frodo bravely volunteered to take the Ring to Mordor and cast it into the fires of Mount Doom . A member of each of the Free Peoples offered to join Frodo in his quest, thus forming the Fellowship of the Ring .

The Fellowship consisted of Frodo, Samwise, Merry, Pippin, Aragorn, Gandalf, Boromir of Gondor , Legolas of the Woodland Realm , and Gimli of the Lonely Mountain . Before leaving Rivendell , Bilbo gave Frodo his dwarf-made coat of mithril mail and his elven blade Sting . The mithril coat had been given to Bilbo by Thorin Oakenshield during the events of The Hobbit , and Sting had been taken by Bilbo from a troll den . On December 25 , the Fellowship of the Ring departed from Rivendell and headed south.

The Hobbits of the Fellowship of the Ring prepare to battle goblins in Moria

After an attack by White Wolves in Eregion , on January 11 , 3019 , the Fellowship attempted to cross the Misty Mountains (specifically the Pass of Caradhras ), but were unable to due to a snowstorm. They instead traveled through the underground city of Moria at the urging of Gimli.

Some days in into their dangerous trek through Moria, the Fellowship entered the Chamber of Mazarbul , and was attacked by Orcs and a cave-troll . Frodo helped to defeat the troll before he was stabbed by an Orc captain, his mithril-shirt saving him from a deadly blow. The Fellowship then ran from there to the Bridge of Khazad-dum , at which Gandalf dueled Durin's Bane and fell. Once outside Moria, while the Fellowship was grieving, Gimli took Frodo and Sam to look upon the Mirrormere , even in their great hurry.

Galadriel and Frodo

Deeply grieved by their loss, the Fellowship journeyed to the Elven kingdom of Lothlórien , where they met the Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn . Galadriel showed Frodo a vision of the future in her Mirror . Frodo offered her the One Ring, but she resisted the temptation to take it, passing the test that was laid before her, and accepting the diminishing of the power of the Elves. Before the Fellowship departed from Lothlórien, Galadriel gave each member a gift. To Frodo, she gave a phial with the light of the star Eärendil captured inside; this gift would prove hugely important later on in the quest. They were also provided with elven way-bread , other supplies, and boats for their voyage down the Anduin River.

The Breaking of the Fellowship

Frodo puts on the One Ring to hide from Boromir, near Amon Hen

The Fellowship continued their journey south to Parth Galen . There, Boromir, a Man of Gondor and a member of the Fellowship, attempted to convince Frodo to bring the Ring to Minas Tirith and regroup from there. When the hobbit asked for an hour alone to consider his options, Boromir followed him. Seeing that Frodo did not intend to take the suggested course of action, Boromir tried to take the Ring from him by force.

Frodo put on the Ring and escaped to the Seat of Seeing , where he watched as war brewed across Middle-earth and the Eye of Sauron searching for him as he traveled. He was nearly spotted, but the Dark Lord's attention was drawn away by a resurrected Gandalf.

Taking off the Ring, he decided to take the item to Mordor alone, without telling the other members of the Fellowship. However, he was joined by his friend Samwise Gamgee, who felt it was necessary that he should protect and guide Frodo. Frodo gave in to Sam's protests, and although reluctant to lead anyone else to his fate, was glad to have Sam's company.

The two hobbits continued toward Mordor, dividing the Fellowship. Meanwhile, Boromir was killed by Uruk-archers while defending Merry and Pippin; the two young hobbits were then captured by Uruk-hai , and were to be taken to Isengard . Instead of following Samwise and Frodo to Mordor, the Three Hunters, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli, decided it more important to rescue Merry and Pippin from their captors. The breaking of the Fellowship was now complete.

Frodo and Sam journey towards Mordor

After leaving what remained of the Fellowship at Amon Hen , Frodo and Sam tried to navigate through the winding paths and razor sharp rocks of the Emyn Muil . After getting lost several times, they were found by Gollum , who at first tried to take the One Ring, but was captured by Sam (with Frodo's help) and tied up with the Elven rope. Frodo, now pitying the creature, decided not to slay Gollum, but forced him to swear an oath of servitude to the master of the precious. Gollum then led them out of the maze and into the Dead Marshes .

The Dead Marshes

Frodo amid the Marshes

The Dead Marshes lay to the south of Emyn Muil, and were just as disorienting, if not more so. There was thought to be no route through the marshes, as Orcs marched for miles around, although Gollum had secretly discovered a path when traveling. He led Frodo and Sam on a safe pathway through the marshes, warning them not to follow what seemed like small torches in the water.

Soon after Frodo, Samwise, and Gollum entered the Dead Marshes, a Nazgûl flew over them on a Fellbeast , looking for the Ring. Gollum had led the two hobbits to a safe place that they could hide in.

Gollum led the two Hobbits to the Black Gate of Mordor , as Frodo had desired, but stopped the Hobbits from passing its doors, as the danger was too great. He then explained about a secret way into Mordor, 'Up the stairs and through the tunnel'. The Hobbits once again found themselves being led by Gollum. After venturing into Ithilien , and witnessing a skirmish between a company of Haradrim warriors (along with Oliphaunts ) and Rangers from Gondor, they were apprehended by the Ranger's captain, Faramir . When the skirmish had ended, Faramir blindfolded the ring-bearer and his companions and led them to Henneth Annûn , the Window on the West. Upon much interrogation, Sam foolishly misspoke, and gave away that Frodo was indeed carrying the One Ring. Realizing the importance of the quest, Faramir proved his quality, unlike his brother, Boromir, and let the Ring-bearer go free, resupplying the hobbits with food for their journey. Later, Gollum was captured in the Forbidden Pool and forcibly taken into the hidden lair. Frodo begged for his safety, and he was not killed, although the rift between master and servant had once again begun to open.

Frodo, weary, with Sam and Gollum on the Stairs of Cirith Ungol , by Stephen Hickman

Minas Morgul and Shelob's Lair

Gollum led the hobbits past the lair of the Witch-king of Angmar , Minas Morgul , and up the Stairs of Cirith Ungol into 'The Tunnel'. When they arrived at the top though, they were abandoned by Gollum. They cautiously traveled through the tunnel, and managed to get to the end only to find their way barred by Shelob 's great web. Whilst attempting to cut through the webbing, Frodo bravely stood up to Shelob and forced her back further into the tunnels giving him and Sam time enough to hack through the threads and escape. Upon escaping the tunnels, Frodo thought himself safe; however, Shelob, through one of her many tunnels, managed to sneak out and jab him with her stinger. As he was being encased in Shelob's webbing, Sam was able to draw her into single combat wherein he, using Sting and the Phial of Galadriel , was able to mortally wound her and drive her back into her caves. Sam took the Ring from around Frodo's neck upon hearing Orcish voices, and hid behind some nearby rocks. He overheard the Orcs speaking of Frodo, and Sam realized that his master was not dead, but merely paralyzed. Frodo was then taken to the Tower of Cirith Ungol to await further torture and questioning.

Frodo prior to being poisoned by Shelob

Cirith Ungol

Frodo was imprisoned on the highest floor of the Tower. He was stripped of all his clothes and possessions. Fighting broke out amongst the two lead Orcs and their battalions from squabbling over claim of the mithril vest - in this violence almost all Orcs and Uruks in the tower died. Sam soon arrived at the gate of the Tower, only to find his way blocked by the Two Watchers ; he eventually overcame them, entered the tower, finding and rescuing his master. They descended and fled the tower, having to pass the Watchers again (this time, destroying them), and entered Mordor.

Mordor and Mount Doom

Frodo and Sam crawled onward through the plains of Mordor, which lay vacant as many hosts of Orcs were sent to the Black Gate to meet the Men of the West's army, and, after falling in and out of one such company of Orcs, started to climb Mount Doom . They journeyed on for days with little food or water, and Frodo became progressively weaker as the Ring's power over him grew the closer they drew to Orodruin. Frodo was eventually unable to go on, and Sam was forced to carry him a fair distance. It was then that Gollum reappeared, and, after a brief struggle, Sam cut Gollum in the stomach while Frodo fled up the mountain to its entrance.

Frodo missing a finger

Inside the Cracks of Doom , Frodo finally had the chance to destroy the Ring and relieve his burden, but the Ring's power was at its strongest due to the surrounding of where it had been created. Frodo finally yielded to the temptation and power of the Ring. Sam yelled for Frodo to destroy it, but Frodo, overcome by its power, claimed the Ring for himself aloud. Gollum attacked Sam, who fell and hit his head on a rock, temporarily knocking him unconscious. When he came to, he saw Gollum fighting with an invisible Frodo. Gollum bit off Frodo's finger that wore the Ring, and was reunited with his treasure for a short time, until, dancing with joy, he toppled off the brink and fell into the lava, destroying himself and the One Ring .

Sam and Frodo after the completion of their quest

The two hobbits tried to escape as Mount Doom erupted. In the very moment that they believed themselves doomed, Gwaihir the Lord of Eagles saw them, and, with his Eagle companions Landroval and Meneldor , rescued Sam and Frodo, and flew them westward, out of Mordor to safety.

End of the War

The scouring of the shire.

After recovering at the Field of Cormallen and witnessing the crowning of Aragorn as King Elessar, Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin all returned to the Shire. Arriving, they found it under the control of one Sharkey (later revealed to be Saruman) and his forces. Saruman was ruling the Shire from Bag End , although he was later murdered by Gríma Wormtongue . Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin, however, started to gather all Shirriffs and townsfolk of the Shire, and they successfully defeated of Saruman's Ruffians at the Battle of Bywater .

Frodo was not directly involved in the fighting at the Battle of Bywater; instead, he made sure that no hobbits were harmed (saying that no Hobbit had ever intentionally harmed another in the Shire, and that this would stay true), and also that any Ruffians that surrendered were not harmed.

Close of the Third Age

Following the Scouring of the Shire and end of the War of the Ring in November , Frodo went on to serve as Deputy Mayor of the Shire. During his brief tenure of six months, he helped lead the rebuilding of the Shire, but soon realized that he still bore the wounds of his quest. On May 1 st, TA 3020 , Frodo attended the wedding of his best friend Sam and his wife Rosie Cotton and they moved in with him at Bag End. On mid-years day later that year, Frodo retired from his post as Deputy Mayor, letting the office revert to Will Whitfoot , who Frodo held place for as he recovered from his wounds and imprisonment by Saruman.

During his last days in middle-earth, he tried to live as peacefully as possible. Frodo was still troubled by his shoulder wound, which pained him on each anniversary of the attack at Weathertop, in addition to falling sick on each anniversary of being stung by Shelob. As such, October 6 th of that year, he would suffer from his wounds again. March 13 th, TA 3021 brought similar ailments, Frodo being ill from his stinging. While living with Sam and Rosie he would witness the birth of their oldest daughter Elanor twelve days later. Prior to departing Middle-earth, he also wrote his own story "The Lord of the Rings" along with Bilbo's "There and Back Again" in the Red Book of Westmarch .

On September 22 , TA 3021 (Third Age), at the age of 53, Frodo joined Bilbo , Gandalf , Elrond , and Galadriel aboard the White Ship at the Grey Havens . He was allowed passage across the sea to the Undying Lands , as he was a Ring-bearer, with the hope of healing the damage to his spirit that bearing the Ring had caused. [3]

During the Fourth Age , Frodo spent his last days on Tol Eressëa in "a period of reflection and peace", attempting to understand his place in Arda, having been given the opportunity as he healed from the trauma afflicted upon him due to his quest during the War of the Ring. [3]

In the year FA 61 , fellow Ring-bearer Samwise Gamgee , sailed to the Undying Lands, possibly reuniting with Frodo before he passed away.

Characteristics

Frodo, as described by Gandalf, was "taller than some and fairer than most," with "a cleft in his chin: perky chap with a bright eye." [4] He had thick, curly brown hair like most other hobbits, and had lighter-than-usual skin due to his Fallohide ancestry through his Brandybuck mother. He could be described as fairly good looking for a hobbit. Frodo is described as appearing thirty-three, even when he is fifty, due to the influence of the Ring. Bilbo and Frodo shared a common birthday on September 22, but Bilbo was 78 years Frodo's senior. At the opening of The Fellowship of the Ring , Frodo and Bilbo were celebrating their thirty-third and eleventy-first (111th) birthdays, respectively.

Frodo, like Bilbo, was considered by many others in Hobbiton to be a little odd. His curiosity of the outside world, fascination with Elves and faraway places (like those to which Bilbo traveled in The Hobbit ) did not fit the general content personality of most Hobbits. This curiosity was also attributed to his Took ancestry. He was very kind and compassionate, pitying Gollum and allowing him to guide him and Sam to Mordor despite Sam's distrust of the creature. This act of kindness later proved to be a factor in the quest's success in destroying the Ring.

Frodo was dressed in typical Hobbit-fashion when he left the Shire: knee breeches, shirt, waistcoat, jacket, and cloak. Colors such as bright green and yellow were typical for Shire-folk. He was unarmed, save for a pocketknife.

When his little group was waylaid by Barrow-wights , he lost his summer-weight clothing and was wearing a burial shrift when rescued by Tom Bombadil . When their pack-ponies returned, he was forced to put on heavier woollen clothing intended for colder weather. The Hobbits found several long Dúnedain daggers in the wight's treasure. These served as short-swords for the Hobbits, but Frodo's was broken when he resisted the Witch-king at Weathertop. At Imladris, he removed his Hobbit clothing upon finding new Elven clothes that fitted him perfectly. Therefore, throughout his quest, he wore a green silk tunic, trousers together with cloaks made of fur for the first stages of the quest, and then towards Mordor he shed them to wear his tunic and trousers in the warmer weather. Later, his uncle Bilbo gave him both Sting, a magic Elven dagger, and a coat of mithril chain mail. The mail saved his life twice, first when it deflected a spear-point in the Mines of Moria, and second when it turned aside the dagger that Saruman used to try and kill him.

As with the other members of the Fellowship of the Ring, Frodo received a special cloak from Galadriel in Lórien, which allowed him to blend in with natural surroundings. Upon being betrayed by Gollum and captured by Orcs at Cirith Ungol, Frodo lost all of his clothing and most of his possessions. Sam Gamgee saved Sting, however. After the two tribes of Orcs had slain each other in the tower of Cirith Ungol, Frodo dressed himself in Orc-garb. This successfully fooled the Mordor-Orcs they encountered, but he dropped the Orc mail and helmet as he and Sam approached Mount Doom.

In other versions

When J.R.R. Tolkien first conceived of the character, he christened him Bingo Bolger-Baggins ; for he thought that Lord of the Rings was going to be a children's book, but then soon decided that it was far too 'silly' of a name for The Lord of the Rings, which was an increasingly more serious topic.

In adaptations

Frodo Baggins (1978)

Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings

Christopher Guard voiced Frodo in Ralph Bakshi 's 1978 The Lord of the Rings film , with Sharon Baird doing the modeling.

Rankin/Bass

Frodo Baggins (1980)

Orson Bean voiced Frodo in the Rankin/Bass The Return of the King film, the same actor who portrayed Bilbo in The Hobbit and in The Return of the King .

The Lord of the Rings film trilogy

Frodo is portrayed in The Lord of the Rings trilogy by Elijah Wood . There are several differences between Peter Jackson's film trilogy and the original story . In the movies, Frodo seems to have owned the Ring for only a few days or perhaps a few months before Gandalf returned, as opposed to the seventeen years of the book. Frodo never sells Bag End, but sets out early next morning with Sam. Merry and Pippin run into the pair at the farm of Farmer Maggot and are pulled into the journey. The Hobbits are pursued by the Black Riders all the way to Bucklebury Ferry on the borders of Buckland. There the Black Riders are forced to ride to the Brandywine Bridge while the Hobbits make for Bree. The movies remove several parts of the journey as well. These include their encounters with the High Elves, Farmer Maggot, and Tom Bombadil, as well as their visit to Buckland, the Old Forest, and the Barrow-downs.

Arwen , Elrond 's daughter, leads Frodo to Rivendell instead of Glorfindel . The Cave-troll inflicts the wound on Frodo in Moria, instead of the Orc captain. In the novel, Faramir declared right from the first that he wanted no part of the One Ring , but in the film Faramir at first follows what he believes is his duty to bring the Ring back to Minas Tirith . But while travelling with Frodo, Sam, and Gollum through the city of Osgiliath , the city is attacked by a Nazgûl and the forces of Mordor , and Faramir realizes he should not take the Ring after he sees the effect it has on Frodo.

Frodo receiving Sting from Bilbo in LEGO The Lord of the Rings

Video games

Frodo in The Lord of the Rings Online

Frodo appears in many video games:

• J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Volume 1 (1994) SNES by Interplay. The main playable character.
• The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2002) by WXP and Sierra (voiced by Steve Staley, playable)
• The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) by Stormfront Studios and Electronic Arts (voiced by Elijah Wood)
• The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) by EA Redwood Shores and EA (voiced by Elijah Wood, playable)
• The Lord of the Rings: War in the North (2011) by Snowblind Studios and Warner Bros. Interactive (cameo appearance)
• LEGO The Lord of the Rings: The Video Game
• Frodo is a primary character in EA 's The Battle for Middle-earth (2004), and in The Battle for Middle-earth II (2005), he can only be temporarily summoned with the Summon Hobbits power, available to factions of good in Skirmish mode.
• In The Lord of the Rings Online , (2007), Frodo is first met in Rivendell, preparing for departure. Later, he is found on Cerin Amroth in Lothlórien, weary from the loss of Gandalf . From Amon Hen onwards, player experiences Frodo's journey in a series of Session Plays, alternatively playing as either Frodo, Sam or Gollum . The player meets Frodo again at the Field of Cormallen , he later gives a speech to Aragorn and Arwen. A Hobbit actor portrays Frodo Baggins in a Hobbit-made theater play "The Disappearance of Mad Baggins". Notably, the player is not told about Frodo's mission for a very long time, with Elrond, Gandalf, Aragorn and others only saying that it is "of great importance".
• Oliver Burt voiced the character in the 1956 BBC Radio radio adaptation of The Lord of the Rings .
• James Arrington voiced the character in the 1979 The Mind's Eye radio adaptation of The Lord of the Rings .
• Ian Holm (who later portrayed Bilbo in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy ) voiced the character in the 1981 BBC Radio serial of The Lord of the Rings .
• Nigel Planer voiced the character in Tales from the Perilous Realm (1992 radio series).
• Matthias Haase voiced the character in the 1991-1992 German radio serial adaptation of The Lord of the Rings . [5]
• Dušan Cinkota voiced the character in the 2001 first season and Ľuboš Kostelný in the 2002 second season and 2003 third season of the 2001-2003 three-season Slovak radio serial adaptation of The Lord of the Rings . [6]

Frodo was portrayed by Lauren Lopez in a parody of The Lord of the Rings by the group Team Starkid.

Elijah Wood reprised his role in an AT&T streaming app commercial, wherein, shortly after a request was made to see The Lord of the Rings , Frodo requests the streaming app to play his music from the Shire playlist. As with the other people in the ad, only his mouth is actually seen. [7]

Voice dubbing actors

Appearances.

• The Lord of the Rings
• The Fellowship of the Ring - First appearance
• The Two Towers
• The Return of the King
• Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age
• The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)
• The Return of the King (1980 film)
• The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
• The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
• The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
• The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
• There is a deleted scene in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers of Faramir envisioning Frodo becoming a creature like Gollum .
• Frodo has the most mentions of any character throughout the entire The Lord of the Rings trilogy, with 2028 mentions.
• Before Elijah Wood was chosen to play Frodo, he would originally have been played by Jake Gyllenhaal.
• There is another street named after him in West Jordan , Utah, next to another street named after Frodo's uncle .
• He has been determined by some fans to be a member of the INFP personality type. [8]

Translations

• ↑ The Lord of the Rings , The Fellowship of the Ring , Book One, Ch. IV: " A Short Cut to Mushrooms "
• ↑ The Lord of the Rings , The Fellowship of the Ring , Book One, Ch. I: " A Long-expected Party "
• ↑ 3.0 3.1 The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien , Letter 246 , "a gaining of a truer understanding of his position..."
• ↑ The Lord of the Rings , The Fellowship of the Ring , Chapter X: " Strider "
• ↑ Der Herr der Ringe (hörspiel). (German: " The Lord of the Rings (radio play)". Ardapedia.org (German-language wiki of Tolkien's Legendarium). Retrieved/cited 30 May 2021.
• ↑ Pán prsteňov . (Slovak: " The Lord of the Rings ) Slovak 2001-2003 radio play. Tolkien Gateway.net (English-language wiki of Tolkien's Legendarium). Retrieved/cited 30 May 2021.
• ↑ https://youtu.be/YB1PJt6d0jI
• ↑ https://www.personalityclub.com/blog/lord-of-the-rings-personality-chart/
• Lord of the Rings
• 3 Aragorn II

The Lord Of The Rings: How Long Did It Take For Frodo To Destroy The One Ring?

"The Lord of the Rings" is an epic tale and one that can feel really long. It doesn't matter if you're sitting down to watch a dozen hours of Peter Jackson's iconic trilogy or prepping to commit a much longer run to reading J.R.R. Tolkien's books. Either way, it's a long story to take in. But how long does it take, you know, in the story ? How long is Frodo on his perilous quest that stretches hundreds of miles across various Middle-earth perils? The quick answer? Less than a year. Closer to half a year, in fact.

That's right. Frodo gets the One Ring from one corner of Middle-earth to the other — and mostly on foot — in just six months and two days. While the timeline is a bit warped in Peter Jackson's adaptation, Tolkien makes most of the important dates very clear as he goes along. He even lists out most of these moments in a timeline in the appendices of "The Return of the King."

According to those records, Frodo starts on his journey on September 23 in the 3018th year of the Third Age . He reaches the Cracks of Doom and (indirectly) destroys the One Ring on March 25 of the following year — a date that subsequently becomes New Year's Day in Gondor. The total number of days traveled? 185, which translates to six months and two days.

Frodo doesn't even travel the whole time

Considering the number of events that happen along the way, half a year seems like lightning speed for Frodo to complete his quest. Fan site LOTR Project also estimates that Frodo travels around 1,800 miles to complete his journey, which is a seriously long stretch, averaging nearly 10 miles per day.

The even crazier thing is that the ring-bearer isn't on the move that entire time. After the first part of his journey, he reaches Rivendell, where he spends a long time recuperating. Frodo escapes from the Black Riders on the doorstep of the Last Homely House on October 20, less than a month after leaving home. After that, Frodo doesn't resume the journey until he sets out with the Fellowship of the Ring on December 25. That means he spends over two months resting. He also spends roughly a month in Lothlórien.

However, these delays are offset by a couple of speedier travel options that help Frodo along the way. The first is that when they leave the Shire, Frodo and his Halfling companions initially ride on ponies, which helps to speed things up for a bit. The second speedy travel element takes place when they leave Lothlórien and sail down the Great River Anduin for several days by boat.

It technically takes Frodo much longer than six months

If the question is phrased, "How long did it take Frodo to complete his journey from the Shire to Mount Doom," the correct answer is six months and two days. However, technically speaking, it takes Frodo nearly two decades to complete the quest if you consider the entire time that he has the One Ring in his possession.

Once again, this isn't made clear in Jackson's films. However, in the source material, when Frodo first receives the Ring, it's on his 33rd birthday. It isn't until his 50th birthday , 17 years later, that he sets out on his quest. (Yes, J.R.R. Tolkien loved working birthdays into his Hobbit storylines.) This means it takes him 17 years, six months, and two days to destroy the Ring.

But wait, you say, he doesn't know he had to destroy the Ring for a lot of that time. It isn't until Gandalf shows up again and tells him what it is that he realizes he needs to destroy it. Okay, then. "The Return of the King" appendices say Gandalf arrives at Bag End on April 12, 3018. The following morning, he tells Frodo what he has, and the two decide Frodo will, at the least, take it to Rivendell. He doesn't leave right away, though, sitting tight until his birthday in September before he finally gets a move on.

From the day he finds out about the Ring until the day it is destroyed, 347 days elapse, or 11 months, one week, and six days. Whether he accomplishes his quest in half a year, most of a year, or 17 and a half years, though, it doesn't change the fact that Frodo remains one of the greatest heroes ever penned.

Screen Rant

When the lord of the rings takes place in middle-earth's timeline.

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How To Watch The Lord Of The Rings Movies In Order (Chronologically & By Release Date)

How each character's story ends in the lord of the rings books, russell crowe reveals the noble reason he turned down lord of the rings after calling peter jackson.

• Frodo's story in The Lord of the Rings is just a small part of Tolkien's vast Middle-earth timeline spanning thousands of years.
• Among other events, the primary timeline starts with the First Age when Elves first woke up in Middle-earth, thousands of years before Frodo's journey.
• Calculating Tolkien's timeline is complex due to various ages, Valian years, and solar years, making it challenging to pinpoint exact durations.

Tolkien's Middle-earth timeline extends far beyond The Lord of the Rings , with Frodo's story only taking up a small portion of a much larger picture. Some of the earliest of Tolkien's stories occurred during the First Age when the Elves first woke up in Middle-earth several thousand years before Frodo inherited the One Ring. Still, even this isn't as far back as this fictional history goes, as several events took place before the First Age. The way Tolkien measured all of this was highly complicated , and given the sheer number of years Tolkien's work spans, it can quickly become confusing.

A quick summary of Tolkien's Middle-earth timeline would start with the god Eru Ilúvatar's creation of the Timeless Halls and the Ainur (Valar and Maiar), followed by his creation of Arda, or the world. From here began the Years of the Valar, which saw the Valar's first war with their fellow, Melkor, and the destruction of Two Lamps that gave light to the realm. This began the Years of the Trees (referring to the Two Trees of Valinor) and the First Age, the period in which Elves, Men, and Dwarves woke up in Middle-earth.

The Hobbit explores a time period before the Lord of the Rings, meaning Peter Jackson’s movies can be watched in more than one viewing order.

The Lord Of The Rings Is Set Over 11,000 Years Since The First Age Began

The First Age of Middle-earth spanned approximately 4,902 years (though this is debated) and was when all the chaos involving Morgoth's war with the Elves and Men and the Silmarils took place. Then came the Second Age, which is when The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is set. This period lasted 3,441 years, ending with Sauron's first defeat and Isildur's claim of the One Ring. The Third Age of Middle-earth sees Isildur betrayed by the One Ring, and Gollum lays claim to it on his birthday. This is also the age in which Bilbo Baggins finds the Ring and gives it to his nephew, Frodo, on their shared birthday.

Frodo sets out from the Shire with Sauron's One Ring in Third Age 3018. This would have been about 11,361 years after the start of the First Age , putting into perspective just how massive Tolkien's timeline really is. Of course, the start of the First Age isn't technically the beginning of everything, and the span of the Years of the Trees is still debated today, which makes the precise placement of The Lord of the Rings within Tolkien's timeline challenging to calculate.

Why The Lord Of The Rings' Timeline Is So Complicated

Only parts of middle-age's timeline is counted in solar years.

Though part of Tolkien's timeline is counted using solar years, this was only true after the Two Trees of Valinor were destroyed. The trees had contained all the light of Arda, and when they were destroyed, the Valar used what little remained to make the Sun and Moon. Naturally, a solar year calendar couldn't be used without a sun , so time was counted using Valian Years before this happened. Tolkien initially said that one Valian Year was 9.582 solar years. However, later, he said it was actually 144 solar years—a pretty significant difference.

Tolkien initially said that one Valian Year was 9.582 solar years. However, later, he said it was actually 144 solar years...

The above conclusion that Frodo's story is set about 11,000 years after the start of the First Age follows Tolkien's initial exchange rate between Valian and solar years. Of course, those who believe that a Valian year is actually 144 years would come up with a much larger number (71,849 years, to be exact). Then, there are the recorded 3,500 Valian years before the Years of the Trees, known as the Years of the Valar, and the unrecorded period before Eru created Arda. The years just keep packing on, making it harder and harder to know for sure how long Tolkien's complete works span.

Tolkien changed a Valian year to equal 144 years in his notes, but he never fully reconstructed the timeline to fit this. Since, this exchange rate doesn't work with the described events of the timeline, the lower rate is commonly used.

How Many Years The Lord Of The Rings' Story Lasts

Frodo's lord of the rings journey lasted a lot longer in the books.

Thankfully, the timeline got much easier to calculate by the time the Third Age rolled around. Bilbo Baggins turned 111 in Third Age 3001, and this was when Frodo Baggins inherited the One Ring. Though the new Ring-bearer set off shortly after in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings movies, he stuck around the Shire for an additional 17 years in the books while Gandalf figured out whether the trinket truly was Sauron's weapon. So, Frodo leaves with Sam, Merry, and Pippin on September 23, Third Age 3018, wakes up in Rivendell on October 24th, and begins the next leg of his journey with the Fellowship on December 25th.

Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings movie skipped over the 17-year time jump, making Frodo's departure from the Shire far more urgent and sudden than in the book.

Frodo reached Mordor and destroyed the One Ring on March 25, Third Age 3019, six months after he left the Shire. Then, two years later, in Third Age 3021, he departed from the Gray Havens for the Undying Lands to live out his life in peace , thus ending his story. This means that the central events of The Lord of the Rings spanned 20 years , though most of this was lost in a time jump. In all, it's interesting to think that of the tens of thousands of years that Tolkien outlined for Middle-earth's history, Frodo's Lord of the Rings journey only covers six months of it.

The Lord of the Rings

The Lord of the Rings is a multimedia franchise consisting of several movies and a TV show released by Amazon titled The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. The franchise is based on J.R.R. Tolkien's book series that began in 1954 with The Fellowship of the Ring. The Lord of the Rings saw mainstream popularity with Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.

The Fellowship of the Ring

J.r.r. tolkien, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

Ring composition in the Lord of the Rings: A brief literary-critical observation

The Shire’s sprawling green hills and quaint village scenery slowly fade into the serene sunset. The setting is almost utopian—the world seems at ease, with no sign that trouble is brewing far away in the shadows of Mordor. In this small enclave, largely sheltered from the rest of Middle Earth, we meet our unsuspecting protagonist, Frodo Baggins. 

Frodo is what’s known as a Hobbit, part of a group of small beings who live quiet and peaceful lives. Hobbits are mostly isolationists — they are wary of outsiders and prefer to keep to themselves. The Shire, the hometown of the hobbits, lies in a faraway corner of the world largely untouched by others. 

The innocence of the Shire does not last for long, however. Early in the storyline, Gandalf tasks Frodo with bringing a mysterious and dangerous ring to the city of Rivendell. Once Frodo and his companions set foot outside the Shire, they’re almost immediately hunted by the Ringwraiths – sinister servants of Sauron who won’t rest until they retrieve the ring - opening their eyes to the menacing world that lurks outside their isolated home. Their world, as we soon see, will never be the same. 

The mission to Rivendell is short but dramatic. Although he is stabbed and poisoned along the way, Frodo makes it to Rivendell safely with his friends and successfully passes the ring off to the Council of Elrond, a group led by the elf Elrond. Frodo’s task is finished—or at least so he thinks.

A few scenes later, Frodo stumbles upon his loyal companion, Sam, packing his bags, which spurs an important exchange between them. When Frodo asks Sam why he is already packing to go home, Sam responds:

Sam: “…we did what Gandalf wanted, didn’t we? We got the Ring this far, to Rivendell…and I thought…seeing as how you’re on the mend, we’d be off soon. Off home.”

Frodo: “You’re right, Sam. We did what we set out to do. The ring will be safe in Rivendell. I am ready to go home.”

Those who are well acquainted with the story know that Frodo and Sam do not return home, instead volunteering themselves to take the ring to Mordor to destroy it in the fires of Mount Doom. The ensuing journey is riddled with danger, death, setbacks and eucatastrophes (miraculous victories). 

At the end of the trilogy, after Frodo and his friends have overcome great adversity and pain to get the Ring to Mordor, he and Sam have another exchange, similar to their one at Rivendell. Frodo is about to leave his friends for Valinor, a paradisiacal land of bliss and immortality. Few ever come back from Valinor, and thus, Frodo and his friends understand this departure as permanent. Gandalf turns to Frodo as he is boarding the ship for Valinor:

Gandalf: “It is time, Frodo.”

Sam: (alarmed) “What does he mean?”

Frodo: “We set out to save the Shire, Sam, and it has been saved, but not for me.” 

In the first exchange, before he embarks on his perilous journey, Frodo says he has completed what he set out to do and is ready to return home. In the second exchange, Frodo claims he has done what he set out to do but is unable to return to the Shire. Similar vocabulary purposefully links these two passages together and invites the audience to make meaningful connections between them. 

Importantly, these two scenes bookend the entire trilogy (what literary critics call an envelope structure, inclusio, or ring composition), thus strengthening the relationship between the passages and alerting the audience that the story has come full circle. In her book, Thinking in Circles: An Essay on Ring Composition (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2007), Mary Douglas argues that ring composition shows the audience whether the plot’s main mission has been successful and provides the audience with a sense of closure: “By joining up with the beginning, the ending unequivocally signals completion. It is recognizably a fulfillment of the initial promise. Just arriving at the beginning by the process of inverted ordering is not enough to produce a firm closure. The final section signals its arrival at the end by using some conspicuous key words from the exposition. Verbal repetitions indicate that the first and the last section match in other ways. Most importantly, there also has to be thematic correspondence: the original mission turns out to have been successful, or it has failed”. 

The viewer is encouraged to ask what has changed between the beginning of the first movie and the end of the third that makes it impossible for Frodo to return home. Frodo can no longer return to the Shire; he must leave his life behind and forge a new beginning in Valinor. Although the plot’s main mission has been successful, something is awry. 

The viewer receives hints throughout the trilogy that Frodo's burden weighs heavily on him and that he will never be the same. At one point, Galadriel, a royal elf who aids Frodo in his journey, says to Elrond: “The strength of the Ringbearer is failing. In his heart, Frodo begins to understand. The quest will claim his life. You know this. You have foreseen it. It is the risk we all took.” 

At the end of The Return of the King , Frodo’s reflection on his journey betrays these same feelings: “How do you pick up the threads of an old life? How do you go on, when in your heart you begin to understand. There is no going back. There are some things that time cannot mend, some hurts that go too deep, that have taken hold.”

The trilogy may seem to end like it begins, but nothing could be further from the truth. The journey has changed Frodo, and although the Shire has been saved from the corruption of Sauron, it came at the cost of Frodo’s innocence. This is the price of being a hero. Those who save the day are often lauded and memorialized, but the cost is high. As is often the case, the hero sacrifices himself or herself on behalf of those they love. Even if they do not die, their experiences change them forever. There is no going back to the Shire as it once was. 

I would like to think that there is something didactic, even theological, about this observation. In a culture that is obsessed with seeking attention and social media exposure, the Lord of the Rings reminds us that true heroes are those who bear a burden of great consequence for the greater good. True heroes do not shrink back from danger and adversity when the world hangs in the balance, even if doing so means the world will never be the same for them. 

We live in a society that lauds so-called “influencers” who amass “likes” and “shares” on social media, but Frodo’s story reminds us that heroes often bear deep wounds and suffer privately in their pursuit to create a better world. While modern-day “influencers” desperately chase attention and eschew sacrifice, you will find those who truly make a difference working behind the scenes. True heroes are servants, not celebrities. That seems to be a message we need to recover and hear anew. 

A love letter to East Campus

Everything you need to know about this year’s ldoc artists, the collapse of time and domestic memory: annie ernaux’s “the super 8 years”.

Matthew Arakaky is a doctoral candidate in the Graduate Program of Religion at Duke University, where he studies the religion and literature of the Hebrew Bible. He previously studied at the University of Virginia, Princeton Seminary, the University of Chicago and the Johns Hopkins University.

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Gandalf's 20 Most Iconic Quotes From The Lord Of The Rings And The Hobbit

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Gandalf is a character synonymous with the movie adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit . The wizard is played by the legendary Sir Ian McKellen, a role for which he received Oscar and BAFTA nominations. As a character who's appeared across all six movies, it is only natural that many of his various teachings, musings, and general pieces of dialogue have resonated and lasted in the memories of fans and audiences over the years.

Gandalf has certainly represented his class of wizards appropriately by passing his wisdom onto his others. At the same time, he has also uttered words of hope and defiance. In each case, his ability to inspire, inform, and advise others remains ever-present. Although he's certainly not the only smart or wise person in Middle-earth, the Grey Wizard has some of the best lines in both the books and the movies.

Updated by Ajay Aravind on June 7, 2024: With The War of the Rohirrim set to release on December 13, 2024, fans couldn't be more excited. Although the original two trilogies were pretty exhaustive, there's always the need for more Middle-earth lore. And given Gandalf's overall role in freeing Middle-earth from Sauron's clutches, we've updated this article with some more relevant information.

20 "One Ring To Rule Them All. One Ring To Find Them."

The fellowship of the ring.

One Ring to rule them all. One Ring to find them. One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.

The Lord of the Rings' Children of Húrin, Explained

The Children of Húrin took place thousands of years before The Lord of the Rings, and it told one of the darkest stories in Middle-earth's history.

The fearsome and forbidden Black Speech of Mordor was used to inscribe the One Ring with its infamous quote. This is first seen when the Ring is thrown into Bilbo's fireplace, revealing the ominous lines presumably written by Sauron . Although not technically one of his own thoughts, listening to Gandalf recite the couplet is certainly shocking.

The Grey Wizard only speaks the translation into Westron and avoids using the original language. Interestingly, Gandalf later says the actual words during the Council at Rivendell, scaring Boromir away from the One Ring. This monologue is particularly impressive because it comes with special effects, including darkened skies, the sounds of thunder, and what seems like an earthquake. Elrond is furious, but Gandalf calmly refuses to apologize.

19 "I Did Not Pass Through Fire And Death To Bandy Crooked Words With A Witless Worm."

The two towers.

I did not pass through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm.

Magically triggered by Saruman , the parasitic relationship between King Theoden Grima Wormtongue had been going on for years before Gandalf visited Rohan. In fact, Wormtongue even attempts to badmouth Gandalf to the king, glibly stating that " he's a herald of woe ." As Gandalf gently scolds Theoden for not extending his hospitality, the king demands to know where the wizard had been all this while.

Quickly recognizing Wormtongue's influence, Gandalf orders him to keep his " forked tongue behind [his] teeth ," before mentioning the part about the witless worm. At this point, Wormtongue is essentially helpless because Gandalf not only has his staff but has also evolved even further. The curse on King Theoden is promptly lifted, and the witless worm is exiled forever. Gandalf usually doesn't speak this harshly, so it was quite surprising to hear this quote.

18 "Don't Tempt Me, Frodo."

Don't tempt me, Frodo. I dare not take it. Not even to keep it safe. Understand Frodo, I would use this Ring from a desire to do good. But through me, it would wield a power too great and terrible to imagine.

There is only one known individual in Middle-earth capable of resisting the One Ring, and even that in theory. Tom Bombadil doesn't appear in the movies , however, which means that everyone who wears the Ring will inevitably succumb to its evil power. Although, Samwise Gamgee briefly proves immune to the One Ring, Gandalf refuses it because he cannot trust himself enough.

When Frodo offers it to him, the Wizard merely warns the hobbit not to tempt him. Frodo continues to beg, clearly under the impression that Gandalf would be a better caretaker. However, Gandalf states that he " d are not take it, not even to keep it safe ." He explains his decision, arguing that the One Ring " would wield a power too great and terrible to imagine " through him. This quote demonstrates Gandalf's resolve as well as his understanding of his own limits.

17 "Now Come The Days Of The King! May They Be Blessed."

The return of the king.

Now come the days of the King! May they be blessed.

Viggo Mortensen Came Dangerously Close to Turning Down The Lord of the Rings

Lord of the Rings actor Viggo Mortensen was close to turning down the role of Aragorn, but a stroke of luck made him reluctantly accept the project.

Gandalf's centuries of hard work had paid off by the end of the story, with the One Ring dissolved in the pits of Mt. Doom and Sauron's empty spirit left to wander forever. They celebrate their victory with a coronation, fulfilling Aragorn's genetic destiny to sit on the throne of Gondor . The scene itself is wondrous to watch, with the sun glimmering on a rainshower of flower petals and thousands of people watching history being made.

Gandalf lowers the crown onto Aragorn's head and recites this quote — a simple yet profound sentence that encapsulates the hope that Middle-earth feels once again. Only Gandalf is capable of capturing such a complex emotion in a single line. Aragorn's reign did turn out to be blessed, as he ruled rather peacefully for 123 years before shedding his mortal coil.

16 "Three Hundred Lives Of Men I Have Walked This Earth And Now I Have No Time."

Three hundred lives of men I have walked this earth, and now I have no time.

Gandalf doesn't belong to any of the races of Middle-earth or, for that matter, the world of Arda. He is a Maia, one of the angelic beings created long before the universe had even taken form. Despite his actual youthful appearance, Gandalf manifests himself as a wizened old man on Middle-earth, where he would strive for centuries to rid the world of Sauron's malevolence.

He has been working endlessly since the early Third Age, often with other long-lived allies like Galadriel and Elrond. That said, the quote " three hundred lives of men " sounds vastly cooler than just saying he's been around for thousands of years. Assuming that the lifespan of Men ranges between 80 and 100 years, Gandalf has been in Middle-earth for at least two-and-a-half-millennia.

15 "The World Is Not In Your Books And Maps; It's Out There."

The hobbit: an unexpected journey.

The world is not in your books and maps; it's out there.

Gandalf the Grey is the living embodiment of a hero's Call to Adventure , especially when it comes to Bilbo Baggins. Bilbo, a homebody Hobbit holed up in the Shire, has no aspirations for greater glory beyond his homeland. Gandalf, however, convinces him that there is a far greater world out there beyond the books and maps in Bilbo's study.

There is no one in Middle-earth quite so capable of sensing heroism as Gandalf. It is almost as though he can see right to the heart of a person at a single glance. Even a meek little Hobbit can find his sense of adventure with Gandalf's help. Interestingly, this quote serves an ironic meta-purposes as it also pertains to the reader of The Hobbit , since they'd rather experience the adventures vicariously.

14 "Fool Of A Took!"

Fool of a Took! Throw yourself in next time and rid us of your stupidity!

10 Most Important Locations in Middle-earth, Ranked

Though Middle-earth is full of beautiful locations, some play a larger role in the events of The Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit than others.

Gandalf and Pippin's relationship is one of the most entertaining in The Lord of the Rings . The wizard often finds himself fed up with Peregrin Took's witless shenanigans, although it's quite impressive that a hobbit could cause a Wizard so much concern and worry. On several occasions, Gandalf's anger gets the better of him, causing him to whirl on Pippin and declare him a " fool of a Took! " This in seen when Pippin nearly falls to his death in Moria, infuriating Gandalf for creating a racket.

While Gandalf wasn't exactly wrong in his assertion regarding Pippin's wisdom — or lack thereof — he does come to think better of the young Hobbit as time goes on. As frustrated as he may get with him, Gandalf comes to see the spark of heroism in Pippin, and the two soon become rather good friends. In fact, Gandalf and Pippin working together helps Gondor survive just a little while longer.

13 "...They Can Still Surprise You."

You can learn all there is to know about their ways in a month, and yet after a hundred years they can still surprise you.

There is no question Gandalf has a soft spot for hobbits , halfling creatures mostly found in and around the Shire. The Wizard waxes eloquent about hobbits in The Fellowship of the Ring , commenting that it is remarkably easy to know everything about their culture and yet still be surprised by their heart and heroism. Hobbits are incredibly straightforward creatures who enjoy the simpler things of life, especially food and fellowship.

Gandalf spent many years close to hobbits and knew them rather well. However, he always found himself surprised by the fortitude and bravery shown by some of their numbers. In a time of great kings, warriors, diligent dwarves, and whimsical Elves, it is truly remarkable that the world's greatest heroes so often turn out to be little hobbits.

12 "I Come Back To You Now... At The Turn Of The Tide."

I come back to you now... at the turn of the tide.

Gandalf was believed dead following his battle with the Balrog in the Mines of Moria, but that wasn't the end of the Wizard's story. During the events of The Two Towers , Gandalf reappears to his old allies with a message of hope. The resurrected wizard claimed that his return came at the " turn of the tide ," as things began shifting against the light and in favor of the darkness. In other words, Gandalf would be there to prepare them for what was to come.

Always the motivator, Gandalf knew exactly what his friends needed to hear to keep them in a fighting spirit for the rest of this conflict. The road had not been easy for the likes of Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas, and they had braved many dire challenges. Nevertheless, Gandalf's return sparked enough hope within these heroes to keep them strong, truly turning the tide of the war in favor of the salvation of Middle-earth.

11 "I Am Saruman. Or Rather, Saruman As He Should Have Been."

I am Saruman. Or rather, Saruman as he should have been.

Gandalf's battle with Durin's Bane, the Balrog of Moria, ended with both of them dying on a mountaintop. When Gandalf returned after his supposed death, however, he came in a very different form than what his allies were expecting. No longer clad in grey robes and a wizard's hat, Gandalf was now arrayed in full white garb, closely resembling Saruman the White.

Gandalf confirms that this resemblance was purposeful, for he planned to fulfill the responsibilities in which Saruman had failed. Under the influence of Sauron, Saruman the White turned evil , forsaking his duties and wreaking havoc on Middle-earth. In the wake of Saruman's failure, Gandalf was called to a higher responsibility, leading him to become everything that his predecessor was supposed to be. Meanwhile, Saruman attempted a foolish comeback by rebranding himself as Saruman of the Many Colors.

10 "Even The Very Wise Cannot See All Ends."

Do not be too eager to deal out death in judgment. Even the very wise cannot see all ends.

Were The Lord of the Rings' Eagles the Same as Those From The Hobbit?

Great Eagles played key roles across J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth stories, but were the Eagles who helped Bilbo the same birds who helped Frodo?

Gandalf's full conversation with Frodo while in the Mines of Moria, in the Extended Edition Of The Fellowship Of The Ring , involves Gandalf reassuring Frodo. Gandalf also offers the hobbit something of a warning and a life lesson merged into one. Aware that Gollum is spying on them, Gandalf is worried that Frodo is too quick to wish death upon the beast.

His speech suggests that, despite being a wizard, he doesn't know everything. Gandalf knows he may be fighting a losing battle trying to keep Frodo and his impulses in check , but he still hopes that the hobbit will heed this warning and life lesson. This indirectly references the reality of the world they live in, where dead Elves and Dwarves remain in the fixed universe, while Men and hobbits presumably vanish beyond the scope of everyone but Iluvatar.

9 "I Found It Is The Small Everyday Deeds Of Ordinary Folk..."

I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay.

Despite the Hobbit trilogy being prequels to The Lord of the Rings , they arrived almost ten years after the release of The Return Of The King . However, the trilogy still featured some familiar faces returning to reprise their roles. One such character is Galadriel , who has always had a close and trusted relationship with Gandalf.

At one point, Galadriel asks the wizard why he chose to put so much faith in Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit. Gandalf admits his own fear and explains that Bilbo, of all people, gives him hope. This moment does its job of elevating how others seemingly perceive Bilbo, even though he hasn't proven his courage at this point. Gandalf can clearly see the spark of heroism in Bilbo that he himself is unable to perceive, one that's far beyond fighting and battles.

8 "You Shall Not Pass" / "Fly You Fools"

"You shall not pass" / "Fly you fools"

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Peter Jackson made several changes to J.R.R. Tolkien's novels when adapting them to the silver screen.

In The Fellowship Of The Ring , the titular group originally comprised nine characters who were tasked with taking the One Ring to Mordor to destroy it. Unfortunately, they are met with an arduous journey full of roadblocks and despair. One of the first major disruptions to halt their journey occurs when the group passes through the Mines of Moria, as they are ambushed by orcs and are pursued by the almighty Balrog.

This beast of Morgoth is too much to handle, but Gandalf ultimately sacrifices himself to ensure the safety of his friends. Gandalf unleashes his defiance against the Balrog and urges the others to hurry out of the mines, before falling to his supposed death. The line " You shall not pass" is particularly iconic and has been the subject of countless memes for years.

7 "There Never Was Much Hope. Just A Fool's Hope."

There never was much hope. Just a fool's hope.

In The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King , Pippin asks Gandalf whether there is still any hope for Frodo and Sam. Gandalf's response, despite being as subtle and cryptic as ever, is quietly hopeful that they will be successful. Only a fool would be unable to recognize the apocalyptic threat posed by Sauron and his armies, but it is the same fool's hope that can sometimes make all the difference.

In addition, Gandalf saying " Just a fool's hope " is a tender homage to the pair's interaction from The Fellowship of the Ring , when Gandalf slated Pippin as " a fool of a Took ." Simply in a few words, Gandalf is telling Pippin that despite the odds being stacked against them, it is always okay to be hopeful. More importantly, it is hope that drives ambition and not the other way around.

6 "Look To My Coming, At First Light On The Fifth Day..."

Look to my coming, at first light on the fifth day. At dawn, look to the east.

While none of the battles in the realms of The Lord of the Rings were particularly pleasant, the Battle of Helm's Deep from The Two Towers was one of the grittiest. When Aragorn convinces King Theoden that they should ride out despite the hordes of orcs awaiting them, Gandalf's words ring in Aragorn's ears regarding his impending presence at dawn. He remembers that he has always trusted the Wizard and nothing is going to change that.

After a charge into the forces of orcs, Aragorn glances and sees Gandalf, Eomer, and the Rohirrim reinforcements, who instantly change the tide of battle. Gandalf's advanced words of encouragement, despite the mysticism at the time, proved true, furthering Gandalf as a symbol of wisdom and general reassurance. Somehow, he just knows what's going to happen.

5 "True Courage Is About Knowing Not When To Take A Life..."

True courage is about knowing not when to take a life, but when to spare one.

Gandalf trying to offer his wisdom regarding when to take a life has featured in both The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies, with him talking to Frodo and Bilbo, respectively. When addressing Frodo, Gandalf says " Do not be too eager to deal out death in judgment ," as mentioned earlier.

Combined with Gandalf's advice to Bilbo, this philosophical quote is an informative warning to the hobbits regarding how they perceive themselves and others — and how they let that influence their actions. These are two of many Gandalf quotes that live up to his "wise wizard" image, while certainly being notes to heed in the future. Exactly as predicted, the life that neither Bilbo nor Frodo took would end up destroying Sauron and Mordor .

4 "All We Have To Do Is Decide What To Do With The Time That Is Given To Us."

All we have to do is decide what to do with the time that is given to us.

When Frodo tells Gandalf that he wishes he could take back everything that had happened and that the powerful One Ring had never come to him, Gandalf tells him that the decision isn't up to him. Gandalf also tells him to focus on the time he's been given in The Fellowship Of The Ring . Gandalf essentially tells Frodo to make the most out of life, which isn't necessarily the best advice given the task ahead.

Regardless, the quote suggests that Frodo should stop wasting time with worry. Rather than thinking about things out of his control, Frodo should rather put effort into what he can influence. And that's probably why Frodo decided to part ways with the Fellowship , knowing that only he had both the duty and the power to take the One Ring back to Mordor.

3 "I Will Not Say: Do Not Weep; For Not All Tears Are An Evil."

I will not say: do not weep; for not all tears are an evil.

With Gandalf announcing to the hobbits that their Fellowship has officially come to an end, the hobbits begin to tear up. Gandalf tells them to embrace the tears, as it isn't always a bad thing to cry. This is such an important statement to make, since crying is often considered a sign of weakness, especially in men. In reality, showing one's grip and embrace with their feelings should be celebrated as a strength.

Nevertheless, Gandalf saying goodbye to the hobbits is the end of an era in The Return Of The King . He has since returned to Valinor where he had lived for tens of thousands of years, presumably taking up his original form of Olorin once again. This quote about tears is extra interesting, however, because Olorin was once a student of Nienna, the Vala of Grief and Mercy.

2 "Death Is Just Another Path – One That We All Must Take."

Death is just another path – one that we all must take.

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The Lord of the Rings trilogy is only the tip of the iceberg in the wealth of Middle-earth stories to tell. Which will be the next favorites to adapt?

Within a movie franchise so centered on war and conflict, death is a frequent occurrence throughout The Lord of the Rings . However, it doesn't mean the characters ever get used to dealing with it. When faced with the horrors of the Battle of Minas Tirith from Return Of The King , Pippin seeks emotional support from Gandalf's seemingly infinite pool of wisdom.

Gandalf's reassurance still has a terrifying and finite ring to it, but ultimately paints death to be more of a journey to the beyond rather than simply a sudden demise and end to everything. This comes after Gandalf's flirtations with death towards the end of The Fellowship of the Ring , with his experience adding more credibility and trust to his words. Everyone in Middle-earth experiences the journey of death differently, but it simply cannot be avoided.

1 "A Wizard Is Never Late, Frodo Baggins..."

A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to.

Gandalf's introduction to the franchise is a lovely moment at the start of The Fellowship Of The Ring . The Grey Wizard arrives in the Shire with a wagon full of fireworks to help celebrate Bilbo's 111th birthday . The exchange with Frodo has an awkward pause before the reveal that they are both joking around. Gandalf may be mysterious but he's also there for a fun visit.

It's an iconic introduction to a character who very rarely gets to partake in nice and peaceful moments. Patiently bidding time, the interaction never reveals the sheer magical power that the wizard actually possesses. This quote also cements Gandalf as someone who knows what he wants, where he's going, and what he's expected to do. His influence on Middle-earth will likely be remembered well into the Fourth Age.

The Lord of the Rings

The Lord of the Rings is a series of epic fantasy adventure films and television series based on J. R. R. Tolkien's novels. The films follow the adventures of humans, elves, dwarves, hobbits and more in Middle-earth.

The Lord of the Rings is a long-running fantasy franchise created by J.R.R. Tolkien. The core series consists of four primary books: The Hobbit, The Fellowship of the Ring, the Two Towers, and The Return of the King, all of which have been adapted into films. The Lord of the Rings core franchise centers around Frodo Baggins, a living being known as a hobbit, and a group of heroes from the various kingdoms such as the kingdom of man, the kingdom of dwarves, and the kingdom of elves. Together with the great wizard Gandalf, the group will embark on a perilous quest across Middle Earth to take The One Ring to Mount Doom to destroy it, before it can corrupt anyone and return to the hands of the evil entity known as Sauron, hellbent on conquering all of Middle Earth. The original novel/prequel films, The Hobbit, stars Frodo's uncle Bilbo Baggins as he embarks on a quest from the comfort of his home and seeks the treasure of a dragon known as Smaug. Bilbo stumbles upon The One Ring on his quest, and finds himself amidst a great war. The most recent media for the franchise is the currently airing The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, airing exclusively on Prime Video.

10 Lord of the Rings Book Characters Everyone Forgets About

Overall, the Lord of the Rings film adaptations brought most of the important characters to the screen. They expanded on the roles of some, like Arwen, who may not have gotten the most page time in the novels, and created faithful renditions of beloved figures like Aragorn and Sam Gamgee. However, since the books are so expansive, not everyone could make it into the film.

Certain character exclusions, like Tom Bombadil, have gone down in infamy as some of the most egregious mistakes the films made. However, other characters didn't make it into the movie and were promptly forgotten about by fans. Let's take a look at the ten most overlooked figures who didn't get adapted to the screen.

Radagast the Brown Saved Gandalf's Life

A story many lord of the rings fans missed sheds more light on a major villain.

One of the most fearsome villains in the Lord of the Rings gets a bit more backstory in Unfinished Tales, an often-overlooked entry to Middle-earth.

Though Radagast the Brown went on to feature in Peter Jackson's Hobbit trilogy, he originally should have appeared in The Lord of the Rings films as well. He may not have played an important role in the story - clearly if he could be so easily removed and so many people forget that he was there at all - but regardless, book purists were certainly a bit when they realized he wasn't going to be making an appearance.

Unlike Gandalf and Saruman, his fellow Maiar, Radagast didn't really get involved in the War of the Ring. His sole appearance is early in The Fellowship of the Ring when Gandalf is on his way to meet with Saruman to discuss how to handle the threat of Sauron. After realizing that the message from Saruman to meet with him was a trap, Radagast called Gwaihir to rescue Gandalf from the fallen wizard's clutches. This is the last appearance he makes, and the rest of his behavior throughout the War of the Ring isn't noted. Therefore, it makes sense that he wasn't selected to appear in the film.

The Grey Company Would Have Been Valuable Allies

In the original Return of the King novel, the Grey Company was a group of Rangers who allied themselves with Aragorn during the War of the Ring. At the behest of Galadriel, they sought Aragorn and provided him with his beloved horse and a banner with the House of Elendil's emblem on it so everyone would know to which family Aragorn belonged. After this, they rode into the Paths of the Dead alongside Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas, and proceeded to accompany the forces of good to the Battle of Pelargir and the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.

However, just because they don't appear in the films doesn't mean they've been erased from adaptations of Middle-earth entirely. They're major players in the popular game Lord of the Rings Online . The player journeys south through Dunland alongside sixty-two other Rangers, each of whom is a fleshed-out character in their own right. Though they may not have gotten as large a role as fans would have hoped, this does at least partially make up for their exclusion from the more popular incarnation of Middle-earth.

Glorfindel Was Replaced by Arwen

A minor the rings of power character is key to the story's future.

Charles Edwards' Celebrimbor will play a crucial part in the upcoming second season of Prime Video's The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.

Glorfindel's role in the Lord of the Rings trilogy wasn't necessarily removed - he was simply substituted for another character. In the novels, he's the one who rides out to save Frodo at the Ford of Bruinen after he suffers a potentially deadly wound at the end of a Morgul Blade. He carries the young Hobbit safely to Rivendell, where he can get the medical treatment he needs to avoid perishing and dooming Middle-earth to a future of despair. From there, he becomes a potential contender to join the Fellowship of the Ring, though his power is deemed to be useless on a mission that requires such secrecy.

However, in the movie, it's Arwen, not Glorfindel, who spirits Frodo to safety in Rivendell. This works well in the adaptation. It sets up the relationship between Arwen and Aragorn, which the films push as the core romance of the trilogy. It gives her agency that she lacked in the books since the majority of her character was built out in the appendices rather than in the actual text of the story, and a battle scene to match that of Eowyn, the other prominent female character in the franchise. Regardless, it's disappointing to see Glorfindel fade into obscurity.

Imrahil Was an Important Ally to Gondor

Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth proved to be one of Gondor's most valuable allies during the most difficult times of the War of the Ring. He and a group of his Swan Knights rode out to meet Faramir's company after noticing that they were on the verge of being overrun at Osgiliath, which likely saved the young man's life in the process. Later, after the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, he recognized that Eowyn, whose body was borne alongside Theoden's, was still alive and sent her to the House of Healing, where she made a full recovery. He momentarily ruled Gondor while Faramir was incapacitated and Aragorn had not yet been crowned. After the War of the Ring, he was one of Aragorn's closest royal advisors.

Like some of the other characters who didn't make it into the films, he went on to be a crucial figure in Lord of the Rings Online 's main story. He was a close companion of Gandalf, and therefore the Wizard often trusted him with tasks that he couldn't complete himself. The player first meets him within the gates of Minas Tirith, and from that point forward, he becomes a very important ally for the player as the story progresses.

Beregond Saved Faramir from His Father

The lord of the rings films cut this gondorian traitor.

Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings films cut Beregond, a Guard of the Citadel who committed treasonous acts during the Siege of Minas Tirith.

In the novels, Beregond is a soldier of Gondor who carries a lot of love in his heart for the young Faramir. He guarded the Citadel as a member of the Third Company and served as a guide to Pippin when he first arrived in Minas Tirith with Gandalf. The truest measure of his character, however, comes in the aftermath of Faramir's grievous injuries sustained during a campaign against evil. When he heard that Denethor planned to burn both himself and his presumably dead son, he rushed to save the Prince of Ithilien from certain doom . Faramir owed him his life.

However, after the end of the War of the Ring, Beregond still had to answer for abandoning his post in front of the newly-crowned King. Though Aragorn, according to the law of Gondor, still had to banish him from Minas Tirith, he recognized that everything Beregond did was an act of profound loyalty. Therefore, rather than punish him with the death penalty as the law called for, he was encouraged to go live in Ithilien and serve Faramir for the rest of his days.

The Barrow-Wight Posed a Major Threat to Frodo

The Barrowwights were some of the most horrifying creatures lurking in the shadows of Middle-earth. The Witch-king of Angmar used them as some of his personal lackeys, as he sent them out into the Barrow-downs after the downfall of the Dunedain who previously lived in the region. He wanted to prevent any other groups from claiming the area as their own. Their victims lost the capability to resist their clutches, thus allowing the wights to drag their prey into the graves they called home.

Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin almost lost their lives at the hands of one before they were even able to make it to Rivendell with the Ring. As they traversed the treacherous Barrow-downs, one of the wights got a hold of them and had its sword across their necks before Frodo managed to cut its hand off. He then called upon Tom Bombadil, who banished the creature with a song. Since Tom Bombadil didn't appear in the films, it made sense for this scene to be cut - but regardless, it would have been one of the most terrifying moments in the movie.

Halbarad Led the Grey Company

Who are the grey company in the lord of the rings.

The Grey Company may not have appeared in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy, but they still have an important role in Middle-Earth.

Before the beginning of the Lord of the Rings saga, Halbarad guarded the Shire from anything that would try to cause it harm. However, once the War of the Ring started, he took up arms against the forces of evil as the head of the

aforementioned Grey Company. Alongside them, he rode into the Paths of the Dead and stood next to his beloved friend as he demanded the spirits uphold their oath to the former King of Gondor so that they might finally rest. He fell during the Battle of the Pelennor Fields as he held the new standard of the House of Elendil high, an honorable end for a truly honorable man.

Like the rest of the Grey Company, he appears as a major character in Lord of the Rings Online . The player meets him upon arriving in Esteldin, a Dunedain stronghold in the North Downs. As in the novels, he leads the Grey Company, which the player travels alongside on the way to aid Aragorn.

Goldberry Was Cut Alongside Tom Bombadil

Though nobody ever forgets the heinous exclusion of Tom Bombadil from the films, his wife Goldberry is often neglected in these protests. She may not have played as large a part in the greater story as he did, but that doesn't negate her importance. She shows great kindness to the four Hobbits, though she maintains an air of mystery throughout their interactions, as shown when she stops her husband from telling them about their origin. This suggests there could be more to her than meets the eye.

Fans of Goldberry may have hope for her to finally get her dues, however. The second season of The Rings of Power already confirmed that it will feature her husband Tom Bombadil in a major role. He will interact with the Stranger, in part because he believes he could aid Bombadil on his quest to ensure his beloved natural world remains intact. With Goldberry personifying aspects of nature in and of herself, it would only make sense for her to turn up alongside him.

Elladan and Elrohir Were Elrond's Other Sons

What did elrond do before the lord of the rings.

Lord Elrond was over 6000 years old in The Lord of the Rings, and he had a storied past stretching back to the First Age of Middle-earth.

Elladan and Elrohir had a close relationship with the Rangers of the North, and that group's lack of screen time likely contributed to how little the twins themselves had. They were Elrond's other children, and like Arwen, could choose whether to remain with the Elves or become mortal and linger in Middle-earth with the Men. Before the start of the saga, they rescued their beloved mother from the clutches of Orcs, though her injuries proved to be too great and she had to depart for the Undying Lands before the rest of her family.

In the Lord of the Rings novels, they went ahead of the Fellowship to clear the lands through which they would travel. After this, they joined forces with the Grey Company and accompanied them (and, by extension, their dear friend Aragorn) on his future expeditions. Tolkien never revealed whether they chose to go to the Undying Lands with the rest of their family or stay in Middle-earth with Aragorn and their sister.

Old Man Willow Almost Put a Stop to the Whole Quest

Old Man Willow was, shockingly, one of the greatest threats the Hobbits faced on the road to Rivendell. They had barely made it out of the Shire when they passed by him. He cast a spell on Sam, Frodo, Merry, and Pippin that made them weary. While Merry and Pippin took a nap against his trunk, he tried to engulf them. Frodo and Sam's attempts to save them fell short, as their attempts to burn the old tree so it would release their friends only irritated it more. It wasn't until Tom Bombadil arrived and sang him a lullaby that Old Man Willow let Merry and Pippin go.

Like Goldberry, the exclusion of Tom Bombadil made it relatively impossible for Old Man Willow to make an appearance. However, a scene in the extended edition of The Two Towers pays homage to the forgotten character. During their first trek into Fangorn Forest, a Huorn takes Merry and Pippin hostage. Using the same words Tom Bombadil does in The Fellowship of the Ring , Treebeard silences the creature and saves the Hobbits.

The Lord of the Rings

The Lord of the Rings is a series of epic fantasy adventure films and television series based on J. R. R. Tolkien's novels. The films follow the adventures of humans, elves, dwarves, hobbits and more in Middle-earth.

Created by J.R.R. Tolkien

First Film The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring

Latest Film The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

Upcoming Films The Lord of The Rings: The War of The Rohirrim

First TV Show The Lord of the Rings The Rings of Power

Latest TV Show The Lord of the Rings The Rings of Power

First Episode Air Date September 1, 2022

Cast Charlie Vickers, Liv Tyler, Hugo Weaving, Sean Astin, Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Sean Bean, Andy Serkis, Richard Armitage, Martin Freeman, Cate Blanchett, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Morfydd Clark, Billy Boyd, Orlando Bloom, Viggo Mortensen, Miranda Otto, John Rhys-Davies, Dominic Monaghan

Character(s) Sauron, Gollum

Video Game(s) The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of The Rings: Battle For Middle-Earth 2, The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age, The Lord Of The Rings: Battle For Middle-Earth, LEGO Lord of the Rings , Lord of the Rings Online, The Lord Of The Rings: Gollum, The Lord of the Rings: War in the North

Genre Action-Adventure, Fantasy

Where to Stream Max, Hulu, Prime Video