The Fellowship of the Ring

Published in 1954, The Fellowship of the Ring is the first in the series of the Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien. The series follows The Hobbit, and takes place in a universe designed by Tolkien in Middle Earth. The story follows Frodo Baggins who is now the Ring-bearer of one of the "Rings of Power."

The Rings were all made by the wizard Sauron and distributed to the Elves, Men, and the Wizards. But the "One Ring to Rule them All," was worn by Sauron.

After the Ring was taken from him in battle, it brought out the evil tendencies that lurk in the souls of the bearer. Whenever Gollum had it, he killed his friend and then hid out in a cave while evil warped him into a monster.

The story follows Frodo Baggins who is now the Ring-bearer of one of the "Rings of Power." After the Ring was taken from him in battle, it brought out the evil tendencies that lurk in the souls of the bearer. Whenever Gollum had it, he killed his friend and then hid out in a cave while evil warped him into a monster.

This book begins their quest to take the Ring to Mordor so Frodo can destroy it and stop its evil from spreading. The Fellowship groups together on their quest, but by the end of the book, Frodo realizes the Ring has begun to affect the other men in their group and so he decides to continue the quest on his own. But, of course, Sam tags along.

Along the road, they spend time with the Elves, who help them when the Dark Riders, or servants of Sauron. The Fellowship goes up against the Orcs, a malevolent race that is in league with Sauron, also.

Although this is just one book in the series, Tolkien spent time creating a full and dense world known as Middle Earth. His characters have become famous and a point of reference known in literature since their creation.

Book Summary 

The Fellowship of the Ring opens with the poem about the "rings."

"The Lord of the Rings
Three Rings for the Elven - kings under the sky,
Seven for the Dwarf - lords in their halls of stone,
Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die,
One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne,
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie."

In the Prologue, at the beginning of the book, there is a lot of background on the Hobbits. Bilbo Baggins from The Hobbit has written a travel log called The Red Book of Westmarch, or as Bilbo called it, There and Back Again, since it tells the story of his travels.

The Prologue is filled with information about the Hobbits. They are an "ancient people." They love “peace and quiet and good tilled earth." "They are quick of hearing and sharp - eyed, and though they are inclined to be fat and do no hurry unnecessarily, they are nonetheless nimble and deft in their movements."

Hobbits are skillful at crafting and gardening and have an amazing appetite. They eat six to eight meals a day. Also, Hobbits are good at “disappearing swiftly and silently."

Hobbits don't use magic to disappear but are in close touch with the earth. They never wear shoes, therefore, their feet are large and tough. Most Hobbits live in the Shire in Middle Earth. Their homes are warrens constructed into the hillside. With large rooms and pantries filled with supplies.

A naturally shy people, they were amazed when Bilbo Baggins stepped out of the Shire and became famous. Bilbo often relates his story to the group and wrote it in his log. He traveled with Gandalf the Grey wizard and Dwarfs to find their lost treasure.

There he participated in the battle related in The Hobbit. Along the way, Bilbo met Gollum and took his ring. Whenever he relates the story he always says the ring was given to him. But, he finally told Gandalf the truth.

Book I

Although Bilbo Baggins is famous in the Shire, he is also considered strange because Elves, Dwarfs, and a wizard are frequent visitors. To add to the strangeness is the fact that since coming home with The Ring, he has stopped aging.

Bilbo has decided to throw a big party for his 111th birthday. Gandalf arrives to help him celebrate, and during the party, Bilbo announces he is going away and disappears. Unknown to everyone, Bilbo has put the ring on and makes his way back to Bags End, his home. There he packs while discussing with Gandalf his excitement over traveling again. Gandalf reminds him that he promised to leave the ring with his favorite cousin, young Frodo Baggins. Bilbo has left all his other possessions to him.

At first Bilbo seems reluctant to let the ring go, harking back to Gollum's reaction, but finally, he leaves it for Frodo. Bilbo leaves with his three Dwarf friends. Afterward, Frodo enters Bags End and is given the ring by Gandalf who warns him not to use the ring. To keep it somewhere secret and safe. Frodo agrees and is busy handing out gifts Bilbo left for some of the Hobbits. The next day Gandalf warns Frodo again about the ring and asks what he knows about it. Gandalf warns him again to keep the ring a secret.

For the next seventeen years, Frodo sees little of Gandalf. Rumors are building about a dark force that is building in the land of Mordor. There are also stories about Orcs and Trolls and other horrible creatures. Most Hobbits are uninterested in the dangers but, Sam Gamgee, a Hobbit who tends the garden at Bag End is concerned.

Gandalf arrives suddenly. He has learned the ring is more powerful than he thought and wants to test to see if it is one of the Rings of Power. He tosses the ring in a fire and it is undamaged, even cool to the touch. When they look closely they see the words, "One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them" written in the language of Mordor.

Gandalf reveals that it is the One Ring of Sauron, the Dark Lord. It holds much of his power and controls the three Rings of the Elves, the seven of the Dwarfs, and the nine of Men. If Sauron can retrieve the ring he can become powerful enough to control all of Middle Earth.

During a great battle Isildur, the son of the King of Westernesse, cut the Ring from Sauron's hand and took it. The Elven King Gil - galad and the king of the Men of Westernesse, Elendil were both killed in the battle. When an army of Orcs killed Isildur, the Ring was lost in the Great River, Anduin.

Many years pass and the ring is found by a couple of young Hobbit-like boys. Smeagol kills his friend, Deagol to get the ring. When he discovers the ring makes him invisible, he begins to use it to steal and spy. After being shunned by his people, Smeagol goes into a cave under the Misty Mountains where he becomes Gollum, a hunched and horrible creature. There Bilbo finds him and takes the Ring.

Gandalf reveals that the Ring is trying to make its way back to its master, Sauron. That is why it betrayed Gollum, as it did Isildur. But, the Ring can't keep moving since Bilbo let it go. Gandalf reveals that he found all this out because he found Gollum and tortured him for answers. But, since he didn't kill him, Gollum made his way to Sauron and revealed the Shire, Hobbits, and the name Baggins after more torture. Now Sauron knows the Ring still exists and is coming for it.

But, since he didn't kill him, Gollum made his way to Sauron and revealed the Shire, Hobbits, and the name Baggins after more torture. Now Sauron knows the Ring still exists and is coming for it.

Frodo is frightened and wishes Gandalf had killed Gollum. But Gandalf tells him that since Bilbo got the ring without killing or violence he was able to withstand the power of the Ring, besides he feels that Gollum still has a part to play in the Ring's fate.

Frodo is frightened and wishes Gandalf had killed Gollum. But Gandalf tells him that since Bilbo got the ring without killing or violence he was able to withstand the power of the Ring, besides he feels that Gollum still has a part to play in the Ring's fate.

Frodo begs Gandalf to take the Ring, but he refuses since it would make him too powerful. Even is he thought he was using it to do good, it would corrupt him and he would become like Sauron. He tells Frodo that he must take the Ring to the Cracks of Doom in Orodruin, the fiery mountain deep inside Mordor. There he can destroy it. Frodo takes Sam Gamgee along with him on his journey.

After arranging to sell Bag End to a relative, Frodo prepares for the trip. Peregrin Took (Pippin) and Meriadoc Brandybuck (Merry) travel with Frodo and Sam. As they are leaving Fodo overhears a stranger asking about him and leaves right away. Along the road, the group hear horses hooves and hide. A man wearing a black cloak on a black horse stops almost at the spot the group is hiding. Frodo feels a strong desire to put the Ring on but resists. The Black Rider leaves.

The group becomes even warier and as darkness falls they hear the horse and rider returning. Just as it looks like he is going to discover Frodo, the rider hears Elves singing and rides away.

The Elves greet Frodo and when they ask them about the Black Rider, the Elves become worried and offer to take the Hobbits under their protection for the night. The group goes to an enchanted glade where they eat and Frodo questions the Elf, Gildor about the Black Rider. They don't know his name, but he is the servant of the enemy and should be avoided.

The next morning the Elves are gone, but they know that Frodo's group are headed to Rivendell to ask the wise Elf what to do about the Ring, so they sent word ahead on the road to help the Hobbits. Frodo takes a short cut and avoids the road so as to not be found by the Black Rider. Later they hear some horrible cries and figure the Black Riders are communicating with each other.

Frodo has bought a house in Crickhollow where he has made it seem like he plans to move. Crickhollow is in Buckland and is very different from Hobbiton or Bag End. Although it is populated with Hobbits, it is surrounded by the Brandywine River and the Old Forest. Hobbits are afraid of the river because they can't swim and the forest because it is dark and creepy.

After a bath and a meal, Frodo reveals to Merry and Pippin that the house is a ruse and he is actually leaving the Shire forever. Frodo is surprised to learn that the other Hobbits already know this and that the Ring has put him in great danger. They want to go with him and help him in his quest.

The next morning the group begin their trek through the forest. Although the forest is dangerous, Frodo assumes they can avoid the Dark Rider. They leave their friend Fatty to occupy the house and make it seem that Frodo is still there.

The trees in the forest begin to block their paths and lead the Hobbits southeast which is deeper in the forest. On the banks of the River Withywindle, the group becomes overwhelmingly tired. All but Sam fall asleep. Sam fights off the drowsiness by going to find their horses who have wandered off. Suddenly he hears a loud noise and rushes back. He sees that Frodo has fallen into the river and is being held down by one of the roots of the huge tree the Hobbits had gone to sleep under. Sam fishes him out of the water and Frodo tells him that the tree pushed him into the water.

They suddenly notice that Merry and Pippin are stuck inside some cracks in the trunk of the tree. Finally, they decide to light a fire under the tree to make it release the other Hobbits. But, the tree starts to squeeze Merry and won't stop until they put the fire out. Frodo runs down to the river to get water and when he yells for help he is surprised to hear nonsensical and happy singing.

They suddenly notice that Merry and Pippin are stuck inside some cracks in the trunk of the tree. Finally, they decide to light a fire under the tree to make it release the other Hobbits. But, the tree starts to squeeze Merry and won't stop until they put the fire out. Frodo runs down to the river to get water and when he yells for help he is surprised to hear nonsensical and happy singing.

The singer is Tom Bombadil, a plump man in a blue coat and yellow boots. He sings into the cracks of "Old Man Willow" and makes the tree release Merry and Pippin. When the Hobbits begin to thank him he asks them to come to his house for dinner. During the night they all have troubling dreams but are comforted when they hear Tom's voice.

Frodo dreams of a man standing on top of a tower every night. The next morning is raining so the Hobbits spend another day with Tom. He tells them stories of the Old Forest. Tom is the keeper of the wood, water, and hill and is older than anything else in Middle Earth, even Sauron.

During the night they all have troubling dreams but are comforted when they hear Tom's voice. Frodo dreams of a man standing on top of a tower every night. The next morning is raining so the Hobbits spend another day with Tom. He tells them stories of the Old Forest. Tom is the keeper of the wood, water, and hill and is older than anything else in Middle Earth, even Sauron.

When Tom asks Frodo about his mission, he learns about the Ring. He asks to hold it and when he puts it on his finger he does not disappear, then he spins the ring and it disappears only to reappear again. Since Frodo doesn't trust it is the same ring, he puts it on for the first time. He disappears but Tom can see him. He tells the Hobbits the weather will be good to continue their journey the next day and to stay clear of the Barrows or burial mounds. Lastly, he teaches them a rhyme to sing if they need help.

"Ho! Tom Bombadil, Tom Bombadillo!
By water, wood, and hill, by reed and willow,
By fire, sun and moon, harken now and hear us!
Come, Tom Bombadil, for our need is near us!"

Doesn't take long for the Hobbits to get into trouble when they leave the next day. They are captured by a Barrow - wight. Frodo manages to cut off his hand, but then the creature attacks. Frodo remembers the poem and calls for Tom to help them. Tom collapses the mound around the Barrow - weight and lays the Hobbits out onto the grass to recover from the Barrow - wight's spell. Then he takes the treasure and puts it on a hill for passerby's to sift through. But, Tom saves daggers from the treasure to give to each Hobbit.

Afterward, Tom leads them towards Bree where they can stay at an inn. He leaves them at the border of the Downs since he can't go on. Before they get to the inn, Frodo asks the other Hobbits to call him Mr. Underhill and not Baggins.

At the inn, they meet some suspicious people. They are introduced to Strider who seems to know Frodo and all about the Ring. Strider warns them the Black Riders have been in Bree. Suddenly the innkeeper brings a letter to Frodo from Gandalf. The letter was supposed to have been sent to them three months ago.

In it, Gandalf warns them to leave by the end of July; two months before they actually left. Gandalf tells them to get to Rivendell quickly and that Strider, whose real name is Aragorn, can help them. The spider doesn't want them to sleep in their beds but pads the beds to look like they are there and the Hobbits sleep on their blankets in the parlor. Strider keeps watch.

The next morning they see their beds were slashed and their horses were released. Meanwhile, the Dark Riders go to Frodo's home where Fatty sounds the alarm and escapes. The Hobbits are forced to buy an old nag to continue their journey.

Before they get far down the road, Strider leads them off the road and through the Midgewater Marshes. After four days of intense bug bites, they come to a ruined tower and find signs that Gandalf had been there and was attacked.

The group camps there while Strider tries to entertain them with a story of a beautiful Elven princess who falls in love with a Man and gives up immortality. Suddenly black shapes come upon them and Frodo slips the Ring on. He is able to see inside the cloaks of the Dark Riders. They have pale faces and terrible eyes. They also have gray robes and swords. The tallest one has a crown.

He leaps to attack Frodo with his knife and sword. Frodo cries out the Elven names, Elbereth and Gilthoniel and tries to stab his attacker, but is wounded in his shoulder. Strider attacks the shadows with a burning log and Frodo removes the Ring before he passes out.

They also have gray robes and swords. The tallest one has a crown. He leaps to attack Frodo with his knife and sword. Frodo cries out the Elven names, Elbereth and Gilthoniel and tries to stab his attacker, but is wounded in his shoulder. Strider attacks the shadows with a burning log and Frodo removes the Ring before he passes out.

When Frodo regains consciousness he sees the Hobbits and Strider looking at him with concern. They tell him that when he put the Ring on they only saw shadows moving around. Then suddenly he reappeared. Strider takes a look at the wound and the knife that caused it and pull Sam to the side to tell him the wound will make an evil power to take over Frodo. He gets some plants with healing powers to treat the wound.

They continue on the path the next day and find a green stone that they feel is a marker left for them. Then they come across the three trolls that were turned to stone in Bilbo's adventure. They are forced to get back on the road for the last few miles and are almost immediately overcome by a horseman. Luckily, it is the Elf - lord, Glorfindel. He is a friend of Strider's and leads them on into Rivendell. He puts the weakening Frodo onto his horse and sends him on ahead.

At first, Frodo is reluctant to leave his friends, but the Elf reminds him that the Black Riders are after him, not his friends, so he goes. The group is almost overtaken by the Black Riders who have set a trap for Frodo. But the horse leaps across the river before they can grab Frodo. The Riders force their horses to cross the river, but they are swept up in a cascade of waves. As Frodo begins to lose consciousness, he sees the horses and Riders being swept away.

Book II

After several days Frodo awakes to find Gandalf near his bed. He learns the Master of Rivendell, Elrond saved him by removing a sliver of the knife that had broken off and was headed to his heart. If it had made it Frodo would have become a wraith like the Black Riders. The Black Riders are Ringwraiths who are controlled by Sauron. They had been the Nine mortal Kings Sauron gave the Rings too. For now, the Ringwraiths have been repelled by the rushing water, but they will be back.

At dinner that night Frodo meets Arwen Evenstar, Elrond's daughter and Gloin, one of the dwarves who traveled with Bilbo. He is surprised to see Bilbo there, too. They spend time talking and then Frodo goes to bed to continue to regain his strength. The next day he has to meet with the Council.

The next morning Gandalf takes Bilbo and Frodo to the Council meeting. They learn the back story of the Battle and the Rings along with the unrest throughout Middle Earth. Sauron is becoming more powerful and offered the Dwarves Rings of Power if they will help him locate Frodo.

They learn that Boromir, a powerful warrior from Minas Tirith has been having dreams of a broken sword, Isildur's Bane and a halfling. It is revealed that Strider is the descendant of Isildur and the keeper of Elendil's broken sword, Frodo is the Halfling and the Ring he has is Isildur's Bane.

The Elf king tells the story of the aftermath of the Battle. The realm of man has been declining steadily while Sauron gains more power. Bilbo and Frodo relate their stories with the Ring and Gandalf tells how he investigated to learn the origins of the Ring. He also relates that the Wizards finally tried to stop Sauron but waited too late and he is too powerful now. After telling them about Gollum, Gandalf learns that he escaped the Elf dungeon with the help of some Orcs.

Gandalf tells them that he recently learned Saruman, the greatest of the Wizards has joined forces with Sauron and plans to try to take the Ring for himself. He imprisoned Gandalf in a tower when he refused to join Sauron, too. But, Gandalf escaped with the help of the Great Eagle. Then after more harrowing travels he arrived at Rivendell.

Then the discussion begins on what to do with the Ring Frodo has. The Council throws around a variety of ideas. Finally, they conclude the Ring must be destroyed. Frodo volunteers to take it to Mordor to destroy it. Sam volunteers to go with him.

While Bilbo and Frodo work on Bilbo's book Elrond chooses the group to go with Frodo, the Ring-bearer. There will be nine on the journey; Frodo, Sam, Gandalf, Legolas, Gimli, Aragorn, Boromir, Merry, and Pippin. He is unsure about choosing the weaker Hobbits, but Gandalf assures him their loyalty to Frodo will help.

Two months later the nine are ready to go. Bilbo gives Frodo his coat of mail and Sting, his short sword. Aragorn repairs the broken sword and renames it Anduril. The group takes the old pony they bought in Bree. It is healthy and Sam has named it Bill. Finally, the nine who form the Fellowship leave.

When they try to pass over the tallest peak, Caradhras, on the path Aragorn chose, they are forced to turn back because of snow. After they turn around the snow stops. Gandalf tells them the only path open now is the mountain and the Mines of Moria. During the night they are attacked by wolves and they fight them off. In the morning they go to the Western door of Moria. When they finally get the door open a creature with long tentacles grabs Frodo and tries to pull him into the dark lake. After they make it through the door, the creature slams the door and piles boulders up, sealing the door so they can only go forward.

As they walk through the tunnels lit only with Gandalf's staff, Frodo hears little footsteps following them. After a restless night's sleep, the Fellowship comes to a huge hall with shining walls and pillars. There Gandalf and Gimli tell the story of Moira and the dwarves who lived there. They mined mithril which is what the mail shirt Bilbo gave Frodo is made of. It is more expensive than all the Shire. That night Frodo thinks he sees two eyes watching him from a distance.

They come to a room that has the tomb of Balin, the Dwarf King. Gandalf finds Balin's journal and learns the Orcs attacked them with a dark force that was more powerful than the Orcs. The last passage talks about the "drums." Just as they are about to leave, they hear the drums and just manage to bar the door before the Orcs attack. The Orcs have a cave troll with them who can break the door down. Frodo stabs the cave troll with Sting and the creature retreats. The Orcs continue their attack until Gandalf finds a door to lead the Fellowship away through. Before Frodo can escape he is stabbed in the side. But the mail protects him.

The Fellowship retreats but is stopped by a Balrog. Gandalf sends them on and confronts the Balrog on the bridge. He destroys the bridge and the Balrog falls to its death. As it is falling the Balrog grabs Gandalf by the ankle. He shouts for them to run and collapses the mountain. They get about a mile away and then give into grief.

They travel on to Lothlorien. Legolas and Aragorn are relieved, but Boromir, the human is concerned. The Elves at Lothlorien help the Fellowship and keep the Orcs away. But Frodo sees a small creature in the background before it slips away. Soon they are led to Cerin Amroth.

It is the "heart of the Elvendom on Earth." Frodo and Sam are taken to a platform high in a tree where they can see the beauty of Lothlorien and the dark world beyond it. When they come down they see Aragorn in a powerful but happy daydream.

The Fellowship is taken to Caras Galadhon where they meet Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel the rulers of Lothlorien. They spend days resting there as time seems to stand still. The Lady tells the future of everyone and searches their hearts for goodness. Just before they are to leave she shows Sam and Frodo the future. Sam sees factories where the Shire once stood, and Frodo sees the giant eye looking for him.

When Frodo sees she has a Ring of Power, he offers to let her have his. But, she tells him it would make her evil like Sauron. She tells Frodo that if he doesn't succeed in his mission she will have to face Sauron and will lose, but if he does succeed the Elves will begin to fade. Either way is sad but she prefers the fading.

When it comes time to leave, the Lord and Lady give the Fellowship magical gifts. The Lady gives Frodo a phial of water that has the light of Earendil's star. They are sent off in boats down the river that will take them safely out of the Elven lands.

They are being followed by Gollum still. When he disappears they fear he has alerted the Orcs. It seems to be true when they are attacked by Orcs soon afterward. A dark shape is in the sky above them and Frodo's shoulder begins to hurt. Legolas shoots an arrow and sends the form crashing into the other side.

Boromir keeps trying to convince the group to go to Mina Tirith. When the river ends they finally have to decide whether to go to the west to Mina Tirith or east to Mordor.  During the night while Frodo is on watch, Aragorn wakes. He asks Frodo to take Sting out. It is glowing which means Orcs are nearby. The next morning Aragorn tells the group that it is up to Frodo to decide where the Ring will go.

Frodo goes for a walk to make up his mind and is followed by Boromir who tries to convince him to go to Mina Tirith. He also doesn't want Frodo to destroy the Ring since it could be a powerful weapon against Sauron. When Frodo disagrees, he becomes overwhelmed and tries to take the Ring. Frodo is forced to put the Ring on and disappears. When that happens Boromir becomes distraught over what he had done and begins to weep.

Frodo runs to the top of a hill and can see for miles with the help of the Ring. He sees wars brewing and he sees the Eye looking for him. Before it can find him a voice tells him to take the Ring off. Frodo comes to the decision that he must take the Ring and destroy it alone. He doesn't want it to corrupt any of his friends and put them in any more danger. He puts the Ring back on under the cover of the forest and heads for the boats.

The group begins to worry about Frodo. They break into teams in order to search for him. Aragorn tries to go with Sam but soon outpaces him. Sam reasons that Frodo would try to take the Ring by himself and therefore heads for the boats. There he finds one of them heading off alone. He tries to follow and Frodo is forced to return, remove the Ring and save Sam. He agrees to take Sam along. After grabbing his pack, Sam and Frodo head off to Mordor.

Character Analysis

Frodo Baggins - Puts together the Fellowship of the Ring. When his uncle, Bilbo leaves him the Ring of Power, Frodo becomes the Ring-bearer. Frodo is not the usual hero. He is not searching for glory and is not strong or outstanding. But he is brave, steadfast, polite, thoughtful, and selfless.

His good character is what makes him the perfect person to carry the Ring. Instead of using it for power, he agrees to take it to Mordor so he can destroy it. When he figures out that the people with him are in danger of being tempted into evil by the Ring. Although he loves to listen to stories of adventure, Frodo sees the quest he has been given as a dangerous duty.

Samwise Gamgee - Frodo's best friend. Sam worked as the gardener at Bag End. Although he comes across sometimes at simple, his common sense helps Frodo in his quest. He is one of the most loyal friends in literature. Sam is very observant. Even when Frodo tries to leave him, Sam always stays a few steps ahead of him and stays by his side. He stubbornly refuses to allow Frodo to continue on the quest alone. Sam retains his optimism and is pragmatic. Whenever Frodo begins to feel the responsibility of the Ring, Sam helps him to carry on.

Peregrin Took - Called Pippin. He is a young Hobbit and is sometimes brash. Although he is very concerned with his meals, he never wavers from his duty to the Fellowship. His character is sarcastic.

Meriadoc Brandybuck - Called Merry. Although most Hobbits are afraid of water, Merry spends a lot of time in boats and on the water. He is from Buckland, near Bag End. Merry is very close to Pippin but is more mature. They have similar tastes and go through most of the adventure together.

Gandalf the Grey - A wizard in Middle Earth. Gandalf is one of the five great wizards. Although he is very powerful, the Hobbits think of him as the creator of wonderful fireworks. He is very wise but can be tempted towards evil. He is kind and generous but can also have a short temper.

Gandalf counts his friends equally between the lowliest and the most powerful of beings. He is just as comfortable at a gathering of Hobbits as at the Council of Elrond. Throughout the books, his power grows along with his character.

Aragorn - Known as Strider. He was a Ranger who protected The Shire and other places in the North from Evil. He is a warrior and a tracker. He is also the heir to Isildur who took the ring from Sauron during the Great Battle. Aragorn is destined to become a King. As the story grows his bravery and wisdom grows as his character does.

Legolas - A warrior Elf. Legolas is from Mirkwood. He is a master archer. As the books progress his skill with a bow and prowess as a warrior grows. When he joins the Fellowship he begins with an antipathy towards Gimli who is a Dwarf. Elves and Dwarves are natural enemies.

J. R. R. Tolkien biography

J(ohn) R(Donald) R(Reuel) Tolkien - (1892 - 1973) Born in South Africa and a professor at Oxford in Britain. A brilliant linguist and fantasy writer. The Hobbit was just one of the stories he created.

Originally written for his children, it came to the attention of a publisher and was an instant hit with young and old. He was soon commissioned to continue the story in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Tolkien created an entire world for his stories, Arda, where Middle Earth is located. He also made an entire language for them called "Elvenlatin".

Tolkien was homeschooled until he was 12. That was when his mother died and he was sent to live with a Catholic priest, Fr. Francis Xavier Morgan. He did well in school until he was 16 when he fell in love. Father Francis noticing how love was affecting his school work, forbid Tolkien from contacting her until he turned 21.

On the evening of his 21st birthday, Tolkien contacted Edith Mary Bratt. She was 3 years older than him, and not surprisingly, engaged to another man. As soon as she realized Tolkien still loved her, she broke off the engagement and agreed to marry him.

They were married 3 years later in 1916 and lived happily together until her death in 1971. He followed her in death 22 months later. They were devoted to each other and their children and grandchildren.

Buried in the same grave at Wolvercote Cemetery, Oxford, he had the name 'Luthien' under her name and 'Beren' under his name, after two romantic characters in his story, Of Beren and Luthien from the collection of short stories in his book, The Silmarillion.