Year
|
Events
|
3018
|
|
12 April |
Gandalf, who had been
in Minas Tirith undertaking research into the One Ring and who, in the process, has read
Isildur's scroll, returns to Hobbiton with urgent news for Frodo. |
20 June |
Gollum, who,
following his release from Barad-dûr, had been brought before Thranduil in Mirkwood,
escapes as Thranduil is attacked. The city of Osgiliath in Gondor is also attacked by
Sauron's forces. The War of the Ring has begun. |
4 July |
Denethor's eldest son
Boromir, determined to find the answer to a dream he had, sets off on what is to be a long
and arduous journey from Minas Tirith to Imladris. |
10 July |
Gandalf, who had
travelled to Isengard to seek counsel from Saruman, the leader of his Order, discovers
that Saruman has turned traitor. Gandalf is imprisoned on the pinnacle of Orthanc. |
August |
Gollum's whereabouts
are unknown. Some believe he took refuge from those hunting him in Moria. |
18 September |
The eagle Gwaihir
rescues Gandalf from Orthanc and takes him to Edoras. In the meantime, the Nazgûl are on
their way to the Shire and have crossed the Fords of Isen. |
19 September |
Gandalf, in the guise
of a beggar, is refused entrance to Edoras. |
20 September |
Gandalf gains
entrance to Edoras, only to have Théoden King bid him to be gone by the next day. He is
given leave to take any horse. |
21 September |
Gandalf encounters
Shadowfax, who at first will now allow him to come near. Gandalf follows him over the
fields of Rohan. |
22 September |
Gandalf continues to
pursue Shadowfax and catches up with him. The Nazgûl, disguised as Black Riders, reach
Sarn Ford on the Brandywine. |
23 September |
A Nazgûl arrives at
Hobbiton just as Frodo is leaving Bag End. There are now four Nazgûl in the Shire and the
remaining five are watching the North Road (Greenway). Gandalf leaves Rohan on Shadowfax,
having persuaded the horse to bear him. |
24 September |
Gandalf reaches the
River Isen and crosses it. He is on his way to the Shire. |
26 September |
After their encounter
with Old Man Willow in the Old Forest, Frodo and his companions are rescued by Tom
Bombadil and spend the night with him and his wife Goldberry. |
27 September |
Frodo, Sam, Merry and
Pippin spend a second night with Tom Bombadil and Goldberry whilst in the meantime
Gandalf, continuing on his journey to the Shire, crosses the River Gwathlo (Greyflood). |
28 September |
Frodo and his
companions, having left Tom and Goldberry to continue on their journey, encounter a
Barrow-wight and are imprisoned. Frodo calls to Tom who releases them and goes off in
search of their ponies. Gandalf reaches Sarn Ford on the Brandywine. |
29 September |
Frodo and company
reach Bree at night and get rooms at the Prancing Pony. They encounter Strider for the
first time. Gandalf, in the meantime, has reached Hobbiton and speaks to the Gaffer. |
30 September |
The hobbits survive
an attack upon the Prancing Pony but wake to find their ponies are missing. They acquire
another pony, Bill, from Bill Ferny at an inflated price and leave Bree with Strider early
in the morning. Frodo's house at Crickhollow is also raided. Gandalf leaves Hobbiton and
arrives at Bree at night. |
1 October |
Gandalf, desperate to
catch up with Frodo, leaves Bree in pursuit of him. |
3 October |
Gandalf is attacked
by Black Riders at Weathertop. He leaves evidence that he had been there. |
6 October |
Frodo, Sam, Merry,
Pippin and Strider spend the night at Weathertop and are attacked there by the Black
Riders. Frodo is stabbed by their leader and wounded. The company set out for Rivendell. |
9 October |
Word has reached
Elrond that Frodo and his companions are bearing a great burden without guidance and
Glorfindel, a high-ranking elf who resides in Rivendell, sets out to search for them. |
11 October |
Glorfindel encounters
three Black Riders at the Bridge of Mitheithel and drives them away. He then comes upon
two others and drives them southward. He picks up the trail of Frodo's company. |
| 13 October |
Frodo, Sam, Merry,
Pippin and Strider cross the Bridge of Mitheithel. Frodo is growing weaker from his wound
and Sam fears for his life. |
| 18 October |
Glorfindel meets up
with Frodo and his companions late in the day and persuades a weakening Frodo to ride his
great white steed, Asfaloth. Gandalf arrives in Rivendell. |
| 20 October |
Mounted on Asfaloth
and urged on by Glorfindel, Frodo flees from the Black Riders across the Ford of Bruinen.
Elrond causes the River to overflow and, although the Nazgûl are not destroyed, their
horses perish. |
| 24 October |
Frodo, who has been
unconscious since escaping across the Ford, wakes up and learns that Lord Elrond has saved
his life. His companions are overjoyed at his recovery and he is reunited with Bilbo. In
the meantime, Boromir has arrived in Rivendell after his long journey from Minas Tirith. |
| 25 October |
The Council of Elrond
takes place. The Fellowship of the Ring is formed and plans are made for the great journey
which the nine walkers are to undertake. The company remain in Rivendell for the next two
months. |
| 25 December |
The Fellowship of the
Ring, comprising Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin, Gandalf, Aragorn, Boromir, Legolas and Gimli
set out from Rivendell at dusk. |
3019
|
|
| 8 January |
The Company reach the
area known as Eregion (known as Hollin in Westron because of its abundance of holly
bushes). |
| 11 & 12
January |
The Company,
attempting to cross the snow-covered Pass of Caradhras, are defeated by the mountain and
decide instead to travel through the Mines of Moria. |
| 13 January |
Having turned their
backs on the Redhorn Gate, the Company survive an early attack by a great host of wargs
and eventually reach the West-gate of Moria at nightfall. Bill the Pony is released. Frodo
is attacked by the Watcher in the Water. Unbeknown to the Company, Gollum is tracking the
Ringbearer. |
| 14 January |
The company proceed
undetected and spend the night in the twenty-first hall of the North-end of Moria. |
| 15 January |
Gandalf, after doing
battle with a Balrog of Morgoth on the Bridge of Khazad-dûm, falls into shadow. The rest
of the party escape from Moria and, led by Aragorn, reach the stream known as Nimrodel,
where they bathe their feet and rest. |
| 16 January |
The Company reach the
woods of Lothlorien and are permitted by Haldir and his brothers to spend the night in a
talan. Gollum continues to track them. |
| 17 January |
The Company, escorted
by Haldir, arrive at the city of Caras Galadhon and meet the Lady Galadriel and the Lord
Celeborn, who learn that Gandalf has fallen into shadow. |
| 23 January |
Gandalf, having
fought with the Balrog since falling from the Bridge, pursues it to the peak of
Zirakzigil. The company remain in Lothlorien as the guests of the Lord and Lady. |
| 25 January |
Gandalf finally
defeats his foe and casts the Balrog down from the peak. Gandalf himself then passes away. |
| 14 February |
The Company are still
in Lothlórien and both Frodo and Sam look into the Mirror of Galadriel. Gandalf returns
to life but has no memory of his previous existence. |
| 16 February |
After receiving gifts
of clothes, food and other things, the Company depart Lórien in lightweight boats
provided by the elves. They are being watched by Gollum. Frodo bears with him the Phial of
Galadriel, a special gift from the Lady. |
| 17 February |
The Eagle Gwaihir
rescues Gandalf from the peak of Zirakzigil and bears him to Lothlórien. |
| 23 February |
The company, having
travelled for several days along the Great River, near the rapids of Sarn Gebir where they
are attacked by Mordor orcs. |
| 25 February |
The company, having
passed the Argonath, have reached Parth Galen and set up camp for the night. In the
meantime, Théodred son of Théoden is slain during the First Battle of the Fords of Isen.
|
| 26 February |
Boromir, having tried
to take the Ring from Frodo, is slain by the orcs of Saruman and the Fellowship of the
Ring is broken. Merry and Pippin are then captured by Uglúk’s orcs who intend to
take them to Isengard. Frodo decides to go to Mordor alone but Sam catches up with him and
they begin to cross the eastern Emyn Muil together. Gollum is still tracking them.
Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas set out in pursuit of the orcs and in the meantime Éomer of
Rohan learns of the whereabouts of the orcs. |
| 27 February |
Against the wishes of
Théoden King, ?omer sets out from the area of Rohan known as Eastfold in pursuit of the
orcs. Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas, running tirelessly, follow the trail of the orcs as they
scramble through the Emyn Muil. |
| 28 February |
Éomer and his men
catch up with the company of orcs on the outskirts of Fangorn Forest. Merry and Pippin are
still held captive by the orcs. |
| 29 February |
In an attack upon the
orcs by Éomer and his men, all the orcs are slain and Merry and Pippin escape into
Fangorn Forest where they meet Treebeard. Frodo and Sam, having crossed the Emyn Muil, now
stand on the edge of the Dead Marshes. Gollum agrees to guide them to Mordor. Faramir sees
the funeral boat of Boromir in the waters of the Anduin. |
| 30 February |
Éomer and his men,
on their way back to Edoras, encounter Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas and allow them to take
two of their horses, Hasufel and Arod. In the meantime, the Entmoot begins in Fangorn
Forest. |
| 1 March |
Frodo and Sam set out
across the Dead Marshes with Gollum as their guide. Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas encounter
Gandalf the White and set out for Edoras. The Entmoot continues. Faramir sets out for
Ithilien from Minas Tirith. |
| 2 March |
Gandalf, accompanied
by Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas, reach Edoras and Gandalf frees Théoden from Saruman's
control whilst the Rohirrim ride against Saruman. The Entmoot having concluded, the Ents
also march to Isengard and reach it at night. The Second Battle of the Fords of Isen takes
place. Frodo, Sam and Gollum complete their journey across the Marshes. |
| 3 March |
Théoden, after
seeking counsel from Gandalf, takes an army to Helm’s Deep and the battle begins.
Isengard is destroyed by the Ents but the tower itself remains unscathed. Saruman is still
inside. |
| 4 March |
Gandalf and Théoden
set out for Isengard in order to confront Saruman. Frodo and Sam, still being guided by
Gollum, reach the dead land of the slag mounds, close to the Morannon. |
| 5 March |
Gandalf and Théoden,
accompanied by Gimli, Aragorn and Legolas, reach Isengard and find Merry and Pippin.
Gandalf casts Saruman from the White Council and breaks his staff. The party then set out
from Isengard. Frodo and Sam come within sight of the Morannon but decide against trying
to enter Mordor that way. |
| 6 March |
Gandalf rides towards
Minas Tirith with Pippin but Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas and Merry (accompanied by some Riders
of Rohan) head towards Helm's Deep. Théoden and ten Riders follow behind him. Nazgûl are
seen overhead. |
| 7 March |
Frodo and Sam are
captured by Faramir’s Rangers of Ithilien and are taken to Henneth Annûn. Aragorn
and his party reach Dunharrow where they are greeted by Éowyn. |
| 8 March |
Aragorn and his
company (collectively known as The Grey Company) set off on the Paths of the Dead and
reach the Stone of Erech late at night. Frodo and Sam are released by Faramir and are
given provisions for their journey into Mordor. |
| 9 March |
Gandalf and Pippin
reach Minas Tirith and have an audience with Denethor. Aragorn journeys on through Gondor.
Th?oden and his company reach Dunharrow. Frodo and Sam reach the Cross-roads. Faramir sets
out for Minas Tirith from Ithilien. |
| 10 March |
King Théoden and his
Riders, after receiving the Red Arrow from Gondor, set out for Minas Tirith. Frodo and Sam
spy a great host setting out from Minas Morgul, led by the Witch-king. Faramir reaches
Minas Tirith and has words with his father. Cair Andros is taken by the enemy. |
| 11 March |
Gollum leads Frodo
and Sam to the Stairs of Cirith Ungol and Denethor sends Faramir to the besieged city of
Osgiliath. Aragorn and his company continue with their journey and reach Lebennin. |
| 12 March |
Frodo and Sam are led
to Shelob’s Lair by Gollum. Faramir and his men retreat to the Causeway Forts and
Théoden continues on his journey to Minas Tirith. Aragorn and his company drive the enemy
towards Pelargir (the chief port of Gondor). |
| 13 March |
Frodo, having been
left for dead by Sam, is taken off by orcs and imprisoned in the tower of Cirith Ungol.
Faramir is wounded and taken to the Houses of Healing in Minas Tirith. Aragorn drives away
the fleet of Corsairs at Pelargir. Th?oden reaches Drúadan Forest and has a critical
meeting with Ghßân-buri-Ghân, leader of the Wild Men, who agrees to lead the Riders of
Rohan through the Forest. |
| 14 March |
A dispute breaks out
between the rival factions of orcs in the tower and Sam rescues Frodo. Th?oden and his
company, led by the Wild Men, reach the Grey Wood in Ansrien. Minas Tirith is besieged. |
| 15 March |
The Battle of the
Pelennor Fields takes place, during the course of which Th?oden is killed. The Gates of
the city of Minas Tirith are broken and the Witch-king enters. Denethor throws himself on
a pyre. Frodo and Sam, having escaped from the orc tower, make their way along the
mountain ridge east of the Ephel Dûath. |
| 16 March |
The Last Debate takes
place and a decision is made to march to the Black Gate. Frodo and Sam continue on their
journey and come in sight of Mount Doom, although it is still many miles away. |
| 17 March |
The Battle of Dale
begins and King Brand is slain. Dwarven King Dain Ironfoot falls whilst trying to defend
Brand’s body. Erebor comes under siege. |
| 18 March |
The host of the West,
as large an army as can be mustered, marches out from Minas Tirith. Frodo and Sam,
disguised as orcs, come to the pass known as Isenmouthe and are forced to join a company
of orcs on the road to Udûn. |
| 19 March |
Frodo and Sam escape
from the orcs and find themselves on Sauron’s Road, which leads directly from
Barad-dûr to Sammath Naur. The Host of the West reaches Morgul Vale. |
| 22 March |
Frodo and Sam leave
the road and turn south to Mount Doom. |
| 23 March |
Frodo and Sam, having
thrown away many of their possessions, continue on their tortuous journey. The Host of the
West continues towards the Morannon and Aragorn gives the faint-hearted leave to depart. |
| 24 March |
Frodo and Sam reach
the foot of Mount Doom. The Host of the West camps in the slag-hills of the Morannon and,
after Gandalf trades words with the Mouth of Sauron, the Host is surrounded by the enemy. |
| 25 March |
Although Frodo
reaches the Crack of Doom he cannot bring himself to destroy the Ring. He fights with
Gollum. Gollum bites off Frodo’s finger and reclaims the Ring but then falls into the
Crack of Doom, thus destroying the Ring and bringing the power of Sauron to an end.
Barad-dûr is destroyed.
The End of the Third Age.
A new Era dawns. |
