The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

Dwarves: A small race of mountain dwellers who are great craftsmen known for their armor, architecture, and their work with mithril. For more information about Dwarves Click here.

Elves: A race similar to men, but immortal. All Elves are descendants of one of the races that came from the lands of Arda. Their history and language are complex and few know it. For more information about Tolkiens' Elves Click here.

Ents: sometimes called tree herders, are the shepherds of the forest. Few now exist and they are still in search of the ent-wives (female ents) who departed for unknown regions because they could not reconcile their love of orchards and gardens with the ents love for the wild and mountains. For more information about Ents Click here.

Hobbits: also known as Halflings, are a small race with very human characteristics. They love to have fun and live simple lives. They are best known for being short and having very hairy feet. For more information about Hobbits Click here.

Humans: men and women who lived much like we would have in the middle ages. In the LOTR, there are several different races of humans present. These include the following: the Rohirrim, the men of Gondor, the Dunedain, Black Númenóreans, and Corsairs of Umbar.

Orcs (Orks): are miserable creatures who loath everything and everyone, including themselves, and make nothing beautiful. For more information about Orcs Click here.

Wizards: sometimes called the Istari, are a group of five men who outwardly resemble men but have greater strength and mental power. It is believed that they might be immortal. For more information about the Istari Click here.

First, I would like to introduce you to the characters that were fortunate enough to be in both Tolkiens books and in Peter Jackson's movies. They are:

Aragorn


Arwen


Bilbo Baggins


Boromir


Lord Denethor


Lord Elrond


Eomer


Eowyn


Faramir


Frodo Baggins


Lady Galadriel


Gandalf


Gimli son of Gloin


Gollum (Smegel)


Legolas


Merridock (Merry) Brandybuck


Perrigren (Pippin) Took


Samwise (Sam) Gamgee


Sarumon


Lord Sauron
King Theoden


Wormtongue

This is a list of characters which appear only in Tolkiens' books:

Farmer Maggot
Fatty Bolger
Glorfindel
Tom Bombidil

The Fellowship of the Ring is the first official book in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Although it takes place after The Hobbit, which tells of Bilbo's many adventures and gives us a little bit of the rings' history, it is the first because The Hobbit is not officially part of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

**ALERT: Although I think that Peter Jackson did a wonderful job making the LOTR movies there are still many differences between the books and movies, as is to be expected. The summaries provided will more closely follow the books. However, I will try to point out areas where the movies do things differently. I will try not to be too confusing.**

* Bilbo's 111th (eleventy-first) birthday party:
During his birthday speech Bilbo slips on his magic ring and disappears. He then returns to his house, finds Gandalf there, and is convinced to leave the ring behind when he departs on his adventure. This is also Frodo's 33rd birthday (when he comes of age).

* Frodo finds the Ring: When Frodo returns after the party he finds Gandalf waiting for him, Bilbo gone, and himself the owner of Bag End and the ring. Gandalf instructs him to keep it secret and keep it safe.

* Gandalf returns with news about the Ring: In the movie this is only a short time after his original departure. In the book this happens 17 years after the birthday party. He tells Frodo the history of the ring and that Gollum has told the Dark Lord Sauron that the Ring is in the Shire with a Hobbit named Baggins. Samwise Gamgee, the Gardener, is discovered eavesdropping on their conversation and is severely warned not to talk about anything he had heard that night

* Frodo leaves the Shire: in the movie this is a mad dash in the middle of the night right after he finishes talking with Gandalf. In the book, Frodo sells Bag End and all his possessions and buys a house in Crickhollow. This is a ruse to lure whoever may be hunting him to a different location. On his way to the house in Crickhollow, Frodo first encounters the Black Riders. Then he, Sam, Merry, and Pippin depart for Bree while Fatty Bolger stays behind to pretend to be Frodo in the house at Crickhollow. At this time Frodo does not know who the Black Riders really are.

* The Hobbits meet Tom Bombadil (not in the movie) : In attempts to lose the Black Riders the Hobbits journey through the Old Forrest. Of course, they encounter trouble, but they are saved by Tom Bombadil who takes him to his house to rest. Eventually Tom assists the Hobbits in getting to Bree.

* The Hobbits meet Strider and Avoid Certain Death: Strider is a ranger from the North who is feared by the people of Bree. He takes great interest in the Hobbits which frightens them. However, they soon learn that Strider, Aragorn, is a friend of Gandalf and he is to help them get to Rivendell. He also helps them to avoid a midnight attack of the Black Riders, who he reveals are really Ring Wraiths called the Nine.

* The Ring Wraiths Attack: While Strider and the Hobbits are encamped on Weathertop the Ring Wraiths attack. Although Strider is able to fight them off Frodo is pierced by the mortal blade of their leader, the Witch King of Angmar, and must be rushed to Rivendell with all possible speed is he is to survive.

* Help Arrives: When it seems sure that Frodo with pass into shadow and become a Wraith, help arrives. In the movies this help is Arwen who rides with Frodo to Rivendell. In the book it is an Elflord by the name of Glorfindel who assists the whole group through the last part of their journey into Rivendell.

For a more in-depth Summary please visit The Fellowship of the Ring.

* Frodo Recovers in Rivendell & Council is Taken: We find ourselves with Frodo in Rivendell when he awakens from semi-consciousness. He is pleased and surprised to find that everyone, including Gandalf and Bilbo, are here and safe. Next, council is taken and a plan is developed to send the ring into the very heart of enemy territory to be destroyed. Frodo volunteers to go on the quest all be it with a heavy heart. Eight others are appointed to go with him, and they are Aragorn, Legolas, Boromir, Gimli, Pippin, Merry, Sam, and Gandalf. Together the nine are called the Fellowship of the Ring.

* Crossing the Misty Mountains: The Fellowship first attempts to make their way by crossing the Misty Mountains. They are hindered by a supernaturally aided blizzard. As a last result they head underground to the Mines of Moria.

* Walking with the Dead: Gimli is excited about the possibility of being re-united with his cousin who is the Lord of Moria. Gandalf is apprehensive because he knows that there are great evils there in the deeps. When they enter Moria they find that it is a battleground graveyard. This is where Gandalf fights a Balrog, an ancient evil cloaked in fire and darkness. Gandalf and the Balrog fall into the abyss.

* Escape to Lothlorien: The remaining eight members of the Fellowship seek refuge in Lothlorien. It is here that they meet Celebron and Lady Galadriel. She gives them each tidings and a gift before she sends them on their way. A few of the gifts are left out of the movies, but this is the list of the gifts given by Lady Galadriel:
-Aragorn received the elf-stone Elessar from Arwen and an enchanted sheath for his sword
-Boromoir received a belt of gold
-Merry & Pippin each received a small silver belt with a golden flower clasp
-Legolas received a stouter bow and a quiver of arrows that were made by the Galadhrim
-Gimli received, upon request, three golden hairs from Lady Galadriel's head
-Sam received a Mallorn seed (the seed of the trees with golden leaves from Lothorien)and soil from Galadriel's garden
-Frodo received a phial filled with water from Galadriel's mirror in which she had captured the light from Earendil

* The Fellowship departs down the river by boat.

* Boromir tries to take the Ring: Frodo realizes that the ring has a negative effect on people who are around it, especially Boromir. When they had camped by the river Boromir attempts to take the ring from Frodo by force. Frodo escapes and crosses the river with Sam leaving the rest of the Fellowship behind to fight the attacking Orcs.

For a more in-depth Summary please visit The Fellowship of the Ring.

Two Towers, the second book in the LOTR trilogy, continues the story of Frodo and the Ring in addition to following the path of Merry and Pippin who have been captured by a party of Orcs.

**ALERT: Although I think that Peter Jackson did a wonderful job making the LOTR movies there are still many differences between the books and movies, as is to be expected. The summaries provided will more closely follow the books. However, I will try to point out areas where the movies do things differently. I will try not to be too confusing.**

* Boromir falls; Merry and Pippin are captured: As the Fellowship soon finds out Sauron is not the only one seeking the Ring of Power. Orcs attack the camp in search of a halfling that is carrying a special gift that their master desires. When Merry and Pippin are attacked, Boromir defends them to his death. Eventually he is overwhelmed and Merry and Pippin are spirited away by the their captures toward Isengard.

* Boromir pledges his allegiance: With his dying breaths Boromir tells Aragorn what he had tried to do and pledged his allegiance to Aragorn as his Lord and King. Then he passed on.

* The Fellowship is broken: Aragorn sees that the path remaining for himself, Gimli, and Legolas is to pursue and rescue Merry and Pippin if they can. So they give Boromir an honorable burial in one of the elven canoes and chase the Orcs on foot; letting Frodo and Sam continue on their own path toward Mordor and Mount Doom.

**The previous two events are included in the Fellowship of the Ring movie but actually take place in the book The Two Towers.

* Merry & Pippin Make Their Escape: We find out in The Two Towers that the Orcs who have captured Merry and Pippin are part of the Uruk-hai, a specially bred group of Orcs marked by the White Hand of Saruman. The Uruk-hai seek to bring Merry and Pippin back to Saruman at Isengard in hopes of being rewarded. However, days of endless running finally catch up to them and they must break for a rest. They choose to make their camp at the edge of Fangorn Forest. While they are encamped at the very edges of Fangorn, the Uruk-hai are attacked by a group of Rohirrim. It is this attack that enables Merry & Pippin make their escape into Fangorn.

* Rousing of the Ents: During their escape into Fangorn Forest, Merry and Pippin encounter an Ent called Treebeard. In general Ents take quite a lot of time to decide things for they are very old and see no reason to hurry. Treebeard spends a lot of time deciding if Hobbits are friends or foes, but eventually he takes Merry and Pippin to an Ent council. After the Ents discover the large amounts of trees the Orcs have been cutting down to fuel the furnaces of Isengard, they are enraged and decide to wage war against Isengard.

* Aragon, Gimli, & Legolas meet the Rohirrim: In their pursuit of the Orcs carrying Merry and Pippin, the trio meet a group of Rohirrim led by Eomer, King Theoden's nephew. They learned that they had recently attacked killed a whole party of Uruk-hai heading toward Isengard. They ask about Merry and Pippin but the Rohirrim don't give them much hope. But the three press on to confirm the fate of their friends.

* The Lost is Found: When they encountered the burning pier of Uruk-hai bodies, Aragon discovers tiny hobbit tracks fleeing the scene. As they follow the tracks into Fangorn they encounter a white wizard that they assume to Saruman. However, to their delight it is Gandalf! He tells them how he came to be in Fangorn, that Merry & Pippin are safe, and that he is now a white wizard. Then the four of them journey to visit Theoden in Edoras.

* A King is Saved: At Edoras, Gandalf frees King Theoden's mind from the grip of Saruman's spells. When the king regains his senses he moves his people to their stronghold at Helm's Deep to prepare for Saruman's attack. Gandalf heads off into the unknown with a promise to look for him on the third day.

* Battle of the Hornburg: Saruman's troops of men and Uruk-hai attack Helm's Deep and the Hornburg. Aragon, Gimli, and Legolas assist King Theoden in teh battle. On the third day, Gandalf returns with the army of the west fold led by Eomer. They route Saruman's troops who then flee into an enchanted forest of Hurons, which formed overnight, and are never seen again.

Encounter at Isengard: After defeating Saruman's troops, King Theoden, Aragon, Gimli, Legolas, Gandalf, & Eomer travel to confront the wizard in his tower. It is here that they are re-united with Merry and Pippin and find that the Ents have done their work and trapped Saruman in Isengard. During this encounter, Gandalf banishes Saruman from the order of wizards and Wormtongue throws an object from the window in an attempt to hit someone below. The object turns out to be a seeing stone called a plantir. **In the movie Wormtongue kills Saruman in this scene and then Legolas shoots him down. However, in the book both live in captivity inside Isengard.** Then the group heads toward Minas Tirith to prepare for war.

* Gollum gets caught: Frodo and Sam discover that Gollum has been following them so they lay a plan to capture him and are successful. Frodo exchanges Gollum's life for his guidance to the Black Gates of Mordor. Gollum swears on the Ring, his precious, not to harm Frodo.

* Journey through Ithilien: Gollum quickly keeps his promise to lead Sam and Frodo to the Black Gates where they witness men from the south joining forces with Sauron. However, Gollum prevents them from entering through the gates because he tells them their is a secret way. He begins leading them this way which takes them through the forest of Ithilien which used to be part of Gondor's empire but has been overrun with evil.

* Frodo faces Faramir: While they are in Ithilien they see a Oliphant and are captured by a group of spies from Gondor, led by Captain Faramir. Frodo learns that Faramir is Boromir's brother. After Faramir learns of Boromir's death and the plan to destroy the ring he lets Frodo, Sam, and Gollum go. Although he warns Gollum not to let anything happen to Sam and Frodo.

* Shelob's Lair: Still planning to take the Precious back for his own Gollum leads Sam and Frodo past Minas Morgul, the city of the dead, and into Shelob's Lair. Shelob, a giant spider like creature with a very think exoskeleton, attacks Sam and Frodo. Frodo is stung by Shelob in the back and appears to be dead. Sam fends off Gollum who attacked him and runs back to rescue Frodo.

* Mistaken for Dead: Sam manages to use Sting to injure Shelob on her softer underbelly. He saves Frodo but because Frodo is limp and lifeless looking he thinks that Frodo is dead. Sam resolves to finish the quest himself and takes sting and the Ring. He attempts to hide Frodo's body, but is not overly successful.

* Revelation: As Sam continues down the path, he is forced into hiding by a passing group of Orcs. The Orcs find Frodo's body and realize that he has been stung by Shelob. They take his body back to the tower to wait for him to wake up and as they pass Sam they talk about Frodo only being temporarily unconscious. Sam follows the Orcs knowing that he must save Frodo relieved that he was alive after all.

The Return of the King is the final chapter in the LOTR trilogy. The War for Middle Earth has come to a head. Everyone is depending on Frodo and Sam to destroy the Ring but no one is sure that they are even alive.

**ALERT: Although I think that Peter Jackson did a wonderful job making the LOTR movies there are still many differences between the books and movies, as is to be expected. The summaries provided will more closely follow the books. However, I will try to point out areas where the movies do things differently. I will try not to be too confusing.**

* Herald of Woe: Pippin and Gandalf make a frantic trip to Gondor and the city of Minas Tirith to warn Lord Denethor of the pending attack. They did not get a warm reception. Pippin pledges himself to the service of Gondor and the Stewart, Lord Denethor, in repayment of his debt (Boromir saving his life).

* Confrontation: Aragon took Saruman's plantir to confront Sauron. Revealing that an heir of Ilendil is indeed alive and coming to claim his throne. Now that he has accepted his heritage and his destiny, he heads into the cursed mountains with Legolas and Gimli and some of his kin (Grey Rangers from the North) to call the oath breakers to fulfill their word and rest in peace.

* Attack: The forces of Sauron attack Minas Tirith led by the Witch King of Angmar. They succeed in breaking down the city's gate, but at just that moment the Rohirrim arrive to the rescue, including Lady Eowyn who is disguised as a young man and Merry who was told to stay behind. Also joining the fight , a black pirates ship pulls into port and the forces of Mordor rejoice until they see that it is flying the banner of the King. The Witch King, which no man can kill, is slain by Lady Eowyn and Merry, which turns the tide and allows the forces of good to defeat them in the battle of the Fields of Pelennor. Faramir is wounded in the fighting and Denethor goes mad with grief thinking that he is dead. So he takes him to the tomb and tries to burn both of them alive on a funeral pier. Faramir is saved by Gandalf and Pippin but Lord Denethor is beyond help. Although Faramir was saved; he was almost dead so he lay unconcious in the houses of healing. There he was joined by Eowyn and Merry.

* The Hands of the King are Hands of Healing: Touched by the extreme darkness and evil from slaying the Witch King, Merry and Eowyn seem beyond help. Aragorn first enters Gondor, not as her King, but as one seeknig to heal his friends. He brings Kingsfoil, a common weed, into the houses of healing and heals his friends.

* Marching on: Deciding that the best way to help Frodo and Sam would be to empty Mordor of as many foes as possible, Aragorn and Gandalf make plans to draw out the forces of Mordor at the Black Gates.

* Frodo Captured: Frodo is being held captive in Cirith Ungol after being stung by Shelob and Sam is trying to save him.

* Sam is the temporary ring bearer: Thinking that Frodo was dead, Sam took the Ring to complete the quest. After rescuing Frodo from Cirith Ungol he returns the Ring to Frodo.

* Escape in Disguise: In order to escape Cirith Ungol and continue to make their way across Mordor, Sam and Frodo disguise themselves by wearing Orc armor.

* Sam & Frodo reach the Crack of Doom: After much toil and near death encounters, Sam and Frodo finally reach the Crack of Doom, an opening in the side of Mount Doom, where the Ring was forged. It is only here that the Ring can be unmade.

* A Time of Decision: After coming all this way, in the moments before Frodo is to drop the Ring into the fire of Mount Doom, he decides to claim the Ring for himself.

* Surprise Attack: It is just after Frodo has claimed the One Ring that Gollum, who has still been following them, chooses to attack. He caught them both by surprise and was able to regain the finger by biting off Frodo's finger where he was wearing the Ring.

* Pride comes before the Fall: Delighted that he has finally regained his Precious, Gollum stands staring at the Ring. As he leans his head farther and farther back to admire his prize, he loses his balance and both he and the Ring fall into the fires of Mount Doom and perish.

* The fall of Sauron: With the Ring destroyed the last of Sauron's power fades. He is no longer able to continue his quest to regain human form, and his forces flee in terror. The battle for Middle Earth has been won at last, and all by a little hobbit.

* Aragorn crowned King: Upon their return to Minas Tirith, Faramir who is full healed and has become the Steward of Gondor, accepts Aragorn as the King of Gondor. Aragorn is crowned, and the four Hobbits are honored for the roles that they played in the War of the Ring.

* A Royal Wedding: It is also at this time that Aragorn and Arwen are finally married.

* Return to the Shire (Not in Movie): When the hobbits return to the Shire they find that evil has been at work here too. A man named Sharky has torn up and burned some of the most beautiful parts of the Shire. He has issued new laws and turned brother upon brother. As it turns out Sharky is none other than the Wirzard Sauroman who has escaped from his tower Isengard and is seeking revenge on the hobbits.

* The Shire is Saved (Not in Movie): Merry, Pippin, Frodo, and Sam fight once more to free the Shire. They defeat Sauroman and Wormtongue, and begin the long journey to return the Shire to its former glory.

* A Time of Healing (Parts are in Movie): Sam uses the soil that Lady Galadriel gave him to help heal the Shire and to regrow many of the plants. Since the Orcs cut down the giant party tree, under orders from Sauroman, Sam plants his Mallorn seed in its place. Frodo also is healing from having his finger bitten off and still feels pain from the Witch King's knife wound on the anniversary of when it was first inflicted.

* The Undying Lands: Unable to find true rest and peace in Middle Earth, Frodo departs for the undying lands (the home of the elves) with Bilbo, Gandalf, and many of the elves. Merry, Pippin, and Sam bid their goodbyes as the ship prepares to depart from the Grey Havens. Frodo gives Sam all of his material possessions and bids him a fond farewell.

* The End: The book ends with Sam returning to his wife Rose and his daughter and saying...

"Well, I'm back."