The Battle of the Black Gate

The event

The Captains of the West assault the Morannon to draw Sauron’s eye from Frodo.

The last army of the West is surrounded; the destruction of the Ring saves them at the final moment.

A Wizard of the Istari, keeper of the Elven-ring Narya, and the chief architect of the resistance to Sauron.

The heir of Isildur, raised in Rivendell in secret, who becomes King Elessar and reunites the kingdoms of Gondor and Arnor.

The hobbit of the Shire who carried the One Ring across Middle-earth to Mount Doom and destroyed it.

Frodo’s loyal gardener and companion, who carried him — and, briefly, the Ring — to the end of the quest.

A Maia and former lieutenant of Morgoth, forger of the One Ring and the central antagonist of The Lord of the Rings.

A Stoor-hobbit ruined by the One Ring, who guides Frodo and Sam toward Mordor and finally destroys the Ring by accident.

The youngest hobbit of the Fellowship, who became a knight and guard of Gondor and saved Faramir from Denethor’s pyre.

A clever Brandybuck who rode to war with Rohan and helped slay the Witch-king at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.

The Lord of the Rings · 1954–55
Three volumes: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King.