Synopsis
As the West gathers for a war it cannot win by strength, the Ringbearer crawls into the dark. The volume opens with Gandalf and Pippin in Minas Tirith and Aragorn’s passage through the Paths of the Dead; it rises through the siege of the White City, the ride of the Rohirrim and the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, where Théoden falls and Éowyn and Merry slay the Witch-king. The last debate turns on hope disguised as a diversion: an army marches on the Black Gate so that Frodo may reach Mount Doom. There, at the very end of his endurance, Frodo claims the Ring — and only Gollum’s final, greedy stumbling sends it into the fire. Sauron is unmade, Aragorn is crowned, the hobbits return to a Shire that needs healing, and the Elves pass away into the West.
Setting
Minas Tirith, the Pelennor Fields, the Paths of the Dead, Mordor, Mount Doom, the Field of Cormallen and the Shire.
Chapters
1.Minas Tirith
Gandalf and Pippin reach the White City, where Denethor’s despair and Faramir’s loyalty darken the defence.
2.The Passing of the Grey Company
Aragorn, with the Rangers of the North, takes the Paths of the Dead and calls the oathbreakers who cannot rest.
3.The Muster of Rohan
Théoden rides to war at last, while Merry is taken to the field by the disguised Éowyn.
4.The Siege of Gondor
Mordor’s armies invest Minas Tirith; Denethor burns himself and the city’s gates are shattered before the Riders come.
5.The Battle of the Pelennor Fields
Théoden is slain, Éowyn and Merry destroy the Witch-king, and Aragorn arrives with the black fleet to turn the battle.
6.The Houses of Healing
Aragorn proves the true king by healing Faramir, Éowyn and Merry from the Black Breath.
7.The Last Debate
The captains resolve to march on the Black Gate, accepting that they must draw Sauron’s eye from Frodo.
8.Mount Doom
Frodo at last claims the Ring in the fire, Gollum bites it from him and falls, and the Ring is destroyed with Sauron.
9.The Field of Cormallen
The host is saved from ruin, the Eagles come, and the Ringbearer and his companion are honoured before all.
10.The Steward and the King
Aragorn is crowned Elessar in Minas Tirith and weds Arwen Evenstar, uniting the lines of Elendil and Isildur.
11.The Scouring of the Shire
The hobbits return to find their home bullied by Saruman’s agents, and lead a rising that restores it.
12.The Grey Havens
After long healing, Frodo, Bilbo, Gandalf, Elrond and Galadriel take ship into the West, and the Third Age ends.
Themes
- hope against despair
- the end of an age
- kingship and stewardship
- the cost of victory
- mercy repaid
Where to go next
Publication note
Publication note
Sources
The Lord of the Rings · 1954–55
Three volumes: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King.