The Lord of the Rings, #3
The Return of the King
by J. R. R. Tolkien
Contents
Chapter 2: THE LAND OF SHADOW
Overview
Frodo and Sam escape Cirith Ungol and descend into Mordor’s Morgai, evading pursuit as the West’s winds briefly lighten the gloom. They find scarce water, confirm Gollum still stalks them, and learn Mordor’s forces mass at Udûn. Forced onto a road, they’re driven into an orc column, endure a brutal march, and seize a chaotic moment near the Isenmouthe to slip away, with Frodo collapsing from exhaustion.
Summary
Sam and Frodo flee the Tower of Cirith Ungol as a Nazgûl’s cry raises alarm. Cutting off the road at a bridge, they leap into thorn-bushes and scramble down into the Morgai valley, narrowly evading mounted pursuers. Exhausted and parched, they push north along the ravine, Frodo discarding heavy orc-mail to conserve strength while Sam shares his Elven cloak and meager provisions.
A shifting west wind thins Mordor’s pall; a Nazgûl’s wail now sounds like mourning, hinting at the Witch-king’s fall. Heartened briefly, they find an orc-path and, crucially, a trickle of water. Frodo plans to move north before turning east toward Mount Doom, conserving strength and avoiding obvious searches. They witness Mordor’s camps and industry on Gorgoroth and realize forces are massing near Cirith Gorgor and Udûn, tightening defenses around the Mountain.
Forced back to the valley floor, they pass an orc-hold and overhear a tracker and a soldier quarrel about the Tower’s raid, bad news from battles, and Gollum’s escape. Sam recounts to Frodo the attack at Shelob’s Lair and his own deeds. Frodo, too weak to fight, gives Sting to Sam and relies on stealth and endurance.
With provisions dwindling, they creep north by night. Frodo estimates daunting distances remaining; Sam urges stricter rationing. Reaching the road to the Isenmouthe, they are overtaken by marching orcs. Posing as lagging soldiers, they’re whipped into a column and driven at a punishing pace toward Udûn, Frodo near collapse.
At a road-junction before the gate, converging companies clash in darkness. Sam seizes the chance, dragging Frodo off the raised road. In the confusion they crawl away unseen and tumble into a shallow pit, where Frodo collapses, spent but free—for the moment—on the brink of Mordor’s mustering ground.
Who Appears
- Frodo BagginsRing-bearer; discards orc-mail, battles exhaustion and the Ring’s weight, relinquishes Sting to Sam, endures forced march, collapses after escaping near Udûn.
- Samwise GamgeeProtective companion; leads escapes, shares cloak and food, finds water, recounts Shelob and Cirith Ungol, spots Gollum, engineers escape from the orc column.
- GollumShadowy pursuer; seen skulking near the hobbits’ hiding place, suspected of theft and treachery, but avoids revealing them to orcs.
- Orc slave-driver (uruk)Whip-wielding overseer who forces Frodo and Sam into an orc column bound for Udûn.
- Orc trackerSmall, bow-armed orc; quarrels with a soldier about the hunt and Tower news; kills the larger orc and departs.
- NazgûlRingwraith presence overhead; its cry signals alarm, later a wail of dismay after the Witch-king’s fall.