The Lord of the Rings, #3
The Return of the King
by J. R. R. Tolkien
Contents
Chapter 6: MANY PARTINGS
Overview
The Fellowship and their allies begin the long return. Arwen grants Frodo a healing jewel and the option to sail West. Théoden is buried in Edoras, and Éowyn is betrothed to Faramir. After farewells at Isengard—where Treebeard has freed Saruman and Aragorn receives Orthanc’s keys—they meet the fallen wizard on the road, then reach Rivendell to visit aged Bilbo and depart with Elrond’s quiet promise.
Summary
With rejoicing ended, Frodo asks leave to return home but first to visit Rivendell to see Bilbo. Aragorn grants the hobbits freedom of Gondor and honors, while Arwen gives Frodo a white jewel and the choice, if his wounds endure, to sail West for healing. Éomer arrives with Riders to bear Théoden home; in Merethrond he and Gimli good‑humoredly settle their old dispute over the fairest lady.
A great company departs Minas Tirith, bearing Théoden on a wain. In Anórien Aragorn proclaims the Drúadan Forest the Woses’ own forever. After fifteen days they reach Edoras, hold Théoden’s funeral, raise his mound, and sing his valor. At the feast Éomer announces Éowyn’s betrothal to Faramir; Éowyn gifts Merry a dwarf-wrought horn from Eorl’s hoard. The hosts ride on to Helm’s Deep, then to Isengard.
At Isengard the travellers find the ring-wall gone and gardens made; Treebeard greets them, recounts Ents’ part against orcs, and reveals he let Saruman go. Aragorn grants the valley to the Ents and receives from Quickbeam the keys of Orthanc, keeping the tower under royal leave. Legolas and Gimli part from the main company to visit Fangorn, marking the Fellowship’s end; farewells are exchanged with Galadriel and Celeborn.
Turning north, the reduced company meets Saruman and Wormtongue, now ragged beggars. Saruman scorns offers of mercy, mocks their hopes, and hints at trouble in the Southfarthing; Merry briefly gives, then reclaims, a pouch of pipe-weed. Gandalf judges Saruman shrunken yet still spiteful in small ways.
They cross into Eregion and part from Galadriel and Celeborn at the Redhorn Gate. Reaching Rivendell, they find Bilbo aged but cheerful; they celebrate his 129th birthday and recount their journeys. Before leaving, Bilbo gifts Frodo books of lore (and forgetfully mentions Sting and mithril), gives Sam gold, and presents Merry and Pippin with fine Elvish pipes, asking Frodo to tidy his papers. The hobbits and Gandalf depart; privately, Elrond tells Frodo he may soon see Bilbo again in the Shire’s autumn woods.
Who Appears
- Frodo BagginsSeeks to return home via Rivendell; receives Arwen’s white gem and promise of passage West; visits and aids Bilbo.
- Aragorn (King Elessar)Honors the hobbits; proclaims Drúadan Forest to the Woses; receives Orthanc’s keys; parts from the company near the Gap.
- GandalfTravels north with the hobbits; challenges Treebeard about Saruman; later rebukes Saruman and offers him aid.
- Arwen EvenstarGives Frodo a healing jewel and the choice to sail West; parts bitterly from Elrond at Edoras.
- ÉomerLeads Théoden’s funeral; announces Éowyn’s betrothal to Faramir; bids farewells and honors Merry.
- ÉowynBetrothed to Faramir; gifts Merry a dwarf-wrought horn from Eorl’s hoard.
- Meriadoc Brandybuck (Merry)Rides with Théoden’s bier; mourns; receives Éowyn’s horn; confronts Saruman over a pipe-weed pouch.
- Samwise GamgeeRides beside Frodo; worries about the Shire; receives gold from Bilbo; shares desire to depart Rivendell.
- Peregrin Took (Pippin)Parts from Aragorn; jokes about palantíri; receives an Elvish pipe from Bilbo.
- Treebeard (Fangorn)Shows Isengard’s renewal; admits freeing Saruman; gives Orthanc’s keys via Quickbeam; bids a lasting farewell.
- SarumanEncountered as a ragged wanderer; rejects mercy; taunts the company; hints at trouble in the Southfarthing.
- GaladrielTravels north; parts at the Redhorn Gate; bids prophetic farewell; shows her Ring in final salute.
- CelebornAccompanies Galadriel; exchanges farewells with Aragorn; parts eastward toward Lórien.
- LegolasVisits the Glittering Caves with Gimli; then turns to explore Fangorn before returning north.
- GimliAmazed by the Glittering Caves; travels with Legolas; renews friendly rivalry.
- Bilbo BagginsElderly in Rivendell; celebrates 129th birthday; gives gifts; asks Frodo to order his papers.
- ElrondWelcomes the travellers; privately tells Frodo he may soon see Bilbo in the Shire’s autumn woods.
- Gríma WormtongueDowntrodden companion of Saruman; cowed and abused; refuses Gandalf’s invitation to leave.
- QuickbeamEnt who keeps Orthanc’s keys and hands them to Aragorn.