The Lord of the Rings, #1

The Fellowship of the Ring

by J. R. R. Tolkien

Genre

Fantasy, Classics

Pages

442

Contents

CHAPTER 3: THE RING GOES SOUTH

Previous: CHAPTER 2: THE COUNCIL OF ELROND Next: CHAPTER 4: A JOURNEY IN THE DARK

Overview

Elrond finalizes the Fellowship: nine companions set against the Nine Riders. Aragorn’s sword is reforged; Bilbo gifts Frodo Sting and hidden mithril. The Company departs in secrecy, but crebain and a blizzard on Caradhras expose them. After perilous efforts, the mountain defeats them, forcing a retreat.

Summary

Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin debate the journey; Gandalf hints he may go. Scouts are sent across the lands. Time passes peacefully in Rivendell until reports return: the Ringwraiths’ horses are found drowned and the Nazgûl seem scattered; no trace of Gollum is found. Elrond declares the Company of the Ring shall be Nine: Frodo and Sam, Gandalf, Aragorn, Boromir, Legolas, Gimli, Merry, and Pippin.

Aragorn’s sword is reforged as Andúril. Frodo spends time with Bilbo, who gifts him Sting and secretly a mithril shirt. As winter deepens, Elrond counsels secrecy, sets few oaths, and blesses them. The Fellowship departs at dusk with minimal gear; Bill the pony bears supplies. They turn south off the Road, traveling by night in cold, rough country.

Reaching Hollin, Aragorn senses unnatural silence. Crebain sweep the skies; the Company hides and then moves at dusk toward Caradhras. A fleeting shadow crosses the stars. Gandalf and Aragorn weigh routes, briefly considering a darker way, but choose the Redhorn Gate despite risks of watchers and weather.

A blizzard engulfs the narrow path. Stones and eerie cries assail them; Boromir fears for the hobbits. Gandalf shares Elrond’s miruvor, then kindles a perilous fire. By dawn the snow eases, but drifts bar the way. Legolas scouts lightly over the snow; Boromir and Aragorn carve a lane and carry the hobbits through.

An avalanche blocks their back-trail above, yet the snow lessens ahead. The Company descends to safer ground, spotting circling birds below. Accepting defeat at the Redhorn Gate, Gandalf orders an immediate retreat from Caradhras.

Who Appears

Frodo Baggins

Ring-bearer; accepts companions, receives Sting and hidden mithril, and leads the departure from Rivendell.
Gandalf

Joins the Fellowship; advises secrecy; uses miruvor and kindles fire on Caradhras; debates routes with Aragorn.
Aragorn (Strider)

Named to the Company; Andúril reforged; scouts, guides through Hollin, senses watchfulness, helps break the snowdrift.
Boromir

Joins the Company; counsels carrying wood; questions storm; helps forge a path and carries hobbits through drifts.
Legolas

Elven member; detects the land’s memory; identifies crebain; runs lightly over snow to scout and guide.
Gimli

Dwarven member; names the mountains; warns of Caradhras’s ill will; rides Bill during the descent.
Samwise Gamgee

Insists on bringing Bill; frets over rope; struggles in the storm; is carried through the drifts.
Meriadoc Brandybuck

Insists on going; endures the march and storm; is carried by Aragorn through deep snow.
Peregrin Took (Pippin)

Demands inclusion; permitted by Elrond; suffers in the blizzard; borne by Boromir through the drift.
Elrond

Forms the Nine Walkers, blesses the quest, warns against oaths, and sends them out in secrecy.
Bilbo Baggins

Shares stories and gifts Frodo Sting and a mithril shirt; bids the Company farewell.
Bill the Pony

Rejuvenated in Rivendell; bears supplies; screens hobbits during the storm; endures the harsh climb.