Fellowship of the Ring

The **Fellowship of the Ring**, also known as Company of the Ring, **the Nine Walkers**, or more simply the **Fellowship** or the **Company** was an organization formed in T.A. 3018 in Rivendell with Frodo leading the Quest. The goal was to destroy the One Ring and save Middle-earth. Destroying the Ring would also have destroyed Sauron as well.

## History

### Formation

Lord Elrond called over members of each race gather in Rivendell, forming the Council of Elrond. However, the companies turned against each other and the arguments escalated in the room until Frodo Baggins openly volunteered to take the Ring to Mordor, but proclaimed he did not know the way. Gandalf agreed to accompany Frodo to Mordor, as long as he bore the burden alone, Aragorn proclaimed to protect Frodo with his sword. Legolas and Gimli promised as well with their bow and ax respectively, begrudgingly agreeing to work together. Samwise Gamgee, Meriadoc Brandybuck, and Peregrin Took joined as well, showing their loyalty to Frodo. Elrond, recognizing the nine companions declared them as the Fellowship of the Ring, with Pippin foolishly asking where they were going.

On December 25, the Fellowship set from Rivendell, with Gandalf guiding Frodo.

After a long and difficult journey south from Rivendell, and a near-catastrophic attempt to cross over the Misty Mountains via the Pass of Caradhras, the Fellowship descended into Moria. In the former Dwarf-kingdom, they found evidence that Orcs had slain Gimli's kinsman Balin and other Dwarves who had returned there. They were soon confronted by the Balrog known as *Durin's Bane*, who had many Orc and Troll minions under his control. Gandalf fell facing this menace, and the company was forced to go on without him.

Once they escaped Moria, the Fellowship headed to the Elven forest of Lothlórien where they met with the Elven Lord Celeborn and Galadriel, Lady of Light. Galadriel supplied them each with special Elven Gifts from Lothlórien, boats and supplies so that they could travel down the river Anduin. This route was quicker than an overland march, but the group was attacked by Orc archers and shadowed by Gollum, who had begun following them in Moria.

Forced to portage their boats around the rapids of Sarn Gebir and preparing to take the North Stair to avoid the waterfall called Rauros, the Fellowship soon ran into difficulties. Boromir finally succumbed to temptation, and attempted to seize the Ring from Frodo. This led to Frodo using the Ring to escape and he and Sam leaving to spare the others the lure of it. The repentant Boromir died trying to defend Merry and Pippin against a large force of Uruks from Isengard.

The Fellowship was dissolved on the banks of the Anduin that day. Frodo and Sam carried on towards Mordor; Boromir was given funerary rites and sent floating over the falls, and Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli departed on their way to save Merry and Pippin.

After Boromir died the Fellowship split into three paths. From there Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli chased after the Uruk-hai who took Merry and Pippin. Their plan was to take the hobbits to Saruman in Isengard. Along the way the trio crossed through the Gap of Rohan and came across Éomer who led the banished Riders of Rohan across the land. After questioning Éomer, they found out that the riders had already slain the Uruk-hai they were meant to track, the night before in a bloody massacre. So upon arriving to site of battle, Aragorn discovers that the hobbits fled deep into Fangorn Forest.

Gandalf, though thought to be dead when he fell at the Bridge of Khazad-dûm in Moria, came back to Middle-earth, reincarnated as Gandalf the White. He encountered Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli in Fangorn, and they, mistaking Gandalf for Saruman, attempted to kill him. Gandalf assured them that Merry and Pippin were safe (knowing they were in the hands of Treebeard). From there they rode out to Edoras, capital of Rohan. It was there they saw King Theoden in ill-condition, poisoned by Saruman's servant Grima Wormtongue.

Frodo and Sam continued their journey, getting closer to Mordor. Gollum had tailed them. While attempting to take "the precious" in their sleep, Frodo and Sam awoke and captured him. Frodo realizing who he was decided Gollum could be used as guide into Mordor.

In the book, Aragorn continues to call the company he leads (Legolas and Gimli, occasionally joined by Gandalf, Merry, and Pippin) the Fellowship of the Ring even after the original Fellowship breaks up following Boromir's death. The fellowship is reunited again after the War of The Ring, parting finally on the hill of Dol Baran near Isengard. Whilst other members of the Fellowship would meet again, this would be the last time they were fully assembled save for Boromir.