T.A. 3001

**Third Age 3001** (shortened to **T.A. 3001**, also known as **Shire Reckoning 1402**) is a year in Lord of the Rings timeline. It is the beginning year of the War of the Ring.

## June

**19**:

* Gollum is tortured in Barad Dur. Having learned the identity of the Ringbearer and the name of his homeland, Sauron sends the Nine after him. Gandalf reads the account of Isildur.
* Faramir and Boromir recieve the dream: "Your doom is near at hand, Isildur's bane is found."

**20**: As a distraction, Sauron overruns Osgiliath. Faramir, marshaling an outnumbered force, is forced to retreat. Gandalf sends word to Rivendell to inform Elrond, who calls a meeting of the leaders of the free people of Middle Earth.

**22**: The Nine cross the Isen.

**25:** The Nine reach Isengard and leave for the Shire.

## **July**

**1**: Aragorn meets up with Gandalf in the Nindalf, having captured Gollum at the Dead Marshes. They interrogate him and Gandalf leaves for the Shire while Aragorn takes Gollum to the Woodland Realm.

**4**: Boromir recaptures Osgiliath. The Woodland Realm is attacked and Gollum is set free.

**5**: Denethor, having recieved Elrond's call, uses the Anor Stone to learn that the One Ring has been found. He sends Boromir to Rivendell with the objective to retrieving it for him.

## **Semptember**

**21**: Three Ringwraiths storm Sarn Ford, entering the Shire from the South. They reach Bamfurlong, looking for Baggins.

**22**:

* Gandalf returns to the Shire and ascertains the true nature of Bilbo's Ring. He discovers Sam eavesdropping and sends him with Frodo on the Quest of the Ring.
* Two wraiths storm Buckland and enter the Shire from the East.

**26:** Frodo and Sam leave Westfarthing. They see Wood Elves leaving Middle Earth. On their trail, Ringwraiths arrive at Green Hill Country.

**27**:

* Gandalf meets Saruman, but is betrayed. They fight, and Gandalf is overpowered and incarcerated.
* Frodo and Sam reach Bamfurlong where they are joined by Merry and Pippin. They stumble into Woody End, where they encounter a Ringwraith whom they narrowly avoid. At night, they reach Buckelberry Ferry.

**28**: The Hobbits cross the Old Forest, and meet Tom Bombadil and Goldberry.

**29**: They cross the Barrow Downs.

**30**: The Hobbits reach Bree. Frodo puts the Ring on, attracting the Nazgul. Four enter the town, while the Witch King and the other four stay outside, overlooking the way out of the town. Aragorn warns the Hobbits.

**1**: Frodo leaves Bree with Aragorn.

**3**: Aragorn leads The Hobbits to Midgewater Marshes. Saruman tears down the trees in Isengard to help Sauron create an army there.

**6**: Attack on Weathertop.

**7**: Gandalf calls upon Gwaihir. Saruman beeds Uruk Hai, namely Lurtz. Some time later, Gandalf is rescued by Gwaihir and goes to Edoras.

**13**: Gandalf reaches the Shire to find Frodo gone.

**14**: Gandalf reaches Bree to learn that The Hobbits have teamed with Aragorn. He goes to Weathertop and after two days arrives at Rivendell.

**16:** Arwen leaves Rivendell. She chases the five wraiths off of the Bridge of Mitheithel.

**18:** Arwen finds Aragorn at Trollshaws. Gandalf reaches Rivendell.

**20:** Escape across the Ford of Bruinen.

**24:** Frodo recovers and wakes.

**25**: The Council of Elrond

## December

**25**:

* Aragorn visits Gilraen's grave. Elrond tries to convince him to let Arwen go, and Aragorn feigns to her that their relationship was "a dream" so that she will not have to relinquish her immortality.
* Bilbo gives Frodo the Mithril vest and Sting.
* The Fellowship leaves Rivendell.

The Fellowship of the Ring is formed.