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The Fellowship of the Ring are the main protagonists of The Lord of the Rings trilogy and its film adaptations. It was formed as a brotherhood among members of the various Free Peoples of Middle-earth. Its purpose was to take the One Ring to Mordor so that it might be cast into the fires of Mount Doom, the mountain in which it was forged, so that it would be destroyed and ultimately eradicate the Dark Lord Sauron.
The Fellowship was also known as the Company of the Ring, the Nine Walkers, or more simply the Company. Each of the members of the Company were representatives of their respective races, with Legolas and Gimli being the only Elf and Dwarf chosen, respectively.
History[]
Formation[]
Formed at the Council of Elrond, the Fellowship consisted of nine members: four Hobbits, two Men, one Elf, one Dwarf, and a Wizard. It was the only known organisation ever formed in the history of Middle-earth to hold members of each of these races within it (and with the departure of the Elves and the Wizards from Middle-earth, there would never be another such group), who largely lived and acted independent of one another. This number was chosen to match the number of Nazgûl. Merry and Pippin were never intended to be a part of the Fellowship, with Elrond initially considering two Elf-lords from his own house. He wished to send the two younger hobbits back to the Shire as messengers to warn other Hobbits of the growing evil. However, the Halflings persevered: Merry was chosen while Gandalf convinced Elrond of the loyalty of Pippin. The Fellowship of the Ring was formed by Elrond after the Council of Elrond. The Fellowship, being led mainly by Gandalf, headed down the path to Mordor.
Journey of the Fellowship[]
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 of 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 Uruk-hai 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.
Breaking of the Fellowship[]
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, who were taking the hobbits, believed to be the Ring-bearers, to Saruman in Isengard. Along the way the trio crossed through Rohan and came across Éomer and his Éored. 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. Upon arriving at the site of the battle, Aragorn discovered 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, where they found King Théoden in ill-condition, poisoned by Saruman's servant Gríma 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.
The Second Fellowship[]
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 broke up following Boromir's death. The Fellowship was reunited again after the Battle of the Black Gate, 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.
Members[]
- Gandalf
- Frodo Baggins
- Samwise Gamgee
- Aragorn
- Legolas
- Gimli
- Boromir
- Peregrin Took
- Meriadoc Brandybuck
Trivia[]
- Considering how much J.R.R. Tolkien's classic Middle-earth saga influenced countless fantasy works after it, there's no doubt Fellowship of the Ring serves as one of major inspirations for adventuring party concept (a band of adventurers with diverse background, race, and set of skills working together as one) utilized in prominent franchises such as Dungeons & Dragons (particularly its popular livestream Critical Role/The Legend of Vox Machina), Final Fantasy series, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, Goblin Slayer and Delicious in Dungeon. All that said, Tolkien could have gotten the idea from the much earlier tale of Robin Hood and his "band of Merry Men".
- In stark contrast of many of adventuring parties in such works, Fellowship of the Ring is seemingly destined to fulfill its purpose as splintered groups and only reunited once they fulfilled their respective role (apart from Boromir who perished during the quest):
- Frodo had to continue carry One Ring to Mount Doom at which Sauron's Ring of Power could be truky destroyed with Sam as his loyal company despite his understandable fear of having to do so alone.
- Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli were reassigned to save Rohan and later, Gondor at the behest of Gandalf who both revived and promoted into White Wizard by Eru Ilúvatar following his sacrifice in slaying Durin's Bane, and that the trio's attempt to rescue Merry and Pippin from a squad of Uruk-Hai dispatched by Saruman was ultimately unnecessary.
- On a related note, Merry and Pippin's capture proved crucial in Saruman's downfall. To elaborate, when their captors were ambushed by Éomer and his troops in front of Fangorn Forest, the duo wasted no time to take refuge there leading to the fateful encounter with Treebeard the Ent who took them under his and and his brethren's care as per Gandalf the White's instruction. It was during their stay at Fangorn Forest Merry and Pippin were alarmed by deforestation of trees surrounding Isengard culminating to them waged war against Saruman. It was after robbing Saruman of his assets for aiding Sauron the duo finally able to rejoin Aragorn's group in saving Gondor.
- In stark contrast of many of adventuring parties in such works, Fellowship of the Ring is seemingly destined to fulfill its purpose as splintered groups and only reunited once they fulfilled their respective role (apart from Boromir who perished during the quest):
