The Return Of The King Part 31

29.

Meriadoc and Pippin escape and meet Treebeard. The Rohirrim attack at sunrise and destroy the Orcs. Frodo descends from the Emyn Muil and meets Gollum. Faramir sees the funeral boat of Boromir.

30.

Entmoot begins. eomer returning to Edoras meets Aragorn.

March

1.

Frodo begins the pa.s.sage of the Dead Marshes at dawn. Entmoot continues. Aragorn meets Gandalf the White. They set out for Edoras. Faramir leaves Minas Tirith on an errand to Ithilien.

2.

Frodo comes to the end of the Marshes. Gandalf comes to Edoras and heals Theoden. The Rohirrim ride west against Saruman. Second Battle of Fords of Isen. Erkenbrand defeated. Entmoot ends in afternoon. The Ents march on Isengard and reach it at night.

3.

Theoden retreats to Helm's Deep. Battle of the Hornburg begins. Ents complete the destruction of Isengard.

4.

Theoden and Gandalf set out from Helm's Deep for Isengard. Frodo reaches the slag-mounds on the edge of the Desolation of the Morannon.

5.

Theoden reaches Isengard at noon. Parley with Saruman in Orthanc. Winged Nazgul pa.s.ses over the camp at Dol Baran. Gandalf sets out with Peregrin for Minas Tirith. Frodo hides in sight of the Morannon, and leaves at dusk.

6.

Aragorn overtaken by the Dunedain in the early hours. Theoden sets out from the Hornburg for Harrowdale. Aragorn sets out later.

7.

Frodo taken by Faramir to Henneth Annun. Aragorn comes to Dunharrow at nightfall.

8.

Aragorn takes the 'Paths of the Dead' at daybreak; he reaches Erech at midnight. Frodo leaves Henneth Annun.

9.

Gandalf reaches Minas Tirith. Faramir leaves Henneth Annun. Aragorn sets out from Erech and comes to Calembel. At dusk Frodo reaches the Morgul-road. Theoden comes to Dunharrow. Darkness begins to flow out of Mordor.

10.

The Dawnless Day. The Muster of Rohan: the Rohirrim ride from Harrowdale. Faramir rescued by Gandalf outside the gates of the City. Aragorn crosses Ringlo. An army from the Morannon takes Cair Andros and pa.s.ses into Anorien. Frodo pa.s.ses the Cross-roads, and sees the Morgul-host set forth.

11.

Gollum visits Shelob, but seeing Frodo asleep nearly repents. Denethor sends Faramir to Osgiliath. Aragorn reaches Linhir and crosses into Lebennin. Eastern Rohan is invaded from the north. First a.s.sault on Lorien.

12.

Gollum leads Frodo into Shelob's lair. Faramir retreats to the Causeway Forts. Theoden camps under Min-Rimmon. Aragorn drives the enemy towards Pelargir. The Ents defeat the invaders of Rohan.

13.

Frodo captured by the Orcs of Cirith Ungol. The Pelennor is overrun. Faramir is wounded. Aragorn reaches Pelargir and captures the fleet. Theoden in Druadan Forest.

14.

Samwise finds Frodo in the Tower. Minas Tirith is besieged. The Rohirrim led by the Wild Men come to the Grey Wood.

15.

In the early hours the Witch-king breaks the Gates of the City. Denethor burns himself on a pyre. The horns of the Rohirrim are heard at c.o.c.kcrow. Battle of the Pelennor. Theoden is slain. Aragorn raises the standard of Arwen. Frodo and Samwise escape and begin their journey north along the Morgai. Battle under the trees in Mirkwood; Thranduil repels the forces of Dol Guldur. Second a.s.sault on Lorien.

16.

Debate of the commanders. Frodo from the Morgai looks out over the camp to Mount Doom.

17.

Battle of Dale. King Brand and King Dain Ironfoot fall. Many Dwarves and Men take refuge in Erebor and are besieged. s.h.a.grat brings Frodo's cloak, mail-s.h.i.+rt, and sword to Barad-dur.

18.

The Host of the West marches from Minas Tirith. Frodo comes in sight of the Isenmouthe; he is overtaken by Orcs on the road from Durthang to Udun.

19.

The Host comes to Morgul Vale. Frodo and Samwise escape and begin their journey along the road to the Barad-dur.

22.

The dreadful nightfall. Frodo and Samwise leave the road and turn south to Mount Doom. Third a.s.sault on Lorien.

23.

The Host pa.s.ses out of Ithilien. Aragorn dismisses the faint-hearted. Frodo and Samwise cast away their arms and gear.

24.

Frodo and Samwise make their last journey to the feet of Mount Doom. The Host camps in the Desolation of the Morannon.

25.

The Host is surrounded on the Slag-hills. Frodo and Samwise reach the Sammath Naur. Gollum seizes the Ring and falls in the Cracks of Doom. Downfall of Barad-dur and pa.s.sing of Sauron.

After the fall of the Dark Tower and the pa.s.sing of Sauron the Shadow was lifted from the hearts of all who opposed him, but fear and despair fell upon his servants and allies. Three times Lorien had been a.s.sailed from Dol Guldur, but besides the valour of the elven people of that land, the power that dwelt there was too great for any to overcome, unless Sauron had come there himself. Though grievous harm was done to the fair woods on the borders, the a.s.saults were driven back; and when the Shadow pa.s.sed, Celeborn came forth and led the host of Lorien over Anduin in many boats. They took Dol Guldur, and Galadriel threw down its walls and laid bare its pits, and the forest was cleansed.

In the North also there had been war and evil. The realm of Thranduil was invaded, and there was long battle under the trees and great ruin of fire; but in the end Thranduil had the victory. And on the day of the New Year of the Elves, Celeborn and Thranduil met in the midst of the forest; and they renamed Mirkwood Eryn Lasgalen Eryn Lasgalen, The Wood of Greenleaves. Thranduil took all the northern region as far as the mountains that rise in the forest for his realm; and Celeborn took all the southern wood below the Narrows, and named it East Lorien; all the wide forest between was given to the Beornings and the Woodmen. But after the pa.s.sing of Galadriel in a few years Celeborn grew weary of his realm and went to Imladris to dwell with the sons of Elrond. In the Greenwood the Silvan Elves remained untroubled, but in Lorien there lingered sadly only a few of its former people, and there was no longer light or song in Caras Galadhon.

At the same time as the great armies besieged Minas Tirith a host of the allies of Sauron that had long threatened the borders of King Brand crossed the River Carnen, and Brand was driven back to Dale. There he had the aid of the Dwarves of Erebor; and there was a great battle at the Mountain's feet. It lasted three days, but in the end both King Brand and King Dain Ironfoot were slain, and the Easterlings had the victory. But they could not take the Gate, and many, both Dwarves and Men, took refuge in Erebor, and there withstood a siege.

When news came of the great victories in the South, then Sauron's northern army was filled with dismay; and the besieged came forth and routed them, and the remnant fled into the East and troubled Dale no more. Then Bard II, Brand's son, became King in Dale, and Thorin III Stonehelm, Dain's son, became King under the Mountain. They sent their amba.s.sadors to the crowning of King Elessar; and their realms remained ever after, as long as they lasted, in friends.h.i.+p with Gondor; and they were under the crown and protection of the King of the West.

THE CHIEF DAYS FROM THE FALL OF BARAD-DuR TO THE END OF THE THIRD AGE 1 1.

3019 S.R. 1419.

March 27. Bard II and Thorin III Stonehelm drive the enemy from Dale. 27. Bard II and Thorin III Stonehelm drive the enemy from Dale. 28. Celeborn crosses Anduin; destruction of Dol Guldur begun. 28. Celeborn crosses Anduin; destruction of Dol Guldur begun.April 6. Meeting of Celeborn and Thranduil. 6. Meeting of Celeborn and Thranduil. 8. The Ring-bearers are honoured on the Field of Cormallen. 8. The Ring-bearers are honoured on the Field of Cormallen.May 1. Crowning of King Elessar; Elrond and Arwen set out from Rivendell. 1. Crowning of King Elessar; Elrond and Arwen set out from Rivendell. 8. eomer and eowyn depart for Rohan with the sons of Elrond. 8. eomer and eowyn depart for Rohan with the sons of Elrond.20. Elrond and Arwen come to Lorien.27. The escort of Arwen leaves Lorien.June 14. The sons of Elrond meet the escort and bring Arwen to Edoras. 14. The sons of Elrond meet the escort and bring Arwen to Edoras. 16. They set out for Gondor. 16. They set out for Gondor.25. King Elessar finds the sapling of the White Tree.1 Lithe. Arwen comes to the City. Arwen comes to the City. Mid-year's Day. Mid-year's Day. Wedding of Elessar and Arwen. Wedding of Elessar and Arwen. July July 18. eomer returns to Minas Tirith. 18. eomer returns to Minas Tirith. 22. The funeral escort of King Theoden sets out. 22. The funeral escort of King Theoden sets out.August 7. The escort comes to Edoras. 7. The escort comes to Edoras. 10. Funeral of King Theoden. 10. Funeral of King Theoden.14. The guests take leave of King eomer.15. Treebeard releases Saruman.18. They come to Helm's Deep.22. They come to Isengard; they take leave of the King of the West at sunset.28. They overtake Saruman; Saruman turns towards the s.h.i.+re.September 6. They halt in sight of the Mountains of Moria. 6. They halt in sight of the Mountains of Moria. 13. Celeborn and Galadriel depart, the others set out for Rivendell. 13. Celeborn and Galadriel depart, the others set out for Rivendell.21. They return to Rivendell.22. The hundred and twenty-ninth birthday of Bilbo. Saruman comes to the s.h.i.+re.October 5. Gandalf and the Hobbits leave Rivendell. 5. Gandalf and the Hobbits leave Rivendell. 6. They cross the Ford of Bruinen; Frodo feels the first return of pain. 6. They cross the Ford of Bruinen; Frodo feels the first return of pain.28. They reach Bree at nightfall.30. They leave Bree. The 'Travellers' come to the Brandywine Bridge at dark.November 1. They are arrested at Frogmorton. 1. They are arrested at Frogmorton. 2. They come to Bywater and rouse the s.h.i.+re-folk. 2. They come to Bywater and rouse the s.h.i.+re-folk.3. Battle of Bywater, and Pa.s.sing of Saruman. End of the War of the Ring.

3020 S.R. 1420: The Great Year of Plenty March 13. Frodo is taken ill (on the anniversary of his poisoning by Shelob). 13. Frodo is taken ill (on the anniversary of his poisoning by Shelob).

April 6. The mallorn flowers in the Party Field. 6. The mallorn flowers in the Party Field.

May 1. Samwise marries Rose. 1. Samwise marries Rose.

Mid-year's Day. Frodo resigns office of mayor, and Will Whit-foot is restored. Frodo resigns office of mayor, and Will Whit-foot is restored.

September 22. Bilbo's hundred and thirtieth birthday. 22. Bilbo's hundred and thirtieth birthday.

October 6. Frodo is again ill. 6. Frodo is again ill.

3021 S.R. 1421: The Last of the Third Age March 13. Frodo is again ill. 13. Frodo is again ill. 25. Birth of Elanor the Fair, 25. Birth of Elanor the Fair, 1 1 daughter of Samwise. On this day the Fourth Age began in the reckoning of Gondor. daughter of Samwise. On this day the Fourth Age began in the reckoning of Gondor. September September 21. Frodo and Samwise set out from Hobbiton. 21. Frodo and Samwise set out from Hobbiton. 22. They meet the Last Riding of the Keepers of the Rings in Woody End. 22. They meet the Last Riding of the Keepers of the Rings in Woody End.29. They come to the Grey Havens. Frodo and Bilbo depart over Sea with the Three Keepers. The end of the Third Age.October 6. Samwise returns to Bag End. 6. Samwise returns to Bag End.

LATER EVENTS CONCERNING THE MEMBERS OF THE FELLOWs.h.i.+P OF THE RING.

S.R..

1422.

With the beginning of this year the Fourth Age began in the count of years in the s.h.i.+re; but the numbers of the years of s.h.i.+re Reckoning were continued.

1427.

Will Whitfoot resigns. Samwise is elected Mayor of the s.h.i.+re. Peregrin Took marries Diamond of Long Cleeve. King Elessar issues an edict that Men are not to enter the s.h.i.+re, and he makes it a Free Land under the protection of the Northern Sceptre.

1430.

Faramir, son of Peregrin, born.

1431.

Goldilocks, daughter of Samwise, born.

1432.

Meriadoc, called the Magnificent, becomes Master of Buckland. Great gifts are sent to him by King eomer and the Lady eowyn of Ithilien.

1434.

Peregrin becomes the Took and Thain. King Elessar makes the Thain, the Master, and the Mayor Counsellors of the North-kingdom. Master Samwise is elected Mayor for the second time.

1436.

King Elessar rides north, and dwells for a while by Lake Evendim. He comes to the Brandywine Bridge, and there greets his friends. He gives the Star of the Dunedain to Master Samwise, and Elanor is made a maid of honour to Queen Arwen.

1441.

Master Samwise becomes Mayor for the third time.

1442.

Master Samwise and his wife and Elanor ride to Gondor and stay there for a year. Master Tolman Cotton acts as deputy Mayor.

1448.

Master Samwise becomes Mayor for the fourth time.

1451.

Elanor the Fair marries Fastred of Greenholm on the Far Downs.

1452.

The Westmarch, from the Far Downs to the Tower Hills (Emyn Beraid), 1 1 is added to the s.h.i.+re by the gift of the King. Many hobbits remove to it. is added to the s.h.i.+re by the gift of the King. Many hobbits remove to it.

1454.

Elfstan Fairbairn, son of Fastred and Elanor, is born.