The Fellowship of the Ring

The next morning, Elrond conducts a Council, a gathering of Elves, Dwarves, Men, the hobbits, and Gandalf. Though none of the members have been summoned, they arrive in Rivendell by chance at the same time. Glóin speaks first and informs the group that Sauron’s messengers have threatened to start war on the Dwarf-kingdom and the men of Dale if they do not aid him in finding a ring. Their kinsman, Balin, sought to reclaim their ancient homeland of Moria but has gone missing. Elrond recounts the events of the Second Age when Sauron, who was “not yet evil to behold” (236), forged the One Ring in secrecy and was subsequently defeated by the Last Alliance of Elves and Men. Elrond remembers when the “Elves deemed that evil was ended for ever, and it was not so” (237). The Ring became Isildur’s downfall when he refused to destroy it; hence the object’s epithet in the North as “Isildur’s Bane.” The kingdom of Men in the South endured, chiefly the realm of Gondor.

At the mention of Gondor, Boromir, the son of the Steward of Gondor, speaks. He informs the Council that Gondor has valiantly kept its borders secure through the ages, but with the rise of Sauron from the east, his people have been attacked and driven west. Being one of the only four who survived the most recent assault on the Gondorian city Osgiliath, Boromir confirms that the last bridge separating Sauron’s forces from their capitol Minas Tirith has been destroyed. However, he comes seeking Elrond’s counsel not on military strategy but to decipher a dream that he and his brother had; the dream opens with a voice crying, “Seek for the Sword that was broken,” and it ends, “And the Halfling forth shall stand” (240). Aragorn clarifies the dream by presenting the hilt of the broken sword, Narsil, and Elrond reveals him to be Isildur’s heir. Aragorn pledges that if Gondor needs his help, he will reforge the sword of Elendil and come to their aid. As Boromir looks at him with doubt, Aragorn informs him that evil has not only encroached on his lands but has also spread throughout the North. He has spent years with other Rangers, hidden in the Wild, defending the borders while enduring the people’s scorn and distrust.

Gandalf instructs Frodo to show everyone the Ring, and Bilbo and Frodo recount the tales of how it ended up in the Shire and is now in Rivendell. Gandalf then relays that in his search to confirm the Ring’s identity, he captured Gollum and was later betrayed by the fellow wizard Saruman; Saruman tried to persuade Gandalf to join forces with the Enemy, and when Gandalf refused, Saruman imprisoned him in Orthanc, the tower of Isengard. Only with the help of Gwaihir the Windlord, a Great Eagle, did Gandalf escape his imprisonment. He also informs Boromir that the clue to the Ring’s identity, its inscription, was held all along in the scrolls stored in Minas Tirith and had been left neglected and unread by Men.

Hearing of the creature Gollum, Legolas, the Elven prince of Mirkwood, joins the discussion and states that Gollum has escaped the Mirkwood prison. Not having the heart to keep him always locked up, and heeding Gandalf’s advice that Gollum may yet be cured, the Elves allowed Gollum to climb in the woods under watch. Glóin scoffs upon hearing of Gollum’s treatment, as he himself was once an accidental prisoner in Mirkwood and resents the Elves (this imprisonment takes place in The Hobbit). Gandalf, however, bids him to forgive the misunderstanding, and Legolas continues to describe the Orc attack, sent by the Enemy, which allowed Gollum to escape. Gandalf concludes the tale of the Ring and reveals that Saruman is building an army of wolves and Orcs; under the guise of aiding Sauron, Saruman intends to capture the Ring for himself.

Boromir suggests using the One Ring against Sauron, but Elrond and Gandalf warn him that its powers are too great and would corrupt anyone who tried to wield it. Doubtful, Boromir accedes to their decision and accepts Aragorn’s sword and aid in its stead. The Council debates their options, ranging from leaving the Ring with Tom Bombadil, throwing it into the sea, or using the Three Rings of the Elves. Gandalf advises that Sauron is so engulfed by the desire for power that their idea of destroying the Ring will be the last thing he expects. Elrond agrees that the only rightful course is to destroy the Ring in Mordor where it was forged, even if its destruction also destroys the power of the Elven Rings. He claims that neither wisdom nor might will be enough for the task. Bilbo offers to take it, and Boromir stifles his laughter when he realizes everyone esteems the old hobbit. Gandalf advises Bilbo that he is not strong enough, and as the members are deep in thought over who shall go, Frodo quietly announces, “I will take the Ring, […] though I do not know the way” (264). Elrond agrees with the decision so long as Frodo goes of his own free will. Sam interrupts the proceedings and insists that he goes with Frodo, and Elrond heartily assents.

Elrond sends out scouts to learn of the Ringwraiths’ status, and after two months, he is confident of Frodo’s safe departure. Though the nine Black Riders have survived the flood, they are now weak and shapeless and have returned to Mordor to regain their strength. To counter the power of the Nine Riders, Elrond forms the Nine Walkers, or fellowship. Joining Frodo and Sam are Gandalf, Gimli (son of Glóin), and Legolas. Aragorn reforges his sword, renaming it Andúril, and joins with plans to return to Gondor with Boromir. Boromir is included in the fellowship since the path to Mordor and Gondor are the same. Elrond insists that the members embark of their own free will and does not hold them to any oath. They may turn back or diverge from the path as they choose, and when Glóin questions the wisdom of such liberty, Elrond contends that an oath could break rather than strengthen their hearts. After their stern objections to being left behind, Pippin and Merry are the last two members. Elrond at first is doubtful of their participation, but Gandalf convinces him that their bond of friendship may be stronger than wisdom.

Bilbo gives Frodo his sword, Sting, and a chainmail tunic made of mithril, a prized and rare metal mined by the Dwarves; both items served Bilbo well in his past adventures with the dwarves. Each member of the fellowship brings only the sparest belongings, though Sam opts to pack cookware, salt, pipe-weed, and all the small creature comforts that would surprise Frodo on the journey. The pony purchased in Bree, named Bill by Sam, joins the travelers.

The fellowship departs from Rivendell, and a blizzard besets their attempt to ascend Caradhras, a peak in the Misty Mountains, to reach the Redhorn Pass. Boromir fears the storm is the work of Sauron, but Gimli and Aragorn are certain that long before Sauron existed, the mountains bore an antagonism toward Men and Dwarves. Unable to climb farther as more snow and rocks crash upon them, the group turns back. Boromir leads Aragorn to furrow a path through the snow, and the two men carry the hobbits on their backs to safety.