The Two Towers
Chapters - J. R. R. Tolkien
Book 3: Book III
Chapter 1: The Departure of Boromir
Aragorn finds Boromir dying beneath a tree, pierced with many arrows after defending Merry and Pippin from Orcs. Boromir confesses his attempt to take the Ring and dies, and Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli send his body over the Falls of Rauros in an elven-boat. Deducing that Frodo and Sam have crossed the River alone, Aragorn chooses to pursue the Orcs who captured the hobbits, and the Three Hunters set off on foot.
On page: Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Boromir·Mentioned: Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Meriadoc Brandybuck, Peregrin Took, Gandalf, Saruman, Denethor
Chapter 2: The Riders of Rohan
Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli pursue the Orc-band across Rohan for three days and are intercepted by Éomer and the Riders of the Mark, who reveal they slaughtered the Orcs the previous night and saw no hobbits. Éomer lends them horses, and the three ride to the battlefield at the edge of Fangorn Forest, where they find signs that a hobbit escaped into the trees.
On page: Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Éomer·Mentioned: Meriadoc Brandybuck, Peregrin Took, Saruman, Théoden, Gandalf
Chapter 3: The Uruk Hai
Pippin and Merry are carried west by an Orc-band led by Uglúk, captain of the Isengard Uruk-hai. Grishnákh arrives from Lugbúrz with Mordor orcs and quarrels with Uglúk over the hobbits and the Ring, and in the fight Uglúk kills two of Grishnákh's followers. As Mauhúr's relief band attacks from the forest edge, Éomer's Rohirrim ride in and slaughter the Orcs, killing Grishnákh with a spear. In the chaos Pippin and Merry slip free and escape into Fangorn.
On page: Meriadoc Brandybuck, Peregrin Took, Uglúk, Grishnákh·Mentioned: Boromir, Éomer, Saruman, Gandalf, Sauron, Mauhúr
Chapter 4: Treebeard
Merry and Pippin venture deeper into Fangorn Forest and encounter Treebeard, an ancient Ent who carries them to his dwelling and feeds them Ent-draughts. Treebeard summons an Entmoot to decide what to do about Saruman's destruction of the forests, and the hobbits spend time with the young Ent Quickbeam while the deliberation takes place. The Ents resolve to march on Isengard, and the hobbits ride with them as the great host of tree-herders sets forth to war.
On page: Meriadoc Brandybuck, Peregrin Took, Treebeard, Quickbeam·Mentioned: Saruman, Gandalf
Chapter 5: The White Rider
Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli enter Fangorn Forest following hobbit tracks and encounter a mysterious old man in white who reveals himself to be Gandalf, returned from death after defeating the Balrog. Gandalf tells them the hobbits are safe with Treebeard and that war is already moving against Saruman, then leads them south towards Edoras to rouse Théoden King of Rohan.
On page: Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Gandalf, Meriadoc Brandybuck, Peregrin Took, Treebeard·Mentioned: Saruman, Théoden, Éomer, The Balrog, Sauron
Chapter 6: The King of the Golden Hall
Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli arrive at Edoras, where the doorward Hama admits them to Meduseld. Gandalf breaks the hold of Grima Wormtongue over Théoden, restoring the king to vigour, and Wormtongue is cast out. Théoden musters the Rohirrim for war, names Éowyn to lead the people in his absence, and rides west with Éomer to face the threat from Isengard.
On page: Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Gandalf, Théoden, Gríma Wormtongue, Éomer, Éowyn, Háma·Mentioned: Saruman
Chapter 7: Helm's Deep
Théoden, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli fall back to the Hornburg as Saruman's host assaults the Deeping Wall by night, with Gamling, the old captain, holding the Dike and later counselling in the keep. Legolas and Gimli keep a running tally of their kills, and Gimli is led through the Glittering Caves of Aglarond. At dawn Théoden rides out with Aragorn, and Gandalf returns bringing Erkenbrand of the Westfold and the Huorns, who drive the broken army to its doom.
On page: Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Gandalf, Théoden, Éomer, Háma, Erkenbrand, Gamling·Mentioned: Saruman
Chapter 8: The Road to Isengard
After the victory at Helm's Deep, Théoden, Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and Éomer ride to Isengard, passing through the eerie Huorn forest and burying the dead, including Hama who fell in battle. They find Isengard flooded and destroyed by the Ents, with Merry and Pippin sitting amongst the ruins, feasting as doorwardens for Treebeard.
On page: Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Gandalf, Théoden, Meriadoc Brandybuck, Peregrin Took, Treebeard, Éomer, Erkenbrand·Mentioned: Háma, Saruman
Chapter 9: Flotsam and Jetsam
While Gandalf and Théoden confer with Treebeard, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli share a meal with Merry and Pippin at Isengard. The hobbits recount their capture by Orcs, escape into Fangorn, meeting with Treebeard, the Entmoot, and the Ents' devastating assault on Isengard, including Saruman's near capture by Quickbeam and his retreat into the tower of Orthanc.
On page: Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Gandalf, Théoden, Meriadoc Brandybuck, Peregrin Took·Mentioned: Treebeard, Saruman, Quickbeam, Gríma Wormtongue, Bilbo Baggins
Chapter 10: The Voice of Saruman
Gandalf, Théoden, Aragorn, Éomer, Legolas, and Gimli confront Saruman at the foot of Orthanc, where the wizard attempts to bewitch them with his persuasive voice but is rebuffed by Théoden and Gandalf, who breaks Saruman's staff and casts him from the order. Wormtongue, trapped in the tower with Saruman, hurls a heavy globe from a window, which Pippin retrieves - the palantir of Orthanc.
On page: Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Gandalf, Théoden, Meriadoc Brandybuck, Peregrin Took, Saruman, Éomer, Gríma Wormtongue·Mentioned: Treebeard, Sauron
Chapter 11: The Palantír
Riding from Isengard, Pippin steals the palantir from the sleeping Gandalf and gazes into it, making contact with Sauron, who mistakes him for a captive hobbit held by Saruman. Gandalf entrusts the Stone to Aragorn, its rightful keeper, and rides with Pippin at great speed towards Minas Tirith, while a Nazgûl passes overhead and Théoden prepares to muster Rohan for war.
On page: Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Gandalf, Théoden, Meriadoc Brandybuck, Peregrin Took, Éomer·Mentioned: Treebeard, Saruman, Sauron
Book 4: Book IV
Chapter 1: The Taming of Sméagol
Frodo and Sam struggle through the barren hills of the Emyn Muil and discover they are being followed by Gollum, whom they capture using elven-rope. Frodo takes pity on the wretched creature and makes Gollum swear an oath on the Ring to serve them as guide, and Gollum leads them down from the cliffs and towards the Dead Marshes, promising to show them a secret way into Mordor.
On page: Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Gollum
Chapter 2: The Passage of the Marshes
Gollum leads Frodo and Sam through the Dead Marshes, a treacherous bog filled with the ghostly lights and faces of the ancient dead. The hobbits endure a harrowing night-crossing as a Nazgûl passes overhead on a winged creature, and Gollum cringes in terror. They emerge from the marshes to see the desolation before the Black Gate of Mordor.
On page: Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Gollum·Mentioned: Sauron
Chapter 3: The Black Gate is Closed
Frodo, Sam, and Gollum reach the Morannon, the Black Gate of Mordor, and find it impassable, guarded by vast armies and the Teeth of Mordor. As Frodo prepares to attempt the gate regardless, Gollum reveals there is another way into Mordor - a secret path over the mountains near Minas Morgul, through a place called Cirith Ungol. Frodo agrees to follow, and they turn south towards Ithilien.
On page: Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Gollum·Mentioned: Sauron
Chapter 4: Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit
Frodo, Sam, and Gollum travel south through the fair land of Ithilien, where Sam cooks a stew with rabbits Gollum catches and herbs he finds growing wild. They are discovered by Faramir and his rangers of Gondor, including Damrod and Mablung, who are ambushing a column of Southrons marching to join Sauron's forces. The hobbits witness the battle and see a great Mumak before being taken into Faramir's custody for questioning.
On page: Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Faramir, Gollum, Damrod, Mablung·Mentioned: Boromir, Anborn, Sauron, Bilbo Baggins
Chapter 5: The Window on the West
Faramir interrogates Frodo about his errand, the Ring, and Boromir's death, revealing that he saw Boromir's funeral boat floating down the Anduin in a vision. Faramir leads the hobbits to the secret refuge of Henneth Annun behind a waterfall, where Sam accidentally reveals the existence of the Ring. Unlike his brother, Faramir declares he would not take the Ring even if he found it lying by the wayside, and pledges to help them on their way.
On page: Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Faramir, Damrod, Mablung·Mentioned: Boromir, Aragorn, Denethor, Gandalf, Gollum, Sauron, Bilbo Baggins
Chapter 6: The Forbidden Pool
Faramir wakes Frodo to show him Gollum fishing in the Forbidden Pool below Henneth Annun, where the penalty for trespass is death. Frodo persuades Faramir to spare Gollum and goes down to lure the creature away, but Gollum is seized by the rangers and feels betrayed by his master. Faramir warns Frodo against trusting Gollum and against the pass of Cirith Ungol, speaking of an ancient terror that dwells there, but Frodo resolves to continue.
On page: Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Faramir, Gollum, Anborn
Chapter 7: Journey to the Cross-Roads
Faramir provides Frodo and Sam with provisions and walking staves and bids them farewell, warning of the brooding silence over the Nameless Land. Led by Gollum, the hobbits travel south through Ithilien towards the Cross-roads, where they find the ancient stone statue of a king of Gondor, its severed head replaced by a crude stone but momentarily crowned by a wreath of flowers in the sunset light. They turn eastward on the road to Minas Morgul as darkness falls.
On page: Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Gollum, Faramir·Mentioned: Sauron