The Fellowship of the Ring
Chapters - J. R. R. Tolkien
Book 1: Book I
Chapter 1: A Long Expected Party
Frodo Baggins comes of age as his uncle Bilbo Baggins celebrates his eleventy-first birthday with a grand party in the Shire. Bilbo vanishes using the Ring during his farewell speech and departs on a final adventure, reluctantly leaving the One Ring to Frodo at Gandalf's insistence. Gandalf warns Frodo to keep the Ring secret and safe, then departs on urgent business.
On page: Frodo Baggins, Gandalf, Bilbo Baggins, Lobelia Sackville-Baggins, Hamfast Gamgee·Mentioned: Samwise Gamgee, Meriadoc Brandybuck
Chapter 2: The Shadow of the Past
Gandalf returns after years of absence and reveals to Frodo that his ring is the One Ring of the Dark Lord Sauron, forged to dominate all other rings of power. He tells the history of Gollum and the Ring's treacherous nature, and urges Frodo to leave the Shire before the Enemy's servants find him. Sam Gamgee is caught eavesdropping and appointed as Frodo's companion.
On page: Frodo Baggins, Gandalf, Samwise Gamgee, Ted Sandyman·Mentioned: Gollum, Aragorn, Saruman, Bilbo Baggins, Sauron, Isildur, Hamfast Gamgee
Chapter 3: Three is Company
Frodo sells Bag End and sets out on foot for Buckland with Sam and Pippin, trying to avoid notice. A sinister Black Rider pursues them along the road, sniffing for the Ring, but they are saved by a chance meeting with a company of High Elves led by Gildor Inglorion who shelter them for the night.
On page: Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Meriadoc Brandybuck, Peregrin Took, Gildor Inglorion·Mentioned: Gandalf, Lobelia Sackville-Baggins, Hamfast Gamgee
Chapter 4: A Short Cut to Mushrooms
Frodo, Sam and Pippin cut across country towards the Bucklebury Ferry and hide behind a tree as a second Black Rider stops on the lane above them, sniffing the air as Gildor had warned. They stumble into Farmer Maggot's fields, and the once-feared farmer welcomes them inside, revealing that earlier the same day a hooded rider came to his door asking after Baggins. Maggot drives them through the dark in his waggon to the Ferry, where Merry is waiting.
On page: Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Peregrin Took, Meriadoc Brandybuck, Farmer Maggot, Mrs Maggot·Mentioned: Gildor Inglorion
Chapter 5: A Conspiracy Unmasked
At Crickhollow, Merry, Pippin, and Sam reveal they have known about the Ring and Frodo's plan to leave, and insist on accompanying him. A Black Rider is spotted at the far bank of the Ferry. They decide to cut through the Old Forest the next morning to avoid the watched roads, leaving Fredegar Bolger behind to maintain appearances.
On page: Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Meriadoc Brandybuck, Peregrin Took, Fredegar Bolger·Mentioned: Gildor Inglorion, Farmer Maggot
Chapter 6: The Old Forest
The hobbits enter the hostile Old Forest, where the trees herd them towards the Withywindle valley. Old Man Willow traps Merry and Pippin inside his trunk, but Tom Bombadil arrives singing and commands the tree to release them. He leads the hobbits to his house where Goldberry welcomes them warmly.
On page: Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Meriadoc Brandybuck, Peregrin Took, Tom Bombadil, Goldberry, Fredegar Bolger, Old Man Willow
Chapter 7: In the House of Tom Bombadil
The hobbits rest in Tom Bombadil's house while rain falls outside, listening to his tales of the Old Forest and the Barrow-downs. Tom handles the One Ring without any effect - it does not make him invisible, and he can see Frodo when Frodo wears it. He teaches them a rhyme to call him in need and advises them on their route north towards the Road.
On page: Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Meriadoc Brandybuck, Peregrin Took, Tom Bombadil, Goldberry·Mentioned: Gildor Inglorion
Chapter 8: Fog on the Barrow-downs
Crossing the Barrow-downs in fog, the hobbits are separated and captured by a Barrow-wight who lays them in a burial mound dressed in grave-goods. Frodo resists the spell and calls for Tom Bombadil, who breaks open the barrow and banishes the wight. Tom arms them with ancient daggers from the hoard and guides them to the East Road, directing them to the Prancing Pony inn at Bree.
On page: Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Meriadoc Brandybuck, Peregrin Took, Tom Bombadil, Goldberry, Barrow-wight
Chapter 9: At the Sign of the Prancing Pony
The hobbits arrive at the Prancing Pony in Bree, where Barliman Butterbur the innkeeper gives them lodging. Frodo notices a mysterious Ranger called Strider watching them, and Pippin nearly gives away their secret by telling the story of Bilbo's party. Frodo accidentally puts on the Ring while performing a song and vanishes in front of the crowd, drawing dangerous attention from Bill Ferny and a squint-eyed southerner.
On page: Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Meriadoc Brandybuck, Peregrin Took, Aragorn, Barliman Butterbur, Bill Ferny, Nob, Bob, Harry Goatleaf
Chapter 10: Strider
Aragorn reveals himself to Frodo as a friend of Gandalf and offers to guide them to Rivendell, warning that the Black Riders will attack. Butterbur delivers a long-delayed letter from Gandalf confirming Strider's identity and urging haste. They discover their room has been ransacked and their ponies stolen, forcing them to buy Bill Ferny's underfed pony and set out on foot.
On page: Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Meriadoc Brandybuck, Peregrin Took, Aragorn, Barliman Butterbur, Nob, Bob·Mentioned: Gandalf, Isildur
Chapter 11: A Knife in the Dark
The Black Riders attack Crickhollow but find only Fredegar Bolger, who raises the alarm. Aragorn leads the hobbits cross-country towards Rivendell, and they camp on Weathertop where he tells the tale of Beren and Lúthien. Five Ringwraiths attack at night, and their leader stabs Frodo with a Morgul-blade before Aragorn drives them off with fire.
On page: Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Meriadoc Brandybuck, Peregrin Took, Aragorn, Nob, Bob·Mentioned: Sauron, Fredegar Bolger
Chapter 12: Flight to the Ford
Frodo grows weaker from his Morgul-wound as Aragorn treats him with athelas and leads the company towards Rivendell. Glorfindel finds them on the road and lends Frodo his horse for the final desperate ride. At the Ford of Bruinen, all nine Ringwraiths pursue Frodo, but Elrond's flood sweeps them away as Frodo collapses on the far bank.
On page: Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Meriadoc Brandybuck, Peregrin Took, Aragorn, Glorfindel·Mentioned: Elrond, Sauron
Book 2: Book II
Chapter 1: Many Meeting
Frodo wakes in Rivendell to find Gandalf at his side, learns how Elrond drew the Morgul-shard from his shoulder, and hears at last what kept the wizard from the Shire. He is joyfully reunited with Bilbo, meets Gloin, who brings grim news from the Lonely Mountain of a messenger from Mordor demanding word of the Shire and a hobbit named Baggins, and glimpses Arwen at the high table. At the feast that follows, in the Hall of Fire with Lindir and the elves, Bilbo rises to recite his new-made Song of Earendil.
On page: Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Gandalf, Aragorn, Elrond, Peregrin Took, Meriadoc Brandybuck, Bilbo Baggins, Glorfindel, Arwen, Lindir·Mentioned: Saruman, Glóin, Balin
Chapter 2: The Council of Elrond
Elrond convenes a council where Boromir brings news of Gondor's plight, Legolas reports Gollum's escape from the Wood-elves, and Gimli's father tells of Sauron's messengers. Aragorn reveals the reforged sword of Elendil, and the full history of the Ring is laid bare. Frodo volunteers to carry the Ring to Mount Doom, and the Fellowship of nine is formed.
On page: Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Gandalf, Aragorn, Elrond, Boromir, Gimli, Legolas, Bilbo Baggins, Glorfindel, Glóin, Erestor, Galdor of the Havens·Mentioned: Peregrin Took, Meriadoc Brandybuck, Saruman, Gollum, Sauron, Elendil, Isildur, Radagast
Chapter 3: The Ring Goes South
The Fellowship of nine departs Rivendell and travels south, attempting to cross the Misty Mountains via the Redhorn Gate. Saruman's power sends a blizzard against them on Caradhras, forcing a retreat. Gandalf proposes the dangerous road through the Mines of Moria, and they are attacked by wolves at their camp before reaching the western doors.
On page: Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Meriadoc Brandybuck, Peregrin Took, Gandalf, Aragorn, Boromir, Gimli, Legolas·Mentioned: Saruman
Chapter 4: A Journey in the Dark
Driven from Caradhras, the Company turns towards Moria, and at the Doors of Durin Gandalf at last remembers the word that opens them. As they enter, a many-tentacled creature rises from the black pool outside, the Watcher in the Water, snatches at Frodo, and tears down the trees and stones to seal the gates behind them. Days of darkness lead to Balin's tomb and the Book of Mazarbul, where orcs and a cave-troll fall upon them, Frodo is struck by a spear and saved by his hidden mithril coat, and the Company flees deeper into the mountain.
On page: Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Meriadoc Brandybuck, Peregrin Took, Gandalf, Aragorn, Boromir, Gimli, Legolas, Watcher in the Water·Mentioned: Gollum, Sauron, Balin, Ori, Ted Sandyman
Chapter 5: The Bridge of Khazad-dûm
Fleeing through Moria pursued by orcs and the Balrog, the Fellowship reaches the Bridge of Khazad-dûm. Gandalf stands alone on the narrow bridge to confront the Balrog, breaking the span beneath it, but the demon's whip drags him into the abyss. The shattered Fellowship escapes into daylight, grieving their fallen guide.
On page: Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Meriadoc Brandybuck, Peregrin Took, Gandalf, Aragorn, Boromir, Gimli, Legolas, The Balrog·Mentioned: Elendil, Balin, Watcher in the Water
Chapter 6: Lothlórien
Aragorn leads the grieving Fellowship into the Golden Wood of Lothlórien, where Haldir and his brothers guide them through the tree-city. They rest on platforms high in the mallorn trees and glimpse Gollum following their trail. Haldir leads them to Caras Galadhon to meet the Lord and Lady of the Wood.
On page: Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Meriadoc Brandybuck, Peregrin Took, Aragorn, Boromir, Gimli, Legolas, Galadriel, Haldir·Mentioned: Gollum, Sauron