The Fellowship of the Ring / FOTR

Formed after the Council of Elrond in 3018 of the Third Age, The Fellowship consisted of nine members: four Hobbits, two Men, one Elf, one Dwarf, and one Istar wizard. This number was chosen to match the number of Ring Wraiths, also known as Black Riders, the Nazgúl or the Nine Riders. Merry and Pippin were never intended to be a part of the Fellowship, with Elrond 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 persevere: Merry is chosen and Gandalf convinces Elrond of the loyalty of Pippin.

After a long and difficult journey south from Rivendell, and a near-catastrophic attempt to cross over the Misty Mountains, 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 spoke with the Elven Lord Celeborn and Galadriel, Lady of Light. Galadriel supplied them each with a special Elven Gifts from Lothlórien and boats and supplies so 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 waterfall called 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 Uruks 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.

The fellowship dissolved in 3019 of the Third Age and remained broken, until 2896 AD in the Age of Space¹, where the forgotten heirs returned it to its former glory.

¹ Also known as the Fifth Age, the Age after the Age of Man.