LOR Fellowship of the Ring Books 1 and 2

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LOR extended briefs Capter by chapter 1/12 2//10 3/11 4/10 5/10 6/9

LOR 1-1 A Long-Expected Party

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book-1-chapter-2-summary/

On the day of the party, tents and pavilions populate a large field, and the guests
arrive to presents (hobbits give others presents on their birthdays), abundant food,
exciting entertainment, and flowing drink. Gandalf's fireworks are remarkable and
magical. After supper, Bilbo gives a short speech, then suddenly places a magic
golden ring on his finger and vanishes, to the surprise and consternation of all.

Invisible, Bilbo walks back to Bag End, where Gandalf is waiting for him. Gandalf
reminds Bilbo he promised to leave the magic ring with Frodo. Bilbo's ring allowed
him to avoid his greedy and annoying relatives, the Sackville-Bagginses, who continue
to pester Frodo in the present. Bilbo reluctantly leaves it behind as he departs on his
journey. Gandalf makes sure the ring passes safely into Frodo's possession, but warns
him to keep it secret and safe. Then Gandalf also leaves, and Frodo watches him
walk down the road leading out of Hobbiton.

Lor 1-2 The Shadow of the Past

Then Gandalf unexpectedly returns, and reveals to Frodo that the magic ring he
inherited from Bilbo is actually the One Ring crafted in secret by Sauron, the great
Enemy in Mordor, to overpower all the other magic rings possessed by Men, Elves,
and Dwarves. Gandalf tests the ring to be sure of this fact, and fiery words appear:
"One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the
darkness bind them." Gandalf then gives some of the One Ring's history, and says the
ring must not be found by Sauron, who will use it to "cover all the lands in a second
darkness."
Frodo learns how the Ring came to him, beginning with Isildur, who cut it from
Sauron's hand. Isildur was killed by Orcs in the Great River, Anduin, and the Ring lay
at the bottom of the river for many years. The Ring then passed to Gollum, who
murdered his friend to possess it. From Gollum, the Ring passed to Bilbo, and
finally, to Frodo.
As if this news were not dire enough, Gandalf also tells Frodo that Sauron had
captured Gollum and now knows the name "Baggins" and the location "Shire." Frodo
realizes the Ring must leave the Shire, and he must take it, secretly. Just as he
resolves to do this, Gandalf catches Sam Gamgee, Frodo's gardener, eavesdropping.
Well-intentioned Sam agrees to go with Frodo as punishment for listening in

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Lor 1-3 Three Is Company |

One day, Gandalf announces he must leave and investigate something worrisome he
has learned about, but tells Frodo he will be back for the birthday party. However, he
does not show up, and Frodo decides to move forward with the plan without him. Frodo
celebrates his birthday with his good friends, and then says good-bye to Bag End.
Merry and another friend, Fredegar Bolger, go on ahead to get Frodo's new house
ready.

Later, walking along the road in a melancholy way, Frodo overhears a strange voice
asking Sam's father, the Gaffer, about "Mr. Baggins." Soon after, Sam, Pippin, and
Frodo set out.
After a few days on the road, they hear another traveler coming up behind them.
Frodo, feeling wary, decides they should hide and let the traveler go past. Once
hidden, the four hobbits watch as a large black horse appears, carrying a figure clothed
in a black robe and hood. Sniffing sounds come from inside the hood, and Frodo feels
an urge to put on the Ring. He resists the urge, and the rider moves on. Sam reveals
that this rider is the one that asked his father about Mr. Baggins. The hobbits decide to
continue on, more cautiously.

Later that evening, the black-cloaked rider overtakes them again, and Frodo once
again feels the urge to put on the Ring. A company of Elves happens by, however, and
the rider retreats. The leader of the company of Elves, Gildor Inglorion, recognizes
Frodo, and allows the hobbits to travel with them after hearing about the Black Riders.

The hobbits stay up late talking and eating with the Elves, and Gildor is uneasy about
pursuing Black Riders, who he believes are servants of the Enemy, and that Gandalf
did not show up when expected. He advises Frodo to leave for Rivendell without delay.

Lor 1-4 A Short Cut to Mushrooms

When the hobbits wake up the next morning, the Elves are gone, having left food for
the hobbits' breakfast. Frodo tells Sam, privately, that the two of them will need to
leave the Shire right away. To the disappointment of the others, Frodo decides to cut
across the countryside rather than stay on the road. This going proves difficult, and the
Black Rider continues to pursue them. Eventually, though, they come to a gate at the
edge of a farmer's field. Pippin recognizes the farm as belonging to Farmer Maggot.
Frodo is worried Farmer Maggot will remember that, as a child, he stole mushrooms
from his farm, but when they do encounter the farmer, he is helpful.

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Farmer Maggot tells them a "funny customer" has come around, asking about Mr.
Baggins. Seeing that Frodo is concerned, he offers to give them a ride to the ferry in
his cart after dinner. As they near the ferry, they are met by Merry, riding a pony.
Farmer Maggot gives them a basket of mushrooms, says good-bye, then returns
home.

Lor 1 -5

A Conspiracy Unmasked | Summary
Merry, Frodo, Sam, and Pippin board the Bucklebury Ferry and cross the Brandywine
River. They can see Brandy Hall, ancestral home of the Brandybucks, on the opposite bank.
Arriving in Buckland, they alight and, looking back across the river, see a dark figure
crawling along the bank. Merry can see the others are worried, but he doesn't know why.
They promise to fill him in over supper.
They all go to Frodo's new house, which Fredegar (Fatty) and Merry have
prepared—complete with steaming hot water for baths. Frodo, Pippin, and Sam bathe,
then settle down to a (second) supper. They bring their friends up to date on their
adventures with the Black Riders, and Frodo decides he needs to reveal his own plan to
leave the Shire. But when he hesitates, Merry reveals that they already know everything,
and he and Pippin have decided to accompany Sam and Frodo. Sam is revealed as the
informant. Fatty's part of the scheme will be to stay behind to keep up the appearance of
Frodo's residence in Buckland. They plan to leave first thing in the morning.

The Lord of the Rings | The Fellowship of the Ring (Book 1, Chapter 6) : The Old

Forest | Summary
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The hobbits rise before dawn the next morning. Leaving a message for Gandalf with Fatty,
they set out, riding sturdy ponies. Led by Merry, they pass through a high hedge, and enter
the Old Forest, where "the trees do not like strangers." They walk a ways into the silent
forest, along a path going gently uphill, feeling they are being observed, and disliked.
Merry notices that the trees have shifted since the last time he was in the wood.
Crossing over a hill, the path begins to take them on a downward path, toward the
Withywindle valley—a place with a sinister reputation. Yet, this is the way the path leads,
and before long they find themselves at the Withywindle River. The way is difficult, and

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soon they become very tired. At the base of a large willow tree, Frodo, Merry, and Pippin
fall asleep, and Sam feels himself beginning to drift off as well. Before he descends into
slumber, however, he is awakened by small noises. Frodo has fallen in the water, and
Merry and Pippin have become trapped in the willow tree's great trunk. Frodo and Sam
yell for help, which comes in the form of a jolly old man—Tom Bombadil—who sings a
song to Old Man Willow. Tom's song causes the tree to give up its captives.
Tom invites them to his house for supper. They follow his lead toward the house, where
they hear singing.

The Lord of the Rings | The Fellowship of the Ring (Book 1, Chapter 7) : In the

House of Tom Bombadil | Summary
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Entering the house of Tom Bombadil, the hobbits find themselves in a well-lit room where,
seated among water lilies, is Tom Bombadil's wife, Goldberry, the River's daughter. They
are shown to rooms where they freshen up for supper, then join in a merry meal with Tom
and Goldberry. After the meal, Frodo asks about the "Willow-man," but the others all think
talking about their frightening experience should wait for daylight. They head off to bed.
The next morning, the hobbits enjoy breakfast in Tom's home, then settle in for a long talk
and storytelling with Tom as the rain pours outside. He tells them stories of nature and of
ancient times, when "only the Elf-sires were awake." The stories are like a spell on the
hobbits, so they cannot keep track of time. When the rain stops, it is suppertime.

The Lord of the Rings | The Fellowship of the Ring (Book 1, Chapter 8) : Fog on

the Barrow-Downs | Summary
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The next morning, the hobbits breakfast alone and are seen off by Tom and Goldberry.
They make their way across the countryside as the sun rises in the sky and the
temperature warms. Coming to a tall stone pillar, they let their ponies stray about on the
grass as they sit in the cool shade of the stone and have lunch.

The next thing they know, they wake "from a sleep they had never meant to take." The air
is heavy and the ponies distressed, and they swiftly pack up and leave, but the mist only
becomes thicker. Frodo, suddenly alone, becomes disoriented, wanders in the dark, and
finally hears a cold voice saying, "I am waiting for you!" A dark figure takes him in a cold
grip, and he falls unconscious.

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When he wakes, he realizes he has been captured and entombed by a Barrow-wight. As he
gathers his courage, he sees his friends lying nearby, arrayed with treasures and dressed
in white. A long sword has been laid across their three necks. Frodo hears an incantation,
and sees a creeping hand going toward Sam. Grabbing a sword, Frodo hacks the hand
from its arm, and calls out for Tom Bombadil. After a short silence, Frodo hears Tom's
voice singing as he approaches. Tom banishes the Wight, and helps Frodo carry the others
to safety. Sam, Merry, and Pippin wake up.
Tom finds the ponies which had wandered off, and has each hobbit claim a sword from the
many treasures in the wight's barrow. He accompanies them to the borders of his lands,
and advises them to make for The Prancing Pony, an inn in the village of Bree.

After another abundant meal, Tom's attention turns to the hobbits themselves—their
story. Frodo finds himself telling Tom everything, and even showing him the Ring. Tom
suddenly puts the ring on his own finger, but it has no effect on him. Furthermore, when
Frodo tests out the Ring's power shortly after, he is invisible to all except Tom.

The hobbits plan to leave in the morning, and be on their way. Tom tells them a rhyme
they can sing if they get into any trouble before leaving his lands.

The Lord of the Rings | The Fellowship of the Ring (Book 1, Chapter 9) : At the

Sign of the Prancing Pony | Summary
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The hobbits arrive in Bree, a village in which both humans (Big Folk) and hobbits (Little
Folk) make their homes. At the village gate, they answer some suspicious questions before
being let through. As they pass through the gate, a dark figure climbs the gate and follows
them. They get rooms and supper at The Prancing Pony, where Barliman Butterbur is the
harried innkeeper. After supper, Frodo, Sam, and Pippin join some of the other guests in
the common room, while Merry remains in the private parlor provided by Butterbur.
Frodo, going by the name Mr. Underhill, pretends to be a writer planning a book on
hobbits living outside the Shire in order to account for their presence. Amidst the chatter,
Frodo notices a stranger smoking a pipe and watching him. This man introduces himself to
Frodo as Strider. The stranger warns Frodo not to let Pippin talk too much, and Frodo
realizes Pippin is telling the story of Bilbo's disappearance during his birthday speech.
Rather than let Pippin finish, Frodo interrupts with a song of his own. Yet as he finishes his
silly song, he disappears, having inadvertently placed his finger through the Ring in his
pocket. Strider chastises Frodo as the room erupts in suspicious and puzzled murmuring.

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The Lord of the Rings | The Fellowship of the Ring (Book 1, Chapter 10) : Strider |

Summary
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Frodo, Sam, and Pippin go back to the small parlor in which they had supper. Merry
seems to have gone out, but Strider is waiting for them. The three hobbits are surprised
and suspicious, but Strider seems to know more about their errand than they do. As they
talk, Butterbur knocks, and apologizes for forgetting to give "Mr. Underhill" a
letter Gandalf had left for him. Strider eventually convinces the hobbits he is trustworthy,
despite his rough appearance, because he matches a description in Gandalf's letter. They
agree to use him as their guide to Rivendell.
Suddenly Merry appears, breathless. He had been outside and had a frightening encounter
with Black Riders. Realizing the Riders have found them, they decide to stay in the parlor
rather than return to their rooms. Bolsters are placed in their beds to make it appear the
hobbits are asleep.

The Lord of the Rings | The Fellowship of the Ring (Book 1, Chapter 11) : A Knife

in the Dark | Summary
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Back in the Shire, Fatty Bolger has been staying in Frodo's Buckland home to make it
appear Frodo is there. One night, Black Riders approach the house and attempt to enter.
Fatty, however, quickly raises the alarm, and the Black Riders, realizing the Ring is no
longer there, ride off.
In Bree, Frodo and the others sleep while Strider stays awake, alert and listening. When
Strider wakens them in the morning, they find the bolsters placed in their beds as decoys
have been destroyed. Butterbur is distraught, and Strider and the hobbits decide to leave
at once. After a delay caused by missing ponies, they get on their way with one pony
bought from Bill Ferny, a dubious character.

Aragorn leads them through the Midgewater Marshes, and they can see, in the distance,
something "like lightning." When they get to the hill called Weathertop, Strider thinks the
"lightning" they saw might have been caused by Gandalf.
That night, five Black Riders attack. Strider and the hobbits defend themselves, but Frodo
feels an overpowering desire to put on the Ring. When he does so, a Black Rider stabs him
in the left shoulder with a magical blade before Strider can drive the Riders off. Frodo slips
the Ring off his finger before falling unconscious.

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Analysis

Before the hobbits and Strider arrive at Weathertop, Frodo suggests that all the walking is
causing him to lose weight, and he hopes the thinking process will not continue
"indefinitely" or he might "become a wraith." Strider doesn't find this funny, because (as
readers find out later in the story) he knows the Ring can have the power to cause people
to become wraiths—after all, the power of the Ring caused the nine men wielding rings of
power to become Black Riders/Ringwraiths/Nazgûl.
The theme of storymaking is developed in this chapter, as Strider and Sam tell or
reference several important stories before the Black Riders attack. First, the story of Gil-
galad makes an appearance, if only in part. Gil-galad was an Elven king who allied with
Elendil to fight Sauron during the Second Age.
Aragorn also tells some of the story of Beren and Lúthien (Tinúviel). Beren, a mortal Man,
fell in love with Lúthien, an Elf. The two lovers accomplished much together before Beren
finally died, and Lúthien chose to become mortal so they could be together after death.
This story is important to The Lord of the Rings because Beren and Lúthien are the
ancestors of Elrond as well as of the kings of Númenor (Westernesse)—including
Aragorn's line. So, Aragorn has a little Elvish blood in him.
The story is also significant because the romance of Aragorn and Arwen mirrors the
romance of Beren and Lúthien. Aragorn, a mortal, is in love with Arwen, Elrond's daughter
(although Elrond has both Elf and human ancestry, he was given a choice and has chosen
the immortality of Elves). The story of their romance and life together is recounted in
more detail in Appendix A, which describes Arwen's choice to become mortal to be with
Aragorn and the ramifications of her choice.

Chapter 12) : Flight to the Ford | Summary

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Strider assesses the situation. He believes the Black Riders were more easily chased away
because there were only five of them, not nine—their full number. He also thinks the
Riders believe Frodo is fatally injured and will soon be in their power. Strider tends the
wound with a healing herb called athelas, but notes they must make haste to Rivendell
where Elrond can use his healing abilities to help Frodo.
For several days, the journey is uneventful but difficult, and Frodo's wound grows steadily
more painful. As they travel, an Elf named Glorfindel appears and speaks urgently to
Strider. Glorfindel has come from Elrond to help the hobbits reach Rivendell safely. He
places Frodo on his horse and they continue on toward Rivendell. As they near Rivendell,
the nine Black Riders catch up to them and pursue Frodo. Suddenly, the river forming a
border of Rivendell rises up and scatters the Riders and their horses. The Company enters
Rivendell; Frodo is unconscious.

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LOR extended briefs Book 2 Chapter by chapter 1/12 2/10 3/11 4/10 5/10 6/9

Book 2, Chapter 1: Many Meetings

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When Frodo wakes, he finds himself in the house of Elrond in Rivendell. Gandalf is
present and tells Frodo everyone is safe, fills in some of the details of the narrow escape at
the Ford of Bruinen, and explains he had been delayed because he was held captive.
Gandalf also tells Frodo, as soon as he is well enough, there is to be a Council, at which
Frodo will learn the answers to many questions.
Gandalf explains that the "Black Riders are the Ringwraiths, the Nine servants of the Lord
of the Rings," and that Aragorn is of the "race of the Kings from over the Sea," as are all
Rangers. Frodo is astounded.
Soon, Frodo feels well enough to socialize with his friends and the others in Elrond's
house. Sam, who has been anxiously waiting for Frodo to recover, shows him around the
big house. A great feast takes place in the hall of Elrond's house. After the feast, they retire
to the Hall of Fire for singing and storytelling, and Frodo is surprised and delighted to
find Bilbo there. After passing the evening together, they head off to bed to get a night's
rest before the Council.

The Lord of the Rings | The Fellowship of the Ring (Book 2, Chapter 2) : The

Council of Elrond | Summary
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The next morning, Frodo wakes up early and meets Gandalf and Bilbo as he walks about
the grounds of Elrond's house. They attend the Council together with Sam following
behind, though he was not invited. There are many there already, including Elrond,
Glorfindel, and Strider/Aragorn, as well as Men, Elves, and Dwarves unknown to Frodo.
Glóin, one of the Dwarves, shares that a horseman from Mordor had come to them, asking
about hobbits, and promising them magic rings of power if they
showed Sauron friendship. Glóin has been sent to warn Bilbo that the Enemy is seeking
him and his Ring. Elrond says the purpose of the Council is to answer the question of what
is to be done with the Ring Sauron seeks.
At this point, Elrond shares the entire history of the Ring, and how, in the Second Age of
the world, Sauron forged the One Ring in secret to control all other rings of power, which
had been made for use by Elves, Dwarves, and Men. He tells of how Gil-galad and Elendil

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fought Sauron and overthrew him, and how Isildur cut the One Ring from Sauron's hand.
However, rather than destroy the Ring, Isildur claimed it as his own and was soon
"betrayed by it to his death." The shards of Narsil, Elendil's sword, were given to Isildur's
heir Valandil. The One Ring was lost, and in its absence, the Elves used their three rings
to make beautiful things. The finding of the One Ring threatens all of these beautiful
things, Elrond tells them.
Boromir, a Man of Gondor, then tells his tale. Because Gondor is near Mordor, the growing
power of the Enemy has already begun to affect that land. Amidst these rising tensions,
Boromir and his brother Faramir (the sons of Denethor, Steward of Gondor) both have
had the same prophetic dream, and they do not fully understand what it means. He has
come to seek Elrond's wisdom on the matter.

One of the references in Boromir's dream is to the "sword that was broken." Aragorn
stands and displays his own sword, which everyone can see is broken in two pieces. When
Boromir asks him who he is, Elrond interrupts, saying Aragorn is "descended through
many fathers from Isildur Elendil's son of Minas Ithil." Aragorn reveals the sword is Narsil,
and asks Boromir, "Do you wish for the House of Elendil to return to the Land of Gondor?"

Bilbo interrupts, and so Elrond calls upon him to tell his part of the story next. He
describes how he found the Ring: he had engaged in a game of riddles with Gollum, who
had accidentally dropped the Ring, only to be picked up by Bilbo. Then Frodo tells of all
that had happened since he acquired it. Both Legolas and Gandalf fill in gaps in
understanding: first, Legolas tells the Council, Gollum, who had been held captive by the
Elves, has escaped; then, Gandalf tells how Saruman, the head of the wizards' council, has
betrayed them and seeks the Ring for his own use. Indeed, Gandalf reveals, Saruman
imprisoned him on the pinnacle of Orthanc before he was rescued by an eagle.
Then the assembled Company debates what should be done with the Ring. Some would
like to hide it, or throw it in the sea. Boromir suggests using it for good ends. Elrond
maintains the Ring cannot simply be hidden; it cannot be used for good; it must be
destroyed in the fire of its forging. It is unclear who will take up this task, but finally Frodo
says he will take the Ring to Mordor to destroy it. Elrond says Sam may go with Frodo.

The Lord of the Rings | The Fellowship of the Ring (Book 2, Chapter 3) : The Ring

Goes South | Summary
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After the Council, the hobbits gather to talk about the situation. Merry and Pippin insist
that if Sam is going to accompany Frodo, they want to come, too.
Meanwhile, Elrond is sending out scouts to gather intelligence, and they are returning
with news. It looks as if Frodo and whoever goes along will set out just as winter begins. In

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particular, it is important they not set out until they get news of what became of the Black
Riders, because they lost their horses at the ford.

Once it seems clear the Black Riders—the Nine—are at least temporarily out of the
picture, Elrond summons the hobbits and asks Frodo if he is still willing to go to Mordor.
Besides Sam, Elrond appoints Gandalf, Legolas the Elf, Gimli the Dwarf, Aragorn, Boromir,
and finally, Merry and Pippin. This makes a Company of nine: "the Nine Walkers shall be
set against the Nine Riders that are evil." They are to leave in seven days.
In preparation for the journey, the Elves forge the broken pieces of Narsil into a new
sword for Aragorn named Andúril. Bilbo gives Frodo a sword—Sting—and a Dwarf-made
shirt of mail made of mithril, a rare metal prized by Dwarves. Frodo puts the mail under
his clothing. Boromir blows a great horn. Bill, the pony bought from Bill Ferny, is made
ready.
The Fellowship sets off and soon comes to a mountain range. They plan to cross by
climbing the Redhorn Gate—a pass through the mountains on the far side of one high
peak—Caradhras. They are overtaken by a flock of crows of a particular type known to be
from Fangorn Forest. As they ascend, they find the going more and more cold and snowy.
Finally, they must turn back, or risk freezing to death.

Book 2, Chapter 4 : A Journey in the Dark | The Lord of the Rings | The
Fellowship of the Ring (Book 2, Chapter 4) : A Journey in the Dark | Summary
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Unable to pass over the mountain, they must try going through Moria. The Mines
of Moria, located under the mountains, is a legendary dwelling place of
Dwarves—and the legends are dark. Gimli is eager to discover what became of
the Dwarves who lived there, but no one else shares this excitement.

As they consider this option, Wargs—wolflike monsters—attack in the night.
Gandalf protects them with his ability to conjure fire, and in the morning they
continue to the doors of Moria, in front of which a lake has formed. The doors
are closed and require a magic word to open them, but Gandalf has a hard time
figuring it out. Eventually, the solution occurs to him and he is able to open the
doors. Just then, a tentacle seizes Frodo by the ankle and tries to drag him into

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the lake. Sam slashes at it with his knife and they scramble through the open

doors. However, the tentacled creature destroys the stonework and sends it

crashing down, blocking the way back out.

They are now in the dark, and Gandalf leads them using a faint light emanating

from his staff. They walk for hours. At times, Frodo thinks he can hear soft

footsteps following them. After walking a long time in the dark, they come to a

wide hall with a hole in the floor. Pippin, curious about the hole, drops a stone

down it. After a little while, they hear a faint tapping coming from deep within the

mines. The Fellowship spends a fitful night's sleep in the large chamber. The

following morning, they enter another chamber where they find the tomb of

Balin.

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Unable to pass over the mountain, they must try going through Moria. The Mines of Moria, located under the mountains,
is a legendary dwelling place of Dwarves—and the legends are dark. Gimli is eager to discover what became of the
Dwarves who lived there, but no one else shares this excitement.

As they consider this option, Wargs—wolflike monsters—attack in the night. Gandalf protects them with his ability to
conjure fire, and in the morning they continue to the doors of Moria, in front of which a lake has formed. The doors are
closed and require a magic word to open them, but Gandalf has a hard time figuring it out. Eventually, the solution
occurs to him and he is able to open the doors. Just then, a tentacle seizes Frodo by the ankle and tries to drag him into
the lake. Sam slashes at it with his knife and they scramble through the open doors. However, the tentacled creature
destroys the stonework and sends it crashing down, blocking the way back out.
They are now in the dark, and Gandalf leads them using a faint light emanating from his staff. They walk for hours. At
times, Frodo thinks he can hear soft footsteps following them. After walking a long time in the dark, they come to a wide
hall with a hole in the floor. Pippin, curious about the hole, drops a stone down it. After a little while, they hear a faint
tapping coming from deep within the mines. The Fellowship spends a fitful night's sleep in the large chamber. The
following morning, they enter another chamber where they find the tomb of Balin.

Book 2, Chapter 5) : The Bridge of Khazad-Dûm | Summary Share

The Fellowship stands in silence at Balin's tomb, and then Gandalf finds a record book describing a terrible battle
ending in the slaughter of the Dwarves living in the mines. "Drums, drums in the deep," reads the record book.
As they consider the meaning of the writing, they hear a "doom, doom" coming from the mines: drums in the deep. Soon,
Orcs appear, and with them, a cave-troll. The Fellowship defend themselves, and in the ensuing battle, Frodo is struck by
an Orc-chieftain's spear, collapsing as though dead. He surprises the others by speaking. Gandalf tries to hold off the
enemy forces with magic, but a powerful magic of unknown source resists him. They all flee, making for the gates leading
out of Moria. They come to a deep chasm crossed by a narrow bridge, which is the Bridge of Khazad-dûm.
At the chasm, Gandalf faces a Balrog—a fearsome creature made seemingly of flame. Realizing the Balrog is a powerful
enemy, Gandalf tells the others to flee, and faces the Balrog alone, saying, "You cannot pass." Gandalf's magic breaks the
bridge, and the Balrog falls into the chasm, but at the last minute the Balrog grasps Gandalf and causes him to fall as well.
Weeping and stumbling, the remaining members of the Fellowship escape Moria and enter again into the sunlight.

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The Lord of the Rings | The Fellowship of the Ring (Book 2, Chapter 5) : The

Bridge of Khazad-Dûm | Summary
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The Fellowship stands in silence at Balin's tomb, and then Gandalf finds a record book
describing a terrible battle ending in the slaughter of the Dwarves living in the mines.
"Drums, drums in the deep," reads the record book.
As they consider the meaning of the writing, they hear a "doom, doom" coming from the
mines: drums in the deep. Soon, Orcs appear, and with them, a cave-troll. The Fellowship
defend themselves, and in the ensuing battle, Frodo is struck by an Orc-chieftain's spear,
collapsing as though dead. He surprises the others by speaking. Gandalf tries to hold off
the enemy forces with magic, but a powerful magic of unknown source resists him. They
all flee, making for the gates leading out of Moria. They come to a deep chasm crossed by a
narrow bridge, which is the Bridge of Khazad-dûm.
At the chasm, Gandalf faces a Balrog—a fearsome creature made seemingly of flame.
Realizing the Balrog is a powerful enemy, Gandalf tells the others to flee, and faces the
Balrog alone, saying, "You cannot pass." Gandalf's magic breaks the bridge, and the Balrog
falls into the chasm, but at the last minute the Balrog grasps Gandalf and causes him to fall
as well. Weeping and stumbling, the remaining members of the Fellowship escape Moria
and enter again into the sunlight.

Book 2, Chapter 6 : Lothlórien | Summary
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Shocked and grieving, the Fellowship is at a loss for what to do next. Aragorn takes
control, leading the Company toward the woods of Lothlórien, a dwelling of Elves that
Legolas and Aragorn anticipate visiting with joy, despite their sadness. They stop briefly
so Aragorn can attend to Frodo's injuries, discovering Frodo's mithril coat in the process,
which mostly protected him from the Orc-chieftain's spear thrust.
As they walk, Frodo again thinks he hears soft footsteps following, and when he turns, he
sees the gleam of eyes.

They arrive at the woods of Lothlórien. Not everyone is excited. Boromir is suspicious, and
Gimli, as a Dwarf, also has worries. But Legolas tells them some of the history of
Lothlórien, and they seem willing to keep going. When night falls, they prepare to sleep in
the tree branches, but are interrupted by a company of Elves led by Haldir whose job is to

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watch Lothlórien's borders. The Elves agree to lead the Fellowship into Lothlórien in the
morning.

In the middle of the night, a shadowy figure climbs up the tree Frodo is in, but is scared
away by Elves. The next day the Company, led by Haldir and his elves, enter Lothlórien.

Book 2, Chapter 7 : The Mirror of Galadriel | Summary
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As night falls, they arrive at Caras Galadhon, the city of the Galadhrim—the Elves who live
in Lothlórien. Entering the great gates of the city, they come presently to a large tree and
climb a ladder to a large platform, "like the deck of a great ship," on which a great house
stands. In a chamber of the house, Galadriel and her husband Celeborn, the Lord and Lady
of Lothlórien, greet them each by name. Celeborn and Galadriel ask why Gandalf is not
with them and the Company shares the bad news of Gandalf's fall. The Lord and Lady say
they will help Frodo in his quest, of which they are aware.

The Fellowship remains in Lothlórien for many days but eventually realizes they must

leave and continue the quest. Both Frodo and Sam feel strongly that they must be on their

way. As the two hobbits discuss this, Galadriel approaches and leads them to a
spring next to which sits a silver basin on a pedestal. Filling the basin with water, she
invites them to look into "the Mirror of Galadriel," which shows "things that were, and
things that are, and things that yet may be."
Sam sees "Frodo with a pale face lying fast asleep under a great dark cliff ... [and] himself
going along a dim passage, and climbing an endless winding stair." Then he sees trouble
happening in the Shire.

Frodo sees a "figure ... clothed not in grey but in white ... and in its hand there was a white
staff." Then he sees Bilbo, back in Rivendell, and then flashes of scenes from the Ring's
history—the "great history in which he had become involved." Finally, he sees a great
Eye—the Eye of Sauron, which he knows is searching for him.
Galadriel reveals to Frodo she is the bearer of one of the Elven rings, and so the
destruction of the One Ring will mean the destruction of all the good she has done with
her ring's power. She tells Frodo, “If you fail, then we are laid bare to the Enemy. Yet if you
succeed, then our power is diminished, and Lothlórien will fade, and the tides of Time will
sweep it away."

Frodo offers her the One Ring, but she resists the temptation to take it.

Book 2, Chapter 8 : Farewell to Lórien | Summary

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Celeborn gives members of the Fellowship the choice to stay in Lothlórien or continue the
quest, and they all choose the latter. However, it becomes clear Boromir intends to go to
Minas Tirith, which is on the west side of Anduin, the Great River, while Mordor lies to the
east. Aragorn is torn between these two paths. Celeborn gives them boats so they can
travel down the river and avoid making the choice for a little while. The Elves also give
them cloaks, rope, food, and drink for the journey.
Galadriel gives individual gifts to each member of the Fellowship, as well. To Aragorn, she
gives a sheath for his sword and a green jewel set in a brooch; to Boromir, a golden belt; to
Merry and Pippin, small silver belts; to Legolas, a bow and arrows; to Sam, a bit of soil
from her own orchard; to Gimli, a lock of her own hair; and to Frodo, a small crystal phial
full of the light of "Eärendil's star, set amid the waters of [Galadriel's] fountain."
After the farewells, the Company travels southward on the Great River.

Book 2, Chapter 9 : The Great River | Summary
Led by Aragorn, who sets a brisk pace, the Fellowship paddles down the Anduin River. As
the days go by, an uneasy feeling grows in them, and a few worrying developments occur:
Boromir begins muttering to himself and behaving strangely, and Sam sees a log with
eyes that "floats" behind them. When Sam tells Frodo about the strange sight, the two
agree it is likely Gollum. Later, they find out Aragorn has been aware Gollum has been
following them since Moria.
As they near the rapids of Sarn Gebir, they are attacked by Orcs firing arrows at them, and
they see a black winged figure pass overhead. Legolas fires an arrow at it, and it screams
as it falls from the sky.

Aragorn decides they will head for Amon Hen, where the kings of old built a "high seat."
He hopes his choice will be made clearer there. They pass through Argonath, the Pillars of
the Kings, giant statues carved into pillars set on either side of the river, representing
Isildur and Anárion. They finally set foot on dry ground and must finally choose which
way to go next.

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Book 2, Chapter 10 : The Breaking of the Fellowship | Summary
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Aragorn calls the Company together and tells them they must now make a choice. He
tells Frodo the choice of which way the Ring goes rests with him, as Ring-bearer. Frodo
asks for time to consider what to do, and Aragorn agrees to give him an hour to think.
Frodo walks off to ponder his options. As he does so, Boromir approaches him and asks
him to come to Minas Tirith. Then, he asks to see the Ring. When Frodo refuses, he
becomes agitated and asks Frodo to lend him the Ring to vanquish the power of Mordor.
When Frodo again refuses, Boromir tries to take it by force, but Frodo slips on the Ring
and disappears. Running to the top of Amon Hen still wearing the Ring, Frodo can see
signs of war in every direction. Suddenly, he is aware of the Eye of Sauron searching for
him. He quickly pulls the Ring off, and, realizing the Ring has begun to corrupt the
Company, decides to go on toward Mordor alone.
Meanwhile, Aragorn, Merry, Pippin, and Sam discuss the situation and debate what Frodo
is likely to do. Sam believes Frodo will decide to go off alone, and when Boromir reveals he
had harsh words with Frodo, Sam realizes Frodo may already be leaving. He runs to where
the boats are just in time to see Frodo taking one and leaving. Sam chases after him and
the two hobbits leave the Fellowship and make for Mordor.

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