The Lord of the Rings

After the fall of the Dark Tower and the passing of Sauron the Shadow was lifted from the hearts of all who opposed him, but fear and despair fell upon his servants and allies. Three times Lórien had been assailed from Dol Guldur, but besides the valour of the elven people of that land, the power that dwelt there was too great for any to overcome, unless Sauron had come there himself. Though grievous harm was done to the fair woods on the borders, the assaults were driven back; and when the Shadow passed, Celeborn came forth and led the host of Lórien over Anduin in many boats. They took Dol Guldur, and Galadriel threw down its walls and laid bare its pits, and the forest was cleansed.

In the North also there had been war and evil. The realm of Thranduil was invaded, and there was long battle under the trees and great ruin of fire; but in the end Thranduil had the victory. And on the day of the New Year of the Elves, Celeborn and Thranduil met in the midst of the forest; and they renamed Mirkwood Eryn Lasgalen, The Wood of Greenleaves. Thranduil took all the northern region as far as the mountains that rise in the forest for his realm; and Celeborn took all the southern wood below the Narrows, and named it East Lórien; all the wide forest between was given to the Beornings and the Woodmen. But after the passing of Galadriel in a few years Celeborn grew weary of his realm and went to Imladris to dwell with the sons of Elrond. In the Greenwood the Silvan Elves remained untroubled, but in Lórien there lingered sadly only a few of its former people, and there was no longer light or song in Caras Galadhon.

At the same time as the great armies besieged Minas Tirith a host of the allies of Sauron that had long threatened the borders of King Brand crossed the River Carnen, and Brand was driven back to Dale. There he had the aid of the Dwarves of Erebor; and there was a great battle at the Mountain’s feet. It lasted three days, but in the end both King Brand and King Dáin Ironfoot were slain, and the Easterlings had the victory. But they could not take the Gate, and many, both Dwarves and Men, took refuge in Erebor, and there withstood a siege.

When news came of the great victories in the South, then Sauron’s northern army was filled with dismay; and the besieged came forth and routed them, and the remnant fled into the East and troubled Dale no more. Then Bard II, Brand’s son, became King in Dale, and Thorin III Stonehelm, Dain’s son, became King under the Mountain. They sent their ambassadors to the crowning of King Elessar; and their realms remained ever after, as long as they lasted, in friendship with Gondor; and they were under the crown and protection of the King of the West.

THE CHIEF DAYS FROM THE FALL OF BARAD-DûR TO THE END OF THE THIRD AGE[70]

3019

S.R. 1419

March

27 — Bard II and Thorin III Stonehelm drive the enemy from Dale.

28 — Celeborn crosses Anduin; destruction of Dol Guldur begun.

April

6 — Meeting of Celeborn and Thranduil.

8 — The Ring-bearers are honoured on the Field of Cormallen.

May

1 — Crowning of King Elessar; Elrond and Arwen set out from Rivendell.

8 — Éomer and Éowyn depart for Rohan with the sons of Elrond.

20 — Elrond and Arwen come to Lórien.

27 — The escort of Arwen leaves Lórien.

June

14 — The sons of Elrond meet the escort and bring Arwen to Edoras.

16 — They set out for Gondor.

25 — King Elessar finds the sapling of the White Tree.

1 Lithe. Arwen comes to the City.

Mid-year’s Day. Wedding of Elessar and Arwen.

July

18 — Éomer returns to Minas Tirith.

22 — The funeral escort of King Théoden sets out.

August

7 — The escort comes to Edoras.

10 — Funeral of King Théoden.

14 — The guests take leave of King Éomer.

15 — Treebeard releases Saruman.

18 — They come to Helm’s Deep.

22 — They come to Isengard; they take leave of the King of the West at sunset.

28 — They overtake Saruman; Saruman turns towards the Shire.

September

6 — They halt in sight of the Mountains of Moria.

13 — Celeborn and Galadriel depart, the others set out for Rivendell.

21 — They return to Rivendell.

22 — The hundred and twenty-ninth birthday of Bilbo. Saruman comes to the Shire.

October

5 — Gandalf and the Hobbits leave Rivendell.

6 — They cross the Ford of Bruinen; Frodo feels the first return of pain.

28 — They reach Bree at nightfall.

30 — They leave Bree. The ‘Travellers’ come to the Brandywine Bridge at dark.

November

1 — They are arrested at Frogmorton.

2 — They come to Bywater and rouse the Shire-folk.

3 — Battle of Bywater, and Passing of Saruman. End of the War of the Ring.

3020

S.R. 1420: The Great Year of Plenty

March 13. Frodo is taken ill (on the anniversary of his poisoning by Shelob).

April 6. The mallorn flowers in the Party Field.