Encyclopedia of Tolkien's Middle Earth

Sauron’s Ransom

“He was dear to you, I see. And now he shall endure the slow torment of years.”

No one answered him; but he saw their faces grey with fear and the horror in their eyes, and he laughed again, for it seemed to him that his sport went well. ‘Good, good!’ he said. ‘He was dear to you, I see. Or else his errand was one that you did not wish to fail? It has. And now he shall endure the slow torment of years, as long and slow as our arts in the Great Tower can contrive, and never be released, unless maybe when he is changed and broken, so that he may come to you, and you shall see what you have done. This shall surely be unless you accept my Lord’s terms."

The Shire was a large agriculture based community and home to most of the Hobbits of Middle Earth. The land was originally a large fertile part of the Kingdom of Arnor but remained undeveloped. The land was given to the Hobbits who had migrated from the Vale of Anduin and other parts along the Great River. This marks the Year 1 in “Shire Reckoning”. Hobbits lived in large holes dug within the hills, which were useful because they did not have to be very large and were small and cozy. They were loyal to the King of Arnor and even sent hobbits to fight in the ill-fated Battle of Fornost. Following Arnor’s collapse the Shire remained untouched and safe. This peace remained for much of the Third Age thanks to the watchful eye of the Dunedain Rangers. The administration and military of the Shire was extremely simplistic, where the Mayor served as acting governor, laws were enforced by the Shirrifs, and a Thain acted as the representative to the King (usually of the Took family). A most famous produce from the Shire was pipe-weed, The hobbits’ pipe-weed was renowned and almost exclusive to that region. This peace would define the Shire, though there were two instances of conflict prior to the adventures of The Hobbit. The Battle of Greenfields where the Hobbits under Brandobras “Bullroar” Took defeated the invading goblins of Golfimbul. Bullroar knocked Golfimbul’s head clean off during the battle and it rolled into a rabbit hole, inventing the game of golf! The Fell Winter saw the Shire be attacked by White Wolves during a famine, the Rangers were swift in protecting the Shire. The Third Age saw Bilbo Baggins bring the One Ring to the Shire and into global affairs. The Nazgul came to the Shire spreading fear in search of the Ring, and with this came more strict laws of who may enter and leave the Shire. The War of the Ring saw the Rangers leave to help fight, and the helpless Shire was occupied by ruffians lead by Sharkey, who was Saruman in disguise. Under Sharkey the Shire was industrialized and supplies were sent South to help the war effort and to fund brigands. This ended when Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin returned to the shire and lead the revolt leading to the Battle of Bywater. The Shire was saved, Ruffians banished, and Saruman defeated. Elvish dirt helped fertilize the land after what Sharkey had done to it, and ultimately it became again a simple and peaceful region. The Reunited Kingdom gave the Shire legal independence which was purely symbolic. I wouldn’t mind getting my hands on some of that pipe-weed.

‘Galadriel! ’ he said faintly, and then he heard voices far off but clear: the crying of the Elves as they walked under the stars in the beloved shadows of the Shire, and the music of the Elves as it came through his sleep in the Hall of Fire in the house of Elrond.

Gilthoniel A Elbereth!

And then his tongue was loosed and his voice cried in a language which he did not know:

A Elbereth Gilthoniel

o menel palan-diriel,

le nallon sí di'nguruthos!

A tiro nin, Fanuilos!

And with that he staggered to his feet and was Samwise the hobbit, Hamfast’s son, again.

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

🎬 Peter Jackson

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Wormtongue halted and looked back at him, half prepared to stay. Saruman turned. ‘No evil?’ he cackled. ‘Oh no! Even when he sneaks out at night it is only to look at the stars. But did I hear someone ask where poor Lotho is hiding? You know, don’t you, Worm? Will you tell them?’

Wormtongue cowered down and whimpered: ‘No, no!’

‘Then I will,’ said Saruman. ‘Worm killed your Chief, poor little fellow, your nice little Boss. Didn’t you, Worm stabbed him in his sleep, I believe. Buried him, I hope; though Worm has been very hungry lately. No, Worm is not really nice. You had better leave him to me.’

A look of wild hatred came into Wormtongue’s red eyes. ‘You told me to; you made me do it,’ he hissed.

Saruman laughed. ‘You do what Sharkey says, always, don’t you, Worm? Well, now he says: follow!’ He kicked Wormtongue in the face as he grovelled, and turned and made off. But at that something snapped: suddenly Wormtongue rose up, drawing a hidden knife, and then with a snarl like a dog he sprang on Saruman’s back, jerked his head back, cut his throat, and with a yell ran off down the lane. Before Frodo could recover or speak a word, three hobbit-bows twanged and Wormtongue fell dead."

Oliphaunts, also known as “Mûmakil” in Harad (plural of mûmak), were large creatures similar to elephants. They are from Far Harad. They were tamed by the Haradrim and used for war. Strapping siege towers on the back of these elephants and launching darts and spears from there. They were presumably used during the wars with Gondor over Umbar, but were extensively used during the War of the Ring. First seen by Frodo and Sam in Ithilien marching to Mordor. They were also used during the Battle of Pelennor Fields. Often considered a myth in the West, the hobbits were very surprised to see such beasts, and Sam sang a poem of them, presumably learned from a Shire folk tale.

“Grey as a mouse, Big as a house, Nose like a snake, I make the earth shake, As I tramp through the grass; Trees crack as I pass. With horns in my mouth I walk in the South, Flapping big ears. Beyond count of years I stump round and round, Never lie on the ground, Not even to die. Oliphaunt am I, Biggest of all, Huge, old, and tall. If ever you’d met me You wouldn’t forget me. If you never do, You won’t think I’m true; But old Oliphaunt am I, And I never lie.” 

Meriadoc Brandybuck was a hobbit of the Shire, He is a Brandybuck but also half Tookish through his mother. He is best friends with Frodo Baggins and first cousins with Peregrin Took. The hobbits of Buckland were different from others in that they were fond of boats, and some could swim. Before the events of the Lord of the Rings he was a respected hobbit of Brandy Hall, and he knew of the Ring’s existence having seen Bilbo use it to avoid the Sackville Bagginses. He was greatly involved in Frodo’s conspiracy to leave the Shire, including finding him a hideout home in Crickhollow and using his knowledge of the paths to escape unheeded. He helped lead the party through the Old Forest, and with them was captured by Old Man Willow. Rescued by Tom Bombadil, and captured again in the Barrow Downs by the Wights - and following Frodo’s call to Tom rescued again. Here he received a Barrow Blade, which to a man was simply a dagger. It was forged in Westernesse which gave it ancient power. In Bree he was attacked by a Black Rider but not injured, he was rescued by Nob. He accompanied the hobbits to Rivendell, where he was then appointed as a member of the Fellowship Of The Ring, for his cunning and loyalty to Frodo. He had to be carried by Aragorn in the failed attempt to pass Caradhras. At the entrance to Moria he was credited with helping Gandalf remember the pass through the Doors of Durin. In Lothlorien he was gifted a silver belt from Galadriel. During the Skirmish at Amon Hen Merry and Pippin were captured by the Orcs, after Merry had slew a few goblins. They were spared because the orcs’ orders were to capture halflings, in pursuit of the Ring. Outside of Fangorn Forest they escaped during a battle between the Orcs and the Riders of Rohan. Their journey through Fangorn included Merry and Pipping drinking the Ent-Draught, making them the tallest hobbits in legend. In Fangorn they met Treebeard and accompanied the Last March of the Ents, which engaged in the destruction of Isengard. Upon reuniting with The Three Hunters and the Rohirrim he rejoined the remnants of the Fellowship. Here he was separated from Pippin, and wanting to contribute to the war effort swore fealty to Theoden of Rohan. He was made a squire in a ceremonial sense. As they marched to Gondor to aid Minas Tirith he was denied the ability to fight as he was not big enough to ride a horse. However a knight named Dernhelm took him upon his horse, and he went to the Battle of Pelennor. During the Battle the Witch-King scared Merry’s horse, causing him to fall, however he remained next to the duel between Dernhelm and the Witch-king, fighting over the body of Theoden. Dernhelm reveals herself to be Eowyn, but is almost defeated by the Nazgul, until Merry uses his ancient sword to stab the Witch-king down the back, undoing his armor and he pierced the Ringwraith’s ethereal form, but by doing this he is gravely injured by the Black Breath. He is healed by Aragorn after the battle. After the destruction of the Ring he returned to the Shire and lead the hobbits in the Battle of Bywater, ensuring success and a reconquest of the Shire. He became the Master of Buckland, married a Bolger, and had no children. He visited Gondor with Pippin where they both died peacefully and were buried in the King’s Tomb, next to King Aragorn Elessar.

Halbarad, Sindarin name for “Tall Tower”, was a Dunedain of the North and ranger of the Grey Company. He was among Aragorn’s rangers who defended the Shire and ultimately participated in the War of the Ring. He led 30 men to Rohan at the behest of Galadriel to find Aragorn and aid him. With him rode Elrond’s sons Elladan and Elrohir, and with him he brought an enclosed banner of Gondor woven by Arwen. He loyally followed Aragorn through the Paths of the Dead and to the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. Upon reaching the battle he revealed the majesty of the banner, for it was the White Tree of Gondor, and above it the Seven Stars, and the crown of Elendil. Halbarad died during the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, He is not mentioned in the Song of the Mounds of Mundberg, a Rohirric lament to the fallen of said battle, a shame really.

Mirkwood was a large forest of Rhovanion, flanked by two great rivers, the north was bordering the Grey Mountains and the south by plains and wasteland. It is intersected by numerous rivers, notably the Forest River which flowed through the Elvenking’s land. This river had a smaller river branching off of it, which was enchanted and caused drowsiness and hallucinations. The forest was split by the Old Forest Road, a major trade route that connected the East and the West. Built by the dwarves to connect Erebor and the Iron Hills to the Misty Mountains in the 2nd Age but fell into disuse when the dwarf kingdoms fell. South of the Old Forest Road was much darker as the Elves had less control of the region. By the Third Age there were large spiders throughout the area drawn by the evil of Dol Guldur. Dol Guldur was a base used by Sauron as he regained his power, under the moniker of the Necromancer. The Silvan elves settled in Mirkwood (Greenwood The Great) on their journey to go West. They were less wise and reserved then other elves, and often celebrated with wine and feasts. The first king was Oropher, a grey elf who ruled until he died during the Battle of Dagorlad, slain disobeying orders. His son, Thranduil, became the king. By the Third Age the kingdom was in decline and it became Mirkwood. Thorin’s Company passed through Mirkwood on their quest to Erebor. They suffered passing the Enchanted River and attempted to hunt, but failed. They engaged with many of the Great Spiders and were almost defeated. Tired, hungry, and feeling the effects of the Enchanted River they were gladly captured by the Elves. They were detained by the Elvenking but thanks to Bilbo’s ring and cunning they escaped using wine barrels down the Forest River. During the War Of The Ring Mirkwood was attacked by Mordor, and in the Battle Under The Trees Thranduil repelled the attacks and Galadriel destroyed Dol Guldur. The forest was cleansed and Galadriel renamed it Eryn Lasgalen, “Wood of Greenleaves”. Notable people who dwelt in Mirkwood include Legolas, Radagast, and groups of Northmen.

“He wouldn’t make above a mouthful,” said William, who had already had a fine supper, “not when he was skinned and boned”.

“P’raps there are more like him round about, and we might make a pie,” said Bert. “Here you, are there any more of your sort a-sneakin’ in these here woods, yer nassty little rabbit,” said he looking at the hobbit’s furry feet; and he picked him up by the toes and shook him.

“Yes, lots,” said Bilbo, before he remembered not to give his friends away. “No, none at all, not one,” he said immediately afterwards.

William, Tom, & Bert plotting to eat Bilbo, The Hobbit, Roast Mutton.

Gandalf, who was a good deal taller than the others, had found a tree into which they could not climb, a large pine standing at the very edge of the glade. He was quite hidden in its boughs, but you could see his eyes gleaming in the moon as he peeped out.

And Bilbo? He could not get into any tree, and was scuttling about from trunk to trunk, like a rabbit that has lost its hole and has a dog after it. “You’ve left the burglar behind again}” said Nori to Dori looking down.

“I can’t be always carrying burglars on my back,” said Dori, “down tunnels and up trees! What do you think I am? A porter?”

“He’ll be eaten if we don’t ‘do something,” said Thorin

Thorin’s Company hiding in a tree from wolves, The Hobbit, Out of the Frying Pan into the Fire.

Soon another eagle flew up. “The Lord of the Eagles bids you to bring your prisoners to the Great Shelf,” he cried and was off again. The other seized Dori in his claws and flew away with him into the night leaving Bilbo all alone. He had just strength to wonder what the messenger had meant by ‘prisoners,’ and to begin to think of being torn up for supper like a rabbit, when his own turn came. The eagle came back, seized him in his talons by the back of his coat, and swooped off.

Bilbo being picked up by an Eagle, The Hobbit, Out of the Frying Pan into the Fire.

“Don’t pinch!” said his eagle. “You need not be frightened like a rabbit, even if you look rather like one. It is a fair morning with little wind. What is finer than flying?”

Bilbo would have liked to say: “A warm bath and late breakfast on the lawn afterwards;” but he thought it better to say nothing at all, and to let go his clutch just a tiny bit.

Bilbo riding on an Eagle. The Hobbit, Queer Lodgings.

“You! You!” cried Thorin, turning upon him and grasping him with both hands. “You miserable hobbit! You undersized-burglar!” he shouted at a loss for words, and he shook poor Bilbo like a rabbit.

“By the beard of Durin! I wish I had Gandalf here! Curse him for his choice of you! May his beard wither! As for you I will throw you to the rocks!” he cried and lifted Bilbo in his arms.

“And I concluded by saying that the Resurrection was the greatest ‘eucatastrophe’ possible in the greatest Fairy Story - and produces that essential emotion: Christian joy which produces tears because it is qualitatively so like sorrow, because it comes from those places where Joy and Sorrow are at one, reconciled, as selfishness and altruism are lost in Love. Of course I do not mean that the Gospels tell what is only a fairy-story; but I do mean very strongly that they do tell a fairy-story: the greatest.

The Dead Marshes were a large swampland outside of The Black Gate in the Dagorlad plains. It is here that many great battles were fought, battles that scarred the area and created a wasteland. The name comes from the Battle of Dagorlad during the end of the 2nd Age. The Last Alliance of Men and Elves marched on Mordor to destroy Sauron, and succeeded at great cost. Over several months the casualites included Oropher and Amdír, Silvan Elves who disregarded Gil-Galad’s orders and became trapped and virtually destroyed by Mordor’s armies. Thranduil, Oropher’s son, returned to Mirkwood with a third of his army. Most of Amdír’s host died in the marshes. The marshes were also the site of Gondor’s battles against the Easterlings in the middle of the Third Age. King Ondoher’s army was routed in the marshes, and the Gondor Captain Eärnil II destroyed the Wainrider army in the same war and area during the Battle of the Camp. A millennium later during the Quest of the Ring Frodo, Sam, and Gollum crossed the marshes to reach Mordor. Gollum tells them of the “candles of corpses” that haunt the marshes and lure wanderers into the water. Under the surface of the water the dead of past battles can be seen, which entranced Frodo and almost claimed him. The dead under the water may have been illusions or the results of dark magic. Tolkien has said that “The Dead Marshes and the approaches to the Morannon owe something to Northern France after the Battle of the Somme. They owe more to William Morris and his Huns and Romans.” (Letter to Professor L. W. Forster, 12/31/1960, Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien). The Somme Offensive was a battle during the First World War notorious for being one of the bloodiest battles in recorded history, a battle that Professor Tolkien had served in. William Morris’ fantasy writing had recurring themes of warfare and the supernatural, notably in A Tale of the House of the Wolfings and All the Kindreds of the Mark.

“‘I don’t know,’ said Frodo in a dreamlike voice. ‘But I have seen them too. In the pools when the candles were lit. They lie in all the pools, pale faces, deep deep under the dark water. I saw them: grim faces and evil, and noble faces and sad. Many faces proud and fair, and weeds in their silver hair. But all foul, all rotting, all dead. A fell light is in them.’ Frodo hid his eyes in his hands. ‘I know not who they are; but I thought I saw there Men and Elves, and Orcs beside them.’

”`Yes, yes,’ said Gollum. `All dead, all rotten. Elves and Men and Orcs. The Dead Marshes. There was a great battle long ago, yes, so they told him when Sméagol was young, when I was young before the Precious came. It was a great battle. Tall Men with long swords, and terrible Elves, and Orcses shrieking. They fought on the plain for days and months at the Black Gates. But the Marshes have grown since then, swallowed up the graves; always creeping, creeping.’

'But that is an age and more ago,’ said Sam. 'The Dead can’t be really there! Is it some devilry hatched in the Dark Land? ’

`Who knows? Sméagol doesn’t know,’ answered Gollum. 'You cannot reach them, you cannot touch them. We tried once, yes, precious. I tried once; but you cannot reach them. Only shapes to see, perhaps, not to touch. No precious! All dead.’

Sam looked darkly at him and shuddered again, thinking that he guessed why Sméagol had tried to touch them.’“