The Ring Goes South

Chapter of The Fellowship of the Ring
The Ring Goes South
Information
Number	15
Synopsis
Event	The Fellowship of the Ring is formed; Frodo Baggins sets out for Mordor.
Date	25 October 3018-12 January 3019
Location	Hollin
Navigation
Preceded by	The Council of Elrond
Followed by	A Journey in the Dark

”

Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens

Gimli

The Ring Goes South is the third chapter of the second book in The Fellowship of the Ring. The main characters are Elrond and the company that comprised the Fellowship of the Ring: Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Meriadoc Brandybuck, Peregrin Took, Gandalf, Aragorn, Boromir, Legolas and Gimli.

Central to the chapter is the establishment of the Fellowship - nine members to counterbalance the nine Black Riders - and their departure from Rivendell, marking the commencement of their quest to destroy the One Ring. Key artifacts such as Aragorn’s reforged sword, Andúril, Frodo’s mithril shirt of armour and the dagger, Sting, both gifted by Bilbo.

The chapter marks a shift from the safety of Rivendell to the harsh realities of the quest, as the story moves from lore and counsel to adventure and peril. Through this transition, the narrative broadens the geographical and cultural scope of Middle-earth.

Overview

The chapter begins immediately following the end of the previous chapter.

Following the council meeting, the Hobbits held a meeting of their own. Merry and Pippin were offended that Sam had been chosen to accompany Frodo while they had not. Gandalf explained that scouts had been sent out to gather information about the Black Riders, and Frodo could not depart until they returned with news. Gandalf also told Frodo that he might accompany him on the journey to Mordor, but for the time being Frodo was to remain in Rivendell and assist Bilbo with a book of records he was completing.

The Hobbits remained at Rivendell for two months until the scouts began to return. No news of the Black Riders was to be had from any direction, except of a few lost horses and torn cloaks. It was decided that Frodo must leave at once, accompanied by Sam and Gandalf. Elrond decided to expand the group to nine, to match the number of Black Riders. Legolas would represent the Elves; Gimli the Dwarves, and Aragorn the race of Men. Since Boromir's path to Minas Tirith aligned with theirs, he too would join. Merry and Pippin, though reluctantly included, were allowed to go.

Before departing, Aragorn's broken sword was re-forged and named Andúril, Flame of the West. Bilbo gave Frodo a small dagger named Sting and a shirt of mithril armour to be worn under his clothes. Each member brought their personal weapon, and Sam took responsibility for the pony, Bill.

Now formed and provisioned, the Company set out with the understanding that, except for Frodo, each member was free to leave if they chose. After two weeks of travel, they reached the ruins of Hollin at sunrise. Aragorn felt they were being watched and recognised black crebain out of Dunland and Fangorn flying low over the land. The Company decided to leave that night, and at one point Aragorn saw and Gandalf felt a dark shadow pass over the land.

Gandalf and Aragorn privately discussed alternative routes, unknowingly observed by Frodo. They later decided to cross Caradhras, one of the three Mountains of Moria, through Redhorn Gate and onto Mirrormere. Snow had fallen more heavily than usual in Aragorn's reckoning and prevented progress. Fortified by miruvor given to Gandalf by Elrond, the Company endured the night ahead of a retreat from the mountain route. Their path to escape was blocked by deep snow, and although Legolas walked lightly over the drifts, the others struggled. Aragorn and Boromir forced a path and carried the Hobbits to safety, while the rest followed on foot or rode Bill through the created path. Despite seeing crebain still flying below them, Gandalf said that they must leave the mountain with haste, which they did.

Composition

Tolkien probably composed this chapter in 1939. After reaching Balin's Tomb (in the next chapter) and some hiatus, in 1940 Tolkien revised the portion from Rivendell as far as Balin's tomb, writing a fresh manuscript of The Ring Goes South.