J.R.R. Tolkien's groundbreaking, genre-defining fantasy epic, The Lord of the Rings is a saga about a great many things: the push and pull between tremendous good and unthinkable evil, the tantalizing yet insidious nature of ambition and pride, and the call of fate and destiny. Yet despite its grand, fully realized settings, sweeping descriptions of generational wars, and wholly imaginative depictions of otherworldly beings, the most compelling thing about Lord of the Rings has nothing to do with the looming Eye of Sauron. At its core, the trilogy is a story of the bonds forged between vastly different peoples, the unity born from fellowship, and individual capacity for courage, loyalty, and perseverance.
Warning: The following article contains spoilers for The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Why was the Fellowship formed?
The Fellowship of the Ring was formed by Elrond shortly after a meeting of the secret Council in Rivendell that aimed to forge a plan regarding the One Ring. Together, the Fellowship was tasked with carrying the One Ring to Mordor so it could be cast into the fires of Mount Doom and permanently destroyed. Their perilous journey takes them, as a group and in smaller parties, from the Misty Mountains to the treetops in Lothlórien to Shelob's lair in the caves of Cirith Ungol.
How many members are in the Fellowship?
There were nine members in the Fellowship of the Ring; this matched the number of Black Riders, also known as the Nazgûl, Nine Riders, or Ringwraiths, a group of nine dark servants who pledged themselves to Sauron.
Who are the nine members of the Fellowship of the Ring?
The Fellowship of the Ring consisted of nine heroes who represented a range of different races in the Free Peoples of Middle-earth: one wizard (Gandalf), one Elf (Legolas), one Dwarf (Gimli), two men (Aragorn and Boromir), and four Hobbits (Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin). As a brotherhood, they are also commonly referred to collectively as the Company, the Company of the Ring, or the Nine Walkers.
Gandalf
Gandalf was a Maia who was sent to Middle-earth as an Istar—a wizard—to assist the people of Middle-earth in defeating the Dark Lord Sauron. Though immensely powerful, Gandalf took on a mortal form when he arrived in Middle-earth and swore to never use his powers for rule or to overpower Sauron single-handedly; instead, he acted as a guide and member of the Fellowship. Known for his great wisdom, cleverness, and goodness, Gandalf is a natural leader beloved by the Fellowship, and a valuable source of insight. He carries with him a staff, the Elven sword Glamdring, and is often accompanied by his white steed, the gifted and exceptionally fast Shadowfax. After Sauron is defeated and Middle-earth is safe, Gandalf finally rests, taking the voyage to the Undying Lands.
Aragorn
Aragorn, who was also known as Strider and Elessar, is the rightful heir to the throne of Gondor and Arnor, a fearless ranger, and the final Chieftain of the Dunédain—the latter of which afforded him a greater lifespan and strength of spirit than normal men. Truly fearless in combat, skilled in healing, and strong in will, Aragorn would prove a key asset to the Fellowship and their mission. He carries the shards of Narsil, the sword wielded by King Elendil and used by Isildur to cut the Ring from Sauron’s finger during the Siege of Barad-dûr; later, in Rivendell, the Elves reforged the remnants into Andúril, the Flame of the West. He is crowned King Elessar following the defeat of Sauron, and takes Arwen Undómiel as his wife.
Frodo
Frodo Baggins is the central figure in the Fellowship’s quest, the Ring-bearer entrusted with carrying the One Ring to Mordor and casting it in the fires of Mount Doom. The Ring is left to Frodo by Bilbo Baggins, his cousin-turned-father-figure who first carried the Ring in the events of The Hobbit, an inheritance that takes him on a, well, rather unexpected journey. Bashful, curious, and compassionate, Frodo is a hero who is long remembered for his bravery and dedication to defeating evil at all costs, reminding us that even the smallest person can change the course of the future. Frodo is armed with a Barrow-blade (gifted to him by Tom Bombadil, who also gave the daggers to the other three Hobbits in the Company), and Sting, an Elven short-sword that glows blue in the presence of Orcs, which was discovered and previously wielded by Bilbo.
Sam
Samwise “Sam” Gamgee is Frodo’s gardener and dearest friend, and remains by the Ring-bearer’s side every step of the way on the journey to Mordor. Sam stands apart in the Fellowship due to his humility, his steadfast courage, and his ability to maintain hope and a dedication to the people and the land that he loved, regardless of the terrors and fearsome foes that stood in his way. While trekking alongside the Fellowship, Sam used a Barrow-blade and his trusty frying pan (which doubled as an excellent method of cooking up some po-tay-toes) as a weapon. After the Scourging of the Shire, the pure-of-heart Sam married his longtime love Rosie Cotton, had a number of children, and was much-deservedly elected Mayor of the Shire.
Pippin
Peregrin "Pippin" Took is another Hobbit of the Shire and one of Frodo’s closest friends. The youngest member of the Fellowship, he is adventurous, fun-loving, and somewhat foolhardy, though he does undergo significant character development over the course of the journey. Notably, he pledges his allegiance and service to Denethor II, the Steward of Gondor, in honor of the fallen Boromir, and became a Guard of the Citadel in Minas Tirith. Pip also used a Barrow-blade in battle, and he became the Thain of the Shire following the War of the Ring.
Merry
Meriadoc "Merry" Brandybuck is a cousin and close friend to both Frodo and Pippin. Another resident of the Shire, Merry is determined, intelligent, clever, and resourceful. (Though he still has moments of playfulness and is definitely drawn into the promise of adventure!) Thanks in part to their consumption of Ent-draught, Merry and Pippin grow to be the tallest Hobbits on record. Like the rest of the Hobbits in the Fellowship, Merry wielded a Barrow-blade given to him by Tom Bombadil. After the War ended, Merry went on to become the Master of Buckland.
Legolas
Legolas is the Elven Prince of Mirkwood, son to King Thranduil. Serving as the archer of the Fellowship, his skills with a bow alongside his sharp hearing and eyesight made him indispensable to successfully completing their mission. Though light on his feet and generally quite kind, he is at first slightly haughty and disdainful of the Dwarf Gimli, due to the ancient strife between the two races. This changes quickly as Gimli and Legolas grow to know each other better, work alongside one another, and become good friends. To defend himself, Legolas carried a white dagger and his signature Mirkwood long-bow; in Lothlorien, he is gifted with a long-bow used by the Galadhrim. After the Fellowship’s journey is complete, Legolas and Gimli travel together to both cave and forest, with Legolas spending his final days in Middle-earth helping to rebuild the battle-damaged woods before sailing to the Undying Lands.
Gimli
Gimli, Son of Gloin, is a stouthearted and scrappy Dwarf warrior who brought his dauntlessness and remarkable strength to the battle against Sauron. Like Legolas, he initially had reservations about working alongside an Elf because of the longtime dispute between the two races, but the pair soon found a sense of kinship. Gimli’s preferred weapon is his trusty broad axe. After the War of the Ring, he turned his attention to building a community for Dwarves in the Glittering Caves of Helm's Deep and was granted Lordship there. Together, the Dwarves of the Glittering Caves worked together to restore the surrounding lands. At the end of his time on Middle-earth, Gimli received a special honor—he was the first Dwarf to sail to the Undying Lands, having been invited to do so by an Elf: Legolas.
Boromir
Boromir is the elder (and preferred) son of Denethor II and a skilled warrior who was dedicated to the service and protection of the land and people of Gondor. An intrepid and reliable compatriot, Boromir nevertheless falls victim to his fears, pride, and the seductive corruption of the One Ring. He attempts to take the Ring from Frodo, believing he can use it to defeat the Dark Lord Sauron and restore peace and security. After Frodo runs off, betrayed and frightened, Boromir realizes his grave mistake and is immediately guilt-stricken. He achieves some redemption in his defense of Merry and Pippin, whom he attempts to protect from Uruk-hai and Orc enforcements. He is fatally struck by arrows from an Orc archer, and is laid to rest.
Who is the strongest member of the Fellowship?
Though each member of the Fellowship has their unique strengths, Gandalf is inarguably the strongest member of the Fellowship of the Ring. While wizards are quite commonplace in other fantasy universes, wizards, or the Istari, in Middle-earth are not merely magic users: they're Maiar: powerful, supernatural, ancient beings akin to angels in terms of mythology. A select group of Maiar, Gandalf among them, was sent to Middle-earth in the form of mortal wizards to defend the land from Sauron's reign by supporting and guiding the people of the realm. Gandalf was quite literally otherworldly in terms of ability, and he demonstrates that immense power time and again throughout the trilogy, whether it be defeating the Balrog in the Mines of Moria or destroying Saruman's staff at Orthanc.
How many members of the Fellowship die?
By the end of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, two members of the Fellowship have passed on. At the conclusion of The Fellowship of the Ring, the camp is attacked by the Uruk-hai, vicious warrior Orcs bred by Saruman the White. At the start of the second installment, The Two Towers, Boromir dies after sacrificing himself in an attempt to save Merry and Pippin from the Uruk-hai. His death is in vain; after he is struck by arrows from Orc archers, the two Hobbits are captured. Aragorn finds Boromir, and as he takes his last breaths, Boromir explains that Merry and Pip have been apprehended but are still alive. Boromir's body is sent off on a funeral raft, serenaded with a moving mourning song performed by Legolas and Aragorn.
In the middle of The Fellowship of the Ring, the Fellowship loses another key member, although he does make a reappearance later in the trilogy. As the Fellowship makes the treacherous journey through the Mines of Moria, they are attacked by a cave troll and a host of Orcs, escaping quite narrowly. When crossing the Bridge of Khazad-dûm (which also lent its name to one of the most beautiful entries in Howard Shore's iconic score for the film adaptation), they are confronted by a Balrog of Morgoth known as Durin's Bane, a fiery ancient Maia in the service of Melkor (the universe's first truly evil entity). Gandalf urges the rest of the Fellowship to flee, facing the Balrog himself. While he defeats Durin's Bane, casting him into the chasm, Gandalf the Grey is also dragged into the abyss. The immense loss of Gandalf is felt throughout the Fellowship, but the old wizard has another trick up his sleeve: early in The Two Towers, Gandalf reemerges as Gandalf the White, having been resurrected and sent back to Middle-earth. He encounters Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas, who at first do not recognize the elderly white rider, and continues his journey alongside the Fellowship.
Essential Listening for Lord of the Rings Fans
Revisit the adventure that started it all with The Hobbit. Follow along with everyday Hobbit Bilbo Baggins as he takes off on a rather unexpected journey alongside Gandalf and a baker's dozen of Dwarves. This edition is narrated by the incomparable Andy Serkis, who LOTR fans might recognize as the voice and mo-cap actor who brought Smeagol/Gollum to life on the big screen.
This time, it's Bilbo's nephew, Frodo Baggins, who sets out from the Shire, and the stakes could not be higher. Frodo is tasked with taking the dangerously powerful One Ring to the fires of Mount Doom and casting it into the flames. He's joined by eight other heroes, and the Fellowship is forged.
The journey continues in The Two Towers, the second book in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. With the Fellowship cleaved, Sam and Frodo continue the perilous journey to Mordor alone while great battles are waged at Helm's Deep and Isengard.
Hear the thrilliing conclusion of the Lord of the Rings saga in The Return of the King, which ultimately finds our heroes victorious, the Ring destroyed, and the evil Dark Lord Sauron defeated.
Ask any Tolkien fan and they'll tell you: the Lord of the Rings is only the tip of the iceberg. J.R.R. Tolkien was a world-builder like no other, and The Silmarillion explores the ins-and-outs of Middle-earth's history, mythos, and lore.
The late Christopher Lee was exceptional in his turn as the devious Saruman the White, and luckily for audiobook fans, he also lent his talents to this performance of Tolkien's The Children of Hurin. Constructed from various drafts of this story by Tolkien's son Christopher, this listen is set long before the events of Lord of the Rings, when the greatest threat was not Sauron but Morgoth.
If you love the film adaptations of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, please trust me when I say you must listen to this podcast. Hosted by everyone's favorite Hobbits, the real life Merry and Pip, Dominic Monaghan and Billy Boyd, this gem of a listen is infectiously joyful. It's pure, wholesome warmth, and their behind-the-scenes tales of filming are totally engrossing (and often absolutely hilarious).
