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Timeline Event

Council of Elrond: Overview

Event Type: General

Age: 3rd Age - Ring War

Date: October 25, 3018

Description:

An event in the preludes to the War of the Ring and the Quest of the Ring: see those entries for an overview:
An unplanned convocation in Rivendell of representatives of the Free Peoples of Middle-earth, in which the history of the One Ring is discussed and its disposition is decided.

Table of Contents:
The Participants
The Timeline
The Prelude
The Council
The Aftermath
Notes


The Participants
The council is led by Elrond of Rivendell, while the guests include the Ring-bearer Frodo Baggins, his kinsman and former Ring-bearer Bilbo Baggins, and Frodo's companion Samwise Gamgee of the Shire; Gandalf (Mithrandir) of the Istari; Aragorn (Strider), the Chieftain of the Dúnedain; Legolas, son and representative of Thranduil, King of Mirkwood; Glóin and his son Gimli of Erebor, representatives of Dáin, King under the Mountain; Boromir, son and representative of Denethor II, Steward of Gondor; Galdor of the Havens, representative of Círdan the Shipwright; as well as Erestor, Glorfindel, and other counsellors of Elrond's household.

The Timeline
[October 3018]

18
Glorfindel finds Frodo at dusk. Gandalf reaches Rivendell.

[See: Gandalf arrives in Rivendell]

20
Escape across the Ford of Bruinen.

[See: Ambush at the Ford of Bruinen: Overview]

24
Frodo recovers and wakes. Boromir arrives in Rivendell at night.

[See: Frodo awakens in Rivendell]
[See: Boromir arrives in Rivendell]

25
Council of Elrond.

[See: Elrond convenes the Council of Elrond]

[See: Glóin tells of threats by Sauron]
[See: Elrond begins the tale of the One Ring]
[See: Boromir tells of Gondor's resistance]
[See: Aragorn offers assistance to Gondor]
[See: Bilbo tells of finding the One Ring]
[See: Gandalf tells of confirming that Frodo has the One Ring]
[See: Legolas tells of Gollum's escape]
[See: Gandalf tells of his imprisonment by Saruman]

[See: Attendees decide the fate of the One Ring]
[See: Frodo volunteers to bear the One Ring]

December
25
The Company of the Ring leaves Rivendell at dusk.

[See: Fellowship leaves Rivendell]

The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, The Tale of Years: The Third Age


The Prelude
Assisted by Aragorn [Frodo] and his companions reach Rivendell at the end of October. At the same time Boromir arrives there, and also messengers from Erebor (Gloin 1 and his son Gimli) and from Thranduil of Mirkwood (his son Legolas). Gandalf escapes from Isengard and reaches Rivendell.

The Peoples of Middle-Earth, HoME Vol 12, Part 1, Ch 8, The Tale of Years of the Third Age


The Council
A great council is held in the House of Elrond.

The Peoples of Middle-Earth, HoME Vol 12, Part 1, Ch 8, The Tale of Years of the Third Age

Much was said of events in the world outside, especially in the South, and in the wide lands east of the Mountains.

The Fellowship of the Ring, LoTR Book 2, Ch 2, The Council of Elrond

[It] was revealed to the Council of Elrond that the Ring had been found, sunk near the edge of the Gladden Fields.... They were also then aware that Saruman had been secretly searching in the same region....

Unfinished Tales, Part 3, Ch 1, The Disaster of the Gladden Fields: The Sources of the Legend of Isildur's Death

It is resolved to attempt the destruction of the Ring by sending it to the fire of Orodruin in Sauron's despite. Frodo the Halfling accepts the perilous office of Ring-bearer.

The Peoples of Middle-Earth, HoME Vol 12, Part 1, Ch 8, The Tale of Years of the Third Age


The Aftermath
'Some of the scouts have been sent out already.... We shall have to scour the lands all round for many long leagues 2 before any move is made.'

The Fellowship of the Ring, LoTR Book 2, Ch 3, The Ring Goes South

[Says Elrond,] 'The Company of the Ring shall be Nine; and the Nine Walkers shall be set against the Nine Riders that are evil. With you and your faithful servant, Gandalf will go; for this shall be his great task....

'For the rest, they shall represent the other Free Peoples of the World: Elves, Dwarves, and Men. Legolas shall be for the Elves; and Gimli son of Glóin for the Dwarves.... For men you shall have Aragorn son of Arathorn, for the Ring of Isildur concerns him closely.'....

[Said] Aragorn... 'Boromir will also be in the Company. He is a valiant man.'

'There remain two more to be found,' said Elrond. 'These I will consider. Of my household I may find some that it seems good to me to send.'

'But that will leave no place for us!' cried Pippin in dismay. 'We don't want to be left behind.'....

'Let it be so then. You shall go,' said Elrond, and he sighed. 'Now the tale of Nine is filled. In seven days the Company must depart.'

The Fellowship of the Ring, LoTR Book 2, Ch 3, The Ring Goes South

At the end of the year the Company of the Ring ('The Nine Walkers') leave Rivendell.

The Peoples of Middle-Earth, HoME Vol 12, Part 1, Ch 8, The Tale of Years of the Third Age


Notes
1This text is from one of Tolkien's early drafts; the name is an earlier version of the proper name as published in The Lord of the Rings
2A league is approximately three miles.

Unfinished Tales, Part 3, Ch 1, The Disaster of the Gladden Fields: Appendix, Númenórean Linear Measures

Contributors:
Elena Tiriel 30Sep05, 4Oct05, 24Oct11, 24Dec11

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