Aragorn:
He was born in the year 2931 of the Third Age of the Sun. Throughout
his life, Aragorn went under many names, including:
Strider:This was the name that he used in the Bree-area, and the one that Merry and Pippin were the most comfortable using. I don't think he chose the name, as (Lord of the Rings, pages 265-266) he says:
Travellers scowl at us and countrymen give us scornful names. "Strider" I am to one fat man who lives within a day's march of foes that would freeze his heart, or or lay his little town in ruin, if he were not guarded ceaselessly.
Dunadan:This is the name often used in Rivendell. It is elvish and translates as Bilbo says in the Lord of the Rings, page 249:
But I thought you knew enough Elvish at least to know dun-adan: Man of the West, Numenorean.
Elessar:This is the name foretold for Aragorn, and was chosen for him by the people he later ruled. The name came from the gift of the elftstone from Galadriel, during the Company of the Ring's stay in Lothlorien.
Thorongil:This was the name he used on one of his expeditions to Gondor and Rohan, during the reign of the Steward Ecthellion II. It translates as "Eagle of the Star" because of the star of the North he wore on his cloak.
Aragorn met Arwen in Rivendell when he
was 20 in the year 2951. He fell in love with her and was told that Elrond
would not wed his daughter to any other than the King of both the North
Kingdom (Arnor) and Gondor. This finally happened after the War of the
Ring in the year 3019 of the Third Age. During the War of the Ring, Aragorn
acted as the guide of the Company of the Ring from Moria, to the falls
of Rauros, after which he was in pursuit of the orcs that had taken captive
Merry and Pippin. From the Paths of the Dead, Aragorn acted as a captain
of the armies of the West, and after the Battle of the Pelennor Fields
as the commander of the Host of the West.
After the War of the Ring, Aragorn ruled the Reunited Kingdom until
the year 120 of the Fourth Age, when he laid down his life of his own
free will as was once the custom for the Numenorean Kings.
Arwen:
Arwen was the daughter of Elrond and his wife Celebrian. She was born
in the year 251 of the Third Age and lived in both Rivendell and Lothlorien.
After she fell in love with Aragorn, she had to wait until after the
War of the Ring before she was permitted to wed him. She died upon Cerin
Amroth in the year 121 of the Fourth Age, as after she married Aragorn
she became mortal and thus subject to dying of old age. She too died
of her own free will. It was said that in Arwen's beauty, she had the
looks of Luthien Tinuviel, the first of the Elves to form a union with
a Man.
Anarion:
The younger son of Elendil, Anarion was born in Numenor, and died in
the year 3340 of the Second Age of the Sun, killed by a large stone
in the siege of Barad-Dur. As far as I can find, there is no record
of his year of birth. It was probably destroyed by the passing of time,
or in the downfall of Numenor. Before the War of the Last Alliance,
Isildur and Anarion were both rulers of Gondor, under their father Elendil.
Anarion's city was Minas Anor, the Tower of the Sun, later known as
Minas Tirith, the Tower of Guard.
Amras:
One of the two youngest sons of Feanor, Amras was the twin brother of
Amrod. Amras was slain at the siege of the Havens of the Sirion.
Amrod:
Son of Feanor, and the twin brother of Amras. Amrod was also slain at
the Havens of the Sirion. 
Bilbo
Baggins:
Born in the year 2890 of the Third Age, Bilbo was a bachelor, who was
chosen by Gandalf to make up the lucky number for the Quest for Smaug's
treasure in 2941. Needless to say, the Dwarves were not particularly
amused with Gandalf's choice (thinking him more of the type of a grocer
or some other tradesman) until Bilbo warned them of the crack
in the wall of the goblins cave, rescued them from the spiders in Mirkwood,
and freed them from the Woodelves. In the process of doing all this
he found a magic ring which he used to help the Dwarves, though he kept
it secret as long as he could. After he returned from his "holiday"
as he often chose to call it, a year later, Bilbo settled down to write
his diary, which we know under the following titles:
The
HobbitThe
Hobbit, There and Back AgainIn the year 3001, of the Third Age, and
Bilbo's 111 birthday, he disappeared and left Bag End to Frodo Baggins,
his nephew. After he disappeared, Bilbo traveled to Dale, and saw the
changes the Dwarves had made, and then back to Rivendell where he stayed
until after the War of the Ring when he sailed into the West with the
Keepers of the Three Rings and Frodo, the other Ringbearer.
Bilbo wrote the early parts of the Lord of the Rings, which shows in
the early tone of the tale. However, he gave it to Frodo to finish as
he was getting too sleepy.
Beregond:
A Man of Gondor, and one of the Guard of the Citadel in Minas Tirith,
Beregond risked his life to save Faramir, the younger son of Denethor
the Steward of Gondor. Through his actions, Beregond managed to delay
long enough to save Faramir's life, but in the process he broke several
of the rules governing the Guard of the Citadel. He was removed from
the Guard, and marched with the Host of the West. After the victory,
it was Aragorn's judgment that Beregond would not be allowed to rejoin
the Guard, but he became the captain of the White Company, the guard
of Faramir, in Ithilien, because what he did was for love of Faramir.
Beregond risked his life in what he did, as of old the punishment was
death.
Bergil:
Bergil was the son of Beregond, and Pippin's guide in Minas Tirith.
During the time of the War of the Ring, Bergil refused to leave Minas
Tirith, and spent the time running errands for the Houses of Healing
and for others.
Boromir:
Boromir, the son of the Steward Denethor, was one of the Nine Walkers
of the Company of the Ring from the time it left Rivendell to the Falls
of Rauros, where he was slain by orcs. Near the end, Boromir fell to
the lure of the Ring, and attempted to kill Frodo. Though he repented,
Frodo had already fled across the River with Sam. In the search for
them, Boromir followed Merry and Pippin into an ambush of Saruman's
orcs, with reinforcements from Mordor. He was slain and Merry and Pippin
taken by the orcs.
Beren:
The first of the Secondborn to wed with
one of the Eldar, Beren was sent on a quest to recover one of the Silmarils
for King Thingol of Doriath in the First Age of the Sun. With the aid
of Luthien Tinuviel, he succeeded in the quest, and died when the Werewolf
Carcharoth wounded him before being himself killed.
Luthien however chose to die also, and so powerful was her song before
Mandos, that he was moved to pity, which has never happened before or
since, and granted both of them a second mortal life, after which they
would die and leave the circles of the World as is the fate for Men.
Bifur:
One of the twelve dwarves who accompanied Thorin on the quest for Smaug's
treasure. He survived the Battle of the Five Armies.
Bombur:
One of the twelve Dwarves that accompanied Thorin on the quest for Smaug's
treasure, Bombur was notoriously fond of his food. During the quest,
he fell in the enchanted river in Mirkwood. He slept for several days
at least. Bombur survived the Battle of the Five Armies, and probably
the War of the Ring though he was very fat and most likely did not participate
in the defense.
Bofur:
One of the twelve Dwarves who accompanied Thorin on the quest for Smaug's
treasure, Bofur survived both the quest and possibly the War of the
Ring.
Balin:
One of the twelve dwarves who accompanied Thorin on the quest for Smaug's
treasure, Balin survived the Battle of the Five Armies, and later visited
Bilbo in Hobbiton. Sometime between the end of the Quest of Erebor,
and the beginning of the War of the Ring, Balin led an expedition to
Moria to attempt to recolonize it. It was unsuccessful and all the Dwarves
died.
Barliman Butterbur:
The innkeeper at Bree, Barliman Butterbur was a busy man who loved to
talk, but was often known to forget important things. He was a good
man, trusted by Gandalf, and by Strider (Aragorn).
Celeborn:
Celeborn was the Lord of Lothlorien,and the Lady Galadriel's husband.
He had lived in Middle-Earth from at least the First Age, though he
too came from Valinor, to after the Keepers of the Rings sailed into
the West. After that it is not known what happened to him other than
the fact that he ruled in East Lorien for a while then went to Rivendell.
It is not known if he eventually sailed into the West.
Celebrian:
Celebrian was the daughter of Celeborn and Galadriel. She married Elrond,and
bore him twin sons, Elladan and Elrohir, as well as one daughter, Arwen.
After being captured by Orcs in the Misty Mountains, Celebrian chose
to sail into the West.
Cirdan:
Cirdan was lord of the Grey Havens from their founding in the early
Second Age of the Sun until the last ship sailed sometime in the Fourth
Age. He was the original keeper of Narya, the Ring of Fire until the
coming of Gandalf in the Third Age.
Denethor:
The Steward Denethor II was the last of the Ruling Stewards of Gondor.
He ruled Gondor in the years of the War of the Ring, though he did not
live to see victory. Denethor was born in the year 2395 of the Third
Age of the Sun. After the death of his wife, Finduilas, it is believed
that Denethor started to use the Palantir of Minas Anor. It was through
this that he gained news of Sauron's strength, though it also destroyed
his mind with despair. Denethor burned himself alive in the madness
of despair.
Dain:
Dain became the king of the Lonely Mountain after the death of Thorin
in the Battle of the Five Armies, and was still able to fight in the
War of the Ring (There were sieges in the area of the Lonely Mountain)
at over two hundred years old. He died in the final days of the War
of the Ring.
Dwalin:
One of the twelve Dwarves who accompanied Thorin in the quest for Smaug's
treasure. He survived the Battle of the Five Armies.
Dori:
One of the twelve Dwarves who accompanied Thorin in the quest for Smaug's
treasure. He survived the Battle of the Five Armies.
Earendil:
Earendil was the son of Tuor and Idril, therefore one of the Halfelven.
He was born in the year 541 of the First Age of the Sun, in Gondolin.
Earendil married Elwing and thus united the two lines of the Halfelven,
because Elwing was the granddaughter of Beren and Luthien. Their sons
were Elrond and Elros.
When the surviving sons of Feanor attacked to recover the Silmaril,
Earendil and Elwing, fled into the West, to beg for aid from the Valar
for Middle-Earth. It was only due to the Silmaril that they bore, that
they gained access. Due to the fact that none from Middle-Earth at that
time were permitted to enter the Blessed Realm, Earendil was set in
the sky with they Silmaril as a star. During the final wars in Beleriand,
he slew Ancalagon the Black. Earendil sails the skies still, though
he is now known as Venus.
Elwing:
The daughter of Dior, who was the son of Beren and Luthien, Elwing married
Earendil and bore him two sons: Elrond and Elros. She joined Earendil
in his desperate journey into the West. It was due to her having brought
him the Silmarill that they finally, successfully made the journey.
She now resides on the western coast of Aman, in a tower that the sea-birds
flock to.
Elrond:
One of the two sons of Earendil and Elwing, Elrond was born in the First
Age of the Sun. Being one of the Half-elven and permitted to chose which
race he would belong to, Elrond chose the Firstborn, the Eldar. Elrond
was the Keeper of the strongest of the Elven-rings, Vilya, the Ring
of Air, the Ring of Sapphire. In 1697 of the Second Age of the Sun,
he founded Rivendell, or in the Elven tongue, Imladris. After the War
of the Ring, he sailed into the West with the Ringbearers and the Keepers
of the other two Elven Rings in the year 3021 of the Third Age.
Elros:
Elrond's brother, Elros chose to be of the race of Men. He was granted
a span of years five times greater than that of most Men. Elros was
the first King of Numenor, after the destruction of Beleriand.
Elendil:
The first High King of the Realms in Exile, Elendil and his two sons,
Isildur and Anarion, escaped the ruin of Numenor with nine ships. Elendil
was slain at the very end of the War of the Last Alliance, by Sauron
on the slopes of Oroduin, the Mountain of Fire.
b>Eowyn:
Born in the year 2995 of the Third Age, Eowyn was the niece of King
Theoden. During the War of the Ring, she was left to be the leader of
those who were to flee to Dunharrow, during the Battle of Helms Deep.
It was just before that battle, when Gandalf, Gimli, Legolas and Aragorn,
joined the host of the Eorlingas, led by King Theoden and Eomer, her
brother, that she met Aragorn, and she loved him from the first sight.
On their return to Dunharrow, en route to the Paths of the Dead, Eowyn
begged to be allowed to join the Grey Company for that journey. Aragorn
did not accept and Eowyn rode in disguise with the host of the Rohirrim
under the name of Dernhelm. It was as a Knight of the Riddermark, that
she carried Merry into the Battle of the Pelennor Fields where with
his aid, she slew the Lord of the Nazgul, Witch-King of Angmar. She
was healed of the injuries caused to her in that act by Aragorn, and
later married Faramir, Prince of Ithilien. She was ever after known
as the Lady of the Shield Arm for that arm had been broken by the mace
of the Witch-King.
Eomer:
Second Marshal of the Riddermark, Eomer was born in the year 2991 of
the Third Age. His father was Eomund, probably also a Marshal. Eomer
had one sister, Eowyn. In the year 3018, Eomer encountered the Three
Hunters, while out without Theoden's leave chasing a patrol of Saruman's
orcs. He lent them two horses, Hasufel, and Arod, with the request that
they return to Edoras, after their quest was completed or proved in
vain. Thus it was that Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli joined the host in
the Battle of Helms Deep.
Before King Theoden died on the Pelennor Fields, he named Eomer as the
next King of the Rohirrim. Eomer was unhurt throughout the rest of the
War of the Ring, as far as I know.
After the crowning of Aragorn, Eomer swore the Oath of Eorl again with
Aragorn, and always kept it until his death in the year 63 of the Fourth
Age.
Frodo
Baggins:
Born in the year 2968, Frodo Baggins was adopted by Bilbo Baggins as
his heir, in the year 2980. Frodo's birthday was the same as Bilbo,
September 22. In
3001, after Bilbo disappeared, Frodo took ownership of Bag End, and
of the Ring, though at that time it was not know exactly what the Ring
was, though Gandalf had some suspicions. In the year 3018, Gandalf finally
discovered that the ring was the One Ring, and on September 23 of that
year, Frodo left the Shire secretly with Sam, Merry and Pippin.
After an adventure in the Old Forest, they met Tom Bombadil who helped
them later escape the Barrow-wights. There they each received an old
knife from the mound so that the spell on the mound would be broken.
They met Strider in Bree, and he led them to Weathertop, where they
were all ambushed by the Nazgul. There Frodo was wounded by a Morgul-knife.
Seventeen days later they made it to Rivendell, after another near escape
from the Black Riders at the ford of Bruinien.
Two months later, with the addition of Gandalf, Boromir, Legolas and
Gimli to the Company, they left to destroy the Ring in the Cracks of
Doom in Mordor. This adventure is retold in the Lord of the Rings, as
the selections from the Red Book of Westmarch dealing with this are
now known.
Frodo left the Company at the Falls of Rauros, with just Sam and after
several more adventures, including being captured by the orcs of Cirith
Ungol, eventually made it to Mount Doom. There he attempted to claim
the Ring for his own. However Gollum bit off the Ring along with Frodo's
finger, and overbalanced, falling into the Cracks of Doom, with the
Ring.
Frodo was healed of all this by Aragorn, soon to be crowned King of
Gondor. After the Midsummer, Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin and Gandalf,
made their way back to Rivendell with Elrond and the others of his house.
From there the hobbits made there way to Bree and back to the Shire,
where they found Saruman in residence. After clearing the Shire of the
ruffians that Saruman had brought in (chiefly a job of Merry and Pippin),
Frodo went back to normal life as much as possible. Two years later
though, he sailed into the West with Bilbo and the Keepers of the Three
Rings. It is not known what year he died in, save that it was some time
in the Fourth Age.
Faramir:
The younger son of Denthor, Faramir was born five years after his brother
Boromir, in the year 2983 of the Third Age. Unlike his brother, Faramir
was a gentle man who preferred music to fighting. He was a brave captain
though, in battle and all his men loved him. After the death of Boromir,
Faramir became Denethor's heir, and the captain of the White Tower.
After being wounded by a Southron dart, and being affected by the Black
Breath of the Nazgul, Faramir was nearly burned alive by his father,
when Denethor chose to burn himself. He was saved by Beregond, and by
Gandalf. Faramir was healed by Aragorn, after the Battle of the Pelennor
fields. Faramir was technically the last of the Ruling Stewards, though
he only prepared the City for the coming of the King. After the Crowning
of Aragorn, Faramir was given Ithilien and made a prince. He remained
the Steward after the crowning of Aragorn.
Finwe:
One of the three ambassadors to Valinor, Finwe was the King of the Noldor.
He was the first elf to be killed and he was killed by Morgoth in Valinor.
Feanor:
The first son of Finwe, and the greatest craftsman of the Noldor, Feanor
created the Silmarils and probably the Palantiri. When Morgoth stole
them, Feanor and his sons swore vengeance and to recover the Silmarils.
Feanor died in Middle-Earth. Though he realized at his death that they
would not be able to recover the Silmarils, he pressed his sons to continue
the fight anyway.
Finrod Felagund:
The King in Narogthrond, Finrod had sworn himself to help any of the
line of Barahir, Beren's father. When Beren reached Narogthrond, in
search of aid, Finrod and ten others aided him as far as what was once
the Tower of Guard, Minas Tirith, but had been taken by Sauron. There
they were captured, and one at a time eaten by Werewolves. There Finrod
died, in his own watchtower. Luthien freed Beren, and destroyed the
tower. There on the island they buried Finrod.
Fili
A near relative of Thorin Oakenshield, Fili went with him on the Quest
of Erebor, also with him was his brother Kili. Neither survived the
Battle of the Five Armies.
Fangorn
The eldest of the Ents and one of only three remaining from the First
Age (The Lord of the Rings page 496):
Only three remain of the first Ents that walked in the woods before
the Darkness: only myself, Fangorn, and Finglas and Fladrif- to give
them their Elvish names; you may call them Leaflock and Skinbark if
you like that better.
Fangorn rescued Merry and Pippin when they escaped the orcs that had
carried them across Rohan. Later their news caused Fangorn to call an
Entmoot at which it was decided to march on Isengard. Fangorn also directed
many of the Huorns to raise the siege on Helms Deep.
In the First Age, it is believed that Fangorn walked the forests of
Beleriand.
Gandalf:
-
Gandalf the Grey:
A Maia, sent to Middle-Earth around Third
Age 1000, to aid in the fight against Sauron, one of the five Istari,
or Wizards, and the Keeper of the Third Ring, Narya, the Ring of Fire,
Gandalf the Grey, went by many names (Lord of the Rings pages 696-697):
"The Grey Pilgrim?" said Frodo. "Had he a name?"
"Mithrandir we called him in elf-fashion," said Faramir, "and he was content.
'Many are my names in many countries,' he said. 'Mithrandir, among the
Elves, Tharkun to the Dwarves; Olorin I was in my youth in the West that
is forgotten, in the south Incanus, in the North Gandalf; to the East
I go not.'"
Gandalf discovered that it was Sauron growing again in Mirkwood in the
year 2850 of the Third Age. Before then, it was feared and believed by
the Wise that it was a Ringwraith.
It
was due to Gandalf, that the Quest of Erebor, which ended Smaug, was
successful, and as a minor adventure on the way (not intended by Gandalf)
Bilbo found the magic Ring, later discovered (again by Gandalf) to be
the One Ring. Gandalf acted as the leader of the Company of the Ring
from Rivendell, through Moria (after the failed attempt on the Redhorn
Pass). It was in Moria that Gandalf fell, fighting a Balrog. He was
victorious though he died.
-
Gandalf the White:
Gandalf
was sent back, until the end of the War of the Ring, though more powerful.
Apparently weapons could no longer hurt him (The Lord of the Rings page
516):
Indeed my friends, none of you have any weapon that could hurt me.
After meeting Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli, on the borders of Fangorn Forest,
where they were following Merry and Pippin after the two hobbits had escaped
from Saruman's orcs. Then Gandalf rode back with the three hunters to
Edoras. There he showed Grima Wormtongue as a traitor, and released Theoden
from Wormtongue's poison/spells. After the Battle of the Hornburg, in
which he lead the charge of Erkenbrand and his soldiers, Gandalf was sometimes
known as the White Rider.
After visiting Isengard, to try to convince Saruman to help, Gandalf showed
himself as the more powerful and removed Saruman from the number of the
Wise, and broke his staff (The Lord of the Rings, page 606-607):
"Come back, Saruman!" said Gandalf in a commanding voice. To the amazement
of the others, Saruman turned again, and as if dragged against his will,
he came slowly back to the iron rail, leaning on it, breathing hard. His
face was lined and shrunken. His hand clutched his heavy black staff like
a claw.
"I did not give you leave to go," said Gandalf sternly. "I have not finished.
You have become a fool, Saruman, and yet pitiable. You might still have
turned away from folly and evil, and have been of service.But you choose
th stay and gnaw the ends of your old plots. Stay then! But I warn you,
you will not easily come out again. Not unless the dark hands of the East
stretch out to take you. Saruman!" he cried and his voice grew in power
and authority. "Behold, I am not Gandalf the Grey, whom you betrayed.
I am Gandalf the White, who has returned from death. You have no colour
now, and I cast you from the order and from the Council."
He raised his hand, and spoke slowly in a clear cold voice. "Saruman,
your staff is broken." There was a crack and the staff split asunder in
Saruman's hand, and the head of it fell down at Gandalf's feet.
After
the Winged Nazgul was seen, Gandalf took Pippin and rode for Minas Tirith.
In the first days of the Darkness, he drove off the Nazgul, to allow
Faramir and his men to return to the City (The Lord of the Rings, page
841):
At that moment he caught a flash of white and silver coming from the
North, like a small star down on the dusky fields. It moved with the speed
of an arrow and grew as it came, converging swiftly with the flight of
the four men towards the Gate. It seemed to Pippin that a pale light was
spread about it and the heavy shadows gave way before it; and then as
it drew near he thought he heard, like an echo in the walls, a great voice
calling.
The Lord of the Rings, page 841:
But now the dark swooping shadows were aware of the newcomer. One wheeled
towards him; but it seemed to Pippin that he raised his hand and from
it a shaft of white light stabbed upwards. The Nazgul gave a long wailing
cry and swerved away; and with that the four others wavered and then rising
in swift spirals they passed away eastward vanishing into the lowering
cloud above; and down on the Pelennor it seemed for a while less dark.
It was at Gandalf's council, that Aragorn, and the Captains of the Host
of the West marched out to do battle with the forces of Mordor. This gained
the Ringbearer the time needed to complete his quest.
Gandalf journeyed back with the hobbits to maybe an hour's ride outside
the Shire, then he left them. Two years later, Gandalf joined the Ringbearers
and the Keepers of the Three Rings on their journey into the West. It
is implied that Shadowfax went with him. It was at the Havens that it
was revealed to us that Gandalf had long held the Third Ring, Narya
which was given to him by Cirdan.
Galadriel:
Born in Valinor, in the Ages of the Trees, Galadriel came under the
Doom of the Noldor, as she left with the followers of Feanor after Morgoth
stole the Silmarils. When they were summoned back to Valinor at the
end of the First Age, she chose to remain and therefore was banned from
returning. This ban was lifted after the War of the Ring, for her deeds
therein, most especially refusing the One Ring, even as a gift. Galadriel
sailed with the other Keepers of the Elven-rings and the Ringbearers,
in the year 3021 of the Third Age.
Gil-Galad:
Gil-Galad's given name was Erenion, but in all records and memories
he was known as Gil-Galad. The last High King of the Noldor, Gil-galad
was slain on the slopes of Orodruin by Sauron. Gil-Galad was given Vilya,
the Ring of Air, by Celebrimbor, and only during the War of the Last
Alliance, gave it to Elrond, who then bore it, until it lost its power,
and then sailed into the West with it.
Glorfindel:
An Elven-lord who first lived in the First Age within Gondolin, During
the escape from Gondolin, he killed a balrog, though he was killed by
it. Sometime between then and the Third Age, he was reborn and returned
to Middle-Earth. It is not known if he was one of the Last Riding, which
left at the end of the Third Age, though it is extremely probable.
Gimli:
The son of Gloin, Gimli was one of the Company of the Ring. During the
Quest of the Ring, he became close friends with Legolas, and eventually,
it is rumored, went into the West with him, the only Dwarf to ever do
so. On the trip down the Anduin, Legolas and Gimli were partnered in
the last boat. After the orcs captured Merry and Pippin, Gimli was one
of the Three Hunters. While on the chase, Gimli rode behind Legolas,
as also when they dared the Paths of the Dead. During the Battle of
Helms Deep, Gimli saved Eomer's life. Gimli was in most of the major
battles including the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, as well as the
battle in front of the Black Gate. After the War of the Ring, Gimli
became the Lord of the Glittering Caves. Some say he sailed into the
West with Legolas in Fourth Age 120 after the death of Aragorn. This
is unconfirmed however.
Gloin
One of the thirteen Dwarves in the Quest of Erebor, Gloin survived it
and probably the battles in the War of the Ring. He was present at the
Council of Elrond.
Hurin:
Born in the year 440 of the First Age, Hurin was the lord of the House
of Hador. In his youth, Hurin, along with his brother Huor lived for
a year within Gondolin. He survived the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, the Battle
of Unnumbered Tears, in fact the only survivor of Turgon's rearguard.
He killed seventy trolls, before he was taken alive by Morgoth. Hurin
died in the year 503 of the First Age.
Huan:
Wolfhound of the Valar, Huan went to Middle-Earth with Celegorm. Fated
to speak three times before he died, and only to die at the hands of
the mightiest of the Werewolves, Huan left Celegorm, with Luthien, and
aided her in freeing Beren from the dungeons of Sauron. Huan died at
the hands of Carcharoth, when they finally found him during the hunt.
Hamfast Gamgee:
The father of Samwise Gamgee, Hamfast had been the gardener at Bag End
from the time Bilbo returned from the quest for Smaug's treasure.
Isildur:
The elder son of Elendil, Isildur survived the War of the Last Alliance
and cut the One Ring off of Sauron's hand, though instead of destroying
it as he could have (being right on the slopes of Orodruin), he chose
to keep it. However, the Ring betrayed him to his death, in the River
Anduin, two years later. Isildur was technically the last of the High
Kings of both Arnor and Gondor until the time of the King Elessar.
Ioreth:
One of the women of the Houses of Healing in Minas Tirith, Ioreth was
able to recite snatches of rhymes for any herb, and was overly talkative.
Khamul:
One of the nine Ringwraiths, the Ulari, the Nazgul. Khamul was the second
most powerful behind the Witch-King. After the death of the Witch-King,
Khamul took command under Sauron. He was destroyed along with the other
Ringwraiths when the One Ring was destroyed.
Kili
Brother to Fili, Kili was one of the dwarves accompanying Thorin on
the Quest for Erebor. Kili died defending Thorin in the Battle of the
Five Armies.
Legolas:
The son of the King of the Wood-elves, Legolas Greenleaf was one of the Company of the Ring, and became close friends with Gimli. He was one of the Grey Company on the Paths of the Dead, and was present at the final battle of the War of the Ring in front of the Black Gate. After the War of the Ring, Legolas brought many elves to live in Ithilien. In the year 120 of the Fourth Age, after the death of Aragorn, Legolas sailed from Dol Amroth into the West. Some say that Gimli went with him.
Luthien:
She was the daughter of King Thingol in the First Age of the Sun, and
met Beren within Doriath. She fell in love with him, and when her father
sent Beren on an impossible quest, to recover a Silmaril, she escaped
the imprisonment he had set her in and followed him. Beren succeeded
in the quest though he lost a hand, and the Silmaril it contained to
the greatest of the Werewolves. When the werewolf was later killed,
Beren was mortally wounded, though he lived long enough to place the
Silmaril in Thingol's hand, he died. Luthien chose to follow Beren from
Middle-Earth, and her song to Mandos had enough power to move him to
pity, something that had never happened before or since. Luthien and
Beren were granted a second mortal life, and eventually died and passed
from the circles of the World.
Meriadoc Brandybuck:
Meriadoc Brandybuck was the son of the Master of Buckland. During the
years of the War of the Ring, Merry (as he was usually called) was one
of the Company of the Ring. When the Company reached Parth Galen, Merry
and Pippin were both captured by Orcs. The two of them were forced to
run across Rohan, though when the Orcs were surrounded by Eomer and
the Riders, he managed to escape into Fangorn forest with Pippin. There
they met Treebeard and joined the march of the Ents on Isengard. There
after the destruction of Isengard they met the remaining members of
the Company, along with Theoden and part of the host of the Rohirrim.
After the Winged Nazgul was seen, Merry rode with the Rohirrim. When
he reached the Hornburg, Merry swore service as Theoden's sword-thane.
When they reached Dunharrow, he was told to stay behind with Eowyn.
Merry disobeyed and was carried to the Battle of the Pelennor Fields
by one Dernhelm, whom he later found to be Eowyn. Together they killed
the Witch-king. Merry was healed of that encounter by Aragorn and was
not present at the parley and the battle in front of the Black Gate.
Merry was later named a Rider of Rohan and given the name Holdwine.
When the hobbits reached the Shire, Merry was one of the two captains
that directed the two battles during the scouring of the Shire. After
all this, he became the Master of Buckland. In the year 64 of the Fourth
Age, Merry and Pippin rode to Gondor where they remained until they
died. Merry was laid in a tomb within the houses of the dead near the
dead Kings. After the death of Aragorn, his tomb was placed next to
that of Aragorn.
Melian:
A Maia, Melian became the wife of Elwe, and bore him a daughter, Luthien.
After Thingol's death, Melian went into the West.
Morgoth:
Once
one of the Valar, Melkor stole the Silmarils and was named Morgoth,
the "Black Enemy of the World". After this time he was named Morgoth.
At the end of the First Age, Morgoth was removed from the circles of
the World by the rest of the Valar. Among the many horrors attributed
to Morgoth are, the breeding the race of Orcs and the creation of the
race of Dragons, along with the death of the Two Trees and the theft
of the Silmarils.
Manwe:
The mightiest of the Valar, Manwe delights in winds and air. He often
uses eagles as his messengers.
Namo:
One of the Valar, Namo is most often named Mandos, though that is the
name of his place of dwelling.
Nienor:
The sister of Turin, Nienor was born in Dor-lomin. At the age of twenty,
she ventured with her mother Morwen, to Doriath, where her brother had
been fostered. When her mother journeyed to Narogthrond, she went in
disguise. After Glaurung cast a spell on her making her forget who she
was, she was found by her brother. Neither recognized the other and
she eventually married Turin, who had called her Niniel, Tear-maiden.
When Turin killed the dragon, the spell fell away and Nienor knew who
she was and whom she had married. In despair she threw herself off a
cliff.
Nessa:
One of the Valar, Nessa is the sister of Orome. She delights in deer
and dancing. She married Tulkas.
Nienna:
The sister to Namo (Mandos) and Irmo (Lorien), Nienna from the beginning
in the Music sorrowed for the hurts of the world. She teaches pity and
healing. Nienna remains unmarried.
Osse:
One of the Maiar, Osse is responsible for the ocean storms.
Olwe:
The King of the Teleri elves, Olwe lives within Alqualonde, the greatest
haven of the Elves of Tol Eressea. He was one of the three ambassadors
for the Elves during the Ages of the Two Trees.
Oin:
One of the Thirteen Dwarves in the quest of Erebor, Oin survived the
Battle of the Five Armies, only to die in the attempt to retake Moria.
He was killed by the Watcher in the Water.
Ori
One of the dwarves accompanying Thorin on the quest of Erebor, Ori survived
the battle of the Five Armies, and went with Balin to Moria. There he
died in the attempt to retake the mines.
Orome:
Vala, Orome in known as the Hunter. It was he who first found the Elves.
Orome hunts those monsters created by Morgoth. He rides the horse Nahar.
Often, before the flight of the Noldor, he would return to Middle-Earth
to hunt in the forests.
Peregrin Took:
Twenty-nine
years old at the time of the War of the Ring, Peregrin Took was usually
called Pippin. He was the son of the Thain of the Shire and later became
the Thain himself. Pippin, along with Merry Brandybuck, Sam Gamgee,
and Fredgar Bolger formed a conspiracy to spy on Frodo. This was revealed
at Crickhollow where Sam, Merry and Pippin joined Frodo on his journey
to Rivendell. Along with the other hobbits, Pippin was captured by the
Barrow-Wight. With the aid of Tom Bombadil, he escaped and there as
part of breaking the Barrow-Wight's spell on the mound, Pippin was given
a sword. In Rivendell, he was nearly left out of the Company of the
Ring, but for the support of Gandalf.
It could be argued that Pippin caused the death of Gandalf the Grey
with the stone he dropped down the well in the Guard room in Moria,
but there is no conclusive evidence. All the same, it seems probable
that the stone alerted either the orcs or the Balrog that there was
some intruder there.
Pippin was captured by Orcs at Parth Galen, along with Merry. Thus began
the chase of the Three Hunters, as Merry and Pippin were forced to run
across Rohan. In an area near a stream with soft ground Pippin managed
to escape long enough to drop the brooch from his cloak and leave some
of his own footprints. Pippin managed to free his hands during one of
the orc squabbles. On the borders of Fangorn Forest, the two hobbits
managed to escape fully during the battle between the Riders of Rohan
and the Orcs.
Within Fagorn Forest, Merry and Pippin met Treebeard the Ent, which
as Gandalf said, on page 517 of The Lord of the Rings,
They were brought to Fangorn, and their coming was like the falling
of small stones that starts an avalanche in the mountains.
For in their tale, the two hobbits started the March of the Ents on
Isengard. There they were met after the Battle of Helms Deep by Aragorn,
Legolas and Gimli.
After the discussion with Saruman, in which Wormtongue threw down the
Palantir of Orthanc, Pippin looked into the Stone, and was later taken
to Minas Tirith by Gandalf. There he swore service to the Steward Denthor.
After Faramir was wounded, and Denthor decided to burn himself and his
son, Pippin saved Faramir's life by finding Gandalf in time. Denethor
still burned himself though. Later in the battle before the Black Gate,
Pippin saved Beregond, by killing a troll.
After the War of the Ring, when they returned to the Shire, Pippin,
along with Merry, was one of the two captains in charge of clearing
the ruffians of Saruman from the Shire. He, and Merry, were the two
tallest hobbits in history.
In the year 64 of the Fourth Age, Pippin rode to Edoras in Rohan, with
Merry, and then to Gondor, where he later died. He was buried with honour
in a tomb in the Houses of the Dead, and later his tomb was moved to
be next to that of Aragorn, the King Elessar.
Radagast:
One of the Istari, Radagast was known as the Brown, and had a great
knowledge of birds and beasts. It is not known if he ever went into
the West after the War of the Ring, though he was one of the five Maiar
sent by the Valar.
Samwise Gamgee:
One
of the four hobbits in the Company of the Ring, Sam was the servant
of Frodo Baggins. He gained a sword in the Barrow Downs, and sneaked
into the Council at Rivendell. He was included in the Company of the
Ring. Sam followed Frodo when he left the Company at Parth Galen. The
two of them gained Gollum as their guide from the Emyn Muil to the passes
of Cirith Ungol. There Frodo was captured by orcs, though Sam managed
to remove the Ring. He resisted the Ring and rescued Frodo, returning
the Ring to him. Sam managed to keep Frodo going long enough to reach
Mount Orodruin, where he helped Frodo from the Sammath Naur, after the
destruction of the Ring. Thus it was that both were seen and rescued
by the Eagles. After the War of the Ring, Sam used the gift of Galadriel
to restore the Shire, and married Rose Cotton. Sam accompanied Frodo
to the Grey Havens, though he remained behind. Sam was elected the Mayor
of the Shire seven times. It is believed in the Shire that after the
death of his wife Rose, Sam went to the Grey Havens and from there into
the West to be with Frodo and Bilbo.
Smaug:
A dragon who caused the abandonment of Erebor, Smaug was killed by Bard
the Bowman. The secret of his weak spot was discovered by Bilbo Baggins,
who was with the thirteen dwarves who had come to regain their treasure
and kill the dragon. This quest was also supported by Gandalf, who believed
that the dragon could cause a lot of trouble with Sauron. Smaug's body
rests to this time in the Long Lake, amid the ruins of Lake Town.
Saurman:
Saurman the White was another of the Istari, and counted their leader.
He was the most powerful and had a voice that was able to daunt and
command anybody. His specialty was the Rings of Power. He settled in
Orthanc with the permission of the Steward of Gondor, and there found
one of the Palantir. He attempted to set up as a power of his own with
orcs and a creation of his own, half-orcs. After his attempt on Rohan,
Saruman was cast out of the Istari by Gandalf the White.
In revenge, Saruman attempted to ruin the Shire. The hobbits, Frodo,
Merry, Pippin, and Sam thwarted this desire, and Saruman was killed
by his servant, Grima Wormtongue.
Sauron:
A
Maia, Sauron was the servant of Morgoth. Called in the First Age, Gorthaur,
Sauron did not submit to be judged, at the end of the First Age. In
the Second Age of the Sun, Sauron forged the Rings of Power with the
aid of the Elven-Smiths of Eregion. At this time he could still take
on a fair appearance, and fooled almost all other than Cirdan, Gil-Galad
and Elrond. At this time, Sauron secretly forged the One Ring with the
words
thrakatuluk agh burzum-ishi krimpatul.
When the Elven-Smiths realized
this, they hid away the Rings that they had made. This caused war between
Sauron and the elves. Sauron managed to recover all but the Three Rings
of the Elves.
As Sauron's dominion over Midle-Earth grew, the Men of Numenor, who
by this time had grown proud and domineering, sent a force so great
as to send his own armies into hiding to Middle-Earth. Sauron surrendered,
and was taken to Numenor as a hostage. There he gained power over Ar-Pharazon,
the King, and turned his mind fully against the Valar. He encouraged
Ar-Pharazon to break the Ban and attack Aman. In the resulting Change
of the World and the destruction of Numenor, Sauron lost the ability
to take any fair shape. He returned to Middle-Earth and took up the
One Ring again. Soon after he made war on the Exiles of Numenor in both
Arnor and Gondor. Thus came about the Last Alliance of Men and Elves.
Sauron killed both Elendil and Gil-galad, but Isildur the son of Elendil,
cut off the One Ring from Sauron's hand. Sauron was destroyed for that
time, but soon began to take shape in what was called Mirkwood after
his coming. In the year of the Quest of Erebor, he was forced out, but
ten years later, Sauron re-entered Mordor and began to search for the
One Ring. Seventeen years later, he found where it had been, but the
Ringbearer had fled the Shire. Sauron, after Aragorn wrested the Palantir
from him, let forth war on Gondor and was distracted from searching
for the One Ring. This was his downfall as Frodo, the Ringbearer, had
slowly been making his way to Orodruin, Mount Doom, where on the very
eve of Sauron's victory, he destroyed the One Ring by throwing it into
the Cracks of Doom. Thus was Sauron destroyed for all time.
Shelob:
Greatest of the giant spiders remaining in Middle-Earth, Shelob was
a daughter of Ungoliant:
The Lord of the Rings, page 750:
But none could rival her, Shelob the Great, last child of Ungoliant
to trouble the unhappy world.
She lived in a pass over the mountains into Mordor, where rumor of her
had spread, until the pass was named Cirith Ungol, the Spider Pass.
Few had ever survived attempting it, save only Frodo, Sam and Gollum
(who worshiped her). Frodo and Sam survived only because they had the
Phial of Galadriel which kept her back while it was held up. It is suspected
that Sam, fighting for both his own and Frodo's lives had mortally wounded
Shelob. Certainly no more was ever told of her.
Tom Bombadil:
Tom Bombadil is a bit of an enigma. From what he says of himself, he
is probably a Maia. He is a bit strange, but very jolly and friendly.
He certainly saved the hobbits lives at least twice: once with Old Man
Willow, and with the Barrow-wight. It could be argued that with the
gift of the swords from the Barrow, he saved their lives at least once
more.
Thorin Oakenshield:
The
leader of the Dwarves on the quest for Smaugs treasure, Thorin Oakenshield
was the grandson of the King under the Mountain. He fought in the Dwarf
and Goblin Wars which ended at the east Gate of Moria. There he gained
the name Oakenshield.
Like many Dwarves, Thorin was somewhat grasping of treasure. Though
there was much treasure under the Mountain, when Smaug was killed, he
would not give up even the treasure that had belonged to the Dalemen.
This started the Battle of the Five Armies, as is recorded in Bilbo's
diary, called The Hobbit. By the end of the Battle of the Five Armies,
when it included the Eagles, Goblins, Elves, Men and Dwarves, Thorin
was dead, as were his cousins Filli and Killi.
Theoden:
The King of Rohan, Theoden had been under the influence of one of Saruman's
spies, for many years, until the coming of Gandalf the White, during
the War of the Ring. Gandalf revealed the traitor in King Theoden's
court, and brought hope back to the King of Rohan. Theoden, at Gandalf's
advice, sent a host of Riders to Helms Deep where they managed to defeat
Saruman's army with the aid of the Huorns. After this, Theoden was present
at Isengard when Gandalf removed Saruman from both the Istari and the
Council. About a week later, Theoden led the host of the Rohirrim to
Gondor, where he fell in battle on the Pelennor Field, and died after
naming Eomer the next king of the Rohirrim.
Tuor:
One
of the three known unions between Men and Elves was made by Tuor and
Idril. Tuor was a Man, the son of Huor, who was chosen to warn Turgon,
the King of Gondolin of impending doom. Though Turgon ignored the warning,
Tuor was high in his favours, even to the point of marrying his daughter.
Tuor escaped the fall of Gondolin, along with Idril, his son, Earendil
and many trustworthy lords of Gondolin. Though I do not know for sure,
I believe that Tuor was counted among the Elves, as he and Idril built
a ship and sailed into the West.
Turin:
The son of Hurin, Turin was fostered in Doriath at the request of Morwen,
his mother. As at this time, Turin's father was a captive of Morgoth,
there was almost a curse on him. Certainly most of what he did turned
to evil.
Unintentionaly, Turin killed one of Thingol's advisors, then thinking
himself outlawed, he spent several years with an outlaw band. Beleg
the elf rescued Turin after he had been caught by orcs, though while
cutting the bonds about Turin, Beleg accidentally wounded him with his
sword. Thinking himsef being tortured by orcs, Turin unthinkingly killed
Beleg.
After this he wandered to many places, eventually remaining in Narogthrond.
There he convinced the elves, who had long defended by stealth to build
a bridge and attack in force. This lead both to the abandonment of Narogthrond,
and to much more misfortune for Turin, when the dragon Glaurung came.
The bridge allowed him to cross the river and attack Narogthrond. There
he bespelled Turin to abandon the one who could have aborted much misfortune
for him, Finduilas, the daughter of Orodreth their king. The dragon
later bespelled his sister Nienor. She was found later by the woodsmen
who had taken in Turin as their leader. Unknowing, the two married.
About a year later, Glaurung the dragon, was known to be passing near
and Turin determined to slay the beast. This he did, and was later found
and thought to be dead. Nienor, his sister came by to be sure and found
that he was not. The dragon, still alive broke the spellon her and told
her who she really was. In despair she threw herself off the cliff.
Turin, also realizing the wrongs he had done, threw himself on his sword,
and so died.
Turgon:
Born in Aman, Turgon joined the flight to Middle-Earth. When he found
a securely hidden location he began the building of Gondolin, which
took seven years. For several hundred years, Turgon remained hidden,
bringing his forces out only once in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, where he
and his men's retreat was shielded by Hurin and Huor, protecting it
from the eyes of Morgoth. After this he never came forth in open battle
again. Warned by Ulmo, through Tuor, of the coming doom, Turgon chose
to ignore the warning. He died in the fall of Gondolin to the forces
of Morgoth.
Tulkas:
The last-come of the Valar, Tulkas wed Nessa, the sister of Orome. He
delights it contests of strength, and has a strong hatred of Morgoth.
Ulmo:
Vala,
Ulmo ruled the oceans and other waters. Ulmo had more pity for the Elves
and Men, than many of the Valar and was from the beginning, against
the summons to Valinor for the Elves. Unlike the other Valar, Ulmo does
not live in Valinor, but rather dwells in the oceans.
It was his protection in the river Sirion that long protected the gateway
to Gondolin, along with that of the Eagles of Manwe.
Unien:
The wife of Osse, Unien would calm his storms and was a protector of
mariners. Thus she was well loved by all who had anything to do with
the seas. Like Osse, Unien is a Maia, and was given her charge by Ulmo.
Varda:
The wife of Manwe, Varda kindled the stars during the shaping of Arda.
She lives on the top of Taniquetil, with Manwe. Varda is the one most
often called on for help by the elves, and they have many songs in her
praise:
The Lord of the Rings, pages 92-93:
O Queen beyond the Western Seas!
O Light to us that wander here
Amid the world of woven trees!
Gilthoniel! O Elbereth!
Clear are thy eyes and bright thy breath!
Snow-white! Snow-white! We sing to the
In a far land beyond the Sea
O stars that in the Sunless Year
With shining hand by her were sown,
In windy fields now bright and clear
We se your silver blossoms blown!
O Elbereth! Gilthoniel!
We still remember, we who dwell
In this far land beneath the trees,
Thy starlight on the Western Seas.
The Lord of the Rings, page 254:
silvren penna miriel
o menel aglar elenath!
Na-chaered palan-diriel
o galadhremmen ennorath,
Fanuilos, sle linnathon
nef aear, si nef aearon!
A partial translation of the above
song in Elvish:
? slope jewel? the heavens glory star?!
? ? far and wide ?
tree-woven lands of Middle-Earth,
? ever-white ?
? ? now ? ?
Those words and question marks in maroon are words that I am not certain of or just plain could not find the meanings of. If you know the translation of any word in the above song, please e-mail it to me.
Wormtongue:
Servant of Theoden and later a spy for Saruman, Wormtongue did much
evil in the land of Rohan. When he had been discovered, Wormtongue was
given a choice: to either go with King Theoden into battle, or to go
where he would. He chose the latter, and was later imprisoned in Orthanc
with Saruman. Wormtongue was later killed by hobbit archers after murduring
Saruman in the Shire.
Yavanna:
Vala, Yavanna is the one to whom growing and living things are the most
dear. It was at her bidding and song that the Two Trees grew in Valinor.
It seems to have been at her actions that the Ents came to be, after
Aule created the Dwarves. She is wife to Aule, the smith.
The books used in this are:
The Fellowship of the Ring
The Two Towers
The Return of the King
The Silmarillion
The Hobbit
The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien
The Unfinished Tales
The Complete Guide to Middle Earth, by Robert Foster
The Peoples of Middle-Earth, History of Middle-Earth Volume Twelve
The Book of Lost Tales Two
