The Fellowship of the Ring succeeds in their attempt to defeat Sauron and destroy the One Ring, but The Lord of the Rings films only briefly touch on what happens to the characters afterwards. As you might expect, reclaiming Middle-earth requires more effort than simply throwing the One Ring into the fire, creating many challenges and adventures for JRR Tolkien’s heroes.
Fortunately, none of their futures after that The return of the Lord as dark as their war against Sauron. Although the War of the Ring leaves its mark on all of them, most of the players are able to create happy endings for themselves – and contribute to Middle-earth’s hopeful future once again.
8) Frodo Baggins
After destroying the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom – and barely living to tell the tale – Frodo returns to the Shire. In Tolkien’s books, he and other hobbits find it under Saruman’s control, forcing them to return it at the Battle of Bywater. This was left out of Peter Jackson’s film trilogy, but it is a major event in the source material. After the Shire is reclaimed, Frodo temporarily serves as the Deputy Mayor, helping the efforts to rebuild it. He also writes a book about his adventures, following in Bilbo’s footsteps. It is yet another way that Frodo leaves his mark on Middle-Earth.
However, the harrowing journey to destroy the One Ring continues to weigh heavily on Frodo, causing him to eventually travel to the Endless Lands. Although immortal beings such as the Valar, Maiar, and Eldar are usually the only ones granted access, there is an exception for Ring bearers. This allows Frodo to seek peace there after not being able to find it in the Shire. We see him leaving Middle-earth at the end of The return of the Lordbut we don’t know much about his future beyond that.
7) Samwise Gamgee
As Frodo, Sam returns to the Shire after an arduous journey to Mount Doom, playing out the Battle of Bywater. After Saruman is defeated and the hobbit home is reclaimed, he spends the rest of his days in the Middle-earth Shire. Sam is married to Rosie Cotton, who is featured in the Jackson film trilogy, and has 13 children with her – one of whom will be the subject of Stephen Colbert’s upcoming Lord of the Rings film. Sam and his family stay at Bag End with Frodo while he is there, and inherit his house once he leaves. Sam also becomes mayor of the Shire, a role he held for seven years at the age of 49. He eventually follows Frodo to the Endless Lands after Rosie’s death, given a chance to pass because he once again carried the One Ring briefly during their journey. He and Frodo meet again in the Neverlands, giving both hobbits a much-deserved happy ending.
6) Aragorn
While Sam rules the Shire, Aragorn rules his people as the newly enthroned King Elessar. The Lord of the Rings trilogy builds up to Aragorn taking the throne of Gondor, so it’s no surprise that his post-The return of the Lord life involves ruling over his people. And after the War of the Ring, Aragorn has his work cut out for him. He is tasked with rebuilding Gondor and repairing the broken relationships between the realms of Men. This is not easy, especially when it comes to the ways of the Men who fought for Sauron. In the end Aragorn succeeds in ending the opposition and uniting his people. He also married Arwen after the War of the Ring, having at least three children with her. Aragorn dies at the age of 210, after a reign of 122 years. His son, Eldarion, succeeds him, and lies in Rath Dínen, in the same place as Merry and Pippin.
5) Legolas
One of Lord of the Rings fans’ favorite friendships continues The return of the Lordand Legolas go on a journey with Gimli after Aragorn’s wedding. The couple visits Fangorn Forest and the Glittering Caves, gaining great recognition from other people and the world. Legolas later moves to Ithilien, where Faramir and Éowyn are married and rule, bringing a host of Mirkwood elves with him. From there, Legolas participates in the restoration of Middle-earth, helping to bring beauty back to the place. After Aragorn’s death in the year FA 120, Legolas sails to the Neverlands. This is typical of the elves of Middle-Earth, although he managed to bring Gimli – a very unexpected change that confirms them as one of Tolkien’s best duos.
4) Gimli
As mentioned, Gimli attends Aragorn’s wedding and continues to have fun with Legolas right after the War of the Ring. However, after their journey, he settles in another place: the Shining Caves. Gimli takes a group of weaklings from Erebor to rebuild there, and becomes King of the Shining Caves. Like Legolas and Aragorn, he helps rebuild Middle-earth. The dwarves also begin mining again, even repairing the Great Gate of Minas Tirith. When Legolas travels to the Endless Lands, Gimli chooses to go with him. Warves are not allowed to do so, but there is an exception for Gimli. It’s not confirmed why, but he has two highly respected elves – Legolas and Galadriel – to back him up. And he it does do much for Middle-earth, during and after the War of the Ring.
3) Gandalf
As shown at the end of the The return of the Lord movie, Gandalf accompanies Frodo to the Undying Lands several years after the end of the War of the Ring, along with Galadriel, Elrond, and Bilbo. As one of the Maia (who goes by the name of Olorin), Gandalf does not know the place, so this is a journey back to him. His mission to help Middle-earth resist Sauron is over, so it makes sense that he’ll be leaving shortly after. Tolkien tells us that Gandalf visits Tom Bombadil before he leaves, leaving us to wonder what they are talking about. When the mysterious picture is quoted from Jackson’s movie trilogy, only movie fans will not see this game. Even in the books, it remains a mystery, as does the truth of who Tom Bombadil is.
2) Meriadoc Brandybuck
Like Frodo and Sam, Merry returns to the Shire after The return of the Lord and took part in the Battle of Bywater. Merry eventually becomes Lord of Buckland and marries Estella Bolger, with whom he starts a family. He also begins to write, writing a book and other works, combining the best parts of Sam and Frodo’s decisions. Merry still has adventures beyond the events of The Lord of the Rings, visiting Gondor and Rohan in his later years. Merry dies a few years later and is buried in Rath Dínen with Aragorn and Pippin.
1) Peregrin Has Taken
Merry and Pippin follow similar paths afterwards The return of the Lordjust as they do throughout the Lord of the Rings trilogy, starting with their return to the Shire. Pippin is responsible for gathering the Tooks for the Battle of Bywater, an important part. Pippin later lives in the Shire and marries a man named Diamond, with whom he has a son named Faramir. (I’m not crying, you crying.) Just like his friends, Pippin is considered a hero and takes a leadership role back home, becoming Thain of the Shire. He also visits Rohan and Gondor, like Merry, and ends up buried next to his friend and Aragorn when he dies.
What LOTR character story would you like to see next? The return of the Lord? Leave a comment and join the conversation now at ComicBook Forum!
#LOTR #happened #Member #Guild #Kings #return