The Great Years

3018

April

12Gandalf reaches Hobbiton.

June

20Sauron attacks Osgiliath. About the same time Thranduil is attacked, and Gollum escapes.

July

4Boromir sets out from Minas Tirith.

10Gandalf imprisoned in Orthanc.

August

All trace of Gollum is lost. It is thought that at about this time, being hunted both by the Elves and Sauron's servants, he took refuge in Moria; but when he had at last discovered the way to the West-gate he could not get out

September

18Gandalf escapes from Orthanc in the early hours. The Black Riders cross the Fords of Isen.

19Gandalf comes to Edoras as a beggar, and is refused admittance.

20Gandalf gains entrance to Edoras. Theoden commands him to go: 'Take any horse, only be gone ere tomorrow is old!'

21Gandalf meets Shadowfax, but the horse will not allow him to come near. He follows Shadowfax far over the fields.

22The Black Riders reach Sarn Ford at evening; they drive off the guard of Rangers. Gandalf overtakes Shadowfax.

23Four Riders enter the Shire before dawn. The others pursue the Rangers eastward, and then return to watch the Greenway. A Black Rider comes to Hobbiton at nightfall. Frodo leaves Bag End. Gandalf having tamed Shadowfax rides from Rohan.

24Gandalf crosses the Isen.

26The Old Forest. Frodo comes to Bombadil.

27Gandalf crosses Greyflood. Second night with Bombadil.

28The Hobbits captured by a Barrow-wight. Gandalf reaches Sarn Ford.

29Frodo reaches Bree at night. Gandalf visits the Gaffer.

30Crickhollow and the Inn at Bree are raided in the early hours. Frodo leaves Bree. Gandalf comes to Crickhollow, and reaches Bree at night

October

1Gandalf leaves Bree.

3He is attacked at night on Weathertop.

6The camp under Weathertop attacked at night Frodo wounded.

9Glorfindel leaves Rivendell.

11He drives the Riders off the Bridge of Mitheithel.

13Frodo crosses the Bridge.

18Glorfindel finds Frodo at dusk. Gandalf reaches Rivendell.

20Escape across the Ford of Bruinen.

24Frodo recovers and wakes. Boromir arrives in Riven-dell at night

25Council of Elrond.

December

25The Company of the Ring leaves Rivendell at dusk.

3019

January

8The Company reach Hollin.

11, 12Snow on Caradhras.

13Attack by Wolves in the early hours. The Company reaches the West-gate of Moria at nightfall. Gollum begins to trail the Ring-bearer.

14Night in Hall Twenty-one.

15The Bridge of Khazad-dum, and fall of Gandalf. The Company reaches Nimrodel late at night.

17The Company comes to Caras Galadhon at evening.

23Gandalf pursues the Balrog to the peak of Zirak-zigil.

25He casts down the Balrog, and passes away. His body lies on the peak.

February

14The Mirror of Galadriel. Gandalf returns to life, and lies in a trance.

16Farewell to Lorien. Gollum in hiding on the west bank observes the departure.

17Gwaihir bears Gandalf to Lorien.

23The boats are attacked at night near Sam Gebir.

25The Company pass the Argonath and camp at Parth Galen. First Battle of the Fords of Isen; Theodred son of Theoden slain.

26Breaking of the Fellowship. Death of Boromir; his hom is heard in Minas Tirith. Meriadoc and Peregrin captured. Frodo and Samwise enter the eastern Emyn Muil. Aragorn sets out in pursuit of the Orcs at evening. Eomer hears of the descent of the Orc-band from the Emyn Muil.

27Aragorn reaches the west-cliff at sunrise. Eomer against Theoden's orders sets out from Eastfold about midnight to pursue the Orcs.

28Eomer overtakes the Orcs just outside Fangorn Forest.

29Meriadoc and Pippin escape and meet Treebeard. The Rohirrim attack at sunrise and destroy the Orcs. Frodo descends from the Emyn Muil and meets Gollum. Faramir sees the funeral boat of Boromir.

30Entmoot begins. Eomer returning to Edoras meets Aragorn.

March

1Frodo begins the passage of the Dead Marshes at dawn. Entmoot continues. Aragorn meets Gandalf the White. They set out for Edoras. Faramir leaves Minas Tirith on an errand to Ithilien.

2Frodo comes to the end of the Marshes. Gandalf comes to Edoras and heals Theoden. The Rohirrim ride west against Saruman. Second Battle of Fords of Isen. Erkenbrand defeated. Entmoot ends in after-noon. The Ents march on Isengard and reach it at night.

3Theoden retreats to Helm's Deep. Battle of the Horn-burg begins. Ents complete the destruction of Isengard.

4Theoden and Gandalf set out from Helm's Deep for Isengard. Frodo reaches the slag-mounds on the edge of the Desolation of the Morannon.

5Theoden reaches Isengard at noon. Parley with Saruman in Orthanc. Winged Nazgul passes over the camp at Dol Baran. Gandalf sets out with Peregrin for Minas Tirith. Frodo hides in sight of the Morannon, and leaves at dusk.

6Aragorn overtaken by the Dunedain in the early hours. Theoden sets out from the Hornburg for Harrowdale. Aragorn sets out later.

7Frodo taken by Faramir to Henneth Annun. Aragorn comes to Dunharrow at nightfall.

8Aragorn takes the 'Paths of the Dead' at daybreak; he reaches Erech at midnight. Frodo leaves Henneth Annun.

9Gandalf reaches Minas Tirith. Faramir leaves Henneth Annun. Aragorn sets out from Erech and comes to Calembel. At dusk Frodo reaches the Morgul-road. Theoden comes to Dunharrow. Darkness begins to flow out of Mordor.

10The Dawnless Day. The Muster of Rohan: the Rohirrim ride from Harrowdale. Faramir rescued by Gandalf outside the gates of the City. Aragorn crosses Ringlo. An army from the Morannon takes Cair Andros and passes into Anorien. Frodo passes the Cross-roads, and sees the Morgul-host set forth.