Part Three: The Return of the King The third and final episode of the film opens with a backflash of Gollum's life. Once, he was a Hobbit, too, but from another branch of the kind, not near Hobbiton. His name was Smeagol and with his brother, Deagol, enjoyed carefree youth, and helped somewhat at home with their fishing, in green and sunny days. It was Smeagol's Birthday, and the brothers were fishing for fun, when a large fish snagged Deagol's hook, and dragged him right into the river, and down along the bottom for a bit, where Deagol spotted something shiny, and dropped the fishing pole. With his treasure in hand, he surfaced on the river bank sputtering. As Smeagol docked their fishing boat and caught up with him, Deagol cleared the river mud from his "find", and was delighted to learn it was a shiny golden ring. Smeagol and Deagol did not know, nor could they, that the ring was the One Ring, found where it sank when Isuldur fell into the river, with it on a chain around his neck, 2,000 years ago. Just as it did to Isuldur, it ensnared the brothers instantly: their usual friendly tousle over a thing grew into a deadly fight for solitary possession of the Ring. Deagol lost, and died, and Smeagol, though horrified by his own murderous act, glutted in the winning of the Ring. The film then shares, in a few moments, the story of the degeneration of Smeagol, his banishment from his home, to places dark and dirty, cold and unfriendly, where even his appearance degenerated, as he lived exclusively on fish, as though to be reminded of his last fishing misadventure, and his corruption by the Ring. The Ring he guarded endlessly with a mad passion, calling it his "precious"...till Bilbo acquired it from Gollum, and passed it to Frodo, and now it is the current day, and Gollum is guide to the uncorrupted Frodo and Sam, always driven by his lust to regain the One Ring. He re-iterates to his reflection in a pool on Morgul Stair, his plan to lead them into a killing trap and reclaim his "Precious" for himself. The battle at Helm's Deep has been won, at the last moment. At Isenguard and its tower,Orthanc, Gandalf, Aragorn, Theoden, Legolas, Gimli and Eomer happily reunite with Merry and Pippin, triumphantly surveying Treebeard's amazing work! The cleansing of Orthanc! The Ancient Ent and his treeherds have seen to it that Saruman and Grima and their powerbase are no more! Gandalf calls the defeated Saruman, locked in the Tower, to meeting, and achieves terms of surrender with him, and in digust, Grima tosses something out from his hiding place at the window near the top of the tower. It lands with a splash, in the receding waters at the tower's foot, and curious, Pippin retrieves it...Gandalf sits rigid on Shadowfax, and demands the thing, a globe of some kind, and Pippin, shocked at Gandalf's manner, so abrupt and serious, complies, stunned, and more curious than ever, as Gandalf swiftly and completely bundles the orb in his robes. Treebeard meets with the others, promising to take responsibility for completing the cleanup at Orthanc, and the guarding of Saruman and Grima. After a hasty but pleasant meal at Isengard, and a finish with some of the famous Shire Pipeweed, the Heroes, with Merry and Pippin riding double, travel swiftly to Edoras, for their night's sleep, and plans are set for the readying of the Armies of the Free People of Middle Earth at Gondor. Pippin's curiosity gets ahead of him, and when Gandalf falls asleep, he substitutes a round pitcher for the mysterious globe in the wizard's cloak, happily skipping off to a corner with his prize. But the orb is one of the Palantir, or seeing-stones from ancient days... a dangerous and powerful communicator...and when Pippin studies it, it places him in contact with the Evil Sauron , who keeps one of the Palantiri, as well...the globe rivets and shocks and tosses the little Hobbit like a rag, and the hubbub wakens Gandalf, who quickly veils the globe again, and Pippin faints from the ordeal. Gandalf nurses Pippin, with the ancient healing herb, kingsfoil, that helped Frodo when he was stabbed by the Morgul blade at Amon Sul. Gandalf learns from Pippin the details of his experience of the Palantir. Though shocked and probed by Sauron, Pippin's integrity held. Gandalf informs the others a little, about the power and danger of the Palantir, and peril of health to Pippin at this moment, from the experience, and with cloaked palantir, and Pippin in care with him on Shadowfax, they ride to Gondor, to prepare for the confrontation in battle with Sauron. Meanwhile, at Rivendell, the Lady Arwen, convinced by her Father, Elrond, that it is best that she join the elves leaving on the last ship to Valinor, rides sadly but dutifully in caravan with them, but suddenly spies a child, a delight to behold, and is mesmerized, then realizes she is having a vision, when the child, laughing happily, runs up garden stairs to be caught in loving embrace by none other than her Aragorn...the child in the vision is their son! Though she has given her pendant, "Evenstar", to Aragorn, for a moment, she imagines it at her breast, and touches it lightly. The vision fades, and Arwen realizes she has been granted a glimpse of her Fate; she is overwhelmed with Love and sudden horror of the error of her departure from Middle Earth. But the anguish and uncertainty she has sufferred are gone! She wheels her horse around, now sure of her path, and rides back up the trail to Rivendell and Elrond, and she confronts him on the subject of her vision. She scolds her Father lovingly for his rebellion against her fate with Aragorn, and their place in the salvation of Middle Earth. She persuades and teams with her Father,Elrond, to reforge, to reassemble the Shards of Narsil, Isildur's Sword, used to cut the Ring into his grasp, broken in battle, and kept with devotion and portent for 2,000 years... but now begins the fulfillment of the Prophecy: "Renewed shall be blade that was broken. The Crownless again shall be King." The crownless is Isuldur's heir, Aragorn , of course, and as Arwen faints from stress, Elrond races to find Aragorn with the ancient sword. Remade in the magic elvish fires, it is a beauty, and re-named. In the meantime, Gollum is working his wiles, playing Frodo and Sam against one another, to "divide and conquer", as they continue the gruelling climb up the Morgul Stair, the "back door" to the Path to the Cracks of Doom where the Ring can, at last, be destroyed. Gandalf and Pippin arrive at Gondor, the Dazzling White City. Built in seven tiers, they enter and ride round and round, ever ascending till they reach the top level, or Citadel. Gondor was King Isuldur's realm, and, since his death and fall of the Kings to hidden life, the city has been ruled by its second-in command, or Steward. For the most part, they ruled dutifully and well. In the center of the Citadel's Park, at the entry, Pippin spies the withered White Tree of Gondor, and exclaims: it is the one he saw in the Palantir, predicted to burn soon, and he saw it in flames. But it was once lovely and blooming, and although it has been barren since the Fall of the Kings, it stands, stark but adamant, to generate hope of renewal. They are admitted to the throne room, and bow to the current Steward of Gondor, Denethor, widower and Father of Boromir and Faramir. The Steward is the servant to the King, and his small throne sits at the foot of the throne of the King, and beautiful but empty for 2,000 years. In Denethor's lap sits Boromir's Horn of Gondor, cloven in two, as it was by the Orc Uruk-Hai that killed him at Rauros. Given a Warrior's burial, commended to the Falls, The River Rauros carried Boromir's body down the Anduin River, past Gondor and out to sea. Faramir spied it and was able to retrieve, as it passed, the cloven Horn , and now, Denethor grieves, understanding that it means his favorite son is dead. He learns from Gandalf and Pippin of the circumstances surrounding Boromir's hero's death, and is unwilling , in his grief, to co-operate with Gandalf and the Free People of Middle Earth, to defeat Sauron. But he honors Pippin with designation as Squire of the Citadel for his efforts to save Boromir, in the deadly attack. Just outside the City Gates, fighting is fierce at Osgiliath, once Called Gondor's Garden, but now a stronghold used to stave off Sauron's armies. Things worsen, and Osgiliath's leader, Lord Faramir, orders the retreat to Gondor. But they are vastly outnumbered and hounded by the dreaded Nazgul as well. It looks as though they will not succeed in finding Gondor's Gates. Gandalf, leaving his audience with Denethor, observes Faramir's plight, and popping Pippin on the back of Shadowfax, rides furiously out the Gates to the rescue, using the power of his staff, and its crystal , to repel the Nazgul and protect Faramir's army to relative safety within the Gates of Gondor. They meet, and Faramir informs them of his adventure with Sam and Frodo and Gollum. Gandalf and Pippin are overjoyed to learn of their friends' survival and success , so far, but anxious over the thought of their trek up the Black Stair, and worse, to come. Denethor rages with Faramir, in grief over Boromir. Denethor seems more and more deranged with every word. Faramir finally vows to try to please his Father, Denethor, and re-take the fallen Osgiliath. Denethor despairs...he will not set the famous Bonfires that relay to call up the armies of Middle Earth when need be...he won't have it done, no matter how Gandalf reasons with him. Gandalf, therefore enlists Pippin to secretely climb to the bonfire and light it.....success! The light is seen by the attendants of the next bonfire, and so, they ,in turn, light theirs, and so on....till Aragorn, watching for the fires, sees the light from his nearest neighbor in the relay, and races to sound the call to Theoden, who stands to call up the Armies of Rohan in response and support. All the riders of Rohan's lands gather at the camp near Edoras. On the Black Stair, Gollum has done it, a rift is made in the perfect trust between Frodo and Sam, and Frodo fires Sam...sends him packing, and goes alone, at Gollum's bidding, through the caves at the top of the Black Stair. Here, he sidles off, leaving Frodo alone to be attacked and captured by the ancient spider monster, Shelob. Elrond finds Aragorn at Theoden's camp, tells him that Arwen has fainted and is going cold, and that, if he fails to take his place as King of Gondor, Arwen will die. Elrond presents him with the re-forged Sword, now called Anduril, "Flame of the West". Next, he reminds him of the Failed oaths of the Kings along the Paths of the Dead. Aragorn is secretly commissioned by Elrond to Recruit the Army of them to make good on an old oath. Appparently, these souls failed at one time, their mission to join in support to do their share to protect Middle Earth. Isuldur cursed them and said they would not be free till they rose again to help the Return of the King... and now is the time for them be called forth to pay the debt to Middle Earth with their service. Only Aragorn's sword, Anduril, his magic and lineage are empowered to call them to service safely and effectively...no other can call up their ominous powers, though Legolas and Gimli accompany him without hesitation, defeating his protestations. And just the three, they are off, along the ghostly path through Dimrull Dale. The others remain at Edoras, but just long enough to set up repairs at Helm's Deep, and at Edoras, rest and restore themselves, their armor and horses, and when prepared, they will follow Gandalf with haste to Gondor. Merry, left behind without Pippin is , at first, disincluded like a child from the battle preparations. The Lady Eowyn suffers the same, though she is a champion swordswoman and shieldmaiden! She takes pity on Merry, secretly steering him to an armoring tent, where she outfits them both with sword, shield, mail and helmet, and they practice with their weapons till they are mastered. As they feared, Theoden, Eomer and their company try to make them stay behind when they mass and set out for Gondor. Eowyn, mounted and disguised in her armor in the ranks , scoops up Merry, astonished, till he discovers that it is Eowyn behind her helmet's faceplate! Jubilant and resolved, riding double, they are now among the fighters in the ranks of the Free People of Middle Earth, and en route to Gondor. Pippin acquaints himself with his duties to Denethor, and in his off-duty hours, explores things in Gondor and in spite of war and loss and damage, Gondor is still an amazing and beautiful place! However, Denethor is not in right-minded condition...and his passion to win the war with Sauron is untrustworthy, due to his grief for Boromir, perhaps? ...or is there something more? Gandalf does not trust Denethor, and is watchful as things progress. The film does not share what the book tells: Denethor has a palantir that came to him of old, and corrupted him, and so his madness, and seemingly naive sabotage of the defense of Gondor. When the King returns , he, the Steward, must step down. The Dark Powers have given him a lust for holding power that is not normal for the Stewards. Under the circumstances, Gandalf is truly Gandalf the White, and and easily overuled the bedeviled Denethor, and set up a stong and valiant, if inadequate defense of Gondor, the White City. The survivors from the Battles at Osgiliath are few...Faramir's attempt to regain the city was a disaster. The unconscious body of Faramir drags through the Gates of Gondor, snagged to his valiant horse, by lucky accident. Denethor finds it the last straw! Mad with grief, he fails to listen when Pippin and others check Faramir and see he is wounded, but far from dead. Denethor prepares to surrender the city, and with so much at stake, Gandalf coshes him, and takes over command of the army...."Prepare for war!", Gandalf orders, instead. Saurons armies attack in hordes, with monstrous weapons of the time, and the first catapults aimed at the soldiers defending Gondor's walls, are not stones, but the severed heads of the fallen men of Gondor from the last battle at Osgiliath. But they sustain, and give as good as they get. Pippin earns his stripes in first battle , saving Gandalf from a blow from behind. Gandalf praises Pippin with true gratitude, and hurries him back to see how it goes with Denethor. The madman now, but once-noble, Denethor, has the body of his son, Faramir, brought to the kingdom funeral hall, and arranges it on a pyre to be cremated. Pippin is horrified, since Faramir is not dead, and needs a doctor. Pippin races to find Gandalf, and the two race back, arriving just in time, as our heroes remove Faramir from the Flaming Pyre, and Denethor, now , himself engulfed in flames, self-destructs. Frodo, in the caves of Shelob, seems to escape her, snatches the evil Gollum and they fight, Golloum falls over the cliffside and disappears. Frodo is faint, and in his faint, dreams he is is in Golden Lothlorien, resting on the fragrant leaves and boughs; Galadriel appears, soothing his suffering, and encourages him to take heart and continue in the quest. Though heartbroken, Sam follows, resolutely, at a small distance, but a bit "put out". Just as Frodo thinks himself free of the monster spider, Shelob, she finds and stings Frodo, and apparently kills him, and spins a coccoon-like web around him. It is Shelob's habit to then hang up her prey , in its coccoon, and devour it later. Sam catches up, but finds no Gollum in sight, only poor Frodo, in the spun shroud from head to toe.... and Shelob! He studies Frodo, and thinks him dead, grieves, prays and straightens to duty: with Frodo dead, he must complete the quest alone. The film does not tell us that here, but in the book, He takes on the One Ring, and Frodo's OrcSword, Sting, and the magical Phial of Galadriel. He encounters Shelob, repels her with the light from the Phial, and when Shelob's might moves her to sit on Sam and sting him, as she did Frodo, Sam raises Sting and heaves upward with all his might, and Shelob, is the Stung, this time, and drags herself , howling, to her dark caves to die. Sam is fine, but as he moves to collect and bury Frodo's body, somehow, Orcs from the "Backdoor" fort at Moria, Cirith Ungol, appproach. Sam darts off to a hiding place, watching as the Orcs study and then carefully seize Frodo's body, since Sauron gave strict orders that all Hobbits, when found, must be kept intact and brought to him, hoping to snag the One Ring. Sam is horrified for this latest offense to Frodo, but then overjoyed ! The Orcs, talking amongst themselves, pronounce Frodo stunned, not dead, and their leader suggests that they hasten to the fort to get him locked up before he regains consciousness. So they lift Frodo quickly to their shoulders and are off. Sam follows at a safe distance, into the fort. It had been housing a respectable company of soldiers, but the good powers must have been with them...they were so taken by Frodo's mithril vest, a fight to possess it followed and they annihilated themselves. And Sam easily dispatched the few remaining orcs, then finds Frodo, and happy forgiveness and reunion. Frodo is crushed, thinking the Orcs took the Ring, since he was without it when he regained consciousness, and so is overjoyed and grim , at once, to find that Sam has kept it and returns it to Frodo, as his duty. They escape, though not without incident. The two disguise themselves in Orc armor, and take up the final phase of the Quest: the actual path to the Cracks of Doom, the place where the One Ring was made, and so the one place in Middle Earth where the One Ring can be destroyed. The White City is sorely stressed. Valiant , but brutally beseiged, and must already fall back as the army of Sauron wield a huge monstershaped battering ram, so ferocious, they name it: Grond, Grond , Grond...and the great gates fall! The tide turns, a bit, as the Armies of Rohan arrive. Thousands strong, Theoden exhorts them extraordinarily, and Eowyn, and Merry, lovers of life, agree they must show "Courage...courage for our friends!" So well-skilled, so well-motivated, and inspired, the easily overrun the orc-horde, outside the Gates on the Pelennor Fields, only to face a second assault from the Southrons on their oliphants, and then the Nazgul on their flying fell beasts. Sam and Frodo, struggling across the Morgul Plain are exhausted beyond human endurance, and rest, and dredge up courage and strength, themselves. Thy Eye of Sauron is ever on them, to the point of taking Frodo's feet out from under him. In the meantime, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli, having enlisted the aid of the "Un-dead Warrior Spirits", follow the Paths of the Dead to the Anduin River, take over the Orc ships that were en route to attack Gondor from the River approach. Aragorn's strange crew sail up the River, instead, and , at landing, confront the Enemy, overwhelmed by their own horror at the ghastly Ghostly Army! Back at the Pelennor Fields, Eowyn, with Merry alongside, fights bravely, and when Theoden is unhorsed by a Nazgul and its Dark Rider, the Witch King, Eowyn and Merry intercede. She beheads the fell flying beast, but the Witch King recovers, takes stand on the ground, and declares the ancient prophecy as he smashes her shoulder with his chained mace , that: "No man can kill me!" Eowyn falls in pain, but as the Witch king moves in to kill her, Merry leaps up from behind, stabbing the Witch King in the back, stunning him, and brining him to his knees. The power and evil and malice of the Witch King is so monstrous, that Merry screams in recoil from his brave attack, and falls senseless. But he bought the Shieldmaiden a moment to regain her feet, and courage. Eowyn throws back her cloak and helm, showing her power, and her femininity, and rebuts: "I am no man !" And she drives her sword directly into the dark helm of the Dark Rider! The monster of ages, he who stabbed Frodo on Amon Sul, shrivels and is no more, before our eyes! Eowyn sorrowfully runs to the side of the fallen Theoden and bids her beloved Uncle a last and tearful farewell, as his last words are of pride and gratitude, and peace. Theoden dies in peace, and intact, and Eowyn and Merry faint. The Battle is won! Gandalf, Aragorn, Pippin, Legolas and Gimli stand on the field of victory for the Free People of Middle Earth. They scan the scene for survivors and find Theoden and his might Rohan steed, and they find Eowyn and Merry. Theoden, in the books is given a fitting burial , as is his horse. Eowyn and Merry are taken to the Houses of Healing in Gondor. Merry, Eowyn and Faramir require more than the usual care, their wounds being of the deadly Morgul sort. Prophecy helps again...."The Hands of the King are the Hands of a Healer", and so, once Aragorn's spooky army wins the first part of the seige, Aragorn is called. His first entry to the Kingdom to which he is heir, at the head of a ghostly horde or heroes from past ages, to see to his part of defending his city and to help with herbal and spiritual healing skillls. He has the healers find the Kingsfoil and brews it to reach Merry, Eowyn and Faramir, instructing the healers to use it on the other wounded as need be. He sees that Eowyn and Faramir have found an added healer, Love, and gives his blessing. The Ghostly Army meets with Aragorn, and receives release from the ancient oath, to be at peace at last, their oath fulfilled. Aragorn and the complete Army of Free People of Middle Earth now meet in the great hall....Gandalf is distraught, since, although the present battle is won, the Ring and ringbearers are stranded and unprotected, forever hounded by the evil Eye of Sauron. So they decide to create a distraction. They regroup and confront Sauron's Army once again at the Black Gates. The distraction works but horribly as one more horde of Orcs emerge from the Black Gate and surround the Army of Gondor. The Army at the Gate has distracted the Eye, liberating Sam and Frodo to move ahead more easily. Still, they are choking through the foul vapors crawl the last steps to the Crack of Doom and the Fires of Moria. Sam carries Frodo on his back, at one point , in a valiant and loyal act of bravery and love, but is stopped by the reappearance of Gollum who bashes him with a rock, till he drops Frodo. Sam and Gollum struggle ferociously, and the bump when he was dropped revives Frodo cruelly, but the Evil Door to the Path to the Cracks of Doom is in sight! So Frodo finds himself encouraged to race for it, and does. Sam wins over Gollum, and catches up with Frodo for the moment of the Destruction of the One Ring, in the place where it was made. A few paces back, Sam is horrified to see that Frodo is having difficulty. The One Ring, with a desperate last power of its own, will not be destroyed! Sam exhorts Frodo, to no avail, and Frodo seems nearly mad with the internal conflict. He puts the One Ring on his finger, instead, and, of course, becomes invisible! For a horrible moment, all seems lost, but Gollum re-appears, also desperate for the One Ring, coshes Sam again, bringing him down and hurries past him, following the footprints of the invisible Frodo. He is a sight to behold as he wrestles with, and for, some unseen thing. Gollum screeching, thrashes wildly, grasping ferociously, and Frodo reappears, screaming! Gollum has bitten off Frodo's finger and regained the Ring! Sam rushes to see to his "Mister Frodo", while, mad with joy and passion over the ring, Gollum dances wildly near the edge! Frodo, too, is mad, and races to Gollum, tackling him, and the thrashing is to the death! Both topples over the edge, into the Fires of Moria! Sam rushes to the edge, and peering over, finds a visible Frodo, hanging on by his fingertips...but only nine of them! Frodo is distraught enough to let himself fall, but Sam calls, "Don't you let go! Reach !" Sam and Frodo watch with horror and a strange sense of rightness as Gollum and the One Ring are destroyed completely in the Fires of Moria! Back at the Battlefield, The Army of the Free People of Middle Earth charges forth valiantly, and now the cheer goes up at the appearance of the Eagles! Ancient Powers created their might and now they show it ...the winged monsters Nazgul are defeated in moments! In Moria, the Miracle begins! As promised, the Destruction of the One Ring undoes Evil.....the caves surrounding Sam and Frodo and the foul earth around them begin to disintegrate and collapse, so the pair hurry out, searching for a safe path to meet their Comrades at Gondor, but are resigned to the possibility that it is their Fate that their mission should cost their lives! Again, on the battlefield Gandalf Aragorn and all the company cheer as the realization of the Ring's destriction comes...they are suddenly without opponents on the battlefield,and their eyes feast on the sight of the Collapse of Moria. The One Ring is destroyed and its Evil maker, Sauron, as well! Stunning triumph reigns suddenly over all of Middle Earth! Overcome by the smoke and fumes of the the collapsing Mordor, though, Sam and Frodo accept their death as the price. They take comfort in the sight of the Dark Tower and Eye of Sauron destroyed , but then faint, a faithful smile to one another to the last. But Gandalf and the Eagles find the two Hobbits and swooping down amidst the Destruction all around them, lift the two unconscious heroes, and fly them safely to the Houses of Healing. Dawn of the following Day, and weeks thereafter are filled with celebration and repairs to Gondor and her Heroes. Meetings each Day provide details of the happenings from the various peoples who fought. Reports of the condition of things as Middle Earth and her inhabitants repair war damage, and prepare for the new life in the Restored Kingdom of Gondor and the new Reign as all celebrate the Return of the King. Sam and Frodo are now icons, in jubilant reunion with Merry and Pippin, Legolas, Gimli, Faramir, Aragorn and Gandalf. As all heal from the wounds and rest, they fill in the details of one another's adventures since parting, amidst feasting and preening to prepare for the Coronation of the King. And on that day, after many years of soulful waiting, the Marriage of Aragorn and the Lady Arwen is set to take place, at last! The Hobbits are astounded as the songs and rhymes fill Gondor and all of Middle Earth, with the two as grand heroes, and the song of "Nine-fingered Frodo" is the most popular! The seven-tiered city of Gondor, is shining and in perfect repair once again! The Elves bring the new White Tree to replace the one destroyed. Every dignitary in Middle Earth arrives for the Coronation and Marriage of the new King, including newlyweds Eowyn and Faramir, who is new Steward of Gondor. Eomer, upon the death of Theoden rules Rohan, and with his sister now happy with Faramir, may look to a queen for himself. The Hobbits, Elves, Dwarves and Wizards are present and Gandalf crowns the King and pronounces the marriage vows between the new King Aragorn and the Lady Eowyn. And all of Middle Earth cheers and the celebration continues for weeks! And so begins the Fourth Age of Middle Earth! Though they visit and help one another all their lives, and at death are buried with the heroes at Gondor, in time, the Hobbits return to the Shire. Sam marries Rosie and the first of their 13 children are born, and their descendants take the name Gardener when the use of such surnames begins. Merry and Pippin do as well in their homes in Buckland, all three hold public office and honors and enjoy fine relations with Rohan and Gondor. Frodo continues and completes the written report of the adventures, as begun by his Uncle Bilbo, in the Red Book, but his wounds trouble him and he tires and begins to fail. So, with all the Company present for goodbyes, Frodo takes up the option to join Galadriel, Elrond, Gandalf, Bilbo, and others, taking the Elvish Ship to Valinor and the Grey Havens, "into the West", where the magical existence provides relief from such woes. Frodo leaves all his possessions and Bag End to Sam and his heirs, and Sam manages it well. Aragorn and Arwen reign well in Gondor helping to restore "all that is good and green " in Middle Earth, and become parents of the Son who came to Arwen in a dream, named Eldarion, and three daughters...fine children, and owing to Arwen's Elfkind, they all enjoy very long life. When Aragorn dies in old age, Arwen remains to see to the smooth adjustment in Gondor. Galadriel was Arwen's Grandmother and loved Arwen and appreciated her love for Aragorn. So she arranged, before leaving for Valinor, a plan with Arwen, to save her from the millennia of loneliness an elf widow might have to suffer who married a mortal of normally shorter life expectancy. Arwen followed Galadriel's plan, put all things in good order in Gondor, then made the pilgrimage to the remnants of Lorien Wood. Placing herself on the magical beir prepared by Galadriel for her, Arwen's spirit was taken to Valinor with the others. The Fellowship of the Ring and its Gods and Movers earned Valinor with their brave deeds and true hearts! Middle Earth never again fell under the spell of such Dark Powers and paths to Evolution go on well, though not always smoothly, till this day. And so the story has no end, and a search for the tales of those who followed might be as rewarding as the stories of the Gods and heroes who came Before the Trilogy of the Rings. Afterword: If you enjoyed the story synopsis, of "The Lord of the Rings", you might enjoy reading the books available everywhere, and there are also audio-taped versions of the trilogy available, in the meantime. And VHS and DVD... Links at the foot of this page might also be of interest. I hope you enjoyed this synopsis as much as I did reliving the heartening adventure in the writing of it.....elle |