FOTR/ TP10-What was lost is found

From Create Your Own Story

The Fellowship of the Ring

In a tower in the forest there lived a Wizard. Well, not really a Wizard - although that is what most people called him. Gandalf the Grey was a actually an Istari, one of the five Maiar spirits in human form that were sent to Middle-earth to oppose Sauron. Also known as The Lord of the Rings, Sauron was a fallen Maia who sought to conquer the world through death and destruction. It was Gandalf's mission to rally the free peoples of Middle-Earth (elves, dwarves, men, and hobbits) against him.

Gandalf appeared as an old, gray-haired man who required a staff to walk - but as an Istari, he wielded demi-god like power and a magic ring. The ring was called Narya, the ring of power, and it allowed him to rally and influence leaders of men and elves.

Gandalf did not actually live in the tower - but he had been a guest in Thranduil's halls for some time. The Elven King was holding an important prisoner, whom Gandalf and his friend Aragorn had been interrogating. Aragorn was one of the last Numenorian men, and the rightful heir to the Kingdom of Gondor. Gandalf had recruited Aragorn in 2956, when he was only 25 years old.

Gandalf and Aragorn had long suspected that the dark lord Sauron was growing in strength. Aragorn had captured Gollum, a pitiful but dangerous creature, in the nearby marshes. After interrogating him, they realized that Sauron was once again seeking the Ring. Sauron had also recently captured Gollum, and realized that the former hobbit had owned the One Ring (calling it his "Precious") for hundreds of years. Sauron tortured Gollum, and learned two names from him: "Baggins" and "Shire." When he realized he could learn no more, he released Gollum - not out of pity, but in hopes that he would also find the ring (with Sauron's spies and agents watching his every move).

Gandalf knew that if Sauron found the One Ring, his power would be unstoppable - and he would cover the world in death and darkness. He remembered the magic ring that his little friend Bilbo had found in Moria years ago, and begrudgingly left to his nephew Frodo just 17 years earlier. Gandalf now feared that it may be the One Ring that Sauron had forged, lost, and was looking for. He immediately traveled back to The Shire, to confirm his suspicion - one way or the other. Upon arriving at Bag-End, Gandalf had Frodo place the ring in the hot fireplace - which, instead of melting (as any other golden ring world), simply revealed the Black Tongue script. The appearance of that script proved that it was the One Ring to rule them all. Instantly, Gandalf's worst fear came true - the most powerful weapon in the world was in the Shire, and he was the only being in Middle-earth who knew it.

Gandalf considered his options. He knew the ring stored most of Sauron's power, and destroying it would end his enemy for good. That was literally what he was placed in Middle-earth to do - but he was to do it indirectly, by providing advice and support. The problem is, there is only one way to destroy such an artifact - and it was virtually impossible. Someone would have to get the ring to Mount Doom, and throw it into the lava. Mount Doom was in the middle of Mordor, which was literally the most barren and dangerous place in Middle-earth - surrounded by impassible mountains and protected by the well-guarded Black Gate. Disregarding that insurmountable challenge, how could he even transport the ring to Mordor? If he carried it, the temptation to wield it would quickly become too great. One thought gave him hope - he had noticed that the ring had barely impacted Bilbo, who had used it here and there for dozens of years. As another weak but resilient hobbit, perhaps Frodo could carry it the ring for a while - without doing too much damage to the little fellow. It would certainly have some impact - the One Ring stored an unspeakable amount of evil, after all. It seemed dangerous and foolish, but maybe he and Frodo could get the ring at least to Rivendell - then Gandalf and Elrond, the king of that Elven realm, could help devise and execute a plan to destroy it.

But maybe he should wield the Ring? He was already a powerful spirit, so the magnifying effect of the ring would increase his abilities to an unimaginable degree. On his finger, the ring would instantly place the Ringwraiths under his control - as well as every other being wearing a ring of power at the time (which could include incredibly powerful eleven lords and dwarven kings). He would become invincible in battle - and most mortal beings would flee from him in terror. The effect on Narnia would be multiplied, so that instead of simply inspiring others, he would be able to control the minds of anyone - even the most powerful men and elves. He could use this power to raise an enormous army - one that would feel no fear as it attacked Mordor. He would easily breach the Black Gate, climb mount doom, and... would he be able to destroy the Ring?

He new any travel would be treacherous. The Shire is so far from Mordor, it would take months for the Ringwraiths to find it. He could summon the Ents and the Rangers. They could put up a strong defense - for a while. Eventually, they would have to leave the Shire with the Ring - but where else could they go? Perhaps Cirdan the Shipwright would allow the ring to be transported to the undying lands - the one place Sauron and his forces could never reach? That would doom the mortal men to years of war with Sauron's forces - a war that they may not survive. Sauron would never stop searching for the ring, even if he had to destroy every dwelling and kill every elf, dwarf, and man in Middle-earth. Also, would Cirdan allow passage?

He was so unsure. His decision in this moment would have far-reaching implications - was even equipped to make it? Perhaps he should do nothing, and quickly seek out other council. No one else knew the Ring was here - it would be safe for a while longer. The more he thought about it, he probably had weeks - maybe even months. How long would the ring be safe in the Shire if he left it under care of the Rangers? Perhaps he could seek out the advice of Sauruman, or even the entire White Council. Or he could prepare the men of Rohan and Gondor for war. Maybe the elven Lords would have ideas that he has not thought of. These were all fine reasons to leave the ring in the Shire for a while.

Decision

Which choice should Gandalf make? As will always be the case, the first choice listed is Tolkien's Path.

• Gandalf should get the ring out of the Shire. He and Frodo can carefully devise a plan to slip away without drawing too much attention.

• Gandalf can't make the poor hobbit carry the ring on a treacherous journey. Instead, they will fortify and defend the Shire.

• Gandalf will leave the Ring in the Shire. It will be safe there a while longer - but instead of staying to plan, he will seek the counsel of others.

• Gandalf will place the ring on his finger, and feel it's power magnify his own - making him an unstoppable force for good.