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The Lord of the Rings

The Fellowship of the Ring

The Nine Walkers

Nine Walkers set out from Rivendell and are broken apart above the Falls of Rauros two months later

Distance
630 miles · 1,014 km
days
62
Places
10
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The Fellowship of the Ring on the map of Middle-earth

The Fellowship covered roughly 700 miles in 62 days, from Rivendell on December 25, TA 3018 to Amon Hen on February 26, TA 3019, including a month resting in Lothlorien.

Elrond chose nine companions to match the nine Riders: Gandalf, Aragorn, Boromir, Legolas, Gimli, and the four hobbits. They left Rivendell on the evening of December 25, TA 3018 with no fixed plan beyond going south and keeping the Ring hidden for as long as possible.

The first stage follows the western foot of the Misty Mountains for about 300 miles, through the empty holly country of Eregion where the Rings of Power were made. Crebain spy on them, so they move by night. At the Redhorn Gate on January 11 they are turned back by a storm that is clearly more than weather, and Gandalf accepts the road he has been avoiding.

Moria takes about two days. Gandalf works out the password at the Doors of Durin only after the Watcher in the Water has nearly taken Frodo, and the doors are broken behind them. Inside they find Balin's tomb, are ambushed in the Chamber of Mazarbul, and are driven to the Bridge of Khazad-dum, where Gandalf faces the Balrog and falls with it into the abyss. They come out into the Dimrill Dale on January 15 with Aragorn leading and Frodo and Sam both quietly wounded.

Lothlorien restores them. They stay a month in Caras Galadhon, are given cloaks, boats and rope, and Galadriel refuses the Ring when Frodo offers it. They leave on February 16 and drift down the Anduin for nine days, past the Brown Lands and between the Argonath, to camp at Parth Galen below Amon Hen.

The breaking comes on February 26. Boromir tries to take the Ring, Frodo puts it on and runs, and an orc raid hits the camp while the company is scattered looking for him. Boromir is killed defending Merry and Pippin, who are carried off toward Isengard. Frodo and Sam cross to the eastern shore alone, and the three remaining hunters go after the captives. From here the story runs as three separate journeys.

Frequently asked questions

What route did the Fellowship take from Rivendell?

South along the west side of the Misty Mountains through Eregion, an attempt on the Redhorn Pass under Caradhras, then through Moria, out at the Dimrill Dale, into Lothlorien, and down the Anduin to Amon Hen.

How long was the Fellowship together?

62 days. They left Rivendell on December 25, TA 3018 and broke apart at Amon Hen on February 26, TA 3019.

Where did the Fellowship break up?

At Parth Galen below Amon Hen, on the western shore above the Falls of Rauros, after Boromir tried to take the Ring and orcs attacked the camp.

Route, stop by stop

  1. 01 · TA 3018, December 25

    Rivendell

    The Company of the Ring sets out at dusk, sworn to no oath but their own will. Bilbo gives Frodo the mithril coat and Sting, and Elrond's scouts have reported the Nazgul unhorsed but not destroyed.

  2. 02 · TA 3019, January 8 to 11

    Eregion

    They pass through the holly country where Celebrimbor's smiths made the Rings of Power. Black crebain out of Dunland sweep overhead, so the company travels by night and hides by day.

  3. 03 · TA 3019, January 11 to 12

    Caradhras

    Snow, stones and a voice on the wind stop them high on the Redhorn Pass. Boromir and Aragorn plough a path back down, and at the foot of the mountain wargs attack in the night.

  4. 04 · TA 3019, January 13

    Doors of Durin

    Gandalf finds the west gate of Moria by starlight and remembers too late that the password is simply the word for friend. The Watcher in the Water seizes Frodo, and the doors are torn down behind them.

  5. 05 · TA 3019, January 13 to 15

    Moria

    About two days in the dark. They read the Book of Mazarbul at Balin's tomb, fight off orcs and a cave-troll, and at the Bridge of Khazad-dum Gandalf breaks the bridge and falls with the Balrog into the deep.

  6. 06 · TA 3019, January 15

    Dimrill Dale

    They come out of the East-gate into daylight and grief. Gimli shows Frodo the dark water of Mirrormere, and Aragorn takes command and pushes them on toward Lothlorien before nightfall.

  7. 07 · TA 3019, January 15 to February 16

    Lothlórien

    A month in the Golden Wood under Celeborn and Galadriel. Frodo and Sam look into the Mirror, Galadriel refuses the Ring, and the company is given elven-cloaks, lembas, rope and three boats.

  8. 08 · TA 3019, February 16 to 25

    Anduin

    Nine days on the Great River, past the Brown Lands and the mouth of the Limlight. Gollum follows on a log at night, and on February 23 a winged Nazgul passes over in the dark before Legolas shoots it down.

  9. 09 · TA 3019, February 25

    Argonath

    The boats run between the Pillars of the Kings, the vast carved figures of Isildur and Anarion with hands raised in warning. They camp that night at Parth Galen below Amon Hen.

  10. 10 · TA 3019, February 26

    Amon Hen

    Frodo goes apart to decide and Boromir follows him. After the Ring is nearly taken, orcs of Isengard storm the camp: Boromir dies defending Merry and Pippin, the hobbits are carried off, and the Fellowship is broken.