The Lord of the Rings

by J. R. R. Tolkien

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Book 2 Summary

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The Fellowship of the Ring: Book 2
The hobbits and Aragorn arrive in Rivendell with the Ringwraiths in pursuit. There, a council comprising men, elves, dwarves, and hobbits convenes. They conclude that the Ring is too perilous to wield or conceal; it must be destroyed. Frodo volunteers to carry the Ring and annihilate it in the fire where it was forged. Accompanying him are Gandalf, Aragorn, and Boromir, son of the Steward of Gondor, representing mankind; Legolas, son of Mirkwood's Elf-king, for the elves; Gimli, son of Gloin of the Lonely Mountain, for the dwarves; and Sam, Merry, and Pippin for the hobbits. Gandalf leads the group until their attempt to cross the mountains is blocked, forcing them to journey underground through the mines of Moria. There, Gandalf falls in battle to a malevolent creature from the earth's depths. Aragorn then assumes leadership, guiding them to the elven kingdom of Lórien. In Lórien, Queen Galadriel tests their resolve, bestows gifts upon each member, and sends them down the river Anduin to the Rauros falls. At Rauros falls, they face a critical decision: whether to turn east toward Sauron's domain or accompany Boromir to aid Minas Tirith, Gondor's capital. They also become aware that Gollum is trailing them. When it becomes evident that Frodo will persist in the seemingly hopeless mission to destroy the Ring, Boromir attempts to seize it. Horrified by the Ring's influence, Frodo departs from the group. Sam insists on joining him. Meanwhile, Orcs from Mordor and from the rogue wizard Saruman attack as the others search for Frodo and Sam. Boromir dies heroically, trying to protect Merry and Pippin from the Orcs who have orders to capture hobbits.

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