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Full Cast
Biographies ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Three Rings for the Elven-kings under
the sky,
Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die, One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne In The One ring to rule them all, One Ring to
find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the
darkness bind them In the From “The Lord of the Rings” Click on the characters’
names below to read their full biographies.
Hobbits
Frodo Baggins
Frodo Baggins was born on September 22nd, TA 2968, to Drogo and Primula
Baggins. When his parents drowned while boating on the Brandywine River,
Frodo's older cousin Bilbo took him in. Bilbo left Frodo the One Ring, and Frodo took it upon himself to take the Ring to the Elvish city of Rivendell, where the fate of the Ring would be decided. Frodo was followed by the Ringwraiths, servants of Sauron, and was stabbed by their leader on the hill of Weathertop. Frodo was rescued by the Elf Glorfindel (or Arwen, in the movie), and finally came to Rivendell, where he was healed by Lord Elrond Halfelven. At the Council of Elrond, Frodo bravely volunteered to destroy the
Ring in the fires of Mount Doom. After Boromir tried to take the Ring by
force, Frodo fled the Fellowship, accompanied only by his faithful gardener,
Sam. The creature Gollum, who had once borne the Ring, tracked Frodo through
the treacherous rocks of the Emyn Muil, but Frodo was able to tame Gollum so
that Gollum would lead them through the Dead Marshes. Gollum led the hobbits faithfully until they came to Cirith Ungol,
the Pass of the Spider. There he betrayed them to the giant spider Shelob,
who temporarily paralyzed Frodo. Sam rescued Frodo from the orcs who had
captured him, and continued to accompany him to Mount Doom. When they got
there, Frodo claimed the ring for himself, but Gollum, who had followed them
all the way, bit off Frodo's finger that had the Ring on it and [Gollum]
accidentally fell into the fire. Frodo played a major part in the Battle of Bywater in Hobbiton, but
since his part was mainly to stop the hobbits from killing those who had
joined Sharkey's men, he was not as noteworthy among the hobbits as Sam,
Merry, and Pippin. After the War of the Ring, Frodo passed over the sea to
the Grey Havens. Frodo was 50 years old when he left the Shire. His name may
mean "Peaceful" in Old English. In the movies, he is played by the
talented Elijah Wood. Samwise Gamgee
Samwise Gamgee was born in TA 2980 to Hamfast and Bell Gamgee. He was
the youngest of 6 children, and followed in his father's footsteps as
gardener to Bilbo and Frodo Baggins. Sam was caught eavesdropping on Gandalf and Frodo's conversation
about the Ring, and was chosen to be Frodo's companion during the quest to
destory the Ring. Later, at the Council of Elrond, Elrond chose Sam to be a
member of the Fellowship of the Ring. Sam may have saved the quest, according to some. He rescued Frodo
from Shelob and the orcs of Cirith Ungol, and supported Frodo all the way to
Mount Doom, though Frodo would have given up if he had been by himself. Sam fought in the Battle of Bywater and married Rosie Cotton, his
longtime sweetheart. Before Frodo passed over the sea, he gave Bag End to
Sam. Sam was elected mayor of the Shire seven times and had 13 kids,
including Elanor the Fair (handmaiden to Queen Arwen), Frodo Gardener, and
Goldilocks, who married Faramir, son of Peregrin Took. After Rosie died, Sam went over the sea, the last of the
Ring-bearers. Sam's name in Hobbitish, Banazir, meant Half-wise, or Half-wit.
Samwis means Half-wit in Old English. Sam was 38 years old when he left the
Shire with Frodo. In the movies, Sam is played by Sean Astin. Meriadoc “Merry”
Brandybuck
Meriadoc Brandybuck (known as Merry) was born in TA 2982 to Saradoc
"Scattergold" and Esmeralda Brandybuck. He was Frodo's first cousin
once removed, and Pippin's first cousin. Merry arranged for Frodo's move to
Crickhollow, and was among the conspirators who eavesdropped to learn about
the Ring. (See the entry on Pippin for how Merry met up with Frodo in the
movie.) Merry, along with Pippin, was captured by the Uruk-hai, but he
managed to escape, thanks to Pippin cutting his bonds with the knife of a
dead orc. The hobbits both escaped into Fangorn Forest (see preceding entry).
After Pippin and Gandalf rode off to Minas Tirith, Merry offered his sword to
King Theoden and became the king's esquire. Merry disobeyed Theoden's command
to stay in Rohan, and rode along with the king's company to Minas Tirith,
hitching a ride with the rider "Dernhelm", who was really Éowyn in
disguise. Merry fought in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, where he assisted
Éowyn in destroying the Witch-king. There he fell under the deadly Black
Breath of the Witch-king, and was healed by Aragorn. After the War of the
Ring, he returned to the Shire and fought as one of the commanders in the
Battle of Bywater. He married Estella Bolger, sister of Fredegar "Fatty"
Bolger. Merry's Hobbitish name was Kalimac, which meant "Jolly [or
Merry]". Merry was 36 years old when Frodo left the Shire. In the
movies, Merry is played by Dominic Monaghan. Pippin
Peregrin Took (nicknamed Pippin, or Pip) was born to Paladin II and
Eglantine Took in TA 2990. He was Frodo's second cousin once removed. In the
book FotR, Pippin accompanied Frodo to the house at Crickhollow, and there
Frodo discovered that Pippin, Merry, and Sam, had known about the Ring all
along, and planned to travel with him to Rivendell and beyond. In the movie
FotR, Pippin and Merry were stealing cabbages and carrots from Farmer Maggot,
and ran into Frodo and Sam. Pippin was appointed a member of the Fellowship
at Rivendell, after insisting that he would follow the Fellowship no matter
what. Pippin was captured by the Uruk-hai orc hybrids of Saruman, in spite of
Boromir trying to defend him, but managed to free himself and Merry while the
orcs were distracted by the sudden arrival of the Riders of Rohan. Pippin and Merry fled into Fangorn Forest, where they met Treebeard,
an Ent, and roused the Ents into storming Saruman's fortress of Isengard.
Pippin rejoined Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and Gandalf at Isengard, where he
and Merry were acting as door-wardens. He was present during Saruman's last
attempt to persuade Gandalf and Theoden that he had done no evil. When Grima
cast down the palantir of Orthanc, aiming for Gandalf's head, Pippin was the
one to retreive the stone. He foolishly looked into it later and revealed
himself to Sauron. Gandalf rode with him to Minas Tirith, where Pippin gave his sword to
Denethor and became a knight of Gondor. He helped save Faramir's life and
fought in the Last Battle before the gates of Mordor, where he slew a great
troll. After the War of the Ring, he returned to the Shire, where he and
Merry led the hobbits in the Battle of Bywater. He married Diamond of Long
Cleeve, and had one son, Faramir Took. Pippin was a Took, a family of hobbits known for going off on
adventures, unlike most hobbits. He was known for always being hungry. Pippin
was 28 years old when Frodo left the Shire. In the movies, Pippin is played
by Billy Boyd. Bilbo
Bilbo Baggins was born on September 22nd, TA 2890, to Bungo and
Belladonna Baggins. When he was 50 years old, Gandalf the wizard visited him
and convinced him to travel with a company of dwarves as their burglar. On
that journey, Bilbo was separated from Gandalf and the dwarves and
encountered the creature Gollum. Bilbo played a riddle-game with Gollum, on the conditions that if
Bilbo won, then Gollum must show Bilbo the way out of the caves, and if
Gollum won, then he would eat Bilbo. Bilbo won, but Gollum did not keep his
bargain. Bilbo sensed that Gollum was not being truthful and tried to run
away, but he tripped and as he fell, the Ring that he had found in the caves
managed to slip on his finger, and Gollum passed by him, since the Ring made
Bilbo invisible. Bilbo returned home from his adventures with many riches. He adopted
Frodo, his younger cousin (although Bilbo is sometimes called Frodo's uncle,
this is not technically correct). Bilbo held a great party in honor of his
111th birthday and Frodo's 33rd, where he gave his farwell speech, put on the
Ring, and was never seen in the Shire by any hobbit ever again. Gandalf convinced him to leave the Ring to Frodo, and Bilbo set out
for Rivendell, where he lived in peace for many years. After the War of the
Ring, Bilbo passed over the sea along with Frodo. Bilbo lived to be the
oldest hobbit ever, passing over the sea at age 131. End mini-spoiler. Bilbo
was 128 years old when Frodo left the Shire. In the movies, he is played by
Sir Ian Holm. Elves
Arwen
Arwen Undomiel was born in TA 241 to Lord Elrond Halfelven and Lady
Celebrian. She lived in peace in Rivendell and Lothlorien for many years, but
she met Aragorn in the woods of Rivendell and her doom was set. The Elves are immortal, but by marrying mortals, they choose to give
up their immortality. Arwen had the choice before her: whether to stay in
Middle-earth and marry Aragorn, foresaking her immortality, or to follow her
father across the sea to the Undying Lands, where she could live in happiness
away from the sorrows of Men. Arwen chose to marry Aragorn, and live a mortal life. On Midyear's
Day, TA 3019, she married Aragorn and became Queen of Gondor. She had one
son, Eldarion (meaning "Of the Elves"), and a number of daughters.
Aragorn died in TA 3141 (FO 120) on March 1st, and Arwen died the next
winter. Arwen was noted for her dark beauty, which was said to resemble that
of her foremother, Luthien Tinuviel. Arwen means "Royal/Noble
Maiden" and Undomiel means "Evening star (or evenstar)",
although it has been translated as "Twilight daughter". Arwen was
2777 years old when Frodo left the Shire. In the movies, she is played by Liv
Tyler. Celeborn
Celeborn was a kinsman of Thingol (father of Luthien Tinuviel). He
married Galadriel, and they had one daughter, Celebrian, who married Lord
Elrond. Celeborn and Galadriel lived in the forest of Lothlorien, in the city
of Caras Galadhon "City of Trees". After Galadriel left Middle-earth for the Undying Lands, Celeborn
lingered behind for some time, but may have eventually grown bored and
followed his wife to Valinor. Celeborn is described as being very tall and
having silver hair. He is called Celeborn the Wise, but does not seem as intelligent as
Galadriel. Celeborn means "Silver-tall", and is pronounced
"Keleborn", not "Seleborn". In the movies, he is played
by Martin Csokas. Elrond
Elrond was born c. FA 543 to Earendil the Mariner and Elwing,
granddaughter of Beren and Luthien. Elrond was given the choice of the
half-elven, which is to become a mortal human, or an immortal elf. Elrond
chose to become an elf, and became a wise and powerful lord. His twin
brother, Elros (meaning "Star-foam") chose to become human. In the Last Alliance of Elves and Men against Sauron, Elrond was the herald
for Gil-galad the Elven-king. In TA 100 Elrond married Celebrian, daughter of
Celeborn and Galadriel. His children were Elrohir (meaning
"Elf-horse-lord"), Elladan (meaning "Elf-man", and Arwen
(meaning "Royal maiden"). Elrond presides over the Council at Rivendell, and appointed the nine
members of the Fellowship. After the War of the Ring, Elrond passed over the
sea. It was then revealed that he was the bearer of Vilya, the Ring of
Sapphire. Elrond means "Star-dome"; dome as in heavens. He is called
"Elrond Half-elven" at times, but he is, in truth, 5/8 Elven and
3/8 Human. He was about 6500 years old when Frodo left the Shire. In the
movies, Elrond is played by Hugo Weaving. Galadriel
Galadriel was the daughter of Finarfin and Earwen. She married Lord
Celeborn, and they had one daughter, Celebrian. After the fellowship lost Gandalf in Moria, they came to Lothlorien
where Galadriel and Celeborn welcomed them.Galadriel showed Frodo (and Sam,
in the book) visions of the future in her mirror and gave each member of the
fellowship a gift. Each member also received a grey elven-cloak and a brooch
shaped like a green leaf with silver veins. Galadriel passed over the sea after the War of the Ring. It was then
revealed that she was the bearer of Nenya, the Ring of Adamant. Galadriel means "Lady of Light", although when spelled
"Galadhriel", it means "Tree-lady". Her Quenya name,
Altariel, means "Maiden crowned with a radiant garland". That name
referred to her golden hair, which was said to capture the radiance of the
tree Laurelin. In the movies, Galadriel is played by Cate Blanchett. Haldir
Haldir was an elf who lived in the woods of Lothlorien, where he was
a scout on the borders, along with his brothers, Rumil and Orophin. When the
Fellowship came to Lothlorien, Haldir protected them against the Orcs of
Moria, and led them to Caras Galadhon. Haldir is never mentioned again after
FotR the book. In TTT the movie, it's a different story. Haldir begged for
permission from Galadriel and Celeborn to lead an army of elves to Helm's
Deep. All of the Elves were killed, including Haldir. In the movies, Haldir
is played by Craig Parker. Legolas
Legolas was born in TA 87 (if Orlando Bloom is correct) to Thranduil,
king of the Elves of Mirkwood Forest (Thranduil is the Elven-king in The
Hobbit). King Thranduil sent Legolas to Rivendell to tell the Council that
the creature Gollum, whom the Elves had kept in captivity for long years, had
escaped. Legolas was chosen to represent the Elves in the Fellowship, and
disliked Gimli the Dwarf from the very beginning. After Gandalf fell in
Moria, and the Fellowship stayed in Lothlorien for a time, Legolas' attitude
toward Gimli changed remarkably, and they became the best of friends. Legolas
chose to follow Aragorn in his quest to rescue Merry and Pippin. He fought at Helm's Deep, and was one of the Grey Company that
traveled through the Paths of the Dead. He also fought in the Battle of the
Pelennor Fields, and the Last Battle before the Gates of Mordor. After the War of the Ring, Legolas passed over the sea to the Undying
Lands and took Gimli with him. Legolas had great skill with a bow and arrow,
and with the taming of horses. His name means "Greenleaf", and he is sometimes known as
Legolas Greenleaf. He was 2931 years old when Frodo left the Shire. In the
movies, Legolas is played by Orlando Bloom. Humans
Aragorn
Aragorn was born in TA 2931 to Arathorn and Gilraen. Heir of Isildur
through thirty-nine generations, after the death of his father, he was taken
to Rivendell where he was raised by Lord Elrond. Aragorn met and instantly
fell in love with Arwen when he was twenty years old, but Elrond would not
permit a wedding until he had reclaimed his throne. He led the Fellowship after Gandalf's fall into Moria as far as Parth
Galen. Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas then turned toward Isengard in pursuit of
the band of orcs that had captured Merry and Pippin. After meeting up with
Gandalf again, seeing the destruction of Isengard, and finding Merry and
Pippin safe, Aragorn then made for the Paths of the Dead because of what he
saw in the Palantir. Once he emerged from the Paths of the Dead, he arrived in Gondor with
a large army of men, and turned the tide of the battle of the Pellennor
Fields. Soon after, He was Captain of the Army of the West, which rode forth
to challenge Sauron. After the War of the Ring, Aragorn was crowned king of the reunited
kingdom, and wed Arwen Evenstar. During his reign, he restored peace to the
land, and extended its borders. In the movies, he’s played by Viggo
Mortensen. Boromir
Boromir was born in TA 2978 to Denethor and Finduilas. Denethor was
of the line of stewards, who were instated when the last king of Gondor
disappeared, leaving no heir. Boromir and his brother, Faramir, both had a
dream about the fate of Minas Tirith. In the dream they were told to seek for
"Imladris", or Rivendell in the common tongue. Denethor chose Boromir to seek for Rivendell, and when Boromir
arrived there after a long journey, he was chosen to represent the race of
Men in the Fellowship, along with Aragorn. Boromir never truly understood
that the Ring could only be used for evil purposes, nor did he acknowledge
Aragorn as heir to the throne of Gondor until the very end of his life. Boromir pleaded with Frodo to lend him the Ring, and when Frodo would
not, Boromir tried to take it by force. Frodo put on the Ring and
disappeared, leaving Boromir to realize what he had said and done. Boromir
redeemed himself by trying to defend the hobbits Merry and Pippin, but the
Uruk-hai were too many, and Boromir was pierced by many arrows. Merry and Pippin were captured, and Boromir died after telling
Aragorn that he had tried to take the Ring from Frodo, and that the orcs had
taken the little ones. End Spoiler. Boromir means "Jeweled hand".
He was 40 years old when Frodo left the Shire. In the movies, Boromir is
played by Sean Bean. Denethor
Denethor was born in TA 2930 to Ecthelion, Steward of Gondor. When
Denethor was a young man, there was a captain in Ecthelion's army called
Thorongil, "Eagle of the Star". He was called that because he wore
a silver star upon his cloak and had eyes keen as an eagle's. Ecthelion
favored this captain greatly, and although Thorongil himself did not vie with
Denethor for Ecthelion's favor, Denethor nonetheless became jealous. He
guessed rightly that this captain was, in truth, Aragorn. Thorongil was a
friend of Gandalf the Grey, and counselled Ecthelion to welcome him, but
Denethor suspected that Gandalf was in league with Thorongil and planned to
supplant him.These beliefs led to a less than warm welcome for Gandalf after
Denethor became steward. Denethor married Finduilas of Dol Amroth in TA 2976, and she bore him
two sons, Boromir and Faramir. Finduilas died five years after Faramir was
born. Denethor favored his elder son, Boromir, who was like his father in
spirit and personality, but not in looks. Faramir looked like his father, but
became enamored of Gandalf, which caused Denethor to hate the wizard even
more. Denethor was devastated when he heard the news that Boromir, whom he
had sent to seek for Imladris, had been killed. Denethor looked into the
palantir of Minas Tirith, believing that he had strength enough, and thus
became ensnared by Sauron. Sauron showed him visions only of the might of the
armies of Mordor, and Denethor became convinced that the war was hopeless. After Faramir was seriously wounded, Denethor ordered his servants to
carry Faramir to the Tombs, where all his ancestors were buried. There
Denethor wished to kill both himself and his son, rather than face the
seemingly inevitable defeat in battle. Faramir was saved by the loyalty of
his soldier Beregond, but Denethor killed himself. Denethor was 88 years old
when Frodo left the Shire. In The Return of the King, he is played by John
Noble. Eomer
Éomer was born in TA 2991 to Éomund, chief Marshal of the Mark, and
Théodwyn, sister of Théoden. His father died when he was only 11 years old,
and his mother died of grief soon afterwards. He and his younger sister,
Éowyn, were taken in by their uncle, King Théoden, who raised them as his own
children. Théoden's conniving counsellor, Grima, always hated Éomer, who
entreated Théoden to let him fight the orcs of Saruman, who were destroying
the lands of Rohan. In the year 3019, Éomer had news of a band of Uruk-hai who were
travelling across Rohan unchecked. He disregarded Grima's orders to stay in
Edoras, and rode out with his éored to fight the Uruks. He defeated them in
battle, and, on the way back to Edoras, met Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli, who
were searching for their captive hobbit friends. Éomer told them the Uruks
were destroyed, and that his riders had left none alive. He lent them two
horses, Hasufel and Arod, and bid them to come to Edoras and return the
horses when they were finished looking for the hobbits. In the movie, the only change is that Grima banished Éomer, and that
on his way out of Rohan, Éomer met and fought the Uruks. Eomer fought along
side Aragorn at the battle of Helm's Deep (although in the movie he came to
Helm's Deep at dawn with Gandalf). He rode along with his king to the Battle
of the Pelennor Fields. Before Théoden died, he named Éomer as the new King of Rohan. Éomer
was present at the Last Debate, and fought in the Last Battle before the
Gates of Mordor. After the War of the Ring, Éomer married Lothiriel (meaning
"Blossom maiden"), daughter of Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth. Éomer
was 27 years old when Frodo left the Shire. His name means "One who is
famous in terms of horses" in Old English. He is described as being very
tall with flowing golden hair, and wearing a helmet with a long white
horse-tail plume. In the movies, Éomer is played by Karl Urban. Eowyn
Éowyn was born in TA 2995 to Éomund, chief Marshal of the Mark, and Théodwyn,
sister of Théoden King. Éomund died when Éowyn was only 7 years old, and
Théodwyn died of grief soon afterwards. King Théoden took in Éowyn and her
older brother, Éomer, but Théoden's evil counsellor, Grima Wormtongue,
weakened the King and Éowyn was forced to take care of herself. She could
ride and fight as well as any man, but the women of Rohan did not go to
battles. Éowyn captivated Grima, but she saw him only as a snake with
poisonous words. In TA 3019, when Lord Aragorn rode to the capitol of Rohan,
Edoras, Éowyn fell in love with him. Aragorn was already betrothed to Arwen,
and he saw that Éowyn loved only the shadow of his greatness. She desired to
be queen, and since Aragorn was the heir of kings, she wanted to marry him. When Aragorn took the Paths of the Dead and refused to let Éowyn ride
with his company, Éowyn disguised herself as a Rider of the Mark and rode
with the company of Theoden King to Minas Tirith. She took Merry the hobbit
along with her, though he knew not that she was Éowyn (although he realizes
who she is in the movie). At the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, Éowyn stood by Théoden when all
his guards had fled in terror, and she slew the Witch-king with Merry's help.
While fighting the Witch-king, she had fallen under the Black Breath of the
Ringwraiths, and almost died, but Aragorn healed her with the help of the
plant athelas. After the War of the Ring, Éowyn stayed at the Houses of Healing
where Faramir remained. She then fell in love with Faramir and no longer
desired to be a queen. Faramir and Éowyn had at least one child, and their
grandson, Barahir, wrote "The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen". Éowyn is
described as being tall and slender, with hair like a river of gold. Her name
means "One who delights in horses" in Old English. Éowyn was 23
years old when Frodo left the Shire. In the movies, she is played by Miranda
Otto. Faramir
Faramir was born in TA 2983 to Denethor, Steward of Gondor, and
Finduilas of Dol Amroth. His mother died when he was but five years old.
Faramir looked very much like his father, Denethor, but was very different in
spirit and personality. Denethor favored his elder son Boromir, who resembled
him less but was more like him in manner. At an early age Faramir became enamored of Gandalf, although Denethor
had always disliked the Wizard. Faramir and Boromir had the same dream which
told them to seek for the sword that was broken. Faramir begged his father to
let him go, but Denethor refused and sent Boromir. After Boromir died, Faramir did the work of two. He was beloved by
his troops, who would follow him into death if need be. When Frodo and Sam
were traveling through Ithilien, Faramir happened to be stationed there,
along with other Rangers, as a defense against the evil Southron men who were
joining Sauron's forces. Faramir captured the hobbits, although Gollum was
not caught, and took them to Henneth Anun (the Window on the West). There he
learned that Frodo bore the One Ring. Faramir was tempted by the Ring for a moment, but his nobility
prevailed and he resisted the temptation. He warned the hobbits against
Gollum, whom he saw as an evil creature only waiting for a chance to betray
his master. The story is slightly changed in the movie. Faramir is extremely
tempted by the Ring, and takes the hobbits to the ruined city of Osgiliath,
where he thought to bring his father a "mighty gift" (the Ring). He
realized his mistake only after Sam prevented Frodo from giving the Ring to
the Nazgul. In RotK, Faramir held the Bridge of Osgiliath until his forces were
overrun, and then retreated towards Minas Tirith. He was followed by the
Ringwraiths and was riding under their deadly shadow until he was rescued by
Gandalf. He fought in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, where he was wounded
by a Southron arrow. That wound, combined with grief over his father's
semi-insanity, and the shadow of the Ringwraiths, caused him to fall into a
deep fever. He was healed by Aragorn. While in the Houses of Healing, Faramir met
and fell in love with Éowyn, whom he married after the War of the Ring.
Faramir and Éowyn had at least one child, and their grandson, Barahir, wrote
down "The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen". Faramir means "Jeweled
Hunter". He was 35 years old when Frodo left the Shire. In the movies,
Faramir is played by David Wenham. Grima
Grima was the son of Galmod, and was once a man of Rohan. He came
into the service of Saruman, and became counsellor to Theoden, King of Rohan.
Grima weakened Theoden with poisoned words, and convinced him that Eomer, the
King's nephew, and Gandalf the Grey were not to be trusted. Grima was
captivated by Éowyn, the king's niece. Grima's deal with Saruman may have
been that once all the men in Rohan were dead, he would have Éowyn for his
wife. Grima's plans started to fall apart as soon as Gandalf and the Three
Hunters camed to Edoras. Gandalf healed Theoden of Grima's bewitchments and
Theoden threw Grima out of Edoras (quite literally in the movie). Grima
returned to Saruman afterwards. After the War of the Ring, Treebeard let Saruman and Grima out of
Orthanc. By then, Grima had become Saruman's grovelling slave. He followed
Saruman to the Shire, but when Frodo, Sam, Pippin, and Merry returned and
defeated Saruman's (Sharkey's) men, something finally snapped in Grima and he
slit Saruman's throat. He tried to run away, but fell dead with several
hobbit arrows in his back. Grima means "Grim/cruel" in Old English.
In the movies, Grima is played by Brad Dourif. Théoden
Théoden was born in TA 2948 to Thengel, King of Rohan, and Morwen,
his Queen. Théoden married a woman named Elfhild, who bore him one son,
Théodred. Elfhild died in childbirth. Théoden had a sister, Théodwyn, who
married Éomund and had two children, Éomer and Éowyn. When Éomund and
Théodwyn died, Théoden took his niece and nephew in as his own children. Théoden had in his service a man named Grima, whom all but the king
called "Wormtongue". Grima Wormtongue was once a man of Rohan, but
was at the time in the service of Saruman. Grima became the King's
"counselor", but instead of counselling, he weakened Théoden to
premature old age, and nearly ruled the kingdom in Théoden's stead. Théoden's
son Théodred was killed while defending the ford of Isen against Saruman's
orcs. Gandalf healed Théoden by semi-exorcism, and advised him to stand up
to Saruman, lest Rohan fall entirely under his control. Théoden rode to
Helm's Deep, and after a long and stormy night of fighting, rode out for a
last stand along with Aragorn, Eomer (in the book), and many other Riders of
Rohan. They won the battle with the aid of Gandalf, Erkenbrand, and the
Huorns, and rode to Isengard to confront Saruman. There Théoden refused
Saruman's desperate entreaties to form an alliance. Théoden led his army to
Minas Tirith, where he fought in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. He killed the chieftain of the Southrons and struck down their
standard, but when the Witch-king of the Nazgul shot a poisoned dart at
Théoden's horse, Snowmane, and Snowmane fell over with Théoden under him.
Théoden lived long enough to proclaim Éomer the next king of Rohan, and to
release Merry from his service. Théoden was 70 years old when Frodo left the
Shire. His name means "Chieftain of a people/nation". In the
movies, Théoden is played by Bernard Hill. Others
Gandalf
Gandalf the Grey was one of the Istari, or wizards of Middle-earth.
He crossed paths with Thorin Oakenshield the Dwarf one day, who was about to
depart on a trip to the Lonely Mountain, where he hoped to reclaim the
treasure of his ancestors from Smaug the Dragon. He was in need of a burglar.
Gandalf suggested that Bilbo Baggins could do the job, and that was how the
events in The Hobbit started. Gandalf, after hearing Bilbo's falsehood about how he came upon the
Ring, started to suspect that the Ring was one of the Rings of power. After
Bilbo grew angry when Gandalf suggested that he leave the Ring to Frodo,
Gandalf suspected even more that this Ring was the One Ring to rule them all.
Gandalf finally learned that he had guessed correctly when he threw the Ring
into the fire of Bag End, and the Elf-runes set on the Ring were revealed. Gandalf immediately advised Frodo to leave the Shire very soon, and
he himself went to see Saruman the White, the most powerful of the wizards.
Saruman had secretly turned to evil ways, and grew angry at Gandalf's refusal
to tell him where the Ring was. Saruman imprisoned Gandalf on top of his
tower, Orthanc, where Gandalf was rescued by the eagle Gwaihir. Gandalf rode
to Rivendell, where he took part in the Council of Elrond and became the
leader of the Fellowship of the Ring. When the Fellowship tried to take the mountain pass of Caradhras,
they were blocked by heavy snows, and they had to take the route through the
Mines of Moria. There Gandalf fell into shadow while battling an evil spirit
of the ancient world--a Balrog. Gandalf killed the Balrog but passed into the
shadow-land, or, in other words, apparently died. But he was sent back as Gandalf the White to complete his task (i.e.,
defeat Sauron). He played a major role in the War of the Ring, but all of his
deeds cannot be told here. After the War, he passed over the sea. Gandalf
means "Elf of the Wand", refering to his long life and his staff,
and his Elvish name, Mithrandir, means "Grey Wanderer". In the
movies, Gandalf is played by Sir Ian McKellen. Saruman
Saruman the White was the chief of the Istari (wizards), and
considered to be the wisest of all. He was appointed to the head of the White
Council, though Galadriel would have rather had Gandalf as head. Saruman held
this against Galadriel and Gandalf, never truly trusting them both. Saruman
delved deep into the lore of the Rings of power, and all arts concerning
Sauron. He did not have evil intentions from the start, but as he gained more
and more knowledge about the arts of the enemy, he saw that he himself could
become a power, and have dominion over all others. He believed that Gandalf
knew something of the whereabouts of the One Ring, and this contributed to
his dislike of Gandalf. Saruman offered to guard the circle of Isengard for
the men of Gondor, and his offer was gratefully accepted. Saruman took up his
abode there, and looked into the palantir of Orthanc. He became ensnared by
Sauron, and, though he believed his ideas of breeding orcs and turning the
once majestic circle of Isengard into a poisonous slum were his own, his
ideas were only a child's mockery of the power of Mordor. Gandalf did not realize that Saruman had turned to evil, and rode to
him seeking counsel after learning that Frodo possessed the One Ring. Saruman
beseeched Gandalf to join with Sauron, as he had, but Gandalf refused, and
Saruman imprisoned him atop Orthanc. Gandalf was rescued by the eagle Gwaihir
the Windlord. Saruman's minion, Grima, was stationed in Rohan, where he was
the counsellor of King Theoden. After Gandalf returned from death, and healed Theoden of Grima's
poisonous words, Grima returned to Saruman. Saruman sent his orc-hybrids, the
Uruk-hai, to Helm's Deep, where Theoden and the defenders of Rohan had retreated.
Saruman's army was defeated, and some of the Rohirrim rode to Isengard, with
Gandalf at their head, to confront Saruman. Saruman tried to persuade them
that he had done no wrong, but Gandalf was not ensnared and, breaking
Saruman's staff, cast him out of the order of the Wizards. After the War of the Ring, Treebeard let Saruman out of Orthanc.
Saruman headed to the Shire, which he turned into a small version of
Isengard. After the Battle of Bywater, Frodo confronted Saruman, who tried to
stab Frodo. Frodo's hidden mithril coat turned the blow, and Saruman
continued on his way, since Frodo refused to let the hobbits kill him. Grima
finally turned upon his master and slit his throat, but in turn was killed by
hobbit archers. In the extended cut of RotK, an alternate ending for Saruman
is planned: he falls out of Orthanc and is skewered on a spiked wheel (he may
be pushed by Grima). Saruman is Old English for "Crafty Man". Saruman's Elvish
name, Curunir, means "Man of Skill". In the movies, Saruman is played
by Christopher Lee. Gimli
Gimli was born in TA 2879 to Gloin the Dwarf. Gimli traveled to
Rivendell with his father to seek council as to what should be done about the
servants of the Enemy who asked the Dwarves for news of Shire and Baggins. At
the council, Gimli already seemed to dislike Legolas. Elrond appointed him to
the Fellowship to represent Dwarves. In Moria, Gimli's joy at seeing the home of his forefathers quickly
turned to grief when he learned that Balin, his first cousin once removed,
was dead, and with him all of the Dwarves who had been establishing a colony
there. After Gandalf fell, Gimli formed an unlikely friendship with Legolas
that lasted all his life. While in Lothlorien, Gimli became quite enamored of Galadriel, queen
of the Elves. Gimli also accompanied Aragorn in the quest to rescue the
captured hobbits. He fought at the same battles that Aragorn and Legolas
fought at, and killed 42 orcs at Helm's Deep. After the War of the Ring, Gimli and his fellow dwarves reforged the
gates of Minas Tirith that the Witch-king had broken. Gimli sailed over the
sea with Legolas to the Undying Lands. Gimli was 131 years old when Frodo
left the Shire. In the movies, he is played by John Rhys-Davies. Treebeard
Treebeard was the oldest of the Ents, the great shepherds of trees.
In TA 3019, he came upon Merry and Pippin in Fangorn Forest, who had just
escaped from their orc captors. He thought at first that they themselves were
little orcs, but the hobbits managed to convince him that they were hobbits,
or halflings. Treebeard took them to his Ent-house, where they told him what
befallen the Fellowship. Treebeard became postively "hasty", as he
would call it, for over the years he had seen that Saruman no longer cared
about the forests, and had only a mind of metal and machinery. Treebeard called for an "Ent-moot", or gathering of Ents,
to discuss what should be done with the treacherous Saruman. Treebeard
succeeded in rousing the Ents to attack Saruman's fortress. They filled the
Ring of Isengard with the waters of the Isen, until it became a standing pool
and washed away the filth of Saruman. The Ents guarded Orthanc throughout the War of the Ring, but
Treebeard couldn't stand to see a living creature imprisoned, so he let
Saruman go, thinking that he could do no harm. In the movies, Treebeard's voice
is done by John Rhys-Davies, who also plays Gimli. Treebeard's Elvish name is
Fangorn, which translates in the Common Tongue to Treebeard. Gollum
Smeagol (Gollum's original name) was born around TA 2430. He was one
of the Stoors, a race of hobbits that, unlike most hobbits, lived near rivers
and knew something of boating, swimming, and fishing. One day, when Smeagol
and his cousin, Deagol, were fishing, Deagol happened to fall into the river,
and there, buried in the river mud, he found the One Ring. Smeagol desired
greatly to have the Ring, and when Deagol refused to give it to him, he
murdered Deagol. The Ring gave the bearer invisibility, and Smeagol used it to find
out secrets and spy on his kin. The Stoors grew to distrust him, and called
him "Gollum", because he made the gurgling noise Gollum in his
throat. Smeagol (now Gollum) left his kinsfolk and went to live in the caves
under the mountains, where he constantly talked to the Ring, calling it his
"precious". He lived there for nearly 500 years, until Bilbo Baggins, who was
lost in the caves, chanced upon the Ring, which Gollum had accidentally
dropped a few days ago. After playing and losing a riddle-game to Bilbo,
Gollum vowed to find the cursed Baggins who had stolen his precious. Gollum
searched long for Bilbo the "thief", but failed to find him, and
wandered to Mordor. There he was tortured until the folk of Mordor got two
words from him: "Shire" and "Baggins". Gollum escaped, or
was let loose, from Mordor in TA 3017. Aragorn the Ranger caught Gollum, and
brought him to Gandalf, who, after learning Gollum's story of the Ring and
the Baggins, entrusted him to the Wood-elves of Mirkwood to keep him under
guard. Gollum was eventually rescued by orcs, and continued to hunt for
Bilbo. After following the Fellowship of the Ring from Moria to the Great
River, Frodo and Sam finally caught Gollum in the Emyn Muil, and forced
Gollum to lead them through the Dead Marshes. Gollum did so faithfully, and
even led them to the Black Gate of Mordor. When Frodo decided there was no
possible way into Mordor through that Gate, Gollum led them toward Cirith
Ungol. On the way the hobbits were captured by Faramir, but Frodo begged
Faramir to spare Gollum's life, though Faramir distrusted him greatly. Gollum
continued to lead the hobbits to Cirith Ungol, where he finally betrayed them
to Shelob the Spider. Gollum continued to follow Sam and Frodo through
Mordor, and at the very fires of Mount Doom, Gollum bit off Frodo's finger
that had the Ring on it, but he stepped too close to the Crack of Doom, lost
his footing, and toppled in, destroying the Ring and himself. Smeagol means "burrowing, worming in". He was about 588
years old when Frodo left the Shire. In the movies, Gollum is voiced (and his
actions were used for motion capture) by Andy Serkis. Home Books Middle-Earth Movies Cast & Characters Gallery Fanart Links Awards Disclaimer: This is a non-profit site
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