The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien: A PDF Guide to the Final Book of The Lord of the Rings
The Return of the King Journey Book PDF
Introduction
If you are a fan of fantasy literature, you have probably heard of The Lord of the Rings, one of the most famous and influential works of fiction ever written. But have you read The Return of the King, the third and final volume in this epic saga?
The Return Of The King Journey Book Pdf
In this article, I will tell you what The Return of the King is about, why you should read it, and how you can get a free PDF copy of it. I will also summarize the main events and characters of this thrilling story, and discuss some of its themes and messages. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding and appreciation of The Return of the King and its place in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
What is The Return of the King?
The Return of the King is a fantasy novel by J.R.R. Tolkien, first published in 1955. It is the third and final part of The Lord of the Rings, which tells the story of a group of heroes who must destroy a powerful ring that threatens to enslave Middle-earth, a fictional world inspired by ancient mythology and medieval history.
The Return of the King consists of two books: Book V: The War of the Ring, and Book VI: The End of the Third Age. It follows the events that take place after The Two Towers, the second volume in The Lord of the Rings. It depicts the final battles between the forces of good and evil, and the fate of the ring-bearer Frodo Baggins and his faithful companion Sam Gamgee.
Why should you read it?
There are many reasons why you should read The Return of the King. Here are some of them:
It is a masterpiece of fantasy literature, with rich world-building, complex characters, poetic language, and profound themes.
It is an exciting adventure story, full of action, suspense, drama, humor, and romance.
It is a timeless classic, that has influenced many other writers and artists, and has been adapted into various media, such as movies, games, music, and comics.
It is a rewarding experience, that will make you feel a range of emotions, from joy to sorrow, from awe to fear, from hope to despair.
It is a free PDF book, that you can download from this link: [The Return of the King PDF](https://www.pdfdrive.com/the-return-of-the-king-e15847448.html)
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your copy of The Return of the King and join me in this journey through Middle-earth!
Summary of The Return of the King
In this section, I will give you a brief summary of the main events and characters that appear in The Return of the King. Beware of spoilers, though, if you haven't read the book yet!
Book V: The War of the Ring
Gandalf and Pippin in Minas Tirith
The book begins with Gandalf and Pippin, one of the hobbits, riding to Minas Tirith, the capital city of Gondor, a kingdom that is under threat from the dark lord Sauron and his army. They meet Denethor, the steward of Gondor, who is the father of Boromir and Faramir, two noble warriors who have helped the hobbits in their quest. Pippin swears allegiance to Denethor, out of gratitude for Boromir's sacrifice. Gandalf warns Denethor not to despair, but to trust in the return of the true king, Aragorn.
Aragorn's quest through the Paths of the Dead
Meanwhile, Aragorn, the heir of Isildur and the rightful king of Gondor, decides to take a perilous route to reach Minas Tirith in time. He leads a small group of his friends, including Legolas the elf, Gimli the dwarf, and some rangers from the north, through the Paths of the Dead, a haunted road where the spirits of an ancient people dwell. Aragorn summons these spirits to his aid, as they owe him a debt for breaking their oath to his ancestor. He then sails to Pelargir, a port city where he defeats a fleet of corsairs, pirates who serve Sauron. He takes their ships and sails up the river Anduin towards Minas Tirith.
The siege of Gondor and the battle of the Pelennor Fields
As Aragorn approaches Minas Tirith, the city is besieged by a huge army of orcs, trolls, men, and beasts sent by Sauron. Denethor sends Faramir to defend Osgiliath, a ruined city on the river bank, but he is wounded by a poisoned arrow from a Nazgûl, one of Sauron's most feared servants. Gandalf rescues Faramir and brings him back to the city, where Denethor falls into madness and despair. He tries to burn himself and his son alive on a pyre, but Gandalf and Pippin stop him. Denethor dies by his own hand.
The situation seems hopeless for Gondor, until the Rohirrim arrive. They are the horse-lords of Rohan, a neighboring kingdom that has allied with Gondor. Led by King Théoden and his nephew Éomer, they charge into the enemy ranks on the Pelennor Fields, a plain outside Minas Tirith. They are joined by Merry and Éowyn, Théoden's niece, who have disguised themselves as soldiers. They fight bravely against overwhelming odds, but Théoden is killed by the Witch-king of Angmar, the leader of the Nazgûl. Éowyn and Merry manage to slay him, but they are both gravely injured.
Just when all seems lost, Aragorn arrives with his fleet of ships. He reveals himself as the king of Gondor and rallies his men to fight. He is aided by the Dead Men of Dunharrow, who have fulfilled their oath and are released from their curse. Together with Gandalf and Éomer, they drive back Sauron's forces and win the battle.
The last debate and the march to Mordor
After the victory, Aragorn heals Faramir, Éowyn, and Merry in the Houses of Healing, a place where the wounded are cared for. He also meets with Gandalf, Éomer, and other leaders to decide their next move. They realize that Frodo and Sam are still on their way to Mount Doom, a volcano in Mordor where they must destroy the Ring. They decide to march to Mordor with a small army, hoping to distract Sauron's attention from his own land and give Frodo a chance to complete his mission.
Book VI: The End of the Third Age
Frodo and Sam's journey to Mount Doom
While the war rages in Gondor, Frodo and Sam continue their perilous journey to Mount Doom. They are guided by Gollum, a creature who was once a hobbit but was corrupted by the Ring. Gollum is secretly plotting to betray them and take back the Ring for himself. He leads them to Cirith Ungol, a pass guarded by a giant spider named Shelob. He hopes that Shelob will kill Frodo and Sam, and then he can steal the Ring from her lair.
However, his plan backfires when Sam fights off Shelob and rescues Frodo, who was stung by her venom. Sam also takes the Ring from Frodo, thinking he is dead. He then realizes that Frodo is still alive, but he is captured by a patrol of orcs. Sam follows them to their tower, where he overhears that Frodo is still alive and that they have taken him to the Dark Tower of Barad-dûr. Sam decides to rescue Frodo, using the Ring's power to sneak past the orcs. He finds Frodo in a cell, and they escape together.
They then make their way to Mount Doom, disguised as orcs. They are exhausted, hungry, thirsty, and wounded. They also have to endure the weight of the Ring, which grows heavier as they approach its source of power. The Ring tries to tempt them to keep it for themselves, but they resist its influence. They finally reach the Crack of Doom, where they must cast the Ring into the fire.
The destruction of the Ring and the downfall of Sauron
At the Crack of Doom, Frodo faces his final test. He claims the Ring for himself and puts it on his finger. He is then attacked by Gollum, who has followed them all along. Gollum bites off Frodo's finger and takes the Ring. He then dances with joy, but loses his balance and falls into the fire with the Ring. The Ring is destroyed, and with it Sauron's power.
The Dark Tower collapses, and a great earthquake shakes Mordor. The orcs flee in terror, and the eagles come to rescue Frodo and Sam. They are reunited with Gandalf, Aragorn, and their friends at the Field of Cormallen, where they are honored as heroes. Sauron's allies are defeated or surrender, and peace is restored in Middle-earth.
The coronation of Aragorn and the wedding of Arwen
Frodo and Sam return to Minas Tirith with Gandalf and Aragorn. There, Aragorn is crowned as King Elessar of Gondor and Arnor, fulfilling his destiny as the heir of Isildur. He reunites with Arwen, the daughter of Elrond from Rivendell, whom he loves dearly. Arwen gives up her immortality as an elf to marry Aragorn and become his queen.
Aragorn also shows his generosity and wisdom as a king. He pardons those who fought against him, such as the Easterlings and Haradrim. He restores the ancient tree of Gondor in his courtyard. He grants land and freedom to his allies, such as the Rohirrim and the Dúnedain. He renews friendship with other peoples, such as the elves and dwarves.
The return journey and the scouring of the Shire
After some time in Gondor, Frodo and Sam decide to go back to their home in the Shire, along with Merry and Pippin. They are accompanied by Gandalf, Legolas, Gimli, Elrond, Galadriel, Celeborn, Bilbo Baggins (Frodo's uncle), and other elves who are leaving Middle-earth for good.
They travel through Rohan, where they bid farewell to Éomer and Éowyn. They also visit Fangorn Forest, where they meet Treebeard, an ancient tree-like being who led an army of ents (tree-herders) against Saruman's forces at Isengard.
They then reach Isengard, where they find that Saruman has been imprisoned by Treebeard. Gandalf confronts Saruman and breaks his staff, symbolizing his loss of power. Saruman curses Gandalf and the hobbits, and leaves with his servant Wormtongue. Gandalf warns them to be careful of Saruman, as he may still cause trouble.
They continue their journey to Rivendell, where they meet Bilbo again. Bilbo is very old and frail, but he is happy to see his nephew and his friends. He gives Frodo a book, in which he has written his own adventures as well as Frodo's. He asks Frodo to finish the book for him.
They then leave Rivendell and head for the Shire. On the way, they encounter Saruman and Wormtongue again. They have become beggars, wandering the roads and stealing from people. They try to enter the Shire, but Gandalf stops them. He tells the hobbits that he will not go with them to the Shire, as his task is done and he has other matters to attend to. He bids them farewell and leaves with Elrond, Galadriel, Celeborn, and Bilbo.
The hobbits enter the Shire, but they find it changed for the worse. A group of men led by a mysterious "Sharkey" have taken over the Shire and turned it into a police state. They have cut down trees, built ugly buildings, enslaved the hobbits, and banned many things such as beer, tobacco, and parties.
The hobbits are shocked and angry by what they see. They decide to fight back and free their homeland from the invaders. They rally their fellow hobbits and lead a rebellion against the men. They succeed in driving them out of the Shire, with the help of some of their old friends such as Farmer Maggot and Tom Bombadil.
They then confront Sharkey in his headquarters at Bag End, Frodo's home. They discover that Sharkey is none other than Saruman, who has come to the Shire to take revenge on the hobbits. He mocks them and tries to kill Frodo, but Wormtongue stabs him in the back. Wormtongue is then shot by some hobbit archers.
Frodo prevents the hobbits from killing Saruman's body, saying that he deserves pity rather than hatred. He then orders the cleanup and restoration of the Shire. He also finishes writing his book, which he titles The Lord of the Rings.
The farewell to the Ring-bearers and the Grey Havens
Some years later, Frodo decides to leave the Shire for good. He has been suffering from the wounds he received during his quest, both physical and mental. He feels that he cannot find peace and happiness in Middle-earth anymore.
He reveals that he is going to sail across the sea with Bilbo, Gandalf, Elrond, Galadriel, and other elves who are leaving Middle-earth for the Undying Lands. These lands are a realm of beauty and bliss where the Valar (the god-like beings who created Middle-earth) dwell. There, Frodo hopes to heal his wounds and find rest.
He invites Sam, Merry, and Pippin to accompany him to the Grey Havens, a port where the ships depart for the Undying Lands. He also gives Sam his book and his home at Bag End. He tells Sam that he is also a Ring-bearer (as he briefly carried the Ring when Frodo was captured by orcs), and that he may follow him someday.
They reach the Grey Havens, where they meet Gandalf, Bilbo, Elrond, Galadriel, and other elves who are ready to sail away. Frodo hugs his friends goodbye and boards the ship. He looks back at them and smiles as the ship sails into the horizon.
Conclusion
What are the main themes and messages of The Return of the King?
The Return of the King is a rich and complex work of literature, that explores many themes and messages. Some of them are:
The power of friendship: The book shows how friendship can overcome any obstacle, and how friends can support each other in times of need. Frodo and Sam's bond is especially strong, as they share their burden and their courage. Merry and Pippin also show their loyalty and bravery, as they fight alongside their allies. Gandalf,
The power of friendship: The book shows how friendship can overcome any obstacle, and how friends can support each other in times of need. Frodo and Sam's bond is especially strong, as they share their burden and their courage. Merry and Pippin also show their loyalty and bravery, as they fight alongside their allies. Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Éowyn, and others also demonstrate their friendship and respect for each other.
The value of sacrifice: The book shows how sacrifice can make a difference in the world, and how sacrifice can be noble and heroic. Frodo sacrifices his peace and happiness to carry the Ring and save Middle-earth. Sam sacrifices his comfort and safety to accompany Frodo and protect him. Aragorn sacrifices his personal desires to fulfill his duty as a king. Théoden, Boromir, Faramir, Éowyn, Merry, Pippin, and others also sacrifice their lives or their health for the sake of their friends and their people.
The importance of hope: The book shows how hope can inspire people to fight against evil, and how hope can be stronger than despair. Gandalf is the bearer of hope, as he encourages and guides his friends throughout their quest. Aragorn is the symbol of hope, as he represents the return of the king and the restoration of Gondor. Frodo and Sam are the source of hope, as they carry the only weapon that can defeat Sauron. The book also shows how hope can be found in unexpected places, such as in nature, in music, in stories, or in simple joys.
The contrast between good and evil: The book shows how good and evil are opposed to each other, and how good and evil can affect people's choices and actions. Sauron is the embodiment of evil, as he seeks to dominate and destroy all life. The Ring is the instrument of evil, as it corrupts and enslaves anyone who wears it. Frodo is the victim of evil, as he suffers from the Ring's influence and its wounds. Sam is the defender of good, as he resists the Ring's temptation and helps Frodo to destroy it. Aragorn is the champion of good, as he fights against Sauron's forces and brings peace to Middle-earth.
How does The Return of the King end The Lord of the Rings trilogy?
The Return of the King is the final part of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, which began with The Fellowship of the Ring and continued with The Two Towers. It concludes the story of Frodo Baggins and his companions, who set out to destroy the One Ring that belonged to Sauron.
The book ends with a happy ending for most of the characters, who have survived the war and have achieved their goals. Aragorn becomes the king of Gondor and marries Arwen. Éomer becomes the king of Rohan and marries Lothíriel. Faramir becomes the prince of Ithilien and marries Éowyn. Sam becomes the mayor of Hobbiton and marries Rosie Cotton. Merry and Pippin become respected leaders in their communities.
However, the book also ends with a sad ending for some of the characters, who have to leave Middle-earth forever or face a lonely future. Bilbo, Gandalf, Elrond, Galadriel, Celeborn, Frodo, and some other elves sail across the sea to the Undying Lands, where they will find peace but never return. Sam stays behind in the Shire with his family, but he misses Frodo terribly. He eventually follows him across the sea many years later.
The book also ends with a bittersweet ending for Middle-earth itself, which has been saved from Sauron's tyranny but has also lost much of its magic and beauty. The age of elves is over, and the age of men begins. Many things that were once wonderful are now fading or forgotten.
Thus, The Return of the King ends The Lord of the Rings trilogy with a mixture of joy and sorrow, of victory and loss, of endings and beginnings.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about The Return of the King:
Q: How long is The Return of the King?
A: The Return of the King is about 490 pages long, depending on the edition and the format. It is divided into two books, each with ten chapters.
Q: Who wrote The Return of the King?
A: The Return of the King was written by J.R.R. Tolkien, a British author, philologist, and professor. He was born in 1892 and died in 1973. He is best known for his works of fantasy literature, such as The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion.
Q: When was The Return of the King published?
A: The Return of the King was first published in 1955, as the third and final volume of The Lord of the Rings. It was preceded by The Fellowship of the Ring in 1954 and The Two Towers in 1954. It has since been reprinted and translated into many languages.
Q: Is there a movie adaptation of The Return of the King?
A: Yes, there is a movie adaptation of The Return of the King, directed by Peter Jackson and released in 2003. It is the third and final part of The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, which also includes The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) and The Two Towers (2002). It won 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay.
Q: Where can I get a free PDF copy of The Return of the King?
A: You can get a free PDF copy of The Return of the King from this link: [The Return of the King PDF](https://www.pdfdrive.com/the-return-of-the-king-e15847448.html)
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