This book (yes I know that link is for the whole trilogy condensed into one book whereas this post is only going to talk about the second half of the Fellowship of the Ring, but deal with it mate) is the second instalment of J. R. R. Tolkien's classic (virtually myth-status) fantastical trilogy. I have a lot to say about this trilogy, but I'm reading it all in one go, so I'm saving my reflections and my recommendations until the final post, and here will simply outline in brief the specific plot of this instalment. Spoilers, obviously.
So soon enough Frodo with his elf-guardian arrive at Rivendell, and the master there, another elf named Elrond, is able to save him from his dagger-wound. Sam, Merry, Pippin and Aragorn soon arrive, and the five of them meet up with Gandalf, who has been waiting for them. We then meet a bunch of new people, including Gondorian military leader Boromir, another elf named Legolas, and a dwarf called Gimli; then Elrond calls a council, in which all characters already named and present attend, so that representatives of all the Free Peoples of Middle-Earth can decide what to do about the ring. It is decided that it must be destroyed - only the catch is it can only be destroyed by being cast into the volcano where it was forged, in Mordor - Sauron's dark realm. Frodo, almost by default, is chosen as the ring-bearer; and the other three hobbits, as well as Gandalf, Aragorn, Boromir, Legolas and Gimli all join his party - which is termed the fellowship of the ring. They set off on their journey towards Mordor, or at least in that general direction. Crossing the mountains proves problematic so they take a shortcut through the dwarven kingdom of Moria, where they discover that goblins have taken over and killed pretty much all the dwarves. Then a balrog (a kind of fiery demon type thing) shows up and everyone just about manages to escape - only after Gandalf sacrifices himself to defeat it. Escaping from Moria the remaining fellowship make their way to the elven realm of Lothlorien, where Frodo tries to offer the ring to elf-leader-lady Galadriel - who is tempted, but refuses to take it. After leaving Lothlorien laden with individual gifts from Galadriel, the fellowship realise that they are being pursued by orcs, and in the confusion Boromir tries to take the ring from Frodo (who manages to get away, and takes a boat to continue his journey alone but for Sam).
And that's where book two leaves off...
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