T.A. 3019

T.A. 3019 is the climactic year of the Third Age, the year in which the War of the Ring reached its terrible zenith and its sudden, decisive end. Within its span, the Fellowship of the Ring was broken, the great powers of the West were tested to the brink of annihilation, and the One Ring was finally unmade in the fires of Mount Doom. The year's events transformed the political and spiritual landscape of Middle-earth, ending the long dominance of Sauron and ushering in the Fourth Age and the Dominion of Men.

The Breaking of the Fellowship and the Fall of Boromir

The year began with the Fellowship's departure from Rivendell in late December 3018, but the true trials commenced in January. After the failed attempt to cross the Misty Mountains at the Redhorn Gate, the Company was forced into the dark mines of Moria, where Gandalf fell battling the Balrog on the Bridge of Khazad-dûm. Emerging into Lothlórien, they received gifts and counsel from Galadriel, but the journey down the Anduin was shadowed by the growing power of the Ring. On February 26, at Parth Galen, the Fellowship was broken: Boromir, succumbing to the Ring's temptation, tried to seize it from Frodo, who fled. Boromir was slain defending Merry and Pippin from Orcs, and his death marked the first great loss of the year. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli chose to pursue the captors of the hobbits, while Frodo and Samwise crossed the river alone, beginning their harrowing journey toward Mordor.

The War in the West: Helm's Deep and Isengard

March brought war to Rohan. The Ents, roused by Merry and Pippin, destroyed Isengard, trapping Saruman in Orthanc. Gandalf, returned as the White Rider, healed Théoden and led the Rohirrim to victory at the Battle of the Hornburg, where the Uruk-hai were annihilated. The death of Saruman's power in the West was sealed, but the greater threat from Mordor loomed. The beacons of Gondor were lit, calling for aid, and the Rohirrim began their long ride south.

The Siege of Gondor and the Battle of the Pelennor Fields

In March, Sauron launched his full assault on Gondor. Minas Tirith was besieged, and Denethor, driven mad by despair and the use of the palantír, burned himself on a pyre. The Witch-king of Angmar broke the Great Gate, but was confronted by Gandalf. At dawn, the horns of Rohan sounded, and Théoden led a desperate charge. The Witch-king was slain by Éowyn and Merry, fulfilling the prophecy that no man would kill him. Aragorn, arriving with the Grey Company and the Dead Men of Dunharrow, turned the tide, and the Battle of the Pelennor Fields ended in a great victory for the West. Théoden fell, but his death was avenged.

The Destruction of the Ring and the Fall of Sauron

While the armies of the West marched to the Black Gate as a diversion, Frodo and Samwise, guided by Gollum, entered Mordor. On March 25, at the Sammath Naur, Frodo claimed the Ring for himself, but Gollum bit off his finger and fell into the Cracks of Doom, destroying the Ring and Sauron with it. The Dark Tower crumbled, the Nazgûl were consumed, and the hosts of Mordor fled. The War of the Ring was over.

The Aftermath and the New Age

With Sauron's fall, the Third Age ended. Aragorn was crowned King Elessar on May 1, and wed Arwen at Midsummer. The hobbits returned to the Shire to find it under the tyranny of Saruman, whom they overthrew in the Battle of Bywater. The year closed with the restoration of peace and the beginning of the Fourth Age, as the Ring-bearers prepared to depart into the West.