A Tour of Middle Earth By Jacob Oblak

A Little About Fairy Stories Fairy story characters are either good or bad, rarely in between. Fairy stories usually present the good as beautiful and the bad as ugly. Fairy stories go through a cycle of journey, danger, rest.

The Fairy Story Cycle Danger Rest Journey

Entering Middle Earth The Lord of the Rings follows this cycle of journey, danger, rest. Every cycle builds, having greater danger and shorter rest periods. It all leads to the major climax or the greatest danger, followed by the final rest.

The First Cycle Frodo, Sam, Pippin, and Merry leave The Shire and journey towards Bree. On their way, they encounter danger in the forest. After being rescued from Old Man Willow, they rest at Tom Bombadil’s house.

The Second Cycle The hobbits leave Tom Bombadil and continue their journey They are soon taken captive by Barrow- Weights. Once again, Bombadil rescues them. They rest in Bree at the Inn of the Prancing Pony.

The Third Cycle The hobbits journey with Strider toward Rivendel. They encounter danger with the Black Riders on Weathertop where Frodo is stabbed. They make their escape to Rivendel. They rest, and Frodo recovers.

The Fourth Cycle The nine companions leave Rivendel and travel to Moria. Orcs attack them. The balrog is awakened. Gandalf falls into the abyss with the balrog. The rest escape.

The Fourth Cycle They rest in Lothlorien. The fellowship has been broken with the loss of Gandalf. This is the last place of rest with the whole company together. It is also the most beautiful.

The Fourth Cycle They leave Lothlorien and journey towards Minis Tirith They are attacked by Uruk Hai. Frodo and Sam cross over to Mordor and leave the company.

The Cycles Change At this point, each group has its own set of cycles. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli rest at Rohan. Merry and Pippin escape from the Uruk Hai and have rest with Treebeard. Frodo and Sam find rest in Ithilien.

The Fifth Cycle: Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas journey to Helm’s Deep. They help defend the people of Rohan against the Uruk Hai. They rest at Helm’s Deep.

The Fifth Cycle: Merry and Pippin Merry and Pippin journey to Isengard with Treebeard and the ents. They overthrow Saruman and rest at Isengard.

The Sixth Cycle After the Battle at Helm’s Deep, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Gandalf, Merry, and Pippin are reunited for a short time.Gandalf Shortly thereafter, Gandalf journeys with Pippin to Gondor. Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Eowyn, and Merry also journey to Gondor along a different route.

Gandalf Gandalf did not die in his fall with the balrog as was supposed by the fellowship. He had a great battle with the balrog. After defeating it, he took some time to heal. He rejoined the fellowship in Rohan.

The Sixth Cycle Gondor is attacked by Sauron’s troops. The companions fight valiantly in the battle of Pelannor Fields and drive the enemy back. They have a short time of tense rest.

The Final Cycle Aragorn leads a small army out to the gates of Mordor. Little hope is held for victory. Everything rests upon Frodo and the destruction of the ring.

Frodo’s Part After Frodo and Sam leave Ithilien, they continue their journey to Mount Doom. They encounter many dangers along the way, leading to the greatest danger as Frodo stands at the mouth of Mount Doom. Smeagol and Frodo struggle over the ring. Smeagol falls with the ring into the fire, and Sauron is defeated.

Rest Aragorn defeats Sauron’s troops. Frodo and Sam are rescued by the eagles. They return to Gondor where Aragorn marries Arwen and is crowned King of Gondor. The Hobbits remain for a short time before returning home.

One Last Cycle After the Hobbits return, they discover Saruman has taken control of The Shire. They rally their people and overthrow Saruman. Peace returns to the world.

The Final Rest Frodo, Bilbo, Gandalf, and the elves make their final journey to the Grey Havens. They board a ship that takes them to the undying lands. There they find complete rest and healing.

Credits All pictures came from Story line and ideas all came from The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien. The song is called May It Be, by Enya