The Fourth Age: Middle-earth's Unwritten Epic

The dawning of the Fourth Age was marked by a pivotal moment in Middle-earth's history: the departure of the White Ship from the Grey Havens in the year 3021 of the Third Age. Upon this vessel sailed the Ring-bearers Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, along with Galadriel, Elrond, and other notable Elves, bearing with them the last of the Three Rings across the Sea to Valinor. This momentous journey represented not just a departure but a fundamental transition in the fabric of Middle-earth.

The onset of the Fourth Age heralded the end of the Eldar's dominion over Middle-earth, a reign that had lasted since the First Age. The power and influence of the Elves, which had shaped the fate of Middle-earth for millennia, began to wane as the Dominion of Men rose to prominence. This shift had been long foretold, as Men were deemed the Secondborn of Ilúvatar and destined to inherit the stewardship of Middle-earth from the Firstborn Elves.

With the advent of the Fourth Age came significant changes to how time itself was recorded in Middle-earth. King Elessar established a new calendar system in Gondor, marking the year of his coronation and the departure of the Ring-bearers as Year 1 of the Fourth Age. This calendar reform reflected the profound changes occurring in Middle-earth and established a new way of recording history that would continue through the age of Men. The previous dating system, which had been in use since the Second Age, was carefully preserved in historical records but gradually gave way to the new reckoning.

King Elessar's reign, spanning 120 years from Fourth Age 1 to 120, marked a golden age for the Reunited Kingdom. The former Ranger known as Aragorn ruled with wisdom and justice, drawing upon his centuries of experience and the ancient lore of Númenor. Under his guidance, the kingdom flourished as it had not done since the days of Elendil, with prosperity and peace becoming hallmarks of his reign.

One of King Elessar's greatest achievements was the restoration of the ancient kingdoms of Gondor and Arnor. He rebuilt many of the old fortresses and cities that had fallen into ruin during the Third Age, including Annúminas, the ancient capital of Arnor by Lake Evendim. The King established his northern capital there, fulfilling the dream of reunification that had remained dormant since the fall of the North-kingdom centuries before.

The restoration of Minas Tirith stood as a testament to King Elessar's commitment to renewal. The White City was extensively rebuilt and beautified, with the withered White Tree replaced by a sapling Aragorn discovered on Mount Mindolluin. Through skilled diplomacy and strength of arms when necessary, he established lasting peace with the Southrons and Easterlings, turning former enemies into valuable trading partners and allies.

Throughout his reign, King Elessar maintained and strengthened the alliances that had been forged during the War of the Ring. The friendship between Gondor and Rohan grew ever stronger, with the Rohirrim and the people of Gondor engaging in extensive trade and cultural exchange. The Dwarves too remained steadfast allies, with both peoples benefiting from increased cooperation in crafts and commerce.

The departure of the Elves from Middle-earth continued throughout the Fourth Age, as the call of the Sea grew ever stronger in their hearts. The great exodus that began with the Ring-bearers' departure continued steadily, with many Elves taking ship from the Grey Havens to journey to the Undying Lands. This gradual withdrawal represented the final fulfillment of their fate, as the time of the Elves in Middle-earth drew to its close.

While most Elves departed, some remained in diminished havens throughout Middle-earth. The realm of Eryn Lasgalen, formerly known as Mirkwood, continued under the rule of Thranduil, while a small number of Elves dwelt in East Lórien, though their powers waned with the passing of Galadriel's Ring. These remaining communities became increasingly isolated as the years passed, their influence fading like twilight before nightfall.

Legolas, son of Thranduil and one of the Fellowship of the Ring, established a colony of Elves in Ithilien with the blessing of King Elessar. Under his guidance, these Elves helped restore the gardens and forests of Ithilien to their former glory. However, after the death of King Elessar, Legolas finally heeded the call of the Sea that had stirred in his heart since his first sight of it. He built a grey ship and sailed West, taking Gimli the Dwarf with him, an unprecedented honor granted by the Valar.

The Shire entered a period of unprecedented prosperity under the protection of King Elessar, who issued a decree forbidding Men from entering the Shire without permission. This royal protection allowed the hobbits to maintain their traditional way of life while benefiting from increased security and trade opportunities with the outside world. The King's appreciation for the hobbits, particularly the Ring-bearers, ensured that their homeland remained a protected enclave within the Reunited Kingdom.

Samwise Gamgee's tenure as Mayor of the Shire lasted for seven terms until the year 55 of the Fourth Age, marking one of the most prosperous periods in hobbit history. Under his leadership, the Shire experienced a cultural renaissance, with many of the deeds of the War of the Ring recorded in the Red Book of Westmarch. Sam's wisdom and experience, gained during his travels with Frodo, helped guide the Shire through the changes of the early Fourth Age while maintaining its essential character.

The borders of the Shire were expanded through King Elessar's decree, which added the Westmarch to hobbit lands, extending their territory from the Far Downs to the Tower Hills. This gift of land demonstrated the high regard in which the hobbits were held by the King and provided space for new settlements as hobbit families continued to grow and prosper.

The hobbits' way of life remained remarkably resilient to the changes occurring in the wider world. While they maintained diplomatic relations with the Reunited Kingdom and engaged in some trade, their society continued to focus on the simple pleasures and traditions that had characterized hobbit life for generations. The Shire remained a pocket of peaceful continuity in a changing world, preserving many of the customs and values that had defined hobbit culture throughout the Third Age.

Under Gimli's leadership, the Dwarves established thriving colonies in the Glittering Caves of Aglarond beneath Helm's Deep. These caves, which had amazed Gimli during the War of the Ring, became a wonder of the Fourth Age as Dwarven craftsmen created works of extraordinary beauty, combining their traditional skills with new artistic influences from their alliance with the Elves of Ithilien.

The ancient Dwarven realms of Erebor and Moria experienced remarkable revivals during the Fourth Age. Erebor, the Lonely Mountain, continued to prosper under the line of Dáin, while Moria was gradually reclaimed and cleansed of the evil that had long plagued it. The halls of Khazad-dûm once again rang with the sound of Dwarven hammers and songs, though the work of rebuilding would continue for many generations.

The relationship between the Dwarves and the Reunited Kingdom grew stronger through extensive trade networks and mutual support. Dwarven craftsmanship contributed significantly to the rebuilding of Minas Tirith and other great cities, while the protection and trade opportunities provided by the Reunited Kingdom helped Dwarven communities flourish. This cooperation led to a golden age of craftsmanship and commerce that benefited both peoples.

The Fourth Age witnessed a gradual transition from a world of evident magic to one where the supernatural became increasingly rare and subtle. The departure of the Elves and the fading of ancient powers marked the beginning of what would become the world of Men, where the extraordinary became the stuff of legend rather than daily reality. This transformation occurred slowly but inexorably, as the direct influence of the Valar and the power of the Eldar diminished in Middle-earth.

The establishment of lasting peace in the Reunited Kingdom under King Elessar and his successors created a foundation for the future of Men. This peace was maintained through careful diplomacy, strong alliances, and wise governance, allowing civilization to flourish in ways that had not been possible during the long years of shadow in the Third Age. The stability of this period allowed for great advances in learning, crafts, and culture.

The final departure of the last Elves and the complete fading of the Three Rings' power marked the end of an era in Middle-earth. The ancient magic that had preserved realms like Rivendell and Lothlórien disappeared entirely, leaving only memories and tales of their former glory. This loss of Elvish power represented the final transition from the Elder Days to the age of Men.

The Fourth Age marked the beginning of recorded history as we know it, with the fantastic elements of earlier ages giving way to more mundane concerns. The great events of the past began to be viewed through an increasingly historical lens, though the truth of these tales was preserved in ancient records and the memories of the Dúnedain. This transformation established the foundation for the world that would eventually become our own, though countless years would pass before the end of the Fourth Age.