THIRD AGE

A sudden ambush on the riverbanks at the Gladden Fields cost Isildur his life and sent the One Ring tumbling into the water, creating a loss that shaped the Third Age. Ambushed by Orcs while travelling north after the Last Alliance, Isildur was struck down and the Ring slipped from his hand into the river. Centuries later Déagol found the lost Ring and was murdered by Sméagol, a hobbit who became Gollum; that act of theft and corruption traced a direct line back to the ambush. Death, the missing Ring, the river, Gollum, and the long shadow over Middle-earth all began with that brief, deadly encounter at the Gladden Fields.

Deep in the darkness of Khazad-dûm, beneath the Misty Mountains, an ancient demon of the Elder Days lurked in shadow. This fearsome Balrog, a fire-spirit of Morgoth's armies, brought doom to the greatest Dwarven kingdom of Middle-earth, slaying King Durin VI and driving the Dwarves from their ancestral halls of Moria. For a thousand years, it ruled the blackness beneath the mountains, until its fateful confrontation with Gandalf the Grey upon the Bridge of Khazad-dûm.

Perched majestically upon the hill of Mount Snowbourn, the golden-thatched halls of Meduseld rise above the windswept plains of the Riddermark. This royal seat of the Horse-lords stands as a testament to the proud legacy of the Rohirrim, where banner-adorned walls have witnessed the councils of kings, the songs of warriors, and the fateful decisions that shaped the destiny of Middle-earth during the War of the Ring.

A legendary green gem of elvish craft glimmers through the ages of Middle-earth, carrying the power of spring's renewal and nature's healing touch. First worn by the Lady Galadriel in the Elder Days, then passed to the hands of kings, this precious stone became a symbol of hope and restoration in the darkest hours of Gondor. The remarkable jewel would eventually lend its very name to the greatest king of the Reunited Kingdom, marking a new age of peace and prosperity for all Free Peoples.

Rising solitary above the eastern wilds, a majestic peak holds within its depths the greatest dwarven stronghold of the Third Age. Home to the legendary Arkenstone, vast halls of carved stone, and riches beyond measure, this ancient kingdom of Durin's Folk stood as a testament to dwarven craftsmanship until a fire-drake from the North changed everything. From Thrór's prosperous reign to Thorin Oakenshield's legendary quest to reclaim his homeland, the saga of the Lonely Mountain encompasses glory, tragedy, and ultimate redemption.

Built upon wooden pillars rising from the Long Lake's depths, this wealthy trading hub of the North witnessed both golden prosperity and fiery devastation. When Thorin's company sought refuge within its floating walls, none suspected this mercantile paradise would soon face Smaug's wrath, only to rise again from its ashes as a stronger, greater city-state of Men. Between the Lonely Mountain and Mirkwood's edge, Lake-town's tale of destruction and renewal would forever change the politics and commerce of Rhovanion.

Four hobbits from the peaceful Shire, two mighty Men of the South, an Elven prince, a sturdy Dwarf, and a wise Wizard formed an unlikely alliance in the darkest of times. United by courage and sworn to protect a humble Ring-bearer, these nine companions embarked on a perilous quest through Middle-earth that would challenge the very power of Sauron himself. From the snowy peaks of Caradhras to the depths of Moria, their journey would forge friendships that transcended races and reshape the fate of all Free Peoples.

Frodo Baggins of the Shire was an unlikely hero. A simple hobbit, his quiet life changed forever when his uncle, Bilbo, left him a powerful and dangerous inheritance: the One Ring of the Dark Lord Sauron. With the fate of Middle-earth hanging in the balance, Frodo began an epic quest. Accompanied by his loyal friend Samwise Gamgee and guided by Gandalf the wizard, he set out from the comfort of Bag End. His journey took him through the dangers of Mordor, facing terrifying Ringwraiths and the treacherous creature Gollum. As the Ring-bearer, Frodo carried a heavy burden, fighting the Ring's corrupting influence every step of the way. His mission was to take this evil artifact to the fiery cracks of Mount Doom, the only place it could be destroyed. This perilous quest, known as the War of the Ring, would test his courage, friendship, and strength to their very limits, all to save the world from falling into shadow.

Born in Valinor during the Years of the Trees, the mighty Noldorin princess wielded one of the three Elven rings, ruled the golden woods of Lothlórien, and stood as the last of the Exiles in Middle-earth. Her power rivaled that of Sauron himself, yet she rejected the One Ring's temptation, diminished willingly, and sailed West as one of the most legendary Eldar to ever walk beneath the stars.

Known to Elves as Mithrandir and to Men as the Grey Pilgrim, this ancient Maia spirit crossed the Great Sea from Valinor to become Middle-earth's most beloved wizard. Wielding staff and sword, ring of fire and infinite wisdom, he guided hobbits, counseled kings, and faced a Balrog in the depths of Moria, only to return as Gandalf the White when Middle-earth needed him most. Behind his long beard and weathered hat lies one of the Valar's most powerful emissaries - a guardian who chose gentle guidance over domination, and wisdom over force.

A lonely stretch of reedy marsh on the River Anduin holds one of Middle‑earth’s most fateful secrets: here Isildur was slain and the One Ring slipped from sight. The Gladden Fields are a quiet, muddy backwater whose geography hid a turning point in the struggle against Sauron. This guide traces the lore, history, and geography found in The Lord of the Rings and Unfinished Tales, and shows how a small patch of marshland changed the fate of Middle‑earth.

From the forges of the hidden Elven city of Gondolin to the depths of Goblin-town and the fields of the Pelennor, this ancient High Elven blade struck terror into the hearts of Orcs across three Ages of Middle-earth. Once wielded by Turgon, King of Gondolin, and later by Gandalf the Grey, this legendary sword's gleaming presence marked pivotal moments in the history of Middle-earth, from the Fall of Gondolin to the Quest of Erebor and the War of the Ring.

A golden-haired warrior of the House of the Golden Flower faced down a Balrog in the burning ruins of Gondolin, sacrificing himself to save his people. Centuries later, an equally radiant Elf-lord appeared in Rivendell, wielding power that made even the Nazgûl flee in terror. These weren't two different heroes - this was the same legendary Glorfindel, whose spirit was so mighty that the Valar themselves granted him rebirth in Middle-earth.

Once a simple hobbit-like creature named Sméagol, his life took a dark turn after finding the One Ring. The Ring's power twisted his mind and body over hundreds of years, transforming him into the wretched creature known as Gollum. He called the Ring his "Precious," and his desperate need for it led him through the Misty Mountains and into the path of Bilbo Baggins. This fateful meeting set in motion the events of The Lord of the Rings. Gollum's journey is a sad story about how greed and a powerful object can destroy someone. He played a crucial role in the War of the Ring, guiding Frodo and Sam to Mordor, all while battling the good and evil sides of his own personality. In the end, his obsession with his Precious led to both his own doom and the final destruction of the Ring in the fires of Mount Doom, saving Middle-earth in a very unexpected way.

Standing proud between the Misty Mountains and the Great Sea, the realm of the White Tower rose from Númenórean nobility to become Middle-earth's mightiest kingdom of Men. From the gleaming walls of Minas Tirith to the ancient ruins of Osgiliath, this land of stone and memory served as the final shield against Mordor's darkness. Through the reigns of Stewards and Kings, from Elendil's founding to Aragorn's restoration, the story of the South-kingdom shaped the fate of all Free Peoples in the Third Age.

A sinister counselor slithers through the golden halls of Meduseld, whispering poisoned words into the ear of King Théoden. As Saruman's faithful servant corrupts Rohan from within, this master manipulator weaves a web of deceit that nearly brings the proud horse-lords to their knees. Between shadows and treachery, this tale of betrayal shapes one of the Third Age's most notorious acts of duplicity.