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This is the sixth in a seven-part book club series on The Lord of the Rings. These episodes will be released on the first of each month from now through March to accompany our Book Club as we’re reading The Lord of the Rings! If you’d like to join our book club, you can visit www.teawithtolkien.com/book-club.

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The Lord of the Rings Book VI Summary

Book Six of The Lord of the Rings  begins with Sam’s desperate search to rescue Frodo from the Orc tower. As he begins to lose all hope, he realizes Frodo is being kept in a secret tower above and quickly climbs up to find him. Reunited, Sam returns the Ring to Frodo and they flee towards Mount Doom.

Despite their great weariness and thirst, they struggle on and finally reach the slopes of Doom. There, they are attacked by Gollum, though Frodo quickly flings him away and continues up the path. However, as he stands before the fire, Frodo is unable to let go of the Ring and instead claims it as his own, putting it on and disappearing. Gollum leaps toward him, biting off his finger and taking the Ring. However, he stumbles and falls into the fire, destroying the Ring.

The book then returns to the Gates of Mordor where the final battle between the Men of the West and Sauron’s forces rages on. As they fight, the Dark Tower falls and Gandalf cries, ‘The realm of Sauron is ended!” He calls one of the Eagles to carry him to Mount Doom, where they rescue Frodo and Sam and carry them to Ithilien.

When Frodo and Sam awake, they are summoned to the King and are surprised to realize it is their very own Strider. They are met with great honor, and reunited with the members of their Fellowship. In the Fields of Cormallen, the King prepares to enter into the city.

As the people of Gondor await news of battle, Éowyn and Faramir remain in the Houses of Healing. As they walk on the grass, they begin to care for one another. As King Elessar enters the city, he names Faramir Prince of Ithilien, and all is right within the realm of Gondor. Soon, Aragorn restores the White Tree to Minas Tirith and is wed to Arwen.

After a period of celebration, the members of the fellowship depart to return to their homes. First, they stop at Rohan for the funeral of Théoden and the betrothal of Faramir and Éowyn, and then on to Isengard to meet with Treebeard. After that, they go to Rivendell where Frodo is reunited with Bilbo.

Along with Gandalf, the hobbits return to Bree where they find things are altogether unwell. As they continue on to the Shire, Gandalf parts ways with them. When they find the Shire, they are horrified to see it has been overrun by ruffians. After a great battle, the hobbits take back the Shire and return to Bag End, looking for Lotho. Instead, they find Saruman and Wormtongue. After Saruman attempts to kill Frodo, Frodo pardons him, and Wormtongue kills Saruman.

After the Scouring of the Shire, the year 1420 brings great prosperity. Sam marries Rosie Cotton and they welcome their first daughter, Elanor. However, Frodo becomes very reserved, struggling through illness. He finishes his book, leaving the last pages for Sam, asking if he could join him on one last journey.

Along with Bilbo and many elves, they ride on through the Shire and towards the Grey Havens. Gandalf meets them, and Merry and Pippin join them as well. Frodo says goodbye and boards the boat, sailing away out of sight.

At length, Sam, Merry, and Pippin stand on the shore, but then they turn and ride home together. The Lord of the Rings draws to a close as Sam returns to home to the warmth of his family at Bag End.