| − | The four hobbits of the Shire (Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pipin) had lived peaceful, comfortable and sheltered lives. Gimli, the dwarf, lived in wealth in the Lonely Mountain. Legolas, the elf, had lived as a prince in Mirkwood. Boromir, of Gondor, lived as a soldier prince in his sieged land. Gandalf the Wizard was often busy with adventures, wars and quests. Aragorn lived a wanderer's life in the wild. | + | The four hobbits of the Shire (Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin) had lived peaceful, comfortable and sheltered lives. Gimli, the dwarf, lived in wealth in the Lonely Mountain. Legolas, the elf, had lived as a prince in [[Mirkwood]]. Boromir, of Gondor, lived as a soldier prince in his sieged land. Gandalf the Wizard was often busy with adventures, wars and quests. Aragorn lived a wanderer's life in the wild. |
| − | It all changed when [[Sauron]] began to hunt for the ring of power and prepared for war. Dwarves, Elves and Men found themselves all alike at war. Frodo had inherited the ring from his uncle, Bilbo. When Gandalf told him of [[Sauron]]'s use of it he left with Sam for [[Rivendell]]. (Gandalf meanwhile was captured by the traitorous [[Saruman]].) Pippin accompanied Frodo and Sam out of the Shire, meeting Merry who went on ahead to prepare a house). They had many adventures across plain and through forest chased by mysterious [[black riders]]. In a hamlet called [[Bree]], they met Strider who (revealed as [[Aragorn]] led them to Rivendell (with much trouble from the black riders).<ref>[[The Fellowship of the Ring]], by J.R.R. Tolkien, Houghton Mifflin Company.</ref> | + | It all changed when [[Sauron]] began to hunt for the [[ring of power]] and prepared for war. Dwarves, Elves and Men found themselves all alike at war. Frodo had received the ring from his uncle, Bilbo. When Gandalf told him of [[Sauron]]'s use of it he left with Sam for [[Rivendell]]. (Gandalf meanwhile was captured by the traitorous [[Saruman]].) Pippin accompanied Frodo and Sam out of the Shire, meeting Merry who went on ahead to prepare a house). They had many adventures across plain and through forest chased by mysterious [[black riders]]. In a hamlet called [[Bree]], they met Strider who (revealed as [[Aragorn]] led them to Rivendell (with much trouble from the black riders).<ref>[[The Fellowship of the Ring]], by J.R.R. Tolkien, Houghton Mifflin Company.</ref> |