The Return of the King Trivia Quiz

Answer: They heard voices calling out to them.

The pursuers are revealed to be none other than Halbarad and thirty Dúnedain from the North, Aragorn's kinsmen. This is a joyous and unexpected reunion for Aragorn and his fellow Rangers, who have also brought with them Elrond's sons, Elrohir and Elladan. Elrohir has a message from his father and Halbarad bears with him a gift from the Lady of Rivendell.

Answer: His sword

From the king's guard, Merry received a helm, shield, leather jerkin, belt and knife. His sword he obtained, like the other hobbits, from the Barrow-downs; he would later use it to slay the Witch-king. Merry is keen to join the Rohirrim in the defence of Gondor, but Théoden forbids it. Éowyn has other ideas.

Answer: They are talking to each other.

Elfhelm the Marshal explains to Merry the ways of the Wild Men of the Woods. Théoden is to hold court with the great headman of the Woses, Ghân-buri-Ghân, in an attempt to gain their help against the hated gorgûn (orcs); Merry decides to sneak along and eavesdrop. The Wild Men will aid the Horse-men, but they will not fight.

Answer: the Black Shadow

The healers are at a loss as to how to deal with their patients' deadly condition. They continue to deteriorate until all hope seems gone and Ioreth, an elderly healer, rues the loss of Gondor's kings, who were said to have the power to heal. Little did she know, the heir to the throne had indeed returned to Gondor, and Gandalf leaves immediately to summon him.

Answer: He was more cruel than any orc.

The frighteningly corrupt and evil Mouth of Sauron served as the Lieutenant of Barad-dûr. He was in fact of the line of Númenor, but a member of a Sauron-worshipping splinter group called Black Númenoreans who became drunk on Sauron's 'evil knowledge'.

He had cunning and guile, and was learned in sorcery, and these traits he used to weave threads of doubt into the minds of those before the Gate. His cowardly and faithless nature was exposed when the Captains refused to submit to Sauron's terms.

Answer: Shagrat

Frodo is far from amused by Sam's humour. They are both exhausted, especially Frodo, but he is determined to reach the Mountain and complete his task. The weariness brought on Frodo by the Ring is compounded by the weight of the orc armour, and his memory of the Shire is now utterly extinguished. Frodo is in a state of near total hopelessness. Sam, as always, rallies behind his master and friend.

Answer: Only the phial of Galadriel could pierce the stifling dark within.

The phial of Galadriel was 'pale and cold' in Sam's hand as he entered the Mountain, but he follows a 'red glare' and eventually finds his master at the precipice. It is then that Frodo does the unthinkable; having reached journey's end, with one final motion needed to end the world of Sauron's evil, Frodo claims the Ring for his own - 'The Ring is mine!'

Answer: Bilbo

Frodo witnessed the marriage of Aragorn and Arwen in the City of the Kings and it was a highly joyous occasion, but deep in his heart he yearned to return to the Shire and, more so, to see his uncle Bilbo again. He was grieved to see Bilbo had not travelled with Elrond's household. Aragorn assures him they will leave soon, but first they must ride with Éomer to lay Théoden to rest.

Answer: Calling the Chief Names

The nervous-looking Shirriff-leader arrests the hobbits for Gate-breaking, Tearing up of Rules, Assaulting Gate-keepers, Trespassing, Sleeping in Shire-buildings without Leave and Bribing Guards with Food. The hobbits are quite amused, and Sam contributes with 'Calling your Chief Names, Wishing to punch his Pimply Face, and Thinking you Shirriffs look a lot of Tom-fools'.

They will spend the night at the Shirriff-house before making their way to Bag End. Needless to say, the Shirriffs go along quietly.

Answer: Gandalf

Gandalf had wanted Sam to have company as he returned to the Shire, knowing the toll Frodo's departure would have on him. As the tears well-up, Gandalf farewells the three halflings; 'Well, here at last, dear friends, on the shores of the Sea comes the end of our fellowship in Middle-earth. Go in Peace! I will not say: do not weep; for not all tears are an evil'. Frodo kissed his three friends and sailed away, until at last 'the grey rain-curtain turned all to silver glass and was rolled back, and he beheld white shores and beyond them a far green country under a swift sunrise'.

A sombre Sam returned home for the evening meal; Rose set him down with daughter Elanor on his lap - 'Well, I'm back', he said.