The Ultimate Tolkien's "The Fellowship of the Ring" Quiz | J. R. R. Tolkien

Answer: 33

Bilbo and Frodo shared their birthday on the 22nd of September and every year they had joint birthday parties. This year Bilbo was turning eleventy-one (that is 111), which is "a very respectable age for a hobbit". His favourite nephew, Frodo, was turning 33, which is the age at which a hobbit comes of age.

They were planning a huge party with gifts for everyone and even those who didn't like Bilbo were planning to come. During his traditional speech, Bilbo surprised everyone by "magically" disappearing after he put his ring on.

Answer: Seven

Gandalf told Frodo of the Rings of Power and of the One Ring. When Gandalf threw the ring in to Frodo's fireplace, it revealed carvings on the outside of the ring. These carvings were in Elvish letters, but were in the language of Mordor. The entire verse was as follows, with the section indicated in brackets being the words carved on the ring:

"Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky,
Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,
Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die,
One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne,
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.
(One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them)
In the Land of Mordor where the shadows lie."

Gandalf then went on to explain how the Ring managed to find its way to Bilbo after the creature Gollum found it in the Great River Anduin. The Ring kept Gollum alive for an unnatural amount of time and grew him to the brink of insanity. This is revealed to be the most likely reason for Bilbo's long life.

Answer: Mushrooms

Frodo sold Bag End to the Sackville-Bagginses and bought a new house at Buckland, a move which confused many of the inhabitants of the Shire, particularly because Bilbo had always hated the Sackville-Bagginses. Samwise Gamgee, the gardener of Bag End, and Pippin, Frodo's long-time friend accompanied him on the journey to his new house and Merry, another one of Frodo's friends, and Fatty Bolger went on ahead to help set up the house. Frodo didn't plan to spend long at Buckland, however, and planned to take Gandalf's advice and travel to Rivendell. On the journey, the trio came across a hooded black figure on a horse- a Ringwraith, or Black Rider.

They also met some Elves, which thrilled Sam. They decided to take a shortcut through Farmer Maggot's mushroom crops, which scared Frodo as he was caught when he was young stealing some of the farmer's mushrooms.

However, Maggot ended up helping them on their journey and even gave them a basket of mushrooms.

Answer: Willow

Frodo and the others arrived at Buckland, when Frodo revealed his plan to leave straight away. The others, however, had already guessed and formed a "conspiracy"- they had all decided they would be going with Frodo on his quest (except for Fatty Bulger, who would stay behind and deal with anyone who wondered were they were). So, in the morning, Frodo, Sam, Pippin and Merry set out again and entered the old forest behind Buckland.

They were a bit frightened due to the many stories surrounding the forest. Eventually, after much walking, they took a rest by a great willow tree.

When they woke up, they found Pippin had vanished- the tree had swallowed him up! Luckily enough, Tom Bombadil came and saved them by telling the Old Man Willow to spit him out again.

Answer: Fatty Lumpkin

The hobbits spent a lovely time at Tom Bombadil's house recovering, eating, talking, bathing, singing, telling stories and having stories told to them. Eventually, they had to leave and headed towards the Barrow-downs. Before he left them, Tom taught the hobbits a rhyme for them to remember if they got in to trouble. As they travelled, the group separated and were taken by Barrow-wights. They awoke inside one of the barrows and the Barrow-wights came towards them. Frodo suddenly remembered the rhyme and sang it. Tom appeared with his horse Fatty Lumpkin, who came when called by his master, sending the Barrow-wights away. They rested and left refreshed, with a new dagger each.

The other names were all the names of different hobbits from the Shire.

Answer: Mr. Butterbur

Frodo and his companions arrived at the village of Bree and, after a bit of effort persuading the gatekeeper, entered and went up to the inn of The Prancing Pony. They got a room with four beds and then went in to the common-room to mingle with the travellers. They were introduced to many people, among them the mysterious Strider, a ranger. He tells Frodo to make sure his companions don't get too wordy. In the end Frodo put on quite a performance and "disappeared" in front of the crowd by putting on the Ring. Strider, realizing what happened, organized a talk to him. Here, he told them he wanted to travel with them and, when a letter from Gandalf was handed to them from Mr. Butturbur telling them to trust him, they ended up agreeing.

Barliman Butturbur had run the inn for many years and it had become quite famous. Mr. Underhill was the name Frodo went by to avoid unwanted attention. The other two names were both names mentioned at the inn.

Answer: Fire

The group left Bree with a new horse and accompanied by Strider and headed towards Rivendell. They took a shortcut through the swamp Midgewater, where they were eaten alive by midges. Eventually, five days after leaving Bree, they made it to Weathertop. Resting there one night, the group were attacked by five Ringwraiths. Frodo put on the Ring, but ended up being stabbed by one of the Ringwraiths by the Morgul blade.

He fell unconscious. When he woke up, the others tell him of what happened and how Aragorn attacked the Riders with fire to make them flee.

Answer: Nine

The group carried on to Rivendell, now going quicker for Frodo's sake, who needed medical attention only the Elves could provide due to his injury. On the journey they came across the trolls who were turned to stone in "The Hobbit". They also met with an Elf-lord of Rivendell named Glorfindel.

As they approached the Ford of Rivendell, all nine of the Ringwraiths set upon them. Glorfindel set Frodo upon his horse and made it run as fast as it could in order to out ride the Ringwraiths and reach Rivendell before they could catch him.

As the Ringwraiths crossed the water in pursuit of Frodo, Gandalf and Elrond caused a flood to come upon them and sweep them and their horses away.

Answer: Sam

Frodo awoke to find Gandalf beside him, who told him what happened to him and what happened at the ford. The group spent a long time in Rivendell feasting, talking and recovering. Soon, a council was called and representatives of many races drew together to discuss many matters, including what they were to do with the Ring.

It was decided they would have to destroy it by casting it in to the fires of Mount Doom in Mordor where it was created. Frodo appointed himself for the task, and the Fellowship of the Ring was founded to help him.

In the Fellowship were the Men Aragorn (Strider) and Boromir, the Dwarf Gimli, the Elf Legolas, Gandalf and Frodo and Sam (who had eavesdropped on the council). Merry and Pippin were later added to complete it.

Answer: Redhorn Gate

Before he set off, Frodo was given by Bilbo a coat of mithril armour and Sting, Bilbo's sword from "The Hobbit". Eventually, the Fellowship was seen off by Elrond and they went on their way south-east towards Mordor. They were watched along the way by many of the spies of Mordor, among them the crebain (crows). Soon, they had to make a decision over which way too Mordor they would take.

They ended up taking the Redhorn Gate passage along the mountain Caradhras. The mountain defeated them, however, and they had to turn back.

Answer: Friend

After retreating from the Redhorn Gate, the Fellowship held a council together. In the end, they decided they would have to take the passage through the Dwarvish Mines of Moria where mithril was once mined, a prospect which delighted Gimli. As they rested before heading off, they were watched by the evil Wargs. Gandalf helped frighten the wolves away, and Legolas managed to hit one with an arrow.

The Wargs returned, however, and only fire frightened them off. They then set off towards Moria, where they said goodbye to the horse Bill.

At the entrance, which was only revealed by the moonlight, a riddle was revealed: "Speak, friend, and enter". Not realizing this was a riddle, Gandalf tried many passwords before saying "mellon", the Elvish word for "friend".

They only just entered on time, as a monster of the lake emerged and destroyed the entrance.

Answer: Gandalf

While journeying through Moria, Pippin dropped a stone down a well, awakening the Orcs. The Fellowship continued travelling while Orc noises continued. They eventually came across the grave of Balin, a Dwarf who accompanied Bilbo in "The Hobbit" who became the Dwarf-lord of Moria. With it was a book which recorded what happened and how the Orcs took over.

When Gandalf had finished reading, Orcs came to attack with a cave-troll and the Fellowship fought back for a while. The Orcs fled, leaving the Fellowship time to flee as well.

It didn't take long, however, until the Orcs began to chase them again. As the Orcs fled again, however, a Balrog, an evil demon beast, appeared. Gandalf fought with the Balrog on the bridge near the exit for a while before they both fell in to the dark abyss.

Answer: Frodo and Sam

The Fellowship travelled from Moria and entered the forest of Lothlórien. They then had to walk blindfolded to Cerin Amroth and then, taking the blindfolds off, they went onwards and arrived in Caras Galadhon, where they were welcomed by the Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel.

They spent many days in Lothlórien resting and admiring the beauty of the Elvish forest. One night, when Sam and Frodo were walking together, Galadriel invited them to look in to the Mirror of Galadriel, where "things that were, and things that are, and things that yet may be" are seen. Sam goes first and sees many things, including the destruction of the Shire. Frodo goes next, and he too saw many things, among them the Eye of Sauron. Frodo offered Galadriel the Ring, and at first she is willing and revealed terrible, before she turns normal again.

It is also revealed she is a keeper of one of the Rings of Power.

Answer: Gimli

The Fellowship was to ride down the Anduin River on boats the Elves provided. Before they left, they all received lembas (Elvish bread) and a hood and cloak. They wandered towards the bank where they all received rope made of hithlain. Then, they boarded the boats and started to travel down the river.

They were met by Celeborn and Galadriel, and on the shore they ate together and each received a gift. Aragorn received his sword back with a new blade and a stone to pin on his brooch. Boromir received a golden belt and Merry and Pippin both received silver belts. Legolas was given a new bow and quiver of arrows. Sam was given a box filled with the soil of Lothlórien. Gimli asked for a strand of Galadriel's hair and he was given three and Frodo was given a crystal phial filled with the light of Eärendil's star.

Answer: Boromir

They continued down the Anduin River while being pursued by Orcs and a strange creature later revealed to be Gollum. They passed through the Gates of Argonath, two stone pillars carved in to the likeness of Isildur and Anárion, both past Kings of Gondor.

They hid the boats and sat together to discuss what they were next to do. Frodo, as the Bearer of the Ring, was given this task. He went off to ponder this. While he was away Boromir came and attempted to take the Ring off Frodo by force so he could use it to bring glory to Gondor. Frodo uses the Ring and disappears.

While sitting on a stone chair carved by Men, he makes the decision to go to Mordor alone. So, without telling the others, he goes to the boats and takes one. Sam finds him and Frodo decides to take him with him. "The Fellowship of the Ring" ended with Frodo and Sam on the opposite shore beginning their journey to Mordor.