Middle Earth Timeline

The Wizard Gandalf, Thorin Oakenshield, and twelve Dwarves visit Bilbo the Hobbit in the Shire: they set upon a quest to recover the treasure of Durin’s Folk and free the North from the threat of the Dragon of Erebor.   A series of unlikely events leads to the death of Smaug and to the destruction of Lake-town. Dáin of the Iron Hills becomes King of Erebor, while Dwarves, Men, and Elves collaborate in rebuilding new cities in Dale and upon the Long Lake.

Bilbo returns to his peaceful life in the Shire. He carries the One Ring with him, not suspecting its true nature. News of the great events that have come to pass spread across the land as he travels home.

Gandalf and Balin journey to the Shire to visit Bilbo Baggins. They arrive at Bag End on one autumn evening. They spend some time together, talking of their adventuring times and about how things are going in Wilderland. Balin doesn’t hide his disquiet from his good friend, and tries to convince Bilbo to join him in a new adventure. Bilbo is reluctant, and in the end declines the invitation.

The Dark Lord Sauron unveils his presence in the black land of Mordor. He is ready to spread his power far and wide, and begins to rebuild his Dark Tower. His will is bent on gathering a vast army in the black land, and his summons are answered by all sorts of wicked creatures. Gollum is among them, and his path slowly turns in the direction of Mordor.   Sauron sends the Nazgûl to reclaim his stronghold in southern Mirkwood, and the forest darkens. Rumours of a new Shadow in the South start to be whispered by many folks in the North. Orcs and Goblins are found bearing the symbol of a lidless Eye.

The White Council, a gathering of the Wise, meets to discuss the fate of the Rings of Power. Saruman the White, the head of the Council, declares that the One Ring, the Ruling Ring that Sauron himself made, is lost forever, having been carried by the River Anduin to the Sea.   Saruman claims the impregnable fortress of Isengard as his own abode and begins to restore its defences.

Adventurers out of Rivendell signal the presence in Eriador of a new breed of Troll: the Olog-hai. They seem to come from Mordor and directly serve the Dark Lord.

Aragorn, son of Arathorn, captain of the Rangers of the North and heir of Isildur, meets Gandalf the Grey, and their friendship begins.

Rumours of turmoil and strife in Wilderland become more and more common in this decade. Traffic intensifies over the High Pass as more and more travellers from the East cross into the Westlands bringing news of threats to the fragile peace between Men, Elves, and Dwarves.