The Complete Journey of the One Ring, from Its Forging to Its Destruction – LOTR Lore

The One Ring’s complete journey begins in fire and ends at Mount Doom, but for nearly 2,500 years its whereabouts disappear from history. Forged by Sauron in Orodruin in the Second Age, it held much of his power and was made to dominate the other Rings. After Isildur took it from Sauron, the Ring slipped from his finger during an Orc ambush near the Gladden Fields and sank beneath the Anduin. Déagol found it centuries later, and Sméagol’s murder of his friend began his transformation into Gollum. In 2941, Bilbo discovered the Ring in Gollum’s cave. It passed to Frodo, whose path led through Rivendell, Moria, Lothlórien, and Mordor. The Ring could be destroyed only in the fires where it was forged. Frodo carried it there, with Sam bearing it briefly after Frodo was taken at Cirith Ungol. At Mount Doom, Frodo could not give it up, and Gollum’s pursuit brought the Ring to its end. Its destruction took away the power Sauron needed to rise again. Sources: • The Tolkien Estate, “Selected Further Reading” (n.d.): https://www.tolkienestate.com/selected-fur... • Tolkien Gateway, “The One Ring” (n.d.): https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/One_Ring • J. R. R. Tolkien, “Letter 131” (1951): https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Letter_131