The Council of Elrond (scene)

From Tolkien Gateway
The Council of Elrond
Scene from
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring - Council of Elrond2.jpg
Scene number27
Event The Council of Elrond
Formation of the Fellowship of the Ring
Characters Elrond, Gandalf, Frodo, Boromir, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Sam, Merry, Pippin
Navigation
Previous:
The Sword that Was Broken
Next:
Gilraen's Memorial

The Council of Elrond is the twenty-third scene of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring and the twenty-seventh of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (extended edition). This scene was extended in the latter edition.

Synopsis[edit | edit source]

The scene begins with Elrond outlining the threat posed by Sauron to the representatives of the free peoples of Middle-earth. At the request of Elrond, Frodo reveals the One Ring, causing all present to stir. Boromir is drawn to it, causing Gandalf to speak in Black Speech, showing the evil of the ring. Boromir however sees it as a gift, and wishes for Gondor to use it against Sauron. Strider points out the ring has no master other than Sauron. Boromir questions what a ranger would know of the ring; Legolas reveals Strider to be Aragorn, son of Arathorn, the Heir of Isildur and to the throne of Gondor. Boromir scorns this, saying "Gondor needs no king".

Elrond tells the council that the ring must be destroyed, and so Gimli takes an axe and attempts to do so, but he is thrown back. The ring is shown to be unscathed and Elrond reveals that, to destroy the ring, it must be taken into Mordor and cast into the fires of Mount Doom, where it was made. Boromir points out what he perceives to be the folly of this plan — Mordor is guarded by more than Orcs, and the Eye of Sauron is ever-watching. This leads to an argument between Elves and Men and Dwarves. Eventually Frodo says he will take the ring to Mordor, leading to stunned silence.

Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and Boromir all pledge themselves to support Frodo in his quest to destroy the ring. Sam, meanwhile, has been secretly watching the council from nearby, and comes out of hiding, saying "Mr Frodo's not going anywhere without me!" Likewise, Merry and Pippin join themselves to the party, much to the bewilderment of Elrond. The nine companions are named the fellowship of the ring by Elrond.

Differences[edit | edit source]

This scene is somewhat compressed when compared to the books. Bilbo, Glorfindel, and Galdor are absent, and much of the history of the ring and the discussion regarding the authenticity of the golden ring present as being the One Ring are not included.[1] Furthermore, Aragorn's tale of capturing Gollum close to the Dead Marshes is missing, as is the discussion regarding passing the ring to Tom Bombadil.[1] Much of Gandalf's contributions regarding his dealings with Saruman in the book chapter were moved to the scene Saruman the White.

References