The Fellowship of the Ring: Book 1, Chapter 12 Summary & Analysis

When Frodo regains consciousness, he is clutching the Ring in his hand and lying beside the fire. His friends are overjoyed that he is awake, sharing the news that the Black Riders retreated at Strider’s fiery attack, but that Strider has also disappeared for the past hour. The Ranger then startles them with his return, explaining that he has been trying to discover the Black Riders’ movements.

When Strider learns of Frodo’s wound, he is gravely concerned, especially when he later discovers the hilt of the weapon used to pierce Frodo’s shoulder. Strider recognizes it as a cursed blade—its influence will soon permanently corrupt Frodo. Strider finds a plant named “athelas” that he uses to treat the hobbit’s wound, although it will not stop the curse for long.

At daybreak the next morning, Strider and the hobbits hasten from Weathertop toward Rivendell. For approximately ten days they struggle through the wilderness, with Frodo’s wound growing increasingly worse. The group keeps away from the road as much as possible, fearing another encounter with Black Riders. Their chilling journey is interrupted only by Strider finding a hopeful token as they approach a bridge—it is a green elf-stone jewel that has been placed on the road—as well as the party’s stumbling upon three stone trolls. These are the very same creatures that Bilbo, Gandalf, and the dwarves had outwitted at the beginning of their journey to the Lonely Mountain long ago. The reminder brings brief cheer to the hobbits.

Strider and his charges are forced to return to the road for the final leg of their journey to Rivendell. Hiding at the sound of hoof beats coming fast from behind them, they are amazed to be discovered by Glorfindel—a powerful elf-lord, well-known to Strider, who has been sent by Elrond to aid their party’s journey. It was he who left the elf-stone token before the bridge. As Frodo’s health declines, Glorfindel places him atop his horse so that Frodo can race ahead if they are attacked by the Black Riders. Frodo is unwilling to leave his friends, but Glorfindel reminds him that the Riders are focused on pursuing only the Ring-bearer—the others will be safe.

For the next two days, Glorfindel and Strider push the hobbits hard toward safety. As they approach the Ford of Bruinen that borders Rivendell’s lands, five Black Riders burst into pursuit behind the party. Glorfindel commands his horse to run forward with Frodo, and the swift steed manages to evade four more Black Riders who appear from Frodo’s side to cut off his escape. Sauron’s nine servants race after the hobbit, and their power over Frodo and the Ring wills the hobbit to pause and look back after he has crossed the Ford of Bruinen.

The foremost Black Rider walks to the edge of the Ford and commands Frodo to return to meet them. The hobbit retaliates by invoking the names of Elbereth and Lúthien, but is struck silent when the Riders begin to cross the Ford. The enemy is almost upon Frodo when great waves of foaming white riders and horses come rushing down the River Bruinen. The magical waves sweep away the Black Riders who are in the middle of the river, and the rest of the dark creatures’ steeds bear them into the rushing current, mad with fear. After seeing all nine of the Black Riders swept away, Frodo falls from his own horse, unconscious.