Following his heroic adventures and the destruction of the Ring, Frodo Baggins returns to the Shire to save the Hobbits’ land before heading to the Undying Lands.
Tl;dr
- Frodo Baggins leaves Middle-earth after destroying Sauron’s One Ring.
- The movie The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King does not delve into Frodo Baggins’ post-adventure story.
- In J. R. R. Tolkien’s book, Frodo Baggins and his friends return to a devastated Shire and struggle to restore it.
- Frodo Baggins is allowed to journey to Valinor where he finally finds peace.
Frodo: A little-known ending
The movie The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King briefly mentioned what happened to Frodo Baggins after his quest, but J. R. R. Tolkien’s book tells a much more complex story. Frodo succeeded in destroying Sauron’s One Ring, but this success came at a great cost. Unable to remain in Middle-earth, he sailed to the Grey Havens towards the Undying Lands. However, many things happened before and after this final journey.
The return to the Shire
In Peter Jackson’s film, Frodo Baggins and his hobbit companions find a peaceful Shire, untouched by Sauron’s war. But in the book The Return of the King, the Shire was nearly destroyed in Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin’s absence. Before they could resume their lives, they had to lead their people in a battle against men who had taken control of the Shire. After reclaiming their home, the Hobbits worked tirelessly to restore their land. Thanks to Sam’s efforts and Galadriel’s gift, the Shire regained its former beauty.
Frodo Baggins’ departure
Despite joy in his life, Frodo did not find true peace. The wounds left by his journey with the One Ring were too heavy. He then entrusted Bag End to his dear Sam and sailed to the Undying Lands. These lands, inhabited by god-like beings called the Valar, were normally reserved for Elves. However, on rare occasions, the Valar allowed mortal beings to journey there. Thus, Frodo, the Ring-bearer, was invited to spend the rest of his days in Valinor.
What do we think?
The end of Frodo Baggins’ story in The Lord of the Rings is more complex and richer than the film suggests. He had to fight to reclaim his home, confront his wounds, and ultimately seek peace in the Undying Lands. His journey, though painful, is a strong testament to courage and resilience. It reminds us that even after the greatest triumphs, life continues with its challenges and joys.