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This Is How Long Frodo And Sam's Journey From The Shire To Mount Doom Took

This Is How Long Frodo And Sam's Journey From The Shire To Mount Doom Took

Argued like a married couple on it, must have been ages.

Mark McGowan

Mark McGowan

Let's get straight to the point: Lord of the Rings is better than Harry Potter and Star Wars, and the majority of other films for that matter.

Despite its popularity, I reckon that very few people hold the main protagonist, Frodo, as their favourite character.

I've got quite a problem with Frodo. I mean, Samwise Gamgee was there every step of the way alongside Mr Baggins. He cooked for him, saved him on countless occasions, kept him sane, and even applied some wisdom here and there, but no one gave a shit.

At the Black Gate, right before Aragorn was about to lead the remaining men of Middle-Earth to their inevitable doom, he turns around, tear in his eye, and says: "For Frodo."

What about Sam, you thoughtless bastard?! While Gollum tries his best to kill the hobbits and take the ring, Frodo continuously forgives him. He thinks Sam eats a bit of bread and tells him to fuck off home. Why is he getting such a grim time?! He left Rosie Cotton and his steady gardening job in The Shire for all of this. Give him some credit.

Anyway, now we've got that out of the way, it's time we talk about Frodo and Sam's journey. Frodo (understandably) became a little bitch during the hike, given the ring's power slowly destroying him. But how long did the famed journey take?

According to LOTR Project, on T.A. 3018, September 23, the two Shire folk left Hobbiton, heading towards the Prancing Pony, where they were supposed to meet Gandalf. Along the way they pick up Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took, who gleefully join the journey.

Eventually they're taken under the wing of Aragorn, known then only as 'Strider', and he takes them to Rivendell. There, on T.A. 3018, December 18, the Fellowship of the Ring is created.

It's a little known fact that on Christmas day the nine of them had to leave for Mordor. Christmas fucking Day. Anyway, it's fair to say that the Fellowship was pretty shit, because two months or so later, with very little achieved, they'd lost two members and the two most vulnerable and inexperienced travelers were left to finish the quest alone.

Somehow the two plucky hobbits manage it, acquiring the help of Smeagol, who acts as their guide.

Credit: LOTR Project

They pass through the Dead Marshes, reaching the Black Gate, but then choose another path before being captured by Faramir and taken to Henneth Annûn. Eventually, after holding back from the power of the ring, he lets the three of them take the Morgul-road to pass through Shelob's lair.

On T.A. 3019, March 15, Sam and Frodo officially enter Mordor having escaped the Tower of Cirith Ungol, after the ring bearer was stabbed by Shelob.

It then takes them 10 days to trek across the plains of Mordor, posing as Orcs, and finally reaching Mount Doom, according to LOTR Project.

On T.A. 3019, March 25, when Gollum bites off Frodo's finger, the ring is finally destroyed when it falls into the fires of the mountain.

From leaving The Shire, it took the two hobbits six months to complete their quest. Frodo eventually bitched out of Middle Earth because he was ill - resigning as Deputy Mayor of The Shire and sailing West to the Undying Lands.

Meanwhile, Samwise Gamgee fulfilled a long, three-year graft and marries Rosie Cotton. They had 13 children together and he was eventually named Mayor of The Shire, surpassing Frodo's previous role.

Sam is the real hero.

Featured Image Credit: LOTR Project

Topics: Lord Of The Rings