The Return of the King characters

Also known as Strider, Elessar

First appears in chapter 2

The heir of Gondor's ancient kings, now moving openly toward his birthright. He takes a perilous hidden road to gather strength for the war and to come to the aid of the besieged white city in its darkest hour.

Also known as the White

Appears from the start

The white wizard, now the chief mover of the free peoples against the Enemy, who rides to the great city of Gondor with Pippin to help ready its defense against the coming storm.

Also known as Pippin

Appears from the start

The young hobbit, carried to Gondor by Gandalf, who out of gratitude enters the service of the city's Steward and soon finds himself caught up in the siege of Minas Tirith.

Appears from the start

The proud Steward who rules Gondor in the absence of a king - wise and commanding, but stern and sinking into despair. Grief for his sons and a secret dread gnaw at his will as the enemy's armies close in around his city.

First appears in chapter 3

The king of Rohan, restored to vigor, who answers Gondor's call for aid and gathers his riders to ride to the great battle far to the south.

Also known as Dernhelm

First appears in chapter 3

A noblewoman of Rohan, the king's niece, brave and chafing at being left behind to keep house while the men ride to war. Longing for a share in the danger, she rides secretly to battle in disguise among the soldiers.

Also known as Merry

First appears in chapter 3

The hobbit left in Rohan's keeping, likewise forbidden the ride to battle, who is carried along in secret and refuses to abandon his king when the fighting comes.

Also known as Lord of the Nazgûl, the Black Captain

First appears in chapter 4

The dread chief of the Enemy's ringwraiths, a lord of terror who commands the assault on Gondor. It is said no living man can bring him down, and his very presence saps the courage of those who face him.

First appears in chapter 11

The Ring-bearer, a prisoner in the enemy's tower as the final stretch of the quest begins, his strength nearly spent by the burden he still carries toward the Mountain of Fire.

Also known as Sam

First appears in chapter 11

Frodo's faithful servant, who braves the enemy's tower to rescue his master and bears him - and for a time the ring itself - onward across the ashen wastes of Mordor toward their goal.