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News from Bree
spymaster@theonering.net
Mar 31 2015, 12:50pm
Post #1 of 14
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A Speculative History Of Aragorn II In Peter Jackson's Middle-earth
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 Forum member Otaku-sempai has submitted an informative, in-depth analysis of how the time-line of Aragorn's life was changed and condensed as presented in The Lord of the Rings movies, and alluded to in "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies." Enjoy this well-researched article!
A Speculative History Of Aragorn II In Peter Jackson's Middle-earth - by Otaku-sempai
The words of the Elvenking Thranduil to his son Legolas at the end of The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies concerning the young Dunadan Ranger called Strider confirms the long-held assertion that Peter Jackson substantially altered the timeline of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings in his film adaptation by all but eliminating the seventeen-year gap between Bilbo Baggins' one hundred eleventh birthday and Frodo's departure from the Shire. Rather than a young boy being fostered secretly in Rivendell by Lord Elrond, Aragorn son of Arathorn is a young adult abroad in the world. How old is he at this time? How far along is he on his journey of exploration and self-discovery? Where does Aragorn go from here? We can answer these questions, but we have to make some assumptions in the process.
Preliminaries
Can we determine Aragorn's age? First we must determine the years of the War of the Ring within Jackson's film trilogy. In the extended edition of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey we are given the exact date of Bilbo's eleventy-first birthday: The twenty-second of September in the year three thousand of the Third Age. According to Professor Tolkien, Bilbo chose this date to leave the Shire because it was also the thirty-third birthday and coming-of-age of his nephew (really cousin) and heir Frodo Baggins.
In the commentary track with Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, the director and writers discuss the shortened time-frame of the film, suggesting that as little as a few months pass before Frodo and Sam leave Bag End for Rivendell rather than the seventeen years indicated by Tolkien. We see in the film that Gandalf the Wizard leaves Bag End to investigate Bilbo's Ring, traveling to Minas Tirith in Gondor and (presumably) tracking down and questioning the creature Gollum in his investigation before returning to Hobbiton and advising Frodo to go to Rivendell. All this must have taken a significant amount of time, at least one year as Frodo is able to leave home and awaken in the house of Elrond on the date of 24 October (as told to him by Gandalf).
We know that not very much more than a year or so passes before Frodo leaves the Shire because of the ages of his companions Sam, Merry and Pippin. In Appendix D of The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien provides the birth-years of Frodo (2968), his cousins Meriadoc Brandybuck (2982) and Peregrin Took (2990), and Samwise Gamgee (2980), showing that the latter three were all either children or adolescents by Hobbit standards at the time of Bilbo's birthday party (the year 3001 in Tolkien's legendarium). Peter Jackson ages them up so that all three are now Frodo's contemporaries in age. This gives us a likely year of 3001 for Frodo's arrival in Rivendell and the Council of Elrond. If the films roughly follow the same chronology as the books in terms of months and days then the Company of the Ring should leave Rivendell on or near 25 December, 3001.
So, when was Aragorn born?
 In the extended edition of The Hobbit: The Two Towers, Aragorn reveals to Eowyn, niece of King Theoden of Rohan, that he is eighty-seven years old; she realizes that he appears much younger because he must be one of the Dunedain descended from the Men of Numenor. This should be (again if the dates in the books and films are congruent) a day or so after Aragorn's birthday (1 March) which, according to Tolkien, is when Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli met Gandalf the White.
If Aragorn turned eighty-seven years old in 3002, his day of birth would have been 1 March, 2915 (or no earlier than 2914 if the scene between Aragorn and Eowyn took place prior to 1 March). His true name and heritage would have been revealed to him by Elrond in 2935 (or 2934), just before his first encounter with Elrond's daughter Arwen. At the time of the Quest of Erebor (the year 2940 in the film-continuity) Aragorn's age would have been twenty-five (or possibly twenty-six). To simplify things, let us assume that the months and days during the War of the Ring (although not the years) match up between the books and the films, and that Aragorn turned twenty-five in the year of Bilbo's great adventure.
What happens, and when?
So, how does this affect the rest of Aragorn's story? It changes the timelines of other characters: Arathorn II and Gilraen, Aragorn's parents; King Thengel of Rohan and his descendants; Eowyn and her brother; Ecthelion II the twenty-fifth Ruling Steward of Gondor; Ecthelion's son Denethor; and Denethor's sons Boromir and Faramir; among others.
Aragorn acquires his nickname of Strider sometime soon after he goes into the wild, possibly in Bree. At some point before the Battle of Five Armies, he comes to the notice of Thranduil of the Woodland Realm who also learns of his true identity. Either Aragorn does not meet Gandalf until after the Quest of Erebor and the Battle of Five Armies or the Wizard does not wish to risk the heir of Isildur against the dragon Smaug nor against the Necromancer.
The great journeys and errantries of Aragorn probably begin in the year 2941, his twenty-sixth year, and likely culminate in 2964, this becoming the year of his victorious raid as Thorongil upon the Corsairs of Umbar and his reunion with Arwen in Lothlorien where the couple plighted their troth upon Cerin Amroth. This would be the period in which Aragorn as Thorongil distinguishes himself in service to both King Thengel of Rohan and Ecthelion II in Gondor. He likely had several other adventures, both alone and with Gandalf the Grey.
 The years after this, leading up to the Great Years of the War of the Ring, might be when Aragorn journeyed to the distant regions of the East and South, "exploring the hearts of Men, both good and evil," as Tolkien wrote, "and uncovering the plots and devices of the servants of Sauron." Gilraen, Aragorn's mother, would return to her own people during this time and pass away sometime around the year 2990. The Hunt for Gollum must have been much shorter, having quickly come to a successful conclusion, or did not take place at all as it written by Tolkien; there is nothing in the films to indicate that a captured Gollum was ever taken to the Woodland Realm, much less that he escaped from there--only that Gandalf somehow located and interviewed him with or without the help of Aragorn.
Great journeys and errantries
The period of what Tolkien called Aragorn's "great journeys and errantries" might be greatly affected by the Peter Jackson film series. In the legendarium it lasted from 2957 to 2980 and Aragorn as Thorongil might have spent most or all of that period in Rohan and Gondor. Saruman the White did not turn against Rohan until after he was given permanent possession of Isengard in 2953. This probably does not change in the film-continuity since Saruman is still considered to be good at the time of the Quest of Erebor when the White Council drives the Necromancer and his servants from Dol Guldur.
It is possible that Aragorn began his explorations of the East and or South before the beginning of his service to Rohan. Alternately, he might have remained in the regions of Eriador and Rhovanion both as a companion of Gandalf and on his own during that time. In film-terms, the journeys and errantries of Aragorn could have begun at any time between 2941 and 2957 and might have ended as early as 2964 or as late as 2980. However, I am inclined towards the earlier dates.
Aragorn most likely came to Rohan after 2953 when Orcs and Dunlendings began harassing the Rohirrim and making trouble along the borders of Fangorn. Saruman was then pretending to still be a friend to Rohan even while secretly supporting its enemies. Tolkien wrote little of this period except to say that, as Thorongil, Aragorn rode with the host of the Rohirrim in defense of their lands.
 After taking his leave of King Thengel, Aragorn (still as Thorongil) traveled to Gondor and gave his services to Ectheilion II, the twenty-fifth Ruling Steward. He accrued great renown in Gondor and became seen as a great leader of men. He also became Ecthelion's most loved and trusted advisor, supporting the counsels of Gandalf and warning the Steward against accepting the aid of Saruman. In this a foresight might have been upon him as the treachery of Saruman was as yet unknown. Denethor II, the son of Ecthelion, considered Thorongil to be a rival for his father's attention and might have guessed at his true identity, fearing that Gandalf was plotting with the Dunadan to supplant him.
In Aragorn's last year of service to Ecthelion he led a successful raid on the Corsairs of Umbar, destroying a large part of their fleet. Then, setting his eyes on the Mountains of Shadow, he took leave of the Steward of Gondor and traveled east. After spending some weeks or months within the borders of Mordor, Arargorn was allowed to enter Lothlorien and was reunited with Arwen.
After the War of the Ring
 The events of the War of the Ring are known and accounted for in the films, with the new elements of Aragorn's self-doubt, and initial reluctance to seek after the Kingship of Gondor. After the Fall of Sauron, events presumably proceeded much as they did in Tolkien's legendarium with Aragorn having been crowned as King Elessar of the Reunited Kingdom, wedding Arwen who has given up her immortality for her love, siring with her several children including their son Eldarion and at least two daughters, and ruling over Gondor and Arnor until his passing in the one hundred twentieth year of the Fourth Age.
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Note: if you have an article you'd like to submit, please send it to spymaster@theonering.net.
(This post was edited by entmaiden on Mar 31 2015, 7:30pm)
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Otaku-sempai
Immortal
Mar 31 2015, 10:01pm
Post #2 of 14
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I've been half-expecting someone to ask why I assume that the conversation between Aragorn and Eowyn takes place after the first of March (Aragorn's birthday). Any other questions that my essay brings to mind are also welcome.
"At the end of the journey, all men think that their youth was Arcadia..." - Phantom F. Harlock
(This post was edited by Otaku-sempai on Mar 31 2015, 10:02pm)
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Bracegirdle
Valinor
Apr 1 2015, 12:49am
Post #3 of 14
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You answered the question yourself…
[In reply to]
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I've been half-expecting someone to ask why I assume that the conversation between Aragorn and Eowyn takes place after the first of March (Aragorn's birthday).
This should be (again if the dates in the books and films are congruent) a day or so after Aragorn's birthday (1 March) which, according to Tolkien, is when Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli met Gandalf the White.
I figure (from text of course) this conversation took place on the 7th or 8th of March.
Super article BTW… thanks
I’ll not get into the myriad of inaccuracies in film Aragorn; I just get ornery. 
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Brethil
Half-elven
Apr 1 2015, 12:34pm
Post #4 of 14
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I was so gratified in the films that Théoden tells Eowyn he remembers Aragorn riding with Thengel. I thought that was well done, not as a 'shock' sort of scene but probably a quiet revelation by Theoden off camera that Eowyn speaks to Aragorn of.
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Otaku-sempai
Immortal
Apr 1 2015, 1:17pm
Post #5 of 14
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I figure (from text of course) this conversation took place on the 7th or 8th of March. Super article BTW… thanks I’ll not get into the myriad of inaccuracies in film Aragorn; I just get ornery.
According to the Tale of Years (Appendix B) Theoden withdraws to Helm's deep on March 3. In Jackson's The Two Towers, Aragorn's revelation of his age takes place during this march from Edoras. I will admit that some part of me wants to place this conversation later, on the way to the muster at Harrowdale.
One reeason why I expected some disagreement is that I can easily imagine the argument that the Fellowship need not have waited until the end of December to leave Rivendell in the film-continuity. On the other hand, I know of no compelling evidence to suggest that they did not do so.
"At the end of the journey, all men think that their youth was Arcadia..." - Phantom F. Harlock
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Otaku-sempai
Immortal
Apr 1 2015, 1:42pm
Post #6 of 14
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I'm just grateful that no major mistakes seem to have made it into the final essay, although there are certainly statements with which others might disagree.
"At the end of the journey, all men think that their youth was Arcadia..." - Phantom F. Harlock
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Otaku-sempai
Immortal
Apr 2 2015, 5:59pm
Post #7 of 14
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In the extended edition of The Hobbit: The Two Towers, Aragorn reveals to Eowyn, niece of King Theoden of Rohan, that he is eighty-seven years old; she realizes that he appears much younger because he must be one of the Dunedain descended from the Men of Numenor. This should be (again if the dates in the books and films are congruent) a day or so after Aragorn's birthday (1 March) which, according to Tolkien, is when Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli met Gandalf the White.
The Hobbit: The Two Towers should read: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. I regret the error.
"At the end of the journey, all men think that their youth was Arcadia..." - Phantom F. Harlock
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Bracegirdle
Valinor
Apr 3 2015, 6:46pm
Post #9 of 14
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I figure (from text of course) this conversation took place on the 7th or 8th of March.
Super article BTW… thanks
I’ll not get into the myriad of inaccuracies in film Aragorn; I just get ornery. _
According to the Tale of Years (Appendix B) Theoden withdraws to Helm's deep on March 3. In Jackson's The Two Towers, Aragorn's revelation of his age takes place during this march from Edoras. I will admit that some part of me wants to place this conversation later, on the way to the muster at Harrowdale.
According to TT, King of the Golden Hall and T.Y., Gandalf heals Theoden on Mar 2 at Edoras. (Text) Aragorn & Eowyn have no discussion at this time, simply an exchange of greetings: ’Hail Aragorn son of Arathorn’ and ’Hail Lady of Rohan’.
Aragorn and Eowyn’s next meeting was at Dunharrow on Mar. 7th (RotK, Passing of the Grey Co.), where they had supper and talked. Thus the discussion in question according to text must have taken place on the evening of the 7th or early morning hours of the 8th, as Aragorn takes the Paths at daybreak of the 8th.
Also there is no mention of Aragorn’s age during these discussions, only – [Aragorn] ’…for I have walked in this land ere you were born to grace it.’
As for Jackson’s timeline. . . ehh. . .
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Otaku-sempai
Immortal
Apr 3 2015, 7:50pm
Post #10 of 14
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I'm not even sure that we find out Aragorn's precise age in the text of LotR. That information might only be found in the Appendices where we learn that Strider would have been 87 years old when he met Frodo in Bree and just past his 88th birthday when he reached Edoras with Gandalf, Legolas and Gimli.
"At the end of the journey, all men think that their youth was Arcadia..." - Phantom F. Harlock
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Otaku-sempai
Immortal
Apr 4 2015, 12:09pm
Post #12 of 14
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I'm glad you enjoyed it. Happy Easter!
"At the end of the journey, all men think that their youth was Arcadia..." - Phantom F. Harlock
(This post was edited by Otaku-sempai on Apr 4 2015, 12:09pm)
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Otaku-sempai
Immortal
Apr 4 2015, 5:50pm
Post #14 of 14
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An exact timeline is going to vary according to what details we assume to be correct. I have used the earliest workable years for the War of the Ring in the films (TA 3001 to 3002), and assumed that Aragorn's birthdate remains the first of March and that King Theoden orders the march to Helm's Deep after that date. If instead we assume that the Rohirmmir reach Helm's Deep before the beginning of March then the earliest possible year for the birth of Aragorn becomes 2014. If we posit that the years of Peter Jackson's War of the Ring were 3002 and 3003 then Aragorn's brithyear could be as late as 2916. All this affects such factors as when Aragorn might have first encountered Gandalf the Grey.
Another variable that affects the possible timeline for, and the possible order of, Aragorn's journeys and errantries is when in the films he first enters Lothlorien to renunite with Lady Arwen. This could vary greatly, from as early as 2963 (or even before?) to Tolkien's ascribed year of 2980.
I'm sure that all of this can get very dry and technical, but I find something fascinating about it, hence such essays as this and my chronology for the Erebor Dwarves.
"At the end of the journey, all men think that their youth was Arcadia..." - Phantom F. Harlock
(This post was edited by Otaku-sempai on Apr 4 2015, 5:57pm)
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