— Ch. 1 · Nine Walkers Against Nine Riders —
Company of the Ring.
~4 min read · Ch. 1 of 5
In the dark lands of Mordor, nine shadowy figures known as Black Riders or Ringwraiths ride in silence. They are the enemy that demands a counterforce. J.R.R. Tolkien chose exactly nine members for his group to match and oppose these nine evil riders. The Company of the Ring emerges from this necessity. It includes Elves, Dwarves, Men, Hobbits, and one Wizard. This specific number creates a direct mirror between good and evil forces.
The journey begins at Rivendell during winter. Gandalf leads the group south through Eriador. They attempt to cross the Misty Mountains but fail. Instead they enter the mines of Moria. A Balrog attacks them there. Gandalf falls fighting the creature while others escape. Aragorn then takes command. He guides the Fellowship to Lothlórien before they travel down the River Anduin. At Parth Galen, the group camps to decide their next move. Frodo slips away while Boromir follows him. Boromir dies defending Merry and Pippin who were captured by Orcs. The original nine split into three smaller parties. Two hobbits support each other. Three warriors pursue the captors. Frodo and Sam continue alone toward Mount Doom.Scholar Ariel Little describes how Tolkien viewed community as the ideal model for life. She notes that the Company is diverse in culture and personal qualities. Each member relies on the strengths of every other individual to forward the common cause. This stands in contrast to what Little calls an evil assemblage that is homogeneous, discordant, and intensely individualistic. The Christian theologian Ralph C. Wood adds that the greatness of the Nine Walkers lies in the modesty of both their abilities and accomplishments.
Their strength comes from weakness and solidarity. They are unwilling to wield controlling power over others. Rebecca Munro observes that no one acts alone without dependence on the deeds of others. Even when the Company splits, it does not cease to function. Frodo and Sam work together on the way to Mordor. Merry and Pippin support each other. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli act as a team. Martina Juričková writes in Mallorn that this community-based model of heroism differs radically from the western image of the lone hero.