Third Age 3000

• The shadow of Mordor lengthens.^[1]
• Saruman dares to use the palantír of Orthanc, but becomes ensnared by Sauron, who has the Ithil-stone. He becomes a traitor to the White Council. His spies report that the Shire is being closely guarded by the Rangers.^[1]
• One day, Bilbo Baggins sees the Sackville-Bagginses approaching along the road. Using his Ring he evades an unwanted meeting with them. Unbeknownst to him, the whole scene is witnessed by young Meriadoc Brandybuck.^[2]
• Death of Wilibald Bolger.^[3]

[edit] Calculation of the Date

The incident of Bilbo's vanishing seen by Merry occurred (as Merry revealed to Frodo Baggins in Crickhollow on 25 September T.A. 3018^[4]) "a year before the Party". This refers to Bilbo's Farewell Party, held in 3001.^[4]

[edit] References

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age"
2. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "A Conspiracy Unmasked"
3. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix C, "Bolger of Budgeford"
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Great Years"