View source for Frodo Baggins

{{short description|Ring-bearer of the Third Age}}{{header image|shire}}
{{Disambig-two|the Ring-bearer|son of [[Samwise Gamgee]]|[[Frodo Gardner]]}}
{{infobox character
| ribbonid = test
| ribboncolor = #90a26f
| people=[[Hobbits|Hobbit]]
| name=Frodo Baggins
| image=Matt Stewart - Frodo Baggins.webp
| caption="Frodo Baggins" by [[Matt Stewart]]
| pronun=
| othernames=''[[#Other names|See below]]''
| titles=
| position=[[Ring-bearers|Ring-bearer]]
| location=[[Brandy Hall]], [[Buckland]]<br/>[[Bag End]], [[Hobbiton]]<br/>[[Crickhollow]]<br/>[[Tol Eressëa]]
| affiliation=[[Fellowship of the Ring]]
| language=[[Westron]] and [[Sindarin]]
| birth=[[22 September]], {{TA|2968}}
| birthlocation=
| rule=
| sailedwest=[[29 September]], {{TA|3021}}
| sailedfrom=[[Grey Havens]]
| age=53
| notablefor=Bearing the [[One Ring]] to the land of [[Mordor]], and bringing it to the [[Cracks of Doom]]
| family=[[Baggins Family|Baggins]]
| parentage=[[Drogo Baggins]] and [[Primula Brandybuck]]
| siblings=
| spouse=Never married
| children=None
| gender=Male
| height=Taller than some Hobbits<ref name="Strider">{{FR|Strider}}</ref>
| hair=Brown<ref group="note">In the chapter "[[Strider (chapter)|Strider]]", [[Nob]] says to Frodo: "And I made a nice imitation of your head with a brown woollen mat"</ref>
| skin=Fairer than most Hobbits<ref name="Strider">{{FR|Strider}}</ref>
| eyes=
| clothing=[[Mithril coat]], [[Elven cloaks|Elven cloak]]
| weapons=[[Sting]]
| steed=[[Strider (pony)|Strider]]
}}

{{quote|And though all the mighty elf-friends of old, [[Hador]], and [[Húrin]], and [[Túrin]], and [[Beren]] himself were assembled together, your seat should be among them.|Elrond to Frodo Baggins in ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', "[[The Council of Elrond]]"}}

'''Frodo Baggins''' was a [[Hobbits|hobbit]] of the [[Third Age]], the most famous of all Hobbits in the histories for his leading role in the [[Quest of the Ring]]. During this epic quest, he bore [[the One Ring]] to [[Mount Doom]] and there destroyed it, giving him renown like no other [[Hobbits|Halfling]] throughout [[Middle-earth]]. He is also peculiar for being, as a [[Ring-bearers|Ring-bearer]], one of the only three Hobbits to be granted passage from Middle-earth to [[Aman]], the [[Undying Lands]].

==History==
===Childhood and youth===
Frodo, child of the respectable [[Drogo Baggins]] and [[Primula Brandybuck]], was born on [[22 September]] of {{TA|2968}}. After his parents died in a boating accident in {{TA|2980|n}}, Frodo went to live in [[Brandy Hall]] with his mother’s relatives, the [[Brandybucks]]. He grew up under the guardianship of the [[Master of Buckland]] [[Rorimac Brandybuck|Rorimac "Goldfather" Brandybuck]], who was his maternal uncle. Frodo was caught several times stealing [[mushrooms]] from [[Farmer Maggot]], who, on the last incident, thrashed Frodo and set his three dogs to chase Frodo from [[Bamfurlong]] to [[Bucklebury Ferry]]. Frodo was terrified of them afterwards.<ref>{{FR|14}}: "''though I daresay the beasts knew their business...''"</ref>

Frodo stayed in Buckland until his "uncle" [[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo]] adopted him and took him in to live in [[Bag End]], Bilbo's house in [[Hobbiton]]. He enjoyed life with Bilbo, with whom he shared the same birthday - though others often called the old hobbit "queer." Bilbo taught him to read, and told him stories of the past, even giving him some instruction in the [[elvish]] tongue. Frodo was the only one Bilbo allowed to read [[There and Back Again|his memoirs]]. Bilbo made Frodo his heir, frustrating the attempts of the disagreeable [[Sackville-Baggins Family|Sackville-Baggins]]es, who coveted the estate of Bag End.<ref name="party">{{FR|Party}}</ref>

The two went often out for long walks along the lanes of the [[Water-valley]] and talked about adventure; they were sometimes seen by [[Wandering Companies]] of [[Elves]], though the hobbits did not see them. When they returned home, Bilbo would tell Frodo that the Road is like a massive river, and all porches are its "springs" and all paths are its "tributaries".<ref>{{FR|Three}}</ref>

Frodo and Bilbo were comfortable and well off until {{TA|3001}}. At this time, Bilbo threw an enormous [[Bilbo's Farewell Party|party]] to celebrate his 111th birthday, and Frodo's 33rd, the date of Frodo's coming of age. At this party Bilbo gave his farewell speech, and made his long-planned "disappearance" and withdrawal from [[the Shire]]. Frodo, who had been informed beforehand of the "joke", as Bilbo called it, was spared the shock that afflicted the other assembled Hobbits. Frodo returned home as the new Master of Bag End, as per [[Bilbo's will]]. He was greeted there by [[Gandalf]], who informed him that, among other things, Frodo had inherited Bilbo's [[One Ring|magic ring]].

===Master of Bag End===
[[File:Eric Faure-Brac - Bag End.jpg|thumb|left|220px|''Bag End'' by Eric Faure-Brac]]
Frodo took charge of distributing the presents Bilbo had left for the other hobbits, a long and tiring task. Then [[Gandalf]] the [[Wizards|wizard]], who had come for the festivities, warned Frodo not to use the magic ring, and to keep it secret and safe. Then he left, Frodo knew not where, with his mind full of curiosity about the ring. A suspicion was growing in the back of the Wizard's mind, but Gandalf did not yet know what it was.

Frodo, meanwhile, was quite well off. He continued honouring Bilbo every year along with his own birthday. He had also inherited some strange customs from Bilbo, like wandering by himself at nights far from home in the hills and woods under the starlight. His closest friends at this time were [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]], also [[Folco Boffin]] and [[Fredegar Bolger]], and other cousins from the family of the [[Old Took]]. Like Bilbo, Frodo continued to look robust and energetic even in his forties, and dreamed of one day seeing mountains and wilderness; he often wondered what lay beyond the borders of the Shire, and as he grew older, he would travel further and further from home. His friends were worried, and suspected that he met [[Elves]] and other strangers that had begun to be more common sights in the Shire. These strangers bore strange tales of unrest from lands far-off.<ref name="shadow">{{FR|Shadow}}</ref>
[[File:Alan Lee - The Shadow of the Past.jpg|thumb|200px|left|''The Shadow of the Past'' by [[Alan Lee]]]]
Still, he lived in peace and respectability for seventeen years, until Gandalf returned with the dreadful revelation that the "magic ring" was really the [[One Ring]], weapon of [[Sauron]], a thing of evil power thousands of years old. Furthermore, the Dark Lord was now aware of its survival, and would be searching for it, as [[Gollum]] had revealed - under torture - that it was to be found in the Shire. After a long discussion and a test by fire, which revealed the [[Black Speech]] written upon the ring, the two agreed that Frodo would have to leave the Shire for his own safety. [[Samwise Gamgee]], the gardener, was selected to travel with him. Gandalf recommended Rivendell as a destination, as the road was likely safe and the valley well-protected. He told Frodo to take the alias [[Mr. Underhill|Underhill]] while abroad. Frodo was reluctant, but wisely followed the wizard's advice. He bought a house in [[Crickhollow]] as an excuse to head east.

Gandalf stayed for two months while Frodo worked out the details. At the end of that time the wizard left to "get some news", as rather disturbing tidings had come to his ears. He promised to be back for the farewell party. Meanwhile, Frodo was not aware that some of his closest friends were watching him - [[Fredegar Bolger|Fredegar "Fatty" Bolger]], his cousin [[Peregrin Took|Peregrin "Pippin" Took]], [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Meriadoc "Merry" Brandybuck]], and Sam himself knew that Frodo and Gandalf were in some trouble concerning the Ring, and that Frodo was preparing for some adventure.

As autumn passed, Frodo was waiting for Gandalf, but did not return and Frodo grew quite anxious. Merry and Fatty drove the cart of Frodo's belongings ahead, while Frodo still waited for Gandalf. At the last possible day, he gave up waiting and departed with Pippin and Sam.

===Hobbiton to Crickhollow===
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Last Sight of Hobbiton.jpg|thumb|300px|''Last Sight of Hobbiton'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
Less than a day into their journey, Frodo, strangely nervous, requested that the threesome hide upon the approach of a [[Nazgûl|horseman]]. The rider was dressed in black, riding upon a black horse, and making queer sniffling noises. Frodo felt the urge to put on the Ring and vanish, but just as he was about to give in, the rider departed at a trot. Samwise then remarked upon the "[[Nazgûl|Black Rider]]" that had spoken to his father, [[Gaffer Gamgee]], some time earlier. This made Frodo wish that he had waited for Gandalf.

That night, they were again overtaken by a Black Horseman. This time it seemed to be able to sniff out their hiding place. But as it approached, it was driven away by the song of a group of [[Elves]]. Their leader, [[Gildor]], greeted the hobbits warmly, and lauded Frodo for his knowledge of their tongue. Frodo tried to get information from Gildor on the Black Riders, but the elf would tell him very little. Gildor foresaw that Frodo would have many dealings with the Riders in the future, and urged him to flee them whenever he met them. He and his party left the Hobbits before daybreak, while the three slept.
[[File:The Brothers Hildebrandt - Farmer Maggot's Hospitality.jpg|thumb|275px|''Farmer Maggot's Hospitality'' by [[the Brothers Hildebrandt]]]]
The next day the threesome agreed to stay off the road. After a brief scare when Sam sighted a Rider, they worried about losing their way. That evening they heard a terrible wail, and Frodo distinguished words in it. Before long they came to [[Bamfurlong]], the property of [[Farmer Maggot]]. Although Pippin knew Maggot, Frodo recalled a scare he had received at a young age after caught stealing the farmer’s mushrooms, being threatened with the dogs. He froze when the dogs came forth from the house, but Maggot's hospitality soon won him over. When Maggot told of a Black Rider who had stopped at his house asking for "Baggins," and made several shrewd guesses, Frodo grew uncomfortable. Maggot took them to [[Bucklebury Ferry]] in his wagon. There they joined up with Merry. As they were ferried across into [[Buckland]], they caught sight of a dark shape on the landing from which they had come.

===Crickhollow to Bree===
[[File:Miriam Ellis - Wake now, my merry friends!.jpg|thumb|250px|right|''Wake now, my merry friends!'' by [[Miriam Ellis]]]]
When they reached the house in Crickhollow, the other hobbits revealed their knowledge of the One Ring and promised to stick with Frodo on the road to [[Rivendell]]. The next morning, leaving Fatty to housesit, they passed into the [[Old Forest]]. In time they were driven by the trees down to the [[Withywindle]], where they were ensnared by [[Old Man Willow]]. Rescued by [[Tom Bombadil]], the hobbits came to his house. There they met Tom's wife, [[Goldberry]], and Frodo was moved to poetry over her loveliness. He was interested in Bombadil himself, and several times tried to learn who he was. That night he dreamed of a white-haired figure on a pinnacle of stone, borne away by an eagle.

The next day Frodo tried on the Ring, after finding it had no effect on Bombadil. Not subject to the Ring’s power, Tom nevertheless could see Frodo. That night Frodo dreamed once more, a dream he never forgot.

{{Blockquote|Frodo heard a sweet singing running in his mind: a song that seemed to come like a pale light behind a grey rain-curtain, and growing stronger to turn the veil all to glass and silver, until at last it was rolled back, and a far green country opened before him under a swift sunrise.|''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', "[[Fog on the Barrow-downs]]"}}
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Under the Spell of the Barrow-wight.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''Under the Spell of the Barrow-wight'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
After bidding Tom and Goldberry farewell, the Hobbits went on and traveled through the [[barrow-downs]]. Becoming lost in the mist, they were taken by the [[barrow-wights]], Frodo last of all. Frodo woke in the barrow to find the barrow-wight bending over his three friends. He rose and in a tremendous act of bravery and resilience took a sword and smote off the wight's hand. Then he summoned Bombadil with a [[Ho! Tom Bombadil, Tom Bombadillo!|song]] Tom had taught him. Bombadil drove the wight away and helped Frodo wake the others. Tom gave the hobbits ponies and escorted them all to the road before turning his face back toward the Withywindle. The hobbits continued along the road to Bree, where they took lodging at [[The Prancing Pony]] inn as Bombadil had recommended, with Frodo registering under the name of [[Mr. Underhill|Underhill]] as Gandalf had suggested.

===Strider and Weathertop===
[[File:Peter Xavier Price - Strider in The Prancing Pony.jpg|thumb|200px|''Strider in The Prancing Pony'' by [[Peter Xavier Price]]]]
While Merry went out to take a walk in the night air, the other hobbits came down to the common-room and were introduced by the landlord [[Barliman Butterbur]] to the gathering, Frodo under his alias. Frodo asked if Gandalf was present in Bree, only to learn that he had not yet arrived. While Pippin and Sam enjoyed the drink and conversation, Frodo remained withdrawn, soon falling into conversation with a curious [[Rangers of the North|ranger]] called [[Aragorn|Strider]], who gave him a warning about letting his friends talk to much. Pippin began to tell about [[Bilbo's Farewell Party|Bilbo's Birthday Party]], and Frodo, at Strider’s encouragement and in an attempt to prevent the name of Baggins from being raised, began to sing ''[[The Man in the Moon Stayed Up Too Late]]''. This proved popular with the gathering, but unfortunately, as Frodo relaxed, he fell from the table and the Ring slipped on his finger, causing him to vanish.
[[File:Donato Giancola - New Friendship.png|thumb|left|''New Friendship'' by [[Donato Giancola]]]]
Frodo crawled over to Strider's corner and slipped off the Ring, and said that he had rolled quickly to the side. The suspicious Breelanders, however, grew angry or frightened, and eventually all left the common-room. Frodo and his comrades retired to their room, where they found Strider waiting to talk to them. Strider was honest and blunt, telling what he had overheard and what he knew of them, as well as warning them of the Black Riders and traitors in Bree. He urged them to accept his aide by inviting him into the company. Frodo was leaning to believe the ranger when Butterbur broke in, giving Frodo the long-awaited letter from Gandalf, undelivered by Butterbur’s forgetfulness. After some little bit of light was shed on the situation to the innkeeper, he swore to help the hobbits in any way he could, as a friend of Gandalf and one very much afraid of Mordor. Frodo, reading the letter, learned that Gandalf recommended Strider as one to whom Frodo could go for help. After some further debate, Frodo agreed to let Strider lead them to Rivendell.
[[File:John Howe - Against the Shadow.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''Against the Shadow'' by [[John Howe]]]]
Strider arranged for a deception, by moving them to a different room. The next morning, their ponies were gone and the room was ravaged. Butterbur paid for a [[Bill the Pony|replacement pony]], and the four hobbits and ranger set out into the Wilds. They passed through [[Chetwood]] and [[Midgewater Marshes]], and finally to the [[Weather Hills]] before coming up to [[Weathertop]]. Black Riders were sighted from the top of the cairn, and Strider counselled to remain where they were. Shortly after the Black Riders came, and Frodo was stricken down. In desperation he put on the Ring and saw the [[Nazgûl]] in their true forms. Frodo then tried to attack in [[Varda|Elbereth]]’s name, but their leader, the [[Witch-king]] of [[Angmar]], stabbed Frodo in the shoulder with a [[Morgul-knife]], before being driven away by Strider.

===Weathertop to Rivendell===
[[File:Yulia Alekseeva - Asfaloth.jpg|thumb|300px|''Asfaloth'' by [[:Category:Images by Yulia Alekseeva|Yulia Alekseeva]]]]
Because of a piece of the knife embedded in his shoulder, Frodo started to become ill, so his companions hurried to take him to the [[Rivendell|House of Elrond]]. After journeying for 12 days, they were found by [[Glorfindel]], one of the [[Calaquendi|High Elves]], who was sent by Elrond to help Frodo after he heard of him from Gildor. Glorfindel, seeing that Frodo was starting to fade, put him upon his horse, [[Asfaloth]], and ordered him to go on when the Ringwraiths approached. Asfaloth outran the steeds of the Nazgûl and bore Frodo across the [[Ford of Bruinen]], but Frodo, who was on the brink of becoming a [[Wraiths|wraith]], turned around at the other side and defied the Nine. The Riders, were driven into the [[Bruinen|River]] by Glorfindel, Strider and the three hobbits, where they were swept away by the ensuing waters.<ref>{{FR|Flight}}</ref> As a sign that Frodo was shifting to the [[Wraith-world]], he could see the [[Unseen]] [[Light of Valinor|luminous form]] of Glorfindel.
[[File:Stephen Hickman - Hall of Fire.jpg|thumb|175px|''Hall of Fire'' by [[Stephen Hickman]]]]
Unconscious, Frodo was carried inside Rivendell, where Elrond removed the fragment of the knife from his shoulder. He awoke two days later, mostly recovered, and was delighted to find that Gandalf had arrived.  Frodo's recovery was celebrated with a feast during which he met [[Glóin]] and asked concerning the [[Dwarves of Erebor]]. Afterwards, Elrond led his guests to the [[Hall of Fire]], where Frodo found Bilbo, whom he hadn't seen in seventeen years. Bilbo asked to see the Ring and was saddened to see Frodo's negative reaction.  The two hobbits then enjoyed talking about Bilbo's [[Translations from the Elvish|works on lore]] and [[the Shire]].<ref name="Meetings">{{FR|Meetings}}</ref>

===Fellowship of the Ring===
{{seealso|Quest of the Ring}}
During the [[Council of Elrond]], it was decided that the Ring must be destroyed by casting it into the [[Cracks of Doom]]. Frodo volunteered to be the [[Ring-bearers|Ring-bearer]], and a [[Fellowship of the Ring|Fellowship]] was formed to protect him; the fellowship included Gandalf, Aragorn (Strider's real name), [[Boromir]] of [[Gondor]], [[Legolas]] of the [[Woodland Realm]], [[Gimli]] of [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]], and Frodo's friends Sam, Merry and Pippin.<ref name="council">{{FR|Council}}</ref> Before their departure, Bilbo gave Frodo his sword, [[Sting]], and his [[Mithril-coat]] to protect him on the perilous journey to [[Mount Doom]] that lay ahead.
[[File:The Lord of the Rings (1978 film) - Frodo stabbing the cave-troll.png|thumb|250px|Frodo stabbing a cave-troll in Moria - [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]]]
On [[December 25]], the fellowship left Rivendell, and headed south along the west side of the [[Misty Mountains]]. They attempted to cross them by the Redhorn gate, but were thwarted by a fierce blizzard <ref>{{FR|II3}}</ref> and had to go back. After surviving a [[Wargs|Warg]] attack, Gandalf persuaded the company to go through the abandoned [[Dwarves|Dwarf]] kingdom of [[Moria]]. Just before entering Moria, Frodo was attacked by the [[Watcher in the Water]] and barely escaped. During the journey through Moria, Frodo began to suspect that something was tracking them. Later, inside the [[chamber of Mazarbul]], the Fellowship was attacked by [[Orcs]], and Frodo was struck by an Orc spear but was saved by the mithril coat he wore. The company escaped the chamber, and were close to exiting Moria, when [[Durin's Bane]] appeared and pursued them to the [[bridge of Khazad-dûm]] where Gandalf held him off so the rest of the Fellowship could escape. After breaking the bridge, both he and the [[Balrogs|Balrog]] fell and disappeared into the chasm below, after which Aragorn took over as leader.<ref>{{FR|Bridge}}</ref>
[[File:Stephen Walsh - The Mirror of Galadriel.jpg|thumb|200px|left|''The Mirror of Galadriel'' by [[Stephen Walsh]]]]
Eventually they reached [[Lothlórien]], and were housed by the elves at [[Caras Galadhon]]. During their rest there, [[Galadriel]] allowed Frodo and Sam to look into the [[Mirror of Galadriel]], in which they saw many things.<ref>{{FR|Mirror}}</ref> When leaving the Woods, Galadriel gave Frodo a [[Phial of Galadriel|vial]] with light from the [[Silmaril]] of [[Eärendil]].<ref>{{FR|Farewell}}</ref>
[[File:John Howe - Good Sense Revolts.jpg|thumb|250px|right|''Good Sense Revolts'' by [[John Howe]]]]
They travelled down the [[Anduin]] river in boats given to them by the elves. On their trip down the river, Frodo confirmed his suspicion that they were being trailed by Gollum. At [[Amon Hen]], the Ring's corrupting power caused Boromir to try to take the Ring from Frodo, who escaped by putting it on. Seeing the corrupting influence of the ring on Boromir, he then decided to leave the Fellowship and go on alone, but he was thwarted in this when Sam discovered him attempting to cross the [[Nen Hithoel]], and insisted on accompanying him.

===Emyn Muil to Ithilien=== 
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Through the Marshes.jpg|thumb|350px|left|''Through the Marshes'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
The two companions reached [[Amon Lhaw]] and toiled through the [[Emyn Muil]]. Soon after, they found Gollum following them, and they captured him with the [[Elven rope]]. 

Frodo decided to trust Gollum to be their guide. He led the Hobbits out of the Emyn Muil and through the [[Dead Marshes]]. During their route, they were delayed several times by a [[Nazgûl]] flying on a [[Fell beasts|fell beast]]. The Hobbits reached [[Carchost]], the western [[Towers of the Teeth|Tower of the Teeth]], where Frodo had intended to enter Mordor, but Gollum persuaded Frodo to follow him to a safer entrance, the pass of [[Cirith Ungol]]. During the next night's march they passed into [[North Ithilien]], and by daylight of [[March 7]] they reached the stream of [[Henneth Annûn]].
[[File:The Brothers Hildebrandt - Faramir.png|thumb|right|''Faramir'' by [[the Brothers Hildebrandt]]]]
Their camp fire attracted the [[Rangers of Ithilien]], and their leader, [[Faramir]] (Boromir's brother), considered them spies and questioned Frodo concerning their errand, who recounted the journeys of the Fellowship, but said nothing about the Ring. Faramir informed Frodo of Boromir's death, implying Frodo's involvement. Faramir blindfolded the Hobbits and led them to Henneth Annûn, a secret Gondorian outpost, and questioned them further in private. After a meal, Sam accidentally revealed that Frodo had the Ring, but Faramir denied its lure, and thus gained the trust of the hobbits.

During the night, Faramir called Frodo and Sam to him, and showed them Gollum, who had found his way to Henneth Annûn, and (ignorant of their presence) was hunting for [[fish]]. Faramir, suspecting that Frodo had lied about Gollum's involvement in their quest, threatened to kill him for fear that he might reveal the location of their outpost to the enemy. Frodo confessed to the part of Gollum in their errand, and begged Faramir not to slay him. Gollum was caught and questioned and then surrendered to Frodo. The following morning Faramir released the three travellers, warning them strongly against taking the pass of Cirith Ungol.

===Entering Mordor===
[[File:John Howe - Shelob About to Leap on Frodo.jpg|thumb|200px|left|''Shelob About to Leap on Frodo'' by [[John Howe]]]]
After two marches they came to the valley of the [[Morgulduin]] and continued east. On the "[[Dawnless Day]]" Gollum lead them east to the [[Southward Road]] and reached the [[Cross-roads]] just as the sun was setting.<ref>{{TT|Journey}}</ref> They reached just opposite the north-facing gate of [[Minas Morgul]] and they saw the Morgul-host march forth.

In that night they ascended the [[Straight Stair]] and reached the top of the [[Winding Stair]] at dawn of [[March 11]] where they were woken by Gollum. He led the up the to the entrance to [[Shelob's Lair]]. Inside the tunnel Gollum betrayed Frodo and Sam to [[Shelob]] the [[Spiders|spider]], who stung Frodo after he left the tunnel. Sam saved Frodo from being eaten by Shelob, but thought him dead and took the Ring from him, resolving to continue the Quest alone. However Frodo (who was still alive) was captured by Orcs and taken to the [[Tower of Cirith Ungol]].

===Cirith Ungol to Mount Doom===
[[File:Ted Nasmith - At the Cracks of Doom.jpg|thumb|250px|''At the Cracks of Doom'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
Learning of this, Sam rescued Frodo and on early [[March 15]] the Hobbits escaped and jumped into the ravine west of the [[Morgai]] and crossed the valley. The next day they attempted to climb the Morgai, but had to retrace their steps and reached the north end of the valley, and on [[March 18]] they  set out on the road that ran to the [[Carach Angren|Isenmouthe]]. There they were overtaken by an Orc troop and had to follow their trot.

As Sauron's troops moved at night, the hobbits continued their journey in daytime towards Mount Doom. During the morning of [[March 25]] they reached the [[Cracks of Doom|Crack of Doom]] where, at the last moment, Frodo, under the influence of the Ring, claimed it as his own. However, at that moment he was attacked by [[Gollum]], who seized the Ring and then fell into the fire with it, thus destroying the Ring.

By then, this pressure of the ring reached its maximum, which was impossible, "especially after long possession, months of increasing torment, and when starved and exhausted." Frodo had done what he could, and by then he was simply incapable of making a conscious decision to destroy the Ring.<ref>{{L|246}}</ref>

===Return home===
[[File:John Howe - The End of All Things.jpg|thumb|250px|''The End of All Things'' by [[John Howe]]]]
Frodo and Sam were rescued by [[Gwaihir]], [[Landroval]] and [[Meneldor]] and taken to [[Ithilien]]. After being healed and having rested for a month, the Ring-bearers were honoured on the [[Field of Cormallen]]. The following months the Hobbits witnessed the coronation of their companion Aragorn as King Elessar, and were present at his marriage to [[Arwen]] that summer. Arwen renounced her [[immortality]] and gave to Frodo her place to sail into the [[Uttermost West|West]]. She also gave to Frodo a white gem on a silver necklace that she claims would aid him when he remembers the fear and darkness of the toll the ring took on him.<ref>{{RK|Partings}}</ref>

Frodo and his company left Minas Tirith on [[July 19]] for [[Edoras]] and the funeral of King [[Théoden]], then set out for the [[Hornburg]] and eventually [[Isengard]]. They parted there from Legolas, Gimli, and Aragorn.

After overtaking Saruman and [[Gríma|Wormtongue]], they reached the [[Mountains of Moria]]; and when they approached [[Lothlórien]], [[Celeborn]] and Galadriel parted from their company. The hobbits, with Gandalf and other Elves, reached Rivendell on [[September 21]], where Frodo met Bilbo once again.
[[File:Miriam Ellis - Homeward Bound from The Prancing Pony Inn.jpg|thumb|250px|''Homeward Bound from The Prancing Pony Inn'' by [[Miriam Ellis]]]]
They stayed there until [[October 5]] and eventually visited the ''Prancing Pony'' in Bree before reaching the Shire. At the Buckland Gate Gandalf left them to go and have a talk with Tom Bombadil. Once in the Shire, they reached [[Frogmorton]] where they were arrested. The next day they reached [[Bywater]] where they defeated the [[ruffians]] who had overtaken their land. The leader of the ruffians was revealed to be Saruman, and Frodo decided to let him live, even after he had tried to stab him with a knife. But Saruman did not live much longer, for his servant, Wormtongue, killed him himself (before being killed by the hobbits), thus ending the [[War of the Ring]].

===Later years===
[[File:Francesco Amadio - Grey Havens.jpg|thumb|220px|''Grey Havens'' by [[:Category:Images by Francesco Amadio|Francesco Amadio]]]]
Over the next two years, the travellers reordered the Shire and their lives; but Frodo was still troubled by his wounds, falling ill every [[13 March]] and [[6 October]], clutching the white gem in a manner reminiscent of the One Ring. Frodo served as [[Mayor of Michel Delving]] until [[Will Whitfoot]] was restored in {{SR|1420}}.<ref name="chief">{{App|Chief}}</ref> Having no family of his own, Frodo left his estate ([[Bag End]]) and passed on the [[Red Book of Westmarch|Red Book]] to Samwise Gamgee, who named [[Frodo Gardner|his son]] after Frodo.

On [[September 21]] of {{TA|3021}} Frodo set out for the [[Grey Havens]]. Going south to Woody End he met the [[Last Riding of the Keepers of the Rings]], Elrond, Galadriel, and Bilbo. On [[September 29]] they came to the firth of [[Lhûn]] where Gandalf awaited them, and on the [[White Ship]]<ref name="chief" /> they crossed the [[Straight Road]] into the West. Frodo would spend the rest of his days in "a period of reflection and peace" on [[Tol Eressëa]], giving him the opportunity to truly understand his position in [[Arda]] before passing beyond the [[Circles of the World]].<ref>{{L|246}}: "a gaining of a truer understanding of his position..."</ref><ref>{{L|297}}</ref><ref>{{L|325}}</ref>

==Legacy==
According to [[Elanor Gardner]], Sam followed Frodo across the sea on September 22, 1482 following the death of his wife [[Rose Cotton|Rose (née Cotton)]].<ref>{{App|B5}}: "''Among them the tradition is handed down from Elanor...''"</ref>

At some point well into the [[Fourth Age]], the words "''Frodos Dreme''" appeared scrawled at the head of a poem, [[The Sea-Bell]], within the Red Book, possibly derived from the nightmares that Frodo had before passing into the West.<ref>{{AB|Preface}}: "''It is the latest piece and belongs to the Fourth Age...''"</ref>

==Characteristics==
The only real description of Frodo's appearance was given only once by Gandalf in his letter to Barliman Butterbur, in which he was declared a "stout fellow with red cheeks, taller than some (hobbits), and fairer than most", with a cleft chin, a bright eye, and a perky personality.<ref name="Strider" /> Although Frodo was apparently fairly stout before his journey, he seemed to have lost a significant amount of weight on his trip from Hobbiton to Rivendell.<ref name="Meetings" />  Also, at a later point, Sam remarked that Frodo was "too thin and drawn" for a hobbit.<ref>{{TT|Herbs}}</ref>

Frodo carried a small Elven sword called [[Sting]] and wore a coat of Dwarven mail made of ''[[mithril]]'' under his clothes, both given to him by Bilbo. In [[Lothlórien]], [[Galadriel]] gave Frodo, along with all of the Fellowship, an [[Elven cloaks|Elven cloak]], which allowed the wearer to blend in with his natural surroundings, and, to Frodo alone, the [[Phial of Galadriel]], a small crystal phial in which light from the [[Star of Eärendil]] had been captured, to aid him on his quest.

Before Frodo returned to the Shire after the Quest of the Ring was completed, Arwen Evenstar, wife of Aragorn and daughter of Elrond, gave Frodo a white gem on a silver necklace to wear around his neck.

Frodo is said to have shown great "skill with foreign sounds" and probably could pronounce [[Elvish]] correctly, more than other Hobbits (who pronounced long Elvish vowels as diphthongs).<ref>{{App|Vowels}}</ref>

==Etymology==
The name ''Frodo Baggins'' is an English translation of his [[Westron]] name '''[[Maura]] [[Baggins Family|Labingi]]'''. The name ''Maura'' has the element ''maur-'' (wise, experienced), which Tolkien equated to the Germanic element ''frod-'' of the same meaning. Frodo's name in [[Sindarin]] was '''''[[Iorhael]]''''' ("old-wise") although in some instance he is mentioned as '''Daur''' (probably [[lenition|lenited]] form of ''[[taur]]'').

''Frodo'' is a real name, which comes from the Gemranic tradition with ''Fróda'' being its [[Old English]] form. It is obviously connected with the Old English word ''fród'', which means "wise by experience", but it was connected mythologically with legends of the Golden Age in the North.<ref>{{L|168}}</ref>

In the German translation he is called ''Frodo Beutlin'', in Spanish, ''Frodo Bolsón'', in French, ''Frodon Sacquet'', or ''Frodo Bessac'' (in the latest translation of the books), in Norwegian, ''Frodo Lommelun'', in Danish, ''Frodo Sækker'', in Faroese, ''Fróði Pjøkin'', in Finnish, ''Frodo Reppuli'', in Swedish, ''Frodo Secker'', in Portuguese, ''Frodo Bolseiro'', in Czech, ''Frodo Pytlík,'' and in Dutch, ''Frodo Balings''. In one of three Polish translations he is called ''Frodo Bagosz'', but he keeps his original name in the other two.

===Other names===
*Frodo Baggins - ''fród'' means "wise by experience" in [[Old English]]. Baggins may have been a reference to [[Bag End]] or may come from "bagging" which means "eating between meals" in northern England.
*[[Maura]] [[Baggins Family|Labingi]] - the [[Hobbitish]] name for Frodo.
*[[Ring-bearers|Ring-bearer]] - he bore the [[One Ring]] to [[Mount Doom]].
*[[Elf-friends|Elf-friend]] - given to him by [[Gildor|Gildor Inglorion]].
*[[Mr. Underhill]] - used during his stay in [[The Prancing Pony]] to conceal his identity.
*The Halfling - a name used for him from [[Boromir]]'s dream. Also a title given to him in [[Gondor]] after he accomplished the [[Quest of the Ring]].
*[[Master]] - given to Frodo by both [[Samwise Gamgee]] as Sam was his gardener, and [[Gollum]], as Frodo was the Master of the Precious.
*Nine-fingered Frodo/Frodo of the Nine Fingers - given to Frodo after Gollum bit off his finger.
*Deputy Mayor of [[Michel Delving]] - he was the Deputy from November {{TA|3019|n}} through Mid-Year's Day in {{TA|3020|n}}.
*[[Taur|Daur]] - which translates to "noble" and was given to Frodo at the [[Field of Cormallen]].
*[[Iorhael]] - the [[Sindarin]] name for Frodo which comes from ''[[iaur]]'' meaning "old" and ''[[sael]]'' meaning "wise".

*[[Bingo Baggins]] - Frodo's name in the early drafts of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''.
*''Bronwe athan Harthad'' - name given to Frodo by Gandalf in an early version of the ''[[Many Partings]]'' chapter, meaning "Endurance beyond Hope".<ref>{{SD|VII}}: "''the bards and the minstrels should give them new names...''"</ref>

==Genealogy==
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree| | |BAL|y|BER| |BAL=[[Balbo Baggins]]|BER=[[Berylla Baggins|Berylla Boffin]]}}
{{familytree| |,|-|-|-|^|-|.| |}}
{{familytree|MUN| | | |LAR|y|TAN|MUN=[[Mungo Baggins]]<br />(grandfather of Bilbo)|LAR=[[Largo Baggins]]|TAN=[[Tanta Hornblower]]}}
{{familytree| | | | |,|-|-|-|v|^|-|-|-|-|-|-|.| |}}
{{familytree| | | |DOR| |DRO|y|PRI| |DUD|DOR=[[Dora Baggins]]|DRO=[[Drogo Baggins]]|PRI=[[Primula Brandybuck]]|DUD=[[Dudo Baggins]]}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | | | |!| | | | | |!|}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | | |FRO| | | |DAI|~|GRI|FRO='''Frodo Baggins'''|DAI=[[Daisy Baggins]]|GRI=[[Griffo Boffin]]}}
{{familytree/end}}

==Portrayal in adaptations==
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="170px" heights="170px">
File:The Lord of the Rings (1978 film) - Frodo in Lothlórien.jpg|[[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]
File:Frodo Rankin Bass.png|[[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]
File:LOTR-Gandalf 1990-1--1-.png|''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Vol. I (1990 video game)|J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Vol. I]]''
File:Cortney Skinner - Free to Choose.png|''[[Middle-earth Collectible Card Game]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Frodo at the Grey Havens.png|[[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
File:SBG - Frodo mounted.gif|''[[Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (video game) - Frodo Baggins and the One Ring.JPG|[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Frodo Baggins.jpg|''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
File:Jake Murray - Frodo Baggins.jpg|''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game]]''
File:LEGO - Frodo Baggins.png|''[[Lego|LEGO]]''
File:Guardians of Middle-earth - Frodo Icon.jpg|''[[Guardians of Middle-earth]]'
File:John Howe - Frodo Baggins.png|''[[War of the Ring: The Card Game]]''
File:Randy Gallegos - Breaking of the Fellowship.jpg|''[[The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth]]''
</gallery>
===Films===
'''1978: [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]:'''
:Frodo was voiced by [[Christopher Guard]]. [[Sharon Baird]] was the model for Frodo in the live-action recordings Bakshi used for rotoscoping.

'''1980: [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]:'''
:Frodo was voiced by [[Orson Bean]], who had previously played Bilbo in [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]].

'''2001-03: [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]:'''
:Frodo is played by [[Elijah Wood]].

'''2012-14: [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]]:'''
:[[Elijah Wood]] reprises his role as Frodo Baggins.<ref name="PJCasting">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150168211921558|articlename=Production begins in New Zealand on The Hobbit|dated=20-March-2011|website=[http://www.facebook.com/ Facebook]|accessed=23-Dec-2011}}</ref> He has a conversation with Bilbo on the day of his 111th Birthday, before setting off to the woods to wait for Gandalf.

===Television===
'''1993: ''[[Hobitit]]'':'''
:Frodo was played by Taneli Mäkelä.

===Radio series===
'''1955: [[The Lord of the Rings (1955 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1955 radio series)]]:'''
:[[Oliver Burt]] provided the voice of Frodo.

'''1979: [[The Lord of the Rings (1979 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1979 radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Frodo is provided by [[James Arrington]].

'''1981: [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1981 radio series)]]:'''
:Frodo is voiced by [[Ian Holm]].

'''1992: [[Der Herr der Ringe (1992 German radio series)|''Der Herr der Ringe'' (1992 German radio series)]]:'''
:Frodo is played by Matthias Haase.

'''1992: [[Tales from the Perilous Realm (1992 radio series)|''Tales from the Perilous Realm'' (1992 radio series)]]:'''
:In two episodes telling of the meeting of Frodo and [[Tom Bombadil]], [[Nigel Planer]] provided the voice of Frodo.

'''2001-2003: [[Pán prsteňov (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)|''Pán prsteňov'' (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:In the first of the three series (seasons), based on ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', the voice of Frodo is provided by Dušan Cinkota. Cinkota was unable to reprise his role after the first series, and the role of Frodo was recast with Ľuboš Kostelný for the second and third series (based on ''[[The Two Towers]]'' and ''[[The Return of the King]]'').

===Games===
'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:Frodo is one of the playable characters; his story doesn't significantly differ from the book. He is voiced by [[Steve Staley]].

'''2003: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'' (video game)]]:'''
:Frodo is present in all missions from Sam's perspective: escape from [[Osgiliath]], Shelob's Lair, Cirith Ungol and the Crack of Doom. Completing the game allows to replay those missions from Frodo's perspective.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring]]'':'''
:Frodo is a "Hero" unit of the Free People; his ability to use the Ring and turn invisible makes him ideal for scout missions.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
:Unlike most other characters, Frodo and Sam make no appearance in Skirmish battles - they only appear in the storyline campaign.

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:Frodo and other Hobbits are no longer permanent units, they are now a temporary power boost available to Free People forces.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Frodo is first met in Rivendell, preparing for departure. Later, he is found on Cerin Amroth in Lothlorien, weary from the loss of [[Gandalf]]. From [[Amon Hen]] onwards, player experiences Frodo's journey in a series of Session Plays, alternatively playing as either Frodo, Sam or [[Gollum]]. The player meets Frodo again at the [[Field of Cormallen]], he later gives a speech at [[Aragorn]] and [[Arwen]]. A Hobbit actor portrays Frodo Baggins in a Hobbit-made theater play "The Disappearance of Mad Baggins". Notably, the player is not told about Frodo's mission for a very long time, with [[Elrond]], [[Gandalf]], [[Aragorn]] and others only saying that it is "of great importance".

'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:Frodo is mentioned as '''"Frodo the Ringbearer"''', one of the much honored heroes of the [[War of the Ring]], in the introduction of the game.<br>In [[The Prancing Pony]] [[Aragorn]] tells that he is waiting on a [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] with [[The One Ring|an important burden]], this refers to Frodo and the One Ring.<ref>''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'', ''Prologue''</ref>
:Later in the game, Frodo appears in [[Rivendell]], but interactions with him do not affect the main plot.

==See also==
*[[Timeline of Frodo Baggins]]

{{References|Notes}}
{{seq-start}}
{{seq-head
| race=hobbit
| house=[[Baggins Family]]
| born=[[22 September]], {{TA|2968}}
| died=Sailed west on [[29 September]], {{TA|3021}}
}}
{{seq
| prev=[[Bilbo Baggins]]
| list=[[Ring-bearers|Ring-bearer]]
| dates=[[22 September]], {{TA|3001}} - [[13 March]], {{TA|3019|n}}
| next=[[Samwise Gamgee]]
}}
{{seq
| prev=[[Samwise Gamgee]]
| list=[[Ring-bearers|Ring-bearer]]
| dates=[[14 March|14]] - [[25 March]], {{TA|3019}}
| next=[[Gollum]]
}}
{{seq-end}}{{councilofelrond}}
{{fellowship}}{{FellowshipRoute}}
{{ringbearers}}{{hobbitfilms}}
{{lordoftheringsfilms}}
[[Category:Baggins]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:Chroniclers of Arda]]
[[Category:Hobbits]]
[[Category:Ring-bearers]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]

[[de:Frodo Beutlin]]
[[fi:Frodo Reppuli]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:hobbits:bessac:frodo bessac]]