The Lord of the Rings has a complex storyline.  Here is a condensed version of the history before the setting of the movies take place.  In the Second Age of Middle Earth, the dark lord Sauron had forged nineteen rings of power.  They were given to the leaders of each major race on Middle Earth, the Elves, Men, and Dwarves.  In secret, Sauron forged the One Ring for himself; and he controlled the power of the nineteen rings.  Elves and Men went to war with him to rid him of this power.

Isildur, the king of Gondor, curt the One Ring from Sauron’s hand during the battle, and kept it for himself.  Isildur was killed for the Ring, but it was lost in the river Anduin.  The Ring was found by Sméagol, and he lived for an abnormally long time due to the evil powers of the Ring.  His town banished him because they thought he was cursed. He went and hid in a mountain for about 500 years, with the Ring giving him long life.  Bilbo Baggins won the Ring from Sméagol in the book “The Hobbit” during a quest across Middle Earth.  The setting of the movies begins 60 years later, when Frodo Baggins is confronted with a dangerous journey.

Frodo was adopted by Bilbo Baggins.  He is the main character of the story.  When Bilbo left his house with its possessions to Frodo, he also left him the One Ring.  Frodo soon finds out from Gandalf the Grey that Sauron’s minions have been sent to kill Fordo and take the Ring back to their master.  Frodo then sets off to Rivendell with his gardener and good friend Samwise and his friends Merry and Pippin.

Samwise is Frodo’s gardener and friend.  While Frodo listens to Gandalf tell him about what he must do, Sam is caught eavesdropping.  His punishment is to be the pack mule on Frodo’s journey to Rivendell.  He turns out to be a very loyal and determined companion.

Merry and Pippin are Frodo’s friends.  Frodo joins up with them in his journey while they are running away from a farmer whom they stole vegetables from. They soon turn out to be very courageous in the forthcoming journey.

Aragorn, known as Strider when the band of hobbits first meets him, is from the race of Men.  He is more specifically the heir of Isildur, and is destined to reclaim the throne of Gondor as king.  He is one of the bravest characters in the story and he shows a strong ability to lead others through the quest.

Legolas is an Elf from the forest of Mirkwood, and has come to Rivendell to be a representative of his people during the Council that will decide the fate of the ring.  He pledges his bow to Frodo, thus becoming one of the Fellowship of the Ring.