Smeagol is saved after trespassing in the forbidden pool...and then leads Sam and Frodo to certain death. Talk about ungrateful...

We go back in time and catch up with Sam and Frodo, east of the Anduin. They travel with their newfound guide to the edge of Mordor and meet an unanticipated ally in Ithilien.

We pick up our story with the battle at Helm's Deep and end with Gandalf and Pippen racing toward Minas Tirith.

With the Fellowship broken, our story first follows the kidnapped Hobbits and the heroic hunters who pursue them (and find more than they're looking for)!

The fellowship rests in Lothlorien, they travel down the Anduin, and ultimately go their separate ways. What were your favorite parts of these chapters? What change/growth have you seen in the characters so far? What are you watching for in the next book?

Frodo is reunited with Gandalf in Imladris only to lose him to tragedy in the dark under the mountain. These few chapters are full of ups and downs (and SO much information). What parts stood out the most to you?

From the threshold of Bombadil's door to the threshold of Rivendel, our hosts follow the growing fellowship through the Barrow Downs, into Bree, to Weathertop, and eventually to the Ford of Bruinen. What stood out to you in these chapters?

One book down, three to go! Our hosts begin their discussion of Fellowship by escaping the Shire with Frodo (only to find greater peril in the wider world). What were your favorite part of these early chapters?

We take a quick diversion from Middle Earth to look at one of Tolkien's short stories (Smith of Wooton Major). Does it show some similarities to the Hobbit? Can it teach us anything about Tolkien's opinion on Faery stories?

We wrap up our first book for the summer! Bilbo's courage and wisdom save the day and the finally makes his way back home. What did you think? If it was your first read, how did you like it? If you've read it before, what stood out to you this time around?