With the new Lord of the Rings series, The Rings of Power, officially streaming, many fans are learning about what the world, including Middle-earth, was like during the Second Age, thousands of years before Frodo's journey with the One Ring. This will fill in several gaps about J.R.R. Tolkien's in-depth lore that fans who have only seen Peter Jackson's film trilogy will have missed.
While the details about events before Frodo's adventures are valuable information for any LOTR fan, some may have questions about what all took place beyond the film's conclusion. The movies gave audiences a great "happily ever after" ending, but the books went into more depth. In addition, the book appendices and Tolkien's collection of letters entitled The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien are littered with even more information about how everyone's favorite characters lived out the rest of their well-earned days of peace.
Frodo
Perhaps one of the most improved scenes from the book to the movie was when Frodo and his Hobbit companions returned to the Shire. The quaint hamlet was just as they had left it in the film, but in the book, it was being ruled by Saruman, requiring a battle led by the four Hobbits to see their home liberated.
After this, Frodo tried to live in peace, but his various wounds began troubling him. Every anniversary of his conflict with the Ring Wraiths on Weathertop, Frodo's shoulder wound caused him great pain. In addition, he would become ill every year on the day he had been stung by the Shelob. However, this was nothing compared to his mental pain, and Frodo set sail for the Undying Lands.
Merry
After returning to the Shire and participating in its liberation, Merry wed Estella Bolder and became the Master of Buckland. He was regarded with immense honor at his home, where he was known to be the tallest Hobbit ever to live (thanks to the power of the Ents).
While Tolkien never reported any of Merry's children's names, it is known that he had at least one son. Merry and his best friend in LOTR, Pippin, remained the dearest of friends, and he was known to travel to Gondor to give council at King Aragorn's request.
Pippin
Despite being portrayed as mischievous in Peter Jackson's film trilogy, Pippin was one of the most beloved and respected Hobbits in the Shire after his return. He married Diamond of Long Cleeve, and they had one son, whom he named after his dear friend, Faramir.
Pippin then spent the next half century as the Thain of the Shire before he retired. He then traveled with Merry to Rohan and Gondor, where they both decided to stay and live out their days. When they passed away, they were interred next to Aragorn, their friend and king.
Sam
After all, Sam did for Frodo and Middle-earth, he deserved every happiness, which is exactly what he got. As the Return of the King movie showed, he married Rosie Cotton, and together they had 13 children, one of which, Goldilocks, would marry Pippin's son, Faramir.
After Rosie's death, Sam retired from his position as Mayor of the Shire, which he had held for 49 years. Tolkien recorded in the book appendices that the Gamgees believed Sam was permitted to join Frodo in the Undying Lands since he had also been a Ring-bearer for a short time. This is widely accepted since the idea of Frodo being reunited with his Sam is a true joy for any fan.
Aragorn & Arwen
While the movies imply it, the LOTR book's appendices confirm that Aragorn and Arwen were wed shortly after his coronation and were both beloved by their people. They had several daughters, though none of their names are recorded, and one son, Eldarion.
Aragorn reunited Gondor with its northern kingdoms, including the Shire, and his reign was marked as a great time of peace. Due to his close relationship with the Elves and Dwarves, there had never been better trust between the races of Middle-earth. Aragorn died peacefully at the age of 210, and Arwen followed shortly after at 2,901 years old.
Gimli
After Aragorn's coronation, Gimli led a group of his people to caves near Helm's Deep, where he established a new settlement. His citizens became renowned as the most excellent Dwarf craftsmen, and under the rule of Gimli, the Lord of the Glittering Caves, they assisted in rebuilding Aragorn's kingdom.
The most notable of these improvements was the construction of a new gate for Minas Tirith, made of Mithril and steel. It was something of great pride for Gimli, who had always regarded Dwarven craftsmanship as second to none.
Legolas
In a Lord of the Rings book moment that didn't make it into the films, Legolas and Gimli once agreed that, were they to survive the war against Sauron, they would travel together to see each other's homes. They held to this bargain, and the two traveled together to Helm's Deep and Fangorn Forest. Legolas was also a frequent visitor to Gimli in the Glittering Caves.
Legolas spent the rest of his time in Middle-earth restoring woodlands that had been devastated by war. However, after Aragorn's death, he felt his work was done. He set out for the Undying Lands, and while there had been no precedent for it, he took his friend with him, proving that Legolas and Gimli had one of the best friendships in Lord of the Rings.
Eowyn
After defeating the Witch King of Angmar, Eowyn recovered from her injuries in the House of Healing, where she met the fellow wounded Lord, Faramir. The two fell in love and would eventually be married.
Eowyn and Faramir had several children and a notable grandson, Barahir. This boy grew up in a world of peace in the Fourth Age and wrote a book called The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen, outlining the beautiful romance between Gondor's king and queen. While Eowyn's death date is not recorded, it is believed that she lived a long life with her husband.
Faramir
After Aragorn's coronation and Faramir's marriage to Eowyn in LOTR, the king appointed the steward as the Prince of Ithilien. Faramir had long been beloved by his people, and the friendship between him and the new king ensured that their combined leadership was well received.
As Prince, Faramir was Aragorn's chief commander but was also regarded as one of his most trusted advisors. Faramir loved the knowledge found in books and had studied under Gandalf, so his wisdom was invaluable to the king. He died at the age of 120, proving that the blood of the Dúnedain lived in him.
Gandalf
Much about Gandalf is shrouded in mystery in the movies. However, Tolkien's appendices reveal that the wizard had been a member of the Maiar race, which were angel-like beings from Valinor, also known as the Undying Lands. His mission had been to help the races of Middle-earth in their fight against Sauron, another Maia, and he was the only one of the Istar to succeed.
Therefore, after delivering Frodo and the other Hobbits back to the Shire, Gandalf retired for a time to talk to Tom Bombadil. After this, he returned to the Undying Lands with Frodo and Bilbo, where he changed back to his young and beautiful form called Olórin, which was likely quite an adjustment for his Hobbit friends.