THE THIRD AGE - 4th Millenium.

3000 - Saruman uses the Orthanc-stone (a Palantir) for the first time and is entrapped by Sauron, who uses the Ithil-stone, to take a hold of the White Wizard's mind. For the first time, Sauron learns of the Rangers guarding the Shire.

3001 - 22 September Bilbo Baggins' Birthday Party and farewell feast. Bilbo leaves the Shire for Rivendell; the Shire guard is doubled.

3003 - Bilbo Baggins begins work on his Translations from the Elvish.

3004-3008 - Gandalf visits the Shire to see Frodo.

3010 - Increased Corsair activity closes off the sea routes between Eriador and Gondor.

3018 - Boromir of Gondor travels across southern Eriador searching for Imladris. He loses his horse while fording the Gwathlo at the ruins of Tharbad. Lothiriel, daughter of Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth, marries King Eomer of Rohan. Gandalf returns to the Shire to warn Frodo about the Ring. Sauron's forces simultaneously attack Gondor and the Wood-elves. The War of the Ring begins. Saruman traps Gandalf and imprisons him on the pinnacle of Orthanc. Frodo leaves Hobbiton. Frodo encounters Tom Bombadil and Goldberry. The Hobbits awake in Bree to find their ponies stolen. Bill Ferny sells them his pony, later called Bill. Black Riders raid Buckland in the early morning. The Council of Elrond.

3019 - The Company of the Ring (followed by Gollum) travel through Moria on their way eastward to Lorien. They discover the fate of Balin and recover portions of the Book of Mazarbul, but are put to flight. Gandalf and the Balrog reach the peak of Zirakzigil. Gandalf casts Durin's Bane from Zirakzigil in a prolonged battle that results in the destruction of Durin's Bridge. Gandalf and the Balrog fall from the Bridge of Khazad-dûm.. The Company of the Ring depart from Lórien. Boromir is slain by Orcs; the Fellowship of the Ring is broken. The Wizard Gandalf reappears as Gandalf the White. The Battle at the hornburg and the destruction of Isengard by the Ents. An army out of the Morannon captures Cair Andros and invades Anórien. A dispute breaks out in the Tower of Cirith Ungol, leading to open battle between the Orcs in the Tower. The Battle of the Pelennor Fields The pyre of Denethor. Meanwhile, at Dale below Erebor, King Dain II is killed by Easterlings. Thorin III (Stonehelm) becomes the King of Durin's Folk. Erebor is besieged, but the defenders prevail after the destruction of the One Ring, which heralds the final downfall of Sauron and his Nazgûl. On the 1 May Aragorn II Elessar of the Reunited Kingdoms of the Dunedain is crowned. Saruman dies at the hands of his servant Gríma. The end of the War of the Ring. After the War of the Rings, Celeborn and Galadriel lead an army out of Lorien and attack Dol Guldur. Their Elven forces destroy the remnant of the Orc population. Galadriel lays waste to the myriad halls of the cursed volcano, cleansing it of Sauron's Evil. Celeborn and Thranduil meet and rename Mirkwood as Eryn Lasgalen. Remnants of Saruman's forces establish themselves in Tharbad.

3021 - The Third Age ends with departure of Frodo and the Ring-bearers (including Galadriel, Gandalf, and Bilbo) into the Undying lands. Sam returns to Bag End on his faithful pony, Bill. Arnor is refounded and plans are developed for the rebuilding of Annuminas. Passing of Caras Galadon is abandoned. Celeborn returns to the cleansed Mirkwood (the southern half now "East Lorien"). End of the Third Age.