hrough the efforts of The Fellowship and the valiant Men of Rohan, Saruman has been defeated and his army of Uruk-hai scattered to the four winds, yet The War of The Ring is only just beginning. Fearing that The One Ring has been found and that one amongst his foes will have the strength to wield it, the Dark Lord Sauron has unleashed his armies against Gondor. Only by uniting as one can the Free Peoples hope to endure, for the hosts of Mordor outnumber their foes many times over. Perceiving that Minas Tirith will soon come under siege, Gandalf rides to aid the White City. Swift Shadowfax also carries Pippin, whose Tookish curiosity has already led him to investigate the Palantír of the defeated Saruman and so brought him to Sauron's attention.

erry has fallen into the company of Rohan, and has sworn himself to king Théoden's service. The Rohirrim do not intend to abandon Gondor in its hour of need and are mustering to their ancient ally's side. Though Théoden attempts to shield Merry from the horror to come, the young Hobbit refuses to be left behind, finding himself hidden amongst the host by Éowyn, who has assumed a man's mantle, for she also rides to war against Théoden's wishes. Unwelcome though they are, both Merry and Éowyn are destined for glory upon the Pelennor Fields, and together will defeat one of the greatest evils ever to walk Middle-earth.

eeking to arrive at Minas Tirith by another route, Aragorn walks a dark path long-ago decreed in prophecy. Accompanied not only by stalwart Gimli and noble Legolas, but also by many kinsmen newly come to his side, Aragorn rides the paths of the dead. Isildur's heir seeks the oathbreakers of Erech, spectral warriors who long ago reneged on a promise to oppose Sauron, and whose loyalty only he can command. No matter which side is victorious in the fight for Minas Tirith, The War of The Ring will be won or lost by the actions of two small Hobbits. Frodo and Sam stand on the edge of Sauron's domain, determined to see their quest, and the destruction of The One Ring, through to the very end. Not only Orcs and Uruk-hai, but darker and fouler things stand between the Ringbearer and his goal.