Book 2, Chapter 3 Summary

Elrond sends out scouts to find the Black Riders and make sure that they are nowhere near Rivendell. Meanwhile, everyone has to wait and see what to do next. Elrond decides that there will be nine people travelling with Frodo and tells Merry and Pippin that the Fellowship of the Ring consists of Gandalf, Aragorn, Boromir, Legolas, Gimli, Frodo and Sam so far. Elrond wants two more warriors to travel with Frodo, but Merry and Pippin promise that either they will go along or they will be sent home bound up in sacks. In the mean time, preparations for the quest move forward. Aragorn's sword is re-forged and renamed Andúril. As well, Bilbo gives Frodo a sword, Sting, which senses orcs, as well as an indestructible mail corselet (an armored shirt) made of mithril.

It is late December when the...