The Treason of Isengard

About “The Treason of Isengard”

The Treason of Isengard is the second volume of The History of The Lord of the Rings and the seventh in The History of Middle-earth. It continues the account of the creation of The Lord of the Rings, beginning where The Return of the Shadow left off. The book traces the expansion of the story into lands south and east of the Misty Mountains, including the development of Lothlórien, the Ents, the Riders of Rohan, and Saruman’s role in Isengard. It includes early drafts and outlines, such as the first appearance of Galadriel, initial ideas about Gondor, and the original meeting of Aragorn and Eowyn. Some concepts changed as the story evolved, such as Frodo’s capture and rescue by Sam. The book also features a detailed account of the original map of Middle-earth and an appendix on the Runic alphabets used in The Lord of the Rings.