Q: What Happens in Middle-earth After the War of the Ring?
ANSWER: J.R.R. Tolkien provided some information about what happens in Middle-earth after the Ring is destroyed. In the Appendices to The Lord of the Rings he reveals that Elrond leaves Middle-earth in Third Age year 3021, thus bringing the Third Age to a conclusion. Aragorn eventually re-established the Kingdom of Arnor, even traveling north to rebuild the city of Annúminas north of the Shire. Aragorn also expands the Shire by adding the Buckland and the Westmarch to it.
In The Peoples of Middle-earth we learn a few more details that, according to one of Tolkien’s letters, had to be omitted from the published book for lack of space. For example, Eomer added Dunland to his realm. Aragorn’s reign lasted 120 years, and he was succeeded by his son Eldarion, who may have reigned over the Reunited Kingdom for about 100 years.
According to “The New Shadow”, which is a fragment of a sequel that Christopher Tolkien published in The Peoples of Middle-earth, the Princes of Ithilien have a city in the hills of Emyn Arnen overlooking the river Anduin, facing Minas Tirith. Gondor will, according to Tolkien’s letter and notes, fall into strife as some sort of Fourth Age cult takes root and traces of the “old evil” return.
Durin VII eventually reclaims Khazad-dum for the Longbeard Dwarves. And despite the various struggles that the Reunited Kingdom faces, it will last about 2500 years before finally being destroyed or disbanded — at which time the Fourth Age apparently also concludes.
Some Elves remain in Middle-earth after the War of the Ring as well. Thranduil seems to live content in northern Eryn Lasgalen (the former Mirkwood) for many centuries. His son Legolas leads some of the Silvan Elves to Ithilien where they live peacefully throughout Aragorn’s reign. Although Legolas sails over Sea after Aragorn’s death Tolkien does not say whether any Elves remain in Ithilien. Celeborn establishes the Kingdom of East Lorien in southern Eryn Lasgalen but after a few years he leaves his people there and goes to live in Rivendell with his grandsons Elladan and Elrohir (and some remaining Noldor). After an unspecified number of years Celeborn finally takes ship and leaves Middle-earth forever.
The Hobbits continue to flourish in the Shire, presumably helping to restore the northern lands. The leading families of the Shire include the Fairbairns of Undertowers (under the Wardens of Westmarch), the Brandybucks (under the Masters of Buckland), the Tooks (who retain the Thainship), and the Gardners of the Hill (who inherit Bag End from Frodo Baggins).
Presumably Dale continues to flourish as well. And though the Dwarves reclaim Khazad-dum that does not have to mean Erebor is entirely abandoned. Its close relationship with Dale and the Iron Hills would probably require that some Dwarves remain behind. Tolkien after all implies that the Dwarves maintained many communities throughout the Misty Mountains and Grey Mountains, all of which they considered to be their territory (at least as far as Dwarven peoples were concerned).
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