The Return of the King is the third and final volume of J.R.R. Tolkien's epic fantasy trilogy, The Lord of the Rings. It follows the climactic events of the War of the Ring, where the fate of Middle-earth hangs in the balance as Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee strive to destroy the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom. As the forces of good rally under the leadership of Aragorn, the rightful heir to the throne of Gondor, they face overwhelming odds against the dark lord Sauron. The story culminates in a series of epic battles and the ultimate resolution of the characters' journeys, emphasizing themes of friendship, sacrifice, and hope.