The winds of Middle-earth beckoned once again, and I—Meadow Muse—answered the call with teacup in hand and cards at the ready. My solo journey through The Lord of the Rings Trick-Taking Game continues, this time with Chapter 2… and oh my stars, this chapter had teeth.

Did I glide through on the first try? Nay. This tale had to be told three times before the fellowship found its rhythm and the chapter was finally complete. You see, in this adventure, we don’t move to the next chapter until every hero in our party fulfills their quest. No shortcuts through shadowed paths here—just grit, good planning, and maybe a little magic.

This chapter begins, as always, with a quote from Tolkien’s timeless words—words I love to linger on before the cards are dealt.
Gathering the Fellowship

For this chapter, Frodo, Sam, and Merry were required—marked with little asterisks on the chapter card. Choosing a fourth companion was up to me. Pippin’s condition felt more limiting, so I welcomed Gandalf instead, hoping his task would be the lighter burden. (Spoiler: it was a wise choice.)

Now, the twist in this chapter? Black Rider cards. These dark omens added a layer of suspense to Sam’s journey. One was chosen at random—1 through 4—and it turned out that Sam must end the game in possession of the 4 of Hills. No pressure, right?
Let the Trading Begin.

In solo mode, trades are limited—only one may occur, no matter how many are allowed on the character cards. So I thought carefully. Sam needed the 4 of Hills, and I had a precious 5 of Hills to help boost his hand. Sam also held the 4 of Rings, which could aid Frodo’s cause. A perfect exchange was born—one trade, benefiting two hearts.

Frodo led with the 3 of Hills, setting the tone. Sam responded by playing his newly acquired 5 of Hills—and just like that, his win condition was fulfilled on the very first trick.

A small victory, but one that warmed the heart. One companion down, three to go. And just like that, Sam got his token placed upon his card.

A new card was dealt to each party member as the story twisted forward. Notice that Gandalf will always have one extra card, even if it does not show up in each of the photos. 🙂

With his task complete, Sam became the most supportive hobbit ever, working behind the scenes to bolster Gandalf’s chance at glory.

The next hand was shaped for the Grey Pilgrim. Sam led the 6 of Mountains, paving the way for Gandalf to shine. And shine he did—securing his single win and earning his token. The art on these cards? Breathtaking. I often pause to admire both sides before placing them down. (Yes, even during battle.)

After Gandalf’s win, we dealt a card to each member of the party, getting ready for their next twist in the story.

Gandalf, wise as ever, knew that Frodo held the 8 of Forest—his only option, bound by the rules of suit-following. Frodo played it and won, his quiet courage growing. It was time to gather Rings, and his friends were ready to help him succeed.

What followed was a cascade of Ring cards gathered in Frodo’s name. I laid them gently to the side—a shimmering collection tracking his path forward. Each card a symbol of his inner strength.

They decide to help their teammate out. You can see below, just how well Frodo did in this round.

And then… the Ring suit was unlocked! From this point on, Frodo could lead with Ring cards—and he did, winning hand after hand.

When collecting specific things like the Ring cards, they are placed to the side. This serves as a reminder of how far he has come, but also shows the team how many more rings he needs.

But of course, one cannot forget Merry. Frodo stepped back for his friend. Merry had a win condition too—win 1 or 2 tricks, no more.

With Frodo’s support, Merry played the highest Hill card and earned his shining token without breaking a sweat.

As the round wound down, Frodo played the 1 of Rings—a legendary card that wins any trick it touches. It felt right. The final hand ended with the 4 of Rings, another win for Frodo.

Merry plays what he can and the round goes to Frodo, with the 1 of Rings. This card is the card to rule them all. This card wins the round.

The final round is not a surprise. The 4 of Rings is the winning card. One of the typical ways people loose this round is to have Merry win too many rounds. As a result, I wanted to try to make sure he only won one hand.

Strangely, I forgot to place the token on Frodo’s card at the end—though he had clearly earned it. I chuckled and added it later, giving credit where it was due.

In the final photo, you’ll see the summary spread: Frodo’s five Rings, Sam with the 4 of Hills, Merry with one solid win and Gandalf with his single shining triumph. It took three attempts, but the fellowship triumphed. That’s the joy of this game—not just in the winning, but in the story each game tells.

Until Chapter 3, fellow wanderers, may your cards be kind and your quest full of wonder.

If you’re curious about this magical game, you can start your own fellowship here: [affiliate link] https://amzn.to/46GrRhE