THE LORD OF THE RINGS – A CHRONICLE OF THE FOURTH AGE. I Reader, much has changed in Middle Earth since the departure of the Ring-bearers from the Grey Havens. Indeed, as Gandalf observed, it is the Age of Men. Rich men. Greedy men. Fat men. Eleven rulers have now ascended the Throne of Anarion since the death of King Elessar I (Aragorn). Most of them had long reigns. Little troubled them. Minas Tirth was rebuilt after the Battle of the Pelennor Field. Dwarves from the Lonely Mountain replaced its broken gate with Mithril. Its population thrived and grew. Soon the City became full; outside the gates, markets, suburbs and shanty-towns sprung up and stretched to the Pelargir. Unless one was a citizen, entrance into Minas Tirith was banned. Papers were checked at the gate. A stock-exchange was established. To the east, Ithilien was industrialised under the guardianship of the former Stewards of Gondor. Its blue skies became grey from so much smoke and chimneys