It began with the forging of the Great Rings:
Three were given to the Elves: immortal, wisest and fairest of all beings,
Seven to the Dwarf-lords: great miners and craftsmen of the mountain halls,
And nine, nine Rings were gifted to the race of Man, who, above all else, desired power.
For within the Rings was bound the strength and will to govern each race. But they were all of them decieved. For another Ring was made.
In the land of Mordor, in the dark fires of Mount Doom, the Dark Lord Sauron forged in secret a Master Ring to control the others. Into this Ring he poured his cruelty, his malice, and his will to dominate all life. One Ring To Rule Them All.
One by one the Free Lands of Middle-earth fell to the power of the Ring. But there was some who resisted.
A last alliance of Men and Elves marched against the armies of Mordor, and on the very slopes of Mount Doom, they fought for the freedom of Middle-earth. Victory was near, but the power of The Ring could not be undone...