DAY: The Company of the Ring leaves Rivendell at dusk.
On December 25th, in the year 3018, nine members of the Fellowship of the Ring set out from Rivendell on their perilous quest. Yes, this is Cristmas day, or Yule as the hobbits call it. As in the case of Christmas, the saviour (or saviours in this case) of the world have begun the journey.
THE YEAR: 2988 TA
This was the year that Finduilas died. She was the wife of Denethor, Steward of Gondor. And the mother of Faramir and Boromir. She probably died because she had to be married to a jerk like Denethor. That must have been really horrible *shudders*