Nine companions originally form the Fellowship of the Ring in Tolkien’s novel.
The group is created at the Council of Elrond to carry the One Ring toward Mordor. Its members are Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Merry Brandybuck, Pippin Took, Aragorn, Boromir, Legolas, Gimli, and Gandalf.
The number nine is deliberately connected to the nine Ringwraiths, or Nazgûl, who serve Sauron. The Fellowship’s members represent different peoples and traditions of Middle-earth, including Hobbits, Men, an Elf, a Dwarf, and a Wizard.
The Fellowship does not remain together for the entire quest. It is broken near Amon Hen after Boromir attempts to take the Ring and Frodo decides to continue alone. Sam follows Frodo, while the other members pursue separate paths.