Most moving moments in LotR

[FoolOfATook13]

I'm horrible at finding passages in the book, but the passage in Shelab's lair when Sam believes Frodo to be dead has always made me tear up, no matter how many times i've read it.

Gandalf's death in moria, of course, is very moving as well

[ringbearer]

I also cannot find exact quotes...the transformation of Theoden from Saruman's puppet back to his true self has always been moving to me.

[Attalus]

Gandalf's remark, "I do not say, Do not weep, for not all tears are evil" is wonderful and makes me mist up, myself.

[Annatar]

Let's see, the Ride of the Rohirrim is stirring beyond what words can describe(both in the book and the movie).

Eomer: Out of doubt, out of dark to the day's rising
I came singing in the sun, sowrd unsheathing
To hope's end I rode and too heart's breaking
Now for wrath, Now for ruin and a red Nightfall

The Grey Havens: And the ship went out into the high seas, and passed on into the West, until at last on a night of rain Frodo smelled a sweet fragrance in the air and heard thesound of singing that came over the water. And then it seemed to him, that as in his dream in the house of Bombadil, the grey rain-curtin turned to silver glass and was rolled back, and he beheld white shore, and beyond them a far green country under a swift sunrise.

[Noldori]

I totally agree with GrayMouser.


"The Black Rider flung back his hood, and behold! He had a kingly crown; and yet upon no head visible it was set. The red fires shone between it and the mantled shoulders vast and dark. From a mouth unseen there came a deadly laughter.
‘Old fool!’ he said. ‘Old fool! This is my hour. Do you not know Death when you see it? Die now and curse in vain!’ And with that he lifted high his sword and flames ran down the blade.

Gandalf did not move. And in that very moment, away behind in some courtyard of the City, a cock crowed. Shrill and clear he crowed, recking nothing of wizardry or war, welcoming only the morning that in the sky far above the shadows of death was coming with the dawn.
And as if in answer there came from far away another note. Horns, horns, horns. In dark Mindolluin’s sides they dimly echoed. Great horns of the North wildly blowing. Rohan had come at last."

[Gordis]

Yes, it is probably my most fav. moment as well.
Helas for the stupidity of the film-makers who skipped the best scene from the book!

[Attalus]

Not only that, PJ had the W-K break Gandalf's staff. My least favorite scene in the (extended edition) movie.

[ShadowedElf]

I loved Gandalf's confrontation of the Witch-king and the Ride of the Rohirrim the best.

"In rode the Lord of the Nazgul. A great black shape against the fires beyond he loomed up, grown to a vast menace of despair. I rode the Lord of the Nazgul, under the archway that no enemy ever yet had passed, and all fled before his face.
All save one. There waiting, silent and still in the space before the Gate, sat Gandalf upon Shadowfax; Shadowfax who alone among the free horses of the earth endured the terror, unmoving, steadfast as a graven image in Rath Dinen...
Gandalf did not move. And in that very moment, away behind in some courtyard of the City, a cock crowed. Shrill and clear her crowed recking nothing of wizardry or war, welcoming only the morning that in the sky far above the shadows of death was coming with the dawn.
And as if in answer there came from far away another note. Horns, horns, horns. In dark Mindolluin's sides they dimly echoed. Great horns of the North wildly blowing. Rohan had come at last."

That always pulls me in and gives me goosebumps. That, and when Glorfindel chases the Black Riders into the river. (Is Glorfindel lover/Arwen hater)

[shesabrandybuck]

Originally Posted by Attalus

Not only that, PJ had the W-K break Gandalf's staff. My least favorite scene in the (extended edition) movie.

Oh gosh, I couldn't agree more.

[Gordis]

Originally Posted by Attalus

PJ had the W-K break Gandalf's staff. My least favorite scene in the (extended edition) movie.

It was BAD, but the killing of the MOS was even worse.

[Attalus]

Originally Posted by Gordis

It was BAD, but the killing of the MOS was even worse.

That was bad, I agree. I hated the Mouth of Sauron, too, but Aragorn would have never done that. Not during a parley.

[Valandil]

OK... we're reeeeeally getting into the movie talk here in a book forum thread. Please remember where you are. There are plenty of threads in the movie forum to post about the movies.

Thank you.

[Attalus]

Aw, c'mon, we're just catcalling. But, okay.

[Butterbeer]

Val's right - don't start me on the movie mistakes...

some good calls so far - and eddy - the image of the shield - golden like Orome' and the grass flaming green is a wonderful one - but even to the city the singing came...

Don't know about you but i always wondered what they were singing?

'Edelweiss' ??


Aye, as there is a lot of agreement - the horns blowing blowing ..blowing is a great scene.

For me i am rather fond of the scene in the Prancing Pony, where Frodo cautioning secrecy and care to the party - and while merry (or pippin -i forget) is out for a leisurely stroll and taking the air - the rest of the 'careful' party are all in the common room drinking and smoking.. - just like Hobbits!

.. and Frodo, true to his word on the whole 'care' and secrecy thing - starts to caper around atop a table singing to the crowd !! .. and starting to enjoy himself he leaps ..leaps in to the air ..'as the cat jumped over the moon'


In the Appendix - i like from the 'Tale of Aragorn and Arwen' - the scene where Aragorn- (whom after many years of labour and travel, arrives in Lothlorien and Galadriel welcomes him and clothes him as a Prince and adorns him with a star on his brow)

...where Aragorn, refreshed and blessed by Galadriel looking more like an Elf Lord of the western lands than mortal man .. and walking under the midsummer trees of Cerin Amroth ... is seen by Arwen wandering there - and in that moment her fate is sealed...

[D.Sullivan]

Originally Posted by The Dread Pirate Roberts

I always choke up at the part where Sam's greatest strength, his fierce loyalty to Frodo, manifests as his greatest flaw, though it could have been no other way:

This is the first scene I thought of, too, when I read the title of the thread. Apparently, this is one of the scenes C.S. Lewis actually liked, and he supposedly liked it a lot.

[Balin, Lord of Moria]

The scenes that come to mind for me are Boromir's death, the charge of the Rohirrim, and the discovery in Moria of Balin and company's demise.

[Koga]

Hello everyone. I just recently found this forum and I thought nothing better of a first post then probably my favorite scene of the book!

Return of the king, Book 5, King Theoden's death on the fields of pelennor.
Almost makes my eyes hurt just typing it.

Then one of the knights took the kings' banner from the hand of Guthlaf the banner-bearer who lay dead, and he lifted it up. Slowly Theoden opened his eyes. Seeing the banner he made a sign that it should be given to Eomer. 'Hail King of the Mark! he said. 'Ride now to victory! Bid Eowyn Farewell!' and so he died and knew not that Eowyn lay near him. And those who stood by wept, crying: "Theoden King! Theoden King!"
but Eomer said to them:
Mourn not Overmuch! Mighty was the fallen, meet was his ending, When his mound is raised women shall weep. War now calls us!

[Valandil]

Koga - welcome to Entmoot, and nice way to start out!

If you would like to post briefly about yourself there - we have a 'welcome and introductions' thread in the General Messages forum.

[Midge]

One of my favorite parts is this, well, basically the whole Orc-Tower scene, followed by the trek into Mordor with Sam and Frodo.

When Sam is lost about how to save Frodo, looking into Mordor from the top of the mountains, he thinks about how great he could be. It's kind of funny how the Ring gets to him: Make the whole world your garden! Excuse my long quote:

In that hour of trial it was the love of his master that helped most to hold him firm; but also deep down in him lived still unconquered his plain hobbit-sense: he knew in the core of his heart that he was not large enough to bear such a burden, even if such visions were not a mere cheat to betray him. The one small garden of a free gardener was all his need and due, not a garden swollen to a realm; his own hands to use, not the hands of others to command.

[aside]I think it would do some Americans quite a lot of good to remember that truth as well[/aside]. It's also from this idea that I got my title-thingy.

After that, he goes on to the front door, rings the bell, is mistaken for an Elf-warrior... Maybe you should all go pick up your books and read Chapters 1-3 of book six. That whole period is moving, watching Sam with his devotion to Frodo...

This is also pretty well portrayed in the movies (I know we're not supposed to talk about those, Val, sorry!). Other than the time/distance difference, I think the movies show that portion of the journey and the feeling behind it VERY well. The music behind Sam talking about the Shire as he cradles Frodo always makes me cry; and then he has to go make it worse by saying that line, "I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you!"

And of course, the very last line in the book,

And Rose drew him in, and set him in his chair, and put little Elanor in his lap.
He drew a deep breath. "Well, I'm back," he said.

The idea that life goes on, but not carelessly, reverently. You know that Sam has a cozy, wonderful home to grow old in, he's only just started his family - Frodo is with Bilbo and Gandalf headed to the West... It's like, all is right in the world. It's a deep feeling and one that is incredibly moving because people feel it so very rarely.

[Varnafindë]

Originally Posted by Midge

One of my favorite parts is this, well, basically the whole Orc-Tower scene, followed by the trek into Mordor with Sam and Frodo.

I'm doing my first proper rereading of the LotR since I saw the movies. I've been reading parts here and there, but I've been reading more of Silmarillion and HoME these last few years.

I had forgotten how moving the part was where Sam had to consider what to do. Should he stay with Frodo until they both died - or was it now his duty to carry on the quest? His debate and later decision to leave Frodo behind to do his duty to the Council that sent them both, moved me deeply.

And he made the right choice - taking the Ring from Frodo was of the utmost importance. Although changing his mind and going back to Frodo a little later was the right choice for that moment (as he will see later) - and it's moving to see how he cannot abandon Frodo after all!

After that, he goes on to the front door, rings the bell, is mistaken for an Elf-warrior... Maybe you should all go pick up your books and read Chapters 1-3 of book six. That whole period is moving, watching Sam with his devotion to Frodo...

I'm in book five now - I'll get there soon ...