Most valiant?

[Lotesse]

I've always maintained that Sam Gamgee was by far the most valiant of them all, in the truest definition of the term, followed by Pip & Merry. Aragorn, too, was pretty damn valiant.

[littleadanel]

I say Sam. But in fact, all the hobbits. Mostly because what BoP already said in her 9000th

Edit: aaand, at last i see Lotesse's post too! It did update the thread, but I couldn't see it until now. Hmph.

[The Gaffer]

Fatty Bolger, withstanding the Nine all on his own!

But thinking in terms of valour as knowingly taking on a powerful enemy in proportion to your own stature: Sam, definitely, for taking on Shelob.

All pretty valiant though. Aragorn confronted Sauron, after all. Gandalf and Balrog were equals (-ish): both Maia. Eowyn not strictly a member of the fellowship; Merry valiant but struck from behind.

[CrazySquirrel]

A possibility to strike from behind boosts one's valour quite a lot

[The Gaffer]

Yeah, was just joshing. Though he had a bit of previous with the Nazgul in Bree. Maybe wanted to taste that sweet, sweet breath once more...

[CrazySquirrel]

Well in Bree Merry met another nazgul, not the Witch-King.

But your words have reminded me of the Barrow-downs....Hmm
Perhaps I shall start a new thread.

[durinsbane2244]

i say aragorn, because he wrestled with sauron's will and won, where denethor failed, and of course, he's me fave...but that doesn't sway my choice, of course not...

[luvEyowen]

Originally Posted by The Gaffer

Eowyn not strictly a member of the fellowship;

You think Eowyn is cool??? You do?? Really???

[LadyHaleth]

Originally Posted by luvEyowen

You think Eowyn is cool??? You do?? Really???

How could you not? Especially considering her as the single strongest female in The Lord of the Rings, one is bound to be drawn in by her character..

But I'm off topic. I really dunno who I'd pick. Probably Strider or Gandalf.. for reasons already mentioned. eheh

(My usual choice'd be Sam.. I heart Samwise. Cite:The Choices of Master Samwise. Nothing more need be said. :])

[luvEyowen]

That's definatetly what I think!!!!!!!!!!!

[The Gaffer]

I guess you could make an argument in favour of Eowyn outstripping the lot of them. Most men peppered their pants at the mere sound of the Witch-King, yet she defied him.

[CrazySquirrel]

Eowyn was suicidal at that time. She wanted a valiant death, therefore she was not afraid. She almost got what she wanted, and afterwards was disappointed at staying alive. There was selfishness in her behaviour.

Also, Theoden left her in charge of her people in Rohan. She abandoned them to their fate, left her post as a traitor!

That undermines her valor, somehow, IMHO.


Merry was more valiant, because he wanted to live and was very afraid, but still he came forth to help Eowyn. Without her being in danger, he wouldn't have attacked the WK.
The same with Sam. He defended Frodo and confronted Shelob, but not to have people tell stories of his valiant death afterwards.

These two are most valiant.

[Rosie Gamgee]

We seem to have a tendency to disqualify people's valiant deeds because of their situations, if you see what I mean. Was Aragorn's braving the Paths of the Dead less valiant than Merry daring to strike the Witch King simply because Aragorn's a man, a decendent of Kings, and Merry was a simple hobbit? Both were scared and tempted to turn back. I guess what I'm saying is, should the term valiant only apply to the reluctant? Did it take less bravery for Nob to scare away the Nazgul than it did for Gandalf to face the Balrog? I mean, certain death is certain death, after all.

In any case, I do think that Samwise the Stouthearted is by far the most valiant. Just had to spiel up there.

[Bombadillo]

Originally Posted by Rosie Gamgee

Did it take less bravery for Nob to scare away the Nazgul than it did for Gandalf to face the Balrog? I mean, certain death is certain death, after all.

LOL!

I didn't think of it that way. But in Nob's case, I don't think he comprehended the danger as much as Gandalf did, and therefore wasn't as hesitant or had less reason to hesitate. But I'm nitpicking. I don't know how to answer that question... <--thinking smilie

Yours is a good point too, CrazySquirrel. I think every time a character put went out of their way to help out, they risked something much greater than themselves. Eowyn abandonded her squadron, Aragorn would have totally screwed Gondor over if he'd gotten himself killed, and the valiant effort to carry the Ring into Mordor was obviously dangerous, for three examples. They were all sort of questionable, and honestly if they failed we all would be calling them fools instead of valiant warriors.

[Lotesse]

Originally Posted by Rosie Gamgee

We seem to have a tendency to disqualify people's valiant deeds because of their situations, if you see what I mean. Was Aragorn's braving the Paths of the Dead less valiant than Merry daring to strike the Witch King simply because Aragorn's a man, a decendent of Kings, and Merry was a simple hobbit? Both were scared and tempted to turn back. I guess what I'm saying is, should the term valiant only apply to the reluctant? Did it take less bravery for Nob to scare away the Nazgul than it did for Gandalf to face the Balrog? I mean, certain death is certain death, after all.

In any case, I do think that Samwise the Stouthearted is by far the most valiant. Just had to spiel up there.

Who had more to lose, were they to die? Aragorn, so of Arathorn, yadda yadda yadda, or little Merry the Brandybuck Hobbit? Obviously, the heir to the throne Aragorn. Merry had much less to lose or affect others by having lost, than did Arathorn. Therefore, by REALLY sticking his neck out like that for Eowyn, involving the most TERRIFYing and powerful bad guy being next to Sauron himself, as opposed to Aragorn just keeping a handle on his willies and jitters for a moment to go deal with ghosts, I'd say the term "valiant" and "valience" would most describe the hobbit Merry.

Yet, all in all, at the end of the day, I still think it is Samwise Gamgee who takes the Valient Best In Show. In various fights, and also through seemingly endless hardship and struggle, with no "prize" or reward dangling before him or giving him a reason to, Sam still goes through it - ALL of it, without expecting a thing, or even realising how spectacular and invaluable he is.

[strider8]

Boromir because he gave his own life to save Merry and Pippin

[arvedui_last_king]

Aragorn, because he would have given up going to Gondor to go with Frodo to Mt. Doom.

[Farimir Captain of Gondor]

i had to go back and read the original question and it does say "of the company", so with that id have to say Boromir for his last fight. Sam, a very very close second, for all the things he went through with Frodo. a mention should go to all the men of Rohan for surving the onslaught of Helms Deep and then having the courage to again take up arms to ride to the aid of Gondor. without their bravory the battle could have turned out different.

[jammi567]

I think Denethor was the most valiant only because, although it was his own fault he kept looking into the palantir, and seeing the might of Sauron's army, he kept a brave face on things until the very last when Faramir came back heavily wounded, and there seemed to be no hope left. And all that takes a hell of a lot of mental strengh and valar to maintain, in my opinion.

[Olmer]

Originally Posted by arvedui_last_king

Aragorn, because he would have given up going to Gondor to go with Frodo to Mt. Doom.

But nevertheless he did not go. Did not he?
What was holding him to take another boat and to catch up with Frodo and Sam? He could find them, he was a ranger, and was familiar with surroundings more than Gandalf. What was more important: to save the world or to save two bumling hobbits, who perfectly managed to free themselves without Aragorn's help? Valiant? Not in this case.