8 Words in The Lord of the Rings Officially Confirmed the Fellowship’s Bravest Member

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Aragorn is a hugely popular character in Peter Jackson’s films, and it’s easy to overlook that he was first presented as someone potentially dangerous. He was introduced in the town of Bree, at an inn called The Prancing Pony. While the inn offered a safe haven for Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin, it wasn’t without risk. The Hobbits were vulnerable to both common criminals and those secretly working for the enemy among the inn’s more suspicious guests.

The most suspicious stranger in the inn was a hooded man, quietly smoking a pipe in the shadows. Sam realized he’d been observing them ever since they arrived. Barliman Butterbur, the innkeeper, explained that the man was a Ranger – a mysterious and potentially dangerous wanderer of the wilderness. No one knew his real name, but locals called him Strider. Although Aragorn, as Strider was known, meant Frodo no harm, the Hobbits didn’t know that, and this situation allowed him an opportunity to demonstrate his bravery – a quality that would later prove essential as a member of the Fellowship.

Samwise Gamgee Did Not Trust Strider at the Start of The Lord of the Rings

When Frodo unexpectedly became invisible, Strider quickly pulled him into an upstairs room, telling him he was attracting unwanted attention. Once they were alone, Strider revealed he knew Frodo possessed the One Ring and that dangerous enemies were hunting him. Just as Frodo was trying to figure out if Strider was an ally or a threat, the door flew open, and Strider instinctively drew his sword. It turned out the unexpected visitor was Sam, followed closely by Merry and Pippin.

Sam clenched his fists and yelled at the larger man, “Let him go, or you’ll answer to me!” He knew he was at a big disadvantage – he was much smaller and weaker than his opponent, and didn’t have any weapons. Sam was usually quite humble and aware of his own limits, but he wouldn’t back down from a fight if he thought someone was threatening his friend.

Sam didn’t seem scared of Strider at all; he only looked deeply angry. This brief moment really showed Sam’s character and hinted at how far he’d go to defend Frodo. While Strider wasn’t frightened by the hobbit gardener, he was struck by Sam’s courage. He put his sword away and said, “You have a stout heart, little Hobbit.”

Samwise Gamgee Fought One of The Lord of the Rings’ Deadliest Monsters

Sam’s initial challenge to Aragorn foreshadowed his growing courage throughout The Lord of the Rings. This reached its peak in The Return of the King, when he fought to rescue Frodo after being poisoned. Notably, Sam began this confrontation with the same defiant words he’d once used against Strider at The Prancing Pony – “Let him go, you filth” – but this time, he was ready to fight for what he believed in.

By the time Sam confronted Shelob, his journey across Middle-earth had made him brave and resourceful. He was prepared, having picked up Sting and the Phial of Galadriel after Frodo had reluctantly let them go. Sam didn’t strike Shelob often, but each blow was effective. He stabbed her in the eye and her vulnerable underside, causing her to shriek in agony. Wounded, she retreated back into her lair.

Sam’s accomplishment is even more remarkable when you consider the history of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth. Shelob wasn’t just a large spider; her mother, Ungoliant, was an ancient spirit of darkness and one of the most powerful creatures ever to exist in that world. Even Sauron’s dark lord was afraid of Ungoliant. While Shelob wasn’t as powerful as her mother, it was still incredibly brave and impressive for an untrained hobbit like Sam to defeat her in battle.

In the book The Lord of the Rings, Strider didn’t have to force Frodo anywhere, and Sam didn’t need to threaten him. However, Sam was still wary of Strider, because he was so protective of Frodo. Even after learning Strider’s real identity was Aragorn and that he was a friend of Gandalf, Sam suspected he might be a fake who had replaced the real Aragorn, pointing out that a true enemy would have already attacked them. Peter Jackson shortened this complex interaction for the movie. While Sam wasn’t the strongest or smartest member of the Fellowship, he was undoubtedly the bravest, both in the book and the films.

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2025-11-21 01:07