These 5 Words Are Still the Weirdest Part of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy

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J.R.R. Tolkien created a rich and detailed world filled with many characters, but the Fellowship of the Ring was central to the story. This group – four Hobbits, two Men, an Elf, a Dwarf, and a Wizard – first came together at the Council of Elrond, as shown in the first film of Peter Jackson’s trilogy. They traveled together for the first part of their quest, facing danger in Moria and finding beauty in Lothlórien.

As a huge fan of the Lord of the Rings, one thing that always struck me was how Boromir’s desire for the Ring really forced Frodo to understand the danger. It made him realize he couldn’t rely on others, because the Ring’s pull was just too strong. That’s why he decided to go to Mordor alone, with only Sam by his side. Looking back, it makes perfect sense that Frodo doesn’t really share a lot of meaningful interactions with characters he hadn’t known for very long. And get this – I was shocked to learn that Legolas *only* says five words to Frodo throughout the entire trilogy! It’s literally just his oath to protect Frodo, at the beginning and the end.

Frodo Had Varying Bonds with the Members of the Fellowship

The story of The Fellowship of the Ring reflects the popular idea that friendship can overcome anything. At the Council of Elrond, elves, humans, and others joined forces to fight Sauron, representing a united front against a powerful evil. While fans hoped the nine members of the Fellowship would act like close friends – and they did show some camaraderie – Frodo had existing, strong relationships with certain members, which deepened as their journey progressed.

Frodo’s closest friend is Sam, who starts as his gardener in Hobbiton. When Sam overhears a conversation between Frodo and Gandalf, he unexpectedly becomes involved in the early stages of the Fellowship. Throughout their journey, Sam’s unwavering love, loyalty, and dedication to Frodo become incredibly powerful, showing the strength of a humble Hobbit with simple hopes. Merry also insists on joining Frodo, driven by a deep familial love shared with Pippin. Throughout the first film, these four Hobbits frequently talk to each other, and their strong friendship serves as their primary source of motivation.

Gandalf often visited Frodo in the Shire, and the two became friends. Frodo didn’t realize Gandalf was secretly watching Bilbo’s ring. After Frodo inherited the One Ring, Gandalf explained its power and convinced him to take on the quest Bilbo couldn’t. Even though Gandalf was sending Frodo into great danger, he truly believed in the Hobbit’s strength. Before the meeting at Rivendell, Frodo met Aragorn, the heir to the throne of Gondor, who rescued him from the Ringwraiths and brought him safely to Rivendell. Aragorn’s remark about Frodo not bowing to anyone showed his deep respect and affection.

Frodo’s conversation with Boromir was filled with fear and uncertainty, particularly after Boromir tried to take the One Ring to help Gondor. While Boromir later regretted his actions, Frodo didn’t witness this change of heart. Still, their interaction created an emotional connection, highlighting the vulnerability of Men. Gimli doesn’t talk much with Frodo, except to offer his axe, but they do speak briefly in the Mines of Moria. Legolas, on the other hand, only says half a line to Frodo throughout the entire story, despite being present for over nine hours of screen time.

Legolas’ Minimal Interaction with Frodo Confused Fans

During a meeting led by Elrond in Rivendell, he asks someone to take the One Ring to Mordor and destroy it in the fiery crack from which it was created. No one volunteers, and Boromir famously declares that it’s impossible to simply walk into Mordor. An argument breaks out about what to do with the Ring, but Frodo courageously steps forward and offers to take on the dangerous task. Gandalf agrees to help him, stating he’ll support Frodo as long as the decision remains his. Aragorn then pledges his loyalty to Frodo, vowing to protect him with his life. He kneels before Frodo and offers him his sword.

Legolas responded by offering his bow, subtly referencing Aragorn’s earlier pledge. Gimli quickly followed with an offer of his axe, likely fueled by his growing rivalry with the Elf. Boromir then voiced his support for Gondor, just as the Hobbits arrived, eager to declare their loyalty to their friend. Finally, Elrond formally announced them all as the Fellowship of the Ring. Despite the emphasis on unity, it was odd that the Hobbit carrying the Ring never truly connected with the Elf who had vowed to protect him.

The movie version of Legolas spoke much less than he did in the original story. While traveling with Frodo, Legolas focused on ensuring the journey stayed on course. He helped the Fellowship navigate the Misty Mountains by spotting dangers, and bravely rescued Frodo from a creature lurking near the entrance to Moria. Legolas was the first to feel the presence of the Balrog, though his attention was quickly turned to a Cave-troll, which he defeated and saved Gimli from. He then witnessed Gandalf’s tragic fall. Had Legolas been present when Frodo departed, he would have definitely offered to go with him.

Though it meant growing apart from Frodo, Legolas was destined to move on. He’d done everything he could to help, and Frodo’s journey allowed him to find other meaningful ways to contribute. Freed from the responsibility of protecting Frodo, Legolas was also able to strengthen his friendship with Gimli. They became incredibly close, remaining companions even after Sauron’s defeat. Ultimately, Legolas even brought Gimli with him to the Undying Lands, a sacred place reserved for Elves, demonstrating a new era of friendship in Middle-earth.

Legolas’ Smaller Role Could Be Interpreted as Elvish Detachment

In the past, the Elves were major players in shaping Middle-earth, influencing both its lands and its politics. However, the War of the Last Alliance marked the end of their involvement in large-scale conflicts. Thousands of Elves and Men fought alongside each other for years and ultimately defeated Sauron. Unfortunately, Isildur was swayed by the power of the One Ring and didn’t destroy it, a moment recalled by Elrond shortly before the Council of Elrond in *The Fellowship of the Ring*.

With Sauron weakened, the Elves gradually withdrew from the affairs of Middle-earth and began to leave. Those who stayed became increasingly distant, and the death of their king, Gil-galad, marked the beginning of the end for the great Elven realms. Eventually, only Lothlórien and Rivendell remained, and even they mostly stood apart as observers. This explains why Legolas might not have formed a strong bond with Frodo. Because of Isildur’s history, the Elves still distrusted the failings of Men—and, by extension, Hobbits—and likely doubted Frodo could succeed.

Tolkien explained that Elves didn’t get deeply involved in immediate events, noting they weren’t “effectively concerned at the point of action.” Legolas, having lived for centuries mostly hidden in Mirkwood, learned to emotionally detach himself from the suffering of others. Even the perilous quest to protect the Ringbearer felt relatively brief to him, given his long life. Therefore, Legolas’s helpful but detached approach to the Fellowship mirrored a common Elven perspective.

Perhaps the most interesting thing to remember is that the movies left out a lot of important details from the books. For example, Galadriel tells Legolas his destiny is connected to the ocean surrounding Middle-earth. This, combined with the Elves’ generally distant nature, explains why Legolas and Frodo never became close friends. The books show Legolas and Gimli were always meant to be the last of the Fellowship to sail to the Undying Lands. Since Frodo was already there, enjoying a reward of immortality for his bravery, Legolas would have plenty of time to rebuild their friendship.

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2025-10-06 06:08