| The Travellers | |
| Frodo In the second part of the trilogy, Frodo works his way toward Mordor. More important, however, is his personal struggle with the Ring. It is trying to take hold of him, and very nearly succeeding. If not for Frodo's faithful companion, Sam, it is doubtful that Frodo could survive this struggle. However, along the way, his encounter with Gollum (Smeagol) teaches him mercy and gives him hope for survival. |
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Sam The strength of this quiet Hobbit is all that carries Frodo through his struggles. Despite the fact that he calls himself Frodo's gardener, he guards Frodo's life more closely than his own. He does not trust Gollum, but he is willing to follow wherever Frodo may lead. |
| Merry Wise, brave and thoughtful as always, Merry tries to stir the Ents to war against Saruman. He realizes the danger, and also the consequences, of Saruman's actions. |
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Pippin Galadriel's prophecy -- "You will find your courage" -- rings true for Pippin. When Merry's reasoning won't turn the Ents to their cause, Pippin risks life and limb to show the Ents what they are facing. |
| Aragorn This leader of Men, the "one who can unite them", leads Legolas and Gimli on a search for the kidnapped Hobbits. Through trials and dangers, death and loss, he forges on, never giving up his hope. His courage (and his luck) lights the fire of hope for the king of Rohan and gives the people strength to last through the battle. |
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Gimli Courageous to a fault, and blood-thirsty for his foes, Gimli brings light to the shadows of war. His unceasing strength and war-hardened experience make him a formiddable foe. |
| Legolas Sharp-eyed and quick-footed as ever, Legolas puts his trust in Aragorn's leadership and stands against the armies of Isengard. His keen senses often warn of coming danger, and his arrows never miss their mark. |
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Gandalf Darkness turns to light as the Grey Pilgrim defeats the Balrog and returns to his friends as the White Wizard. He draws Saruman out of Rohan "as poison is drawn from a wound", and brings the much-needed reenforcements to Helm's Deep, leading the losing army to victory. |
| Men (and Women) of Rohan | |
| Eomer Eomer is the nephew of Theoden, king of Rohan. Despite the fact that his uncle has fallen to the control of Saruman, Eomer is fiercely loyal to Rohan and continues to fight the Uruk-Hai even after banishment. |
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Eowyn Sister of Eomer and niece to Theoden, Eowyn is a strong and nobal shield-maiden of Rohan. She hungers to prove herself in battle and her strength sustains the refugees on the long and dangerous march to Helm's Deep. |
| Theoden Long under Saruman's spell, Theoden is weak and frail and unable to defend his country. However, when Gandalf frees him from Saruman's control, his strength returns, and he leads his people to safety. He has no hope against the masses from Isengard, but remains courageous and valient to the end. |
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| Men of Gondor | |
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Faramir Much like his brother Boromir, the Captain of the Guard of Gondor is tempted by the power of the Ring. However, also in keeping with Boromir's tradition, he sees the error of his ways before it is too late. |
| Other Friends | |
| Treebeard Treebeard, also called Fangorn, is the oldest living creature in Middle Earth. He and the rest of the Ents are wise and slow to stir to action, but their wrath and strength are terrible once their anger has been kindled. |
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Elven Army Haldir of Lothlorien leads an army of Elves to Helm's Deep at the bidding of Elrond and Galadriel to assist the king of Rohan. Their arrival cheers the army of Men and brings hope. |
| The Bad Guys | |
| The Balrog Gandalf's most dangerous enemy brings him to the brink of death before at last being defeated. |
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Dunlending Wild Men The Wild Men of Dunlending were once natives to the lands of Rohan, until the Rohirrim fought them and drove them out. Saruman uses this old grudge to stir the Wild Men to war against Rohan, where they pillage and burn the peaceful cities. |
| Easterling Army In the words of Gollum, "Sauron is drawing all armies to him". The Easterlings are dangerous savages from the desert that march to Mordor's Black Gate. |
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Gollum (a.k.a. Smeagol) Smeagol's struggle against his evil nature is a pivotal part of this story. Frodo's kindness brings hope to his sad existance, but, in the end, the power of the Ring has worked too long and too hard against him. Cold be heart and hand and bone. Cold be travellers far from home. They do not see what lies ahead, when sun has failed and moon is dead. |
| Grima (a.k.a. Wormtongue) Grima is the councelor of Theoden ... and the servant of Saruman. He long ago sold his allegence and spends his days poisoning and weakening Theoden's mind. When Gandalf releases Theoden from the spell, Grima flees back to Isengard. |
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Saruman Saruman's hatred for Men will not be quenched until they have been destroyed. He revels in the death and destruction as he sends out his army of thousands against Helm's Deep, but is caught off guard when the Ents lay siege to his fortress at Isengard. |
| Sauron Sauron gathers his armies and launches war against Gondor. And ever his eye is searching for the Ring Bearer... |
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