Only 10% Of Fans Know Who Said These Lord Of The Rings Lines
- by Rose Moore
- – on
- in Movies and TV
The Lord of the Rings is one of the most famous and best-loved fantasy epics of all time, and the original books have been adapted time and time again. The trilogy has been adapted for stage, television, and radio, it's been the inspiration for countless songs and cosplays, it's become one of the best selling novels of all time, and of course, it has made it onto the big screen.
Peter Jackson's film adaptation of The Lord Of The Rings was an immediate and massive success, raking in box office sales and winning Oscars left, right, and center. It's also a massive film in terms of sheer scale - at over nine hours in length. And at that long, it's hard for even the most devoted fan to remember every single line in the franchise, let alone who said it.
However, we've got a challenge for the most hardcore Lord of the Rings fans - to match the line to the character that said it in the Peter Jackson films. Some of these might be obvious to even the more casual fans - iconic lines and major movie moments. But others are going to be a little more tricky, even for those who have watched and re-watched Lord of the Rings over and over again. How well will you fare?
One Ring To Rule Them All...
One Ring To Find Them, One Ring To Bring Them All, And In The Darkness Bind Them. This is probably the most famous line from the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy, as the audience first learns the meaning of the script on the One Ring, and the history of the Ring that will be the true undoing of Sauron. But who is it who first tosses the One Ring into the fire, and reads the burning inscription on it?
I wish the ring had never come to me...
The One Ring passes from person to person throughout the films, and the history of the Ring in the ages before The Lord Of The Rings begins... and few people that it comes to end up happier because of it. It is not surprising, then, that someone who has held the Ring says that they wish it had never come to them, and that none of this had happened... but who was it who spoke those words aloud, not just in their heart?
A wizard is never late...
There are many wizards in the world of The Lord Of The Rings, although only Gandalf and Saruman play a big part in the films. As they battle for Middle Earth, we learn a lot about their powers and how they are controlled - from battling demons back from the dead, to something as small as being on time. For as this character says, 'a wizard is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to'.
You cannot hide - I see you!
In a universe that becomes as dark and threatening as Middle Earth does during the events of The Lord of the Rings, it's not surprising that there is a lot of hiding going on. Hiding from the Nazgul, hiding from Orcs, hiding from armies, from enemies, and of course, from the Eye of Sauron itself. Sometimes it works, but in this instance, not even the magical power of the Ring to make Frodo invisible can keep him hidden from his enemy...
The one ring answers to Sauron alone
Although the Ring is a truly evil object, that doesn't prevent many of the beings of Middle Earth from desiring it... even if the truth is that the Ring will not grant the kind of power that it gives to Sauron to anyone else. At least, that is what this character claims, when he says "The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master". Of course, not everyone believes him, but it is what keeps him from desiring it.
He is Aragorn, Son of Arathorn, you owe him your allegiance
Aragorn's lineage is a major focus of The Lord of the Rings, although we do not know it at first. In the beginning, he is known only as Strider, a Ranger from the North. However, it is revealed that he is actually the heir of Gondor at the council where the Fellowship is formed. Boromir asks what 'a mere ranger' would know of the ring, and one of the others reveals the truth, saying 'That is no mere ranger. He is Aragorn, Son of Arathorn."
Never trust an elf!
The elves are usually seen as one of the most trusted races on Middle Earth - the Hobbits are peaceable, but largely hidden and away from the world. The Men are weak, the Dwarves are stubborn and suspicious (and a little obsessed with treasure), but the Elves are usually presented as the most beautiful and wise of the races... however, not everyone trusts them entirely (and they definitely have their own flaws). Who is it who is most vocal about his lack of trust at the first council of the Fellowship?
The ring must be destroyed
During the Fellowship of the Ring, the first council at Rivendell is where we learn much about the One Ring - including why it must be taken all the way to Mordor., to be destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom. Originally, when this character makes the pronouncement that 'You have only one choice. The Ring must be destroyed', Gimli tries to simply smash it with his axe. It is only when that does not work that the true way to destroy the ring is revealed.
Even the smallest person can change the course of the future
Frodo has a lot on his shoulders - a once-cheerful Hobbit now tasked with trekking across Middle Earth and defeating the ultimate evil. From the start, he is brave - but he also admits his fear, and his worry that he will not be able to do what he knows he must. However, when he admits that to this character, he gets reassured that he can rise to the occasion - and that 'even the smallest person can change the course of the future'.
One does not simply walk into Mordor
This should be an easy one - a line so famous that it became a meme! It is part of a speech by one of the Fellowship, who is trying to explain how difficult Frodo's journey will be, because 'one does not simply walk into Mordor'. He goes on to describe the Black Gates, the armies of orcs and the evil 'that never sleeps'. He also speaks about the Eye of Sauron, which is always watching - all of which Frodo will have to get past.
Let's hunt some orc!
The foul orcs are the most odious of the races on Middle Earth, and live under Sauron's control - which leads to them attacking the Fellowship and kidnapping Merry and Pippin to take back to Mordor. With Frodo and Sam gone off on their own, it is up to Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli to track the orcs into Rohan, and to hunt them down to save their friends. Who is it who makes the vow to save them and ends with the words 'Let's hunt some orc!'?
What about second breakfast?
Before the Fellowship is broken, Aragorn must deal with some of the quirks of Hobbits - including their naivety when it comes to danger, and their habit of eating all. the. time. Of course - this all comes from being used to a life of safety and comfort, but one of the funniest moments in this film is when Aragorn learns about the various meals of the Hobbit day, when one asks about breakfast - and more specifically, 'second breakfast'.
I would have gone with you to the end, to the very fires of Mordor
Where many people try and take the Ring from Frodo, there is one who never does - even when it is freely offered to them. In this scene, Frodo is afraid that the people that he is travelling with will all try and take the ring from him, and holds it out... but this person pushes the ring back to him, and says 'I would have gone with you to the end, to the very fires of Mordor'... leaving unsaid that they know Frodo has decided to go on alone.
The Time of the Elves is Over
While the elves still fight to save Middle Earth, they are not as strong as they once were by the time The Lord of the Rings begins. In fact, the majority of them are leaving, heading to the Undying Lands and away from their homes. One character explains this, and asks who will be there to protect Middle Earth when they are gone. 'he time of the Elves is over — my people are leaving these shores. Who will you look to when we've gone?'.
It is mine to give to whom I will. Like my heart.
There isn't a huge amount of romance in The Lord of the Rings - with most of the plot dedicated to battles, loyalty, friendship and fantasy. However, there are some sweet moments - Aragorn and Arwen, Eowyn and her love for Aragorn as well, even Sam and the lovely Rosie that he goes home to and (having save the world) has the bravery to ask out. Who was it that says the extremely romantic line 'It is mine to give to whom I will. Like my heart'?
There is no curse in Elvish, Entish or the tongues of men for this treachery
There is a fair amount of treachery to speak of in this fantasy epic - but in this case, someone is talking about the treachery of Saruman. Once a wise wizard, respected by all, Saruman has been poisoned by Sauron, and turned against his ways to start destroying his forests and feeding the engines of war. Who is it who reacts to this by saying 'There is no curse in Elvish, Entish or the tongues of Men for this treachery'?
If I take one more step, I'll be the furthest from home I've ever been
For many of the characters in Lord of the Rings, epic journeys are nothing new - Gandalf, Aragorn and Legolas have travelled far and wide, and even Bilbo has had his own adventures in his youth. However, for the Hobbits, this journey represents the biggest one they have ever been on, as most hobbits never leave their idyllic home of Hobbiton. Who is it who can mark the exact step that takes them further from home than they have ever been?
To bear a ring of power is to be alone
While the One Ring is the most important in the Lord of the Rings, it is not the only Ring of Power that exists in this world. Originally, many rings were made and given to the different races, so that each had a Ring Bearer. Now, when Frodo becomes the Bearer of the One Ring, someone else speaks to him about what that means, and describes the life of any who is chosen by a ring of power as a lonely one.
Men are weak. It is because of Men that the ring survives
The many races of Middle Earth are often not very trusting of each other - which is what makes the Fellowship so special, that there are representatives from many races working together. Before it is formed, however, when this character is talking about who can deal with the One Ring, he describes Dwarves as selfish, says the Elves are leaving, and that Men are 'weak' - and that it is because of Isildur that the Ring wasn't destroyed in the first place.
There's some good in this world, and it's worth fighting for
Although the Lord of the Rings often gets very dark, there are still powerful messages of hope within it - of small people being able to save the world, of friendship and loyalty overcoming all evil, and that there are stories in the world that give us hope and keep us going. When Frodo feels like giving up, one of his companions reminds him of the epic stories they used to love, and that 'there's some good in this world, Mr Frodo, and it's worth fighting for'.
Leave now, and never come back!
There are plenty of times in Lord of the Rings when someone is trying to get another person to stay away from them - whether it is Frodo trying to convince Sam to leave him, Denethor trying to kick Aragorn out of Minis Tirith, or Gimli (and Saruman) trying to keep Gandalf away from Rohan... but there is only one conversation where this phrase is spoken time and time again - and even seems to work (for a short while).
The battle for Middle Earth is about to begin...
It may seem as though the battle for Middle Earth is the entirety of the Lord of the Rings series, but this line is actually spoken toward the end of the trilogy, after the battle at Helm's Deep is over, and the Men of the world (with a little help from Gimli and the Elves) have fought back and won. However, they cannot rest after their victory - as this character says, Sauron's wroth will be terrible, his retribution swift... and the biggest battle is yet to come.
I'm naked in the dark with nothing
There are many characters who go through extreme hardships throughout the epic journeys that make up The Lord of the Rings - and one of them describes their near-destruction at the moment that it seems all is lost, saying; I cannot recall the taste of food, or the sound of water, or the touch of grass. I am naked in the dark with nothing, no veil between me and the wheel of fire'. Who was it that spoke these heartbreaking words?
Certainty of Death, Small chance of success
If any words summed up most of the missions that the characters in Lord of the Rings go on, it would be these... 'Certainty of death. Small chance of success. What are we waiting for?'. Not only does it cover the often impossible odds that our heroes face, but their willingness to ride into battle with ferocity and hope, even when they know that there is a good chance that they may fail to actually win. Because it's what they have to do.
Wraiths! Wraiths on wings!
The Nazgul are some of the most terrifying servants of Sauron - creatures that were once great Kings of Men, and who are now ring wraiths - black shadows of their former selves, with a power that is deeply entwined with that of the power of the One Ring and Sauron himself. These corrupted servants also ride terrifying mounts - after losing their black steeds, they are gifted with great winged beasts that look like dragons - and that terrify this character when they are seen.
I will not say do not weep, for not all tears are evil
Throughout the story of the One Ring, there are many times that our heroes may find themselves weeping - over many deaths, over so much loss and fear and pain, but also, in some moments, because of the people that they love. Here, where the Fellowship are saying their final goodbyes, there is not a dry eye to be seen - but as this character says, that's not always a bad thing. So, he will not tell them not to cry, only bids them farewell.
Now is the hour! Riders of Rohan!
There are many stirring speeches made to the armies that must ride out to battle, and this is definitely one of them; 'Now is the hour! Riders of Rohan! Oaths you have taken, now fulfill them all, to lord and land!'. This speech was given to the Rohirrim before one of their biggest battles, to strike courage into their hearts and galvanize them for the battle to come - and to remind them what they are fighting for; their own land of Rohan itself.
The eye of the enemy is moving
Even in an epic like Lord of the Rings, there are nights of quiet in between massive battles and confrontations with evil in all its forms. This line was spoken on one of those nights, when almost all were sleeping, and only two stood outside, speaking of what is to come. 'The stars are veiled. Something stirs in the East. A sleepless malice. The Eye of the enemy is moving'. Even here, the calm is almost immediately broken, when Pippin looks into the palantir.
I think you have strength, of a different kind.
There are many different kinds of strength that the Lord of the Rings celebrates - and while a lot of it is the kind that rides into battle, there are also phenomenal stories about quieter strength - the kind that Faramir has. However, his father, Denethor, doesn't appreciate this kind of wise and patient strength, wishing that Faramir was more like his brother, Boromir. This character tries to reassure Faramir when he is comparing himself to his brother, saying that he has his own strength, and one day, his father will see it.
You shall not pass!
When the Fellowship are passing through the Mines of Moria, they discover one of the terrible things that has been lurking there for many years - and that wiped out the dwarves who used to dwell in those halls. Not only orcs, but a Balrog, a fire demon with whips and claws. The beast chases them, and it is only the strength of one of the Fellowship and his refusal to allow the Balrog to pass that allows most of them to make it out alive.
When did Saruman the Wise abandon reason for madness?
Those who have only seen The Lord of the Rings, and who do not know the lore of this world, will only know the White Wizard Saruman as a villain - the servant of Sauron and the enemy of the Fellowship and Middle Earth. However, as fans have seen in The Hobbit, there was a time when Saruman was known as one of the wisest men, that others (including Gandalf) treated with respect. Who is it that remarks on his downfall with these words?
If you want him, come and claim him!
Many of the heroes of The Lord Of The Rings are the kind to issue ringing challenges to any enemy, no matter how overwhelming the odds might be. These are heroes that do not shrink from danger - especially when it comes to protecting the people that they love. In this case, they are facing off against the Ring Wraiths over the injured body of Aragorn, and call out that if they want him, they must come and take him away!
There's more to this hobbit than meets the eye
There certainly is more to Frodo than first meets the eye - although he may appear to be only a fairly ordinary little hobbit, he proves in the end that he is capable of saving Middle Earth - journeying to Mordor and resisting the power of the ring, even though it would likely cost him his life. Who was it who saw this in him from the very beginning, and told the others around them that Frodo would be capable of doing what had to be done?
Ride out with me. Ride out and meet them
During the Battle of Helms Deep, it seemed for a moment that all was lost - too many of the fighting men had been driven away by Gimli, and too many of the orcs had broken through thanks to the knowledge that Gimli had of the fortress. When all seemed lost, though, there was one man of Rohan who was able to stir the last few soldiers into action, to fight until Gandalf arrived with the Rohan army. Who was it?
All our hopes lie somewhere in the wilderness, with two little hobbits
After the battle for Helms Deep, and the announcement that the battle for Middle Earth is about to begin, the fighters of the Fellowship are gazing out to the fires of Mordor in the distance, taking a moment to contemplate what is to come - and the fate of the One Ring, being carried to Mount Doom by Frodo and Sam. They close their scene with these final words that beautifully sum up the films; that all hope lies with two little hobbits.