Lessons of Gratitude in The Lord of the Rings

By shannonotoole on Nov 26, 2025

Almost 25 years later, The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy continues to capture the hearts of fans new and old. With its beautiful cinematography, inspiring tale of good prevailing over evil, and beloved characters, it is no wonder that audiences continue to seek out Peter Jackson’s film trilogy.

In particular, the relationships between characters still resonate with audiences. The people of Middle-earth are unafraid of vulnerability and expressing what they mean to one another. In honor of Thanksgiving, here are our top six favorite moments of gratitude in The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy.

The Arrival of the Elves at Helm’s Deep

The people of Rohan prepare within the walls of the Hornburg to face Saruman’s army of Uruk-hai. Gimli, Legolas, and Aragorn speak with one another in the armory of the keep as a clear horn sounds. The three warriors hurry to Théoden’s side and find a host of Elves sent by Elrond, led by Haldir of Lothlórien, have arrived at Helm’s Deep.

Haldir tells King Théoden that long ago, Elves and Men fought and died as allies. He sees Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli approaching, and greeting them with a smile, says, “We come to honor that allegiance.” Aragorn first addresses Haldir with a formal Elvish greeting. In a rare show of excitement, he then embraces Haldir in an enthusiastic hug. He tells his friend, “You are most welcome.”

For almost his entire life, Aragorn walked between the worlds of Men and Elves, finding that the people he came from and the people who raised him rarely interacted in any meaningful way. When the Elf lord who raised him sent an army to Rohan’s aid, led by one of Aragorn’s friends, Aragorn could not contain his relief. Aragorn’s usual stoicism was no match for the overwhelming gratitude he felt for both the help and the hope the Elves brought with them.

The Last Stand at the Black Gate

Even with their track record of defying the odds, Legolas and Gimli recognize as they stand before the Black Gate of Mordor that they are not walking away. Their purpose there is not to win a battle, but to distract Sauron and his armies to give Frodo and Sam a chance to make it to Mount Doom. The relatively small host that could march out after the Battle of the Pelennor Fields stands surrounded by enemies.

The two Fellowship members accept their fate with a placidness only seasoned warriors could muster. In an attempt to add levity, Gimli reflects on their relationship. He turns to Legolas and remarks, “Never thought I’d die fighting side by side with an Elf.” Legolas, not missing a beat, smiles at the Dwarf and says, “What about side by side with a friend?” Gimli replies, “Aye, I could do that.”

The relationship between Gimli and Legolas is one of the most hard-earned in the entire trilogy. The relationship between Dwarves and Elves were strained for generations, and Gimli and Legolas both join the Fellowship burdened by preconceived ideas about one another. Their friendship grows stronger through every trial they face, and when they finally believe their luck has run out, they both are thankful that they are at least facing the end with a friend beside them.

“My Brother. My Captain. My King.”

Aragorn and Boromir were often at odds with one another from the moment they met in Rivendell. Their difficult relationship continues as they disagree about what choices to make on the journey, especially when discussing anything to do with the race of Men. In a moment of weakness, Boromir tries to take the Ring from Frodo. He immediately regrets this and redeems himself as he defends Merry and Pippin until he is pierced by three arrows.

Aragorn finds Boromir as he lays dying beneath a tree. Boromir tells Aragorn that Merry and Pippin were taken and confesses that he tried to take the Ring. Boromir expresses fear for the World of Men, and Aragorn promises him that he will not let the White City fall, and claims the people of Gondor as his as well. Hearing this, Boromir knows Gondor is well-protected. With his dying breath, he tells Aragorn, “I would have followed you, my brother … my captain, my King.”

Although neither warrior ever utters a word of thanks, it is through Boromir’s courage, humility, and sacrifice that Aragorn can finally begin to see the goodness to be found in Men. As he sees this in Boromir and in Men as a whole, he begins to see these things in himself. When Aragorn promises to take care of “our people,” Boromir repeats the phrase, understanding that even when he dies, Gondor will continue to have a champion in Aragorn. He is allowed to die with honor and without fear for his country’s fate.

“I knew you’d find me.”

Beyond being the youngest Hobbits, Merry and Pippin are also the two individuals that got swept into the War of the Ring with the least intentionality. They quite literally fall into the journey, and volunteer to join Frodo out of love without great awareness of what they have signed themselves up for. In The Return of the King, the two Hobbits find themselves parted for the first time, with Merry fighting for Rohan and Pippin fighting for Gondor.

When the Battle of the Pelennor Fields is over, those left standing scan the fields for any other survivors. Long after many have retired, Pippin continues to walk through the carnage. Pippin shouts for Merry with tears in his eyes. He finally spies a small figure near and is overjoyed to find that his beloved friend is alive. Pale and exhausted, Merry offers Pippin a weak smile and says, “I knew you’d find me,” and asks Pippin not to leave him. Pippin tenderly tells him, “No, Merry. I’m going to look after you,” and covers him with a cloak.

Despite their statue and inexperience in the world, the two Hobbits prove themselves to be assets to Rohan and Gondor. Even with their courageous feats, however, the two Hobbits are never hardened by what they have experienced. As death hovers nearby, Merry never lost faith that Pippin would find him, and expresses his gratitude by telling him that he knew Pippin would find him.

The King’s Niece

Rohan rides to Gondor’s aid and believes they have helped turn the tides toward victory. Their chances of victory begin to slip away when the Nazgûl appear on their winged beasts, led by the fearsome Witch-king of Angmar. The Witch-king’s Fell Beast grabs a hold of King Théoden’s horse Snowmane and throws both steed and rider aside, pinning Théoden. A Rohirrim soldier blocks the path between the King and the Ringwraith, taking down his mount. The Nazgûl overpowers the soldier and says that no man can kill him.

Casting her helm aside, Éowyn reveals herself. She says, “I am no man,” and drives her sword into the Witch-king’s helm. With the enemy slain, Éowyn crawls to her uncle. He tells her that he is dying, and she replies, “No … I am going to save you…” Smiling warmly, Théoden says, “You already did.” He goes on to tell her, “I go to my fathers … in whose mighty company, I shall not now feel ashamed…”

Éowyn fought with selflessness and the valiance of legends for her uncle’s life, not realizing that he was already dying. Théoden knew that his fate was decided. He also knew that his beloved niece had helped him restore his honor, allowing him to pass in peace with a loved one at his side. He expressed his gratitude for her courage, and that he could join his forefathers without the shame that had burdened him for so long.

The End of All Things

After scaling Mount Doom, Frodo and Sam find themselves within the legendary volcano. With his spirit finally broken, Frodo claims the Ring for his own. The Ring is only destroyed with intervention from Gollum, and Frodo loses a finger and almost loses his life in the process. Sam saves Frodo once again, hauling him up from the ledge of Mount Doom and shepherding him out of the crumbling chasm.

As Mount Doom erupts around them, Frodo and Sam seek refuge on a small rock. Frodo expresses overwhelming relief that the Ring is gone. With lava flowing around them and no escape, the two Hobbits imagine their beloved Shire and the memories they had there. Frodo imagines the river, Bag End, and Gandalf’s fireworks. Sam remembers Rosie Cotton and grieves the life he may have had with her. They both recognize that their lives are the cost of the salvation of Middle-earth. Frodo embraces his loyal friend, telling him, “I’m glad to be with you, Samwise Gamgee … here at the end of all things.”

Frodo had been told and had felt repeatedly that his fate as a Ring-bearer was to be alone. In many ways, this was true as bearing a Ring of Power is an isolating burden. In this moment, however, Frodo knows that even though this was his task, without his friend’s love and courage and loyalty, he would not have been successful. He also takes great comfort in not facing the end alone and tells his friend how grateful he is that they are together.

From Hobbits to Elves to Kings of Men, the characters in The Lord of the Rings recognize the value of the people in their lives and openly express this. Without these relationships and the companionship, both easy and hard won, between them, there is no doubt that the free folk of Middle-earth could not have prevailed over evil. It is through their love of one another and their ability to rely on another that the Ring was ultimately destroyed and Middle-earth was saved.

What moments of gratitude from The Lord of the Rings have stuck with you? Share your thoughts with other LOTR fans over at Sideshow Social Network or in side.show/geekgroup, and don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!