How do you pick up the threads of an old life? How do you go on, when in your heart you begin to understand... there is no going back? There are some things that time cannot mend. Some hurts that go too deep, that have taken hold.
Pain, TimeFrodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the KingGimli: "I never thought I'd die fighting side by side with an elf."
Legolas: "What about side by side with a friend?"
Gimli: "Aye, I could do that."
I don't want to be in a battle, but waiting on the edge of one I can't escape is even worse.
War, WaitingPippin Took in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the KingThere can be no triumph without loss. No victory without suffering. No freedom without sacrifice.
LossThe Lord of the Rings: The Return of the KingSons of Gondor! Of Rohan! My brothers! I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me! A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship. But it is not this day. An hour of woes and shattered shields when the age of Men comes crashing down! But it is not this day! This day we fight! By all that you hold dear on this good Earth, I bid you stand! Men of the West!
Courage, War SpeechesAragorn in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King"The deeds of Men will outlast us, Gimli."
"And yet come to naught in the end but might-have-beens, I guess", said the Dwarf.
"To that the Elves know not the answer", said Legolas.
"...Do we walk in legends or on the green earth in the daylight?"
"A man may do both," said Aragorn. "For not we but those who come after will make the legends of our time. The green earth, say you? That is a mighty matter of legend, though you tread it under the light of day!"
From the ashes, a fire shall be woken. A light from the shadow shall spring. Renewed shall be blade that was broken. The crownless again shall be king.
Arwen in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the KingDeath is just another path. One that we all must take.
Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the KingÉowyn: "Do what you will; but I will hinder it, if I may."
Witch-king of Angmar: "Hinder me? Thou fool. No living man may hinder me!"
Éowyn: "But no living man am I! You look upon a woman. Éowyn I am, Eomund's daughter."
My friends… you bow to no one!
Hobbits & HarfootsAragorn in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the KingI will not say: do not weep; for not all tears are an evil.
Crying & TearsGandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the KingCourage will now be your best defence against the storm that is at hand - that and such hope as I bring.
DefenseGandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the KingAs they came to the gates Círdan the Shipwright came forth to greet them. Very tall he was, and his beard was long, and he was grey and old, save that his eyes were keen as stars; and he looked at them and bowed, and said "All is now ready."
Círdan in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the KingThis day does not belong to one man, but to all. Let us together rebuild this world, that we may share in the days of peace.
Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the KingGorbag: "Stop your squealing, you dunghill rat! I'm gonna bleed you like a stuck pig."
Sam: "Not if I stick you first!"
Witch-king of Angmar: "You fool! No man can kill me. Die now."
Éowyn: "I am no man!"
There's plenty for the both of us. May the best Dwarf win!
Gimli in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the KingArise, Riders of Théoden! Spears shall be shaken, shields shall be splintered, a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises! Ride now! Ride for ruin and the world's ending! Death!
War SpeechesThéoden in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the KingThéoden: "I am happy for you. He is an honorable man."
Éowyn: "You are both honorable men."
Théoden: "It was not Theoden of Rohan who led our people to victory."
Saruman: "Can we not have peace?"
Theoden: "We shall have peace, when you answer for the burning of the Westfold, and the children that lie dead there! We shall have peace, when the lives of the soldiers whose bodies were hewn even as they died against the gates of the Hornberg, are avenged! When you hang from a gibbit for the sport of your own crows...! We shall have peace."
Bilbo once told me his part in this tale would end, that each of us must come and go in the telling.
Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the KingI am Isildur's heir. Fight for me and I will hold your oaths fulfilled!
Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the KingI would have you smile again, not grieve for those whose time has come. You shall live to see these days renewed. No more despair.
Théoden in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, to ÉowynMy body is broken. You have to let me go. I go to my fathers, in whose mighty company I shall not now feel ashamed.
Théoden in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, to ÉowynTonight we remember those who gave their blood to defend this country. Hail the victorious dead!
Théoden in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the KingGamling: "Too few have come. We cannot defeat the armies of Mordor."
Theoden: "No. We cannot. But we will meet them in battle nonetheless."
It is but a shadow and a thought that you love. I cannot give you what you seek.
Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, to ÉowynYou ride to war, but not to victory.
Elrond in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, to AragornDo not mention Frodo. Or the Ring. And say nothing of Aragorn either. In fact, it's better if you don't speak at all, Peregrin Took.
Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, to PippinSome things are certain. If I leave him now I will regret it forever.
Arwen in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, about AragornAragorn: "The Beacons of Minas Tirith! The Beacons are lit! Gondor calls for aid."
Théoden: "And Rohan will answer. Muster the Rohirrim. Assemble the army at Dunharrow. As many men as can be found. You have two days. On the third, we ride for Gondor... and war."
Pippin: "I feel like I'm back at The Green Dragon after a hard day's work."
Merry: "Only, you've never done a hard day's work."
My dear Sam: You cannot always be torn in two. You will have to be one and whole for many years. You have so much to enjoy and to be and to do. Your part in the story will go on.
Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the KingWe set out to save the Shire, Sam. And it has been saved. But not for me.
Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the KingI'm glad to be with you, Samwise Gamgee, here at the end of all things.
Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the KingHome is behind, the world ahead
And there are many paths to tread
Through shadows to the edge of night
Until the stars are all alight
No, my heart will not yet despair. Gandalf fell and has returned and is with us. We may stand, if only on one leg, or at least be left still upon our knees.
Pippin Took in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the KingOh, you can search far and wide
You can drink the whole town dry
But you'll never find a beer so brown
As the one we drink in our hometown
You can drink your fancy ales
You can drink 'em by the flagon
But the only brew for the brave and true
Comes from The Green Dragon
Well, this is a thing unheard-of. An Elf will go underground where a Dwarf dare not? Oh, I'd never hear the end of it.
Gimli in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the KingBut, lord, I offered you my sword. I do not want to be parted from you like this, Théoden King. And as all my friends have gone to the battle, I should be ashamed to stay behind.
Merry Brandybuck in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the KingThe power of the Three Rings is ended. The time has come... for the dominion of Men.
Galadriel in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the KingBecause 10,000 Orcs now stand between Frodo and Mount Doom. I've sent him to his death.
Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the KingHe has just as much reason to go to war as you do. Why can he not fight for those he loves?
Éowyn in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, about MerryI wished to be loved by another, but I desire no man's pity.
Éowyn in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the KingShall I always be left behind when the Riders depart, to mind the house while they win renown, and find food and beds when they return?
Éowyn in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, to AragornI will be a healer, and love all things that grow and are not barren. No longer do I desire to be a queen.
Éowyn in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, to FaramirAlas, not me, lord! Shadow lies on me still. Look not to me for healing! I am a shieldmaiden and my hand is ungentle.
Éowyn in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King