Interesting that this question seems to devolve merely into identifying who has the most control over others, who is able to dominate others the most effectively.
Shouldn't the question of power be defined in terms of how Tolkien uses the idea?
One of the most powerful themes in Tolkien is the respect for individual people and the abhorence of coercing or dominating others.
Thus, power most probably should be defined as power over one's self, the ability to decide upon a course of action and remain true to that course without violating one's principles without bullying others. From this perspective, I would suggest that the most powerful characters are Frodo and Sam.
Bethberry
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I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.
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