[Boromir88]

It's interesting you bring up Legolas. When you think of Legolas in the books, he seems to be a more behind the scenes character. He seems to be an ordinary elf, that becomes good friends with Gimli and Aragorn, and is just kind of there. However, you mention what he does when Gandalf dies...how about the way he picks up Aragorn after Boromir's death? Aragorn seems to hit this rough patch after Boromir's death, he's lost, doesn't exactly know what to do; but both Legolas and Gimli are there to pick up his spirits:

"But after that we must guess the riddles, if we are to choose our course rights," answered Aragorn.
"Maybe there is no right choice," said Gimli.

I do not know," answered Aragorn wearily. "Before he died Boromir told me that the Orcs had bound them; he did not think that they were dead. I sent him to follow Merry and Pippin; but I did not ask him if Frodo or Same were with him: not until it was too late. All that I have done today has gone amiss. What is to be done now?"
"First we must tend the fallen," said Legolas. "We cannot leave him lying like carrion among these foul Orcs."

'But we do not know whether the Ringer-bearer is with them or not,' said Aragorn. 'Are we to abandon him? Must we not see him first? An evil choice is now before us!'
'Then lus us do first what we must do,' said Legolas. We have not the time or the tools to bury our comrade fitly, or to raise a mound over him. A cairn we might build.'

Aragorn is struggling after Boromir's death as far as what to do, trying to figure out all the 'riddles' that the three are faced with; and it is Legolas and Gimli that are there to give Aragorn support. It is Legolas and Gimli that were there to guide Aragorn through this tough patch. Aragorn appears, I wouldn't say panicked, but a bit distressed...like this 'What are we going to do?' And it is mostly Legolas that is there as this calming presense to help Aragorn out. By the end of the chapter Aragorn is able to make the right choice (follow Merry and Pippin) and he is back to the 'hopeful' Aragorn we are used to seeing.

Another character in the books who I admire is Theoden. Theoden just strikes us as how a King should be...If you check in the dictionary I bet you a synonym of charisma is Theoden. Theoden, as we all knew fell into decline, but after being saved by Gandalf, he comes back restored, with renewed strength and was able to lead his people to victory. First when he is healed we see the impact of Theoden's 'renewal':

Slowly Theoden stretched forth his hand. As his fingers took the hilt, it seemed to the watchers that firmness and strength returned to his thin arm. Suddenly he lifted the blade and swung it shimmering and whistling in the air. Then he gave a great cry. His voice rang clear as he chanted in the tongue of Rohan a call to arms.

Arise now, arise, Riders of Theoden!
Dire deeds awake, dark is it eastward.
Let horse be bridled, horn be sounded!
Forth Eorlingas!

In the battle of Helm's Deep Theoden mostly stays guarded in the fortress...however as the battle is going ill Theoden remarks that he frets this 'prison.' He feels this need go out in this 'blaze of glory' like all those old medieval tales go:

'The end will not be long,' said the King. 'But I will not end here, taken an old badger in a trap....When dawn comes, I will bid men sound Helm's horn, and I will ride forth. Will you ride with me then, son of Arathorn? Maybe we shall cleave a road, or make such an end as will be worth a song - if any be left to sing of us hereafter.'

There are several other times when Theoden is the King/leader of his people, I think he is the most charismatic person in the story. When he goes to visit Saruman, he is not fooled by Saruman's enchanting voice, through the Battle of Pelennor Fields and to his death Theoden is pretty much the definition of charisma.

Theoden dies in a flame of glory, in contrast to Denethor who quite literally goes down in flames. (sorry I just I had to throw that in)