What scene made the biggest impression on you FROM THE BOOK?

[Aiwendil]

Liriodendron wrote:

I can't remember what scene stuck out the most the first time I read LoTR, because it was too long ago.

It's pretty much the same for me . . . I first read it (actually, had it read to me) when I was about six years old. The only scenes that I distinctly remember hearing for the first time (which probably means they made some kind of a subconscious impression on me) are:

Gandalf arriving in Hobbiton before the party
Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin, and Fredegar discussing the Old Forest
Gandalf talking with Denethor
Eowyn killing the Witch-king

Why I remember these scenes in particular and not other more important ones I have no idea.

The scenes that make the biggest impression on me these days are:

The appearance of the Balrog (and the whole build-up to it)
Gandalf facing the Witch-king, interrupted by the coming of the Rohirrim
Eowyn killing the Witch-king
Frodo, Sam, and Gollum at Mount Doom