What's the Worst Thing Characters had to Face in Middle Earth?

[Farael]

I may say something a little out of the ordinary, but I think that the worst thing Frodo faced was not the Ring itself, but rather the 'knowledge' that even if he saved the Middle-Earth he would not be alive to enjoy it. Up until the last moment when he hesitated due to the power of the Ring itself, he was willing to sacrifice himself and probably his best friend to save The Shire and everyone else he loved, even when he 'knew' he would not be there to enjoy it.

Ultimately he was saved by the Eagles if I'm not mistaken, but even then I got the feeling that although he did survive his Quest, his outlook on the world had changed and he never felt trully happy (at least until he reached Valinor, that I don't know)

Also, I would like to offer my view of the worst thing that one of my favourite characters had to endure. And I'm guessing you will both agree with me and admit that you had never thought about it before (yes, I'm getting cocky)
But I believe Fangorn (the Ent 'leader') had to face a terrible choice. His people were not used to make any kind of "rush" choices yet they decided to confront Saruman in "a hurry" I believe that for him and the other Ents making the choice of going to War in such a short time for their standards must have been a REAL difficult one to make.


Hope I got you thinking over that one!! if not, at least I tried

Farel

[luthien-elvenprincess]

I think that the most difficult thing to overcome, for the characters in Middle Earth, was their own personal preferences, or the love of self. Many of them gave up much of what might have been better for them personally or what they wanted to do in order to put the betterment of Middle Earth before themselves.
Many of them did the right thing because it was the right thing to do in order for future generations to survive...a favorite quote from LOTR sums it up for me:

It must often be so, Sam, when things are in danger: some one has to give them up, lose them, so that others may keep them.

Frodo to Sam

Scripture says: greater love has no man than this, that one would lay down his life for another (can't remember the exact quote and my Bible isn't handy here at work!)