Hobbits are best
I'm just going to say "The Hobbits." I love them all.
Frodo - consciously willing, it takes him awhile to follow through on his decisions, but once he decides, he's dogged to do as he promised. The most wrenching moment for me with Frodo is in Mordor when he lays on the ground, face up, eyes open. Sam asks, "Can you manage, Mr. Frodo?" and he responds, "Yes, I can manage, Sam. I must." My heart just flops out of my chest and I groan at the dedicated effort.
Sam - Yup, he's loyal, steadfast, all that - but he's also so down to earth. He never takes himself seriously. He knows he's common and he likes being common. And from that comes enormous strength. He doesn't have to prove anything to anybody - he just does what has to be done.
Merry - Go get 'em! That's Merry. He wants to go. He wants to do and be involved, but the tragedy is - he's held back. You're too little, you can't do that. "I won't be left behind! I won't be left behind!" he vows and lo and behold, the way is opened for him to move forward.
Pippen - I love this little guy - so precocious! And the opposite of Merry. Just as Merry is held back, Pippen is shoved forward, put on Gandalf's horse and hauled off to Gondor! Nevertheless, he overcomes his fears and makes a difference where he's placed. A quality I try to remember.
Bilbo - let me not forget Bilbo - the only character in all the story who actually possessed the ring and finally gave it up of his own free will - now that took strength. Would that I had that kind of strength with chocolate - my own personal bane.
Childish, childlike - the Hobbits move from their own Garden of Eden, out into the world and become great among the wise.
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