[Lord of Angmar]

I agree, Luthien, same is one of the greatest characters! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] He has all the aspects of a respectable and lovable person (and it makes it better that he's a hobbit!).

So second to Sam would come Frodo, Merry, and Pippin.

I see you are a hobbit person. So am I! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

The four hobbits in Fellowship of the Ring I have always felt a special rapport with, particularly in Book One, before they reach Rivendell. Their adventures through the Old Forest, the House of Tom Bombadil and the Barrow-downs are so mesmerizing, and their banter with Strider is always enjoyable before they know who he really is.

I could not possibly pick a favorite character though. Aside from the hobbits, my favorite "Middle-earthlings" are Aragorn, Fingolfin and Hurin. [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img] Aragorn's struggle is so grand and he has such an aura of nobility and bravery (something that is very hard to capture in writing). Fingolfin is loyal, compassionate, brave and wise, the quintessential Elf, in my mind, and certainly the one who I would choose to lead my army! Hurin I feel pity for, being so mighty a warrior and having to endure such sorrow! [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img] He is one of the most tragic characters I have ever read (and I dabble in Shakespeare and Homer quite a bit).