Who is the Greatest hero of all ages?

[doug*platypus]

Frodo Baggins.

All those hero types such as Húrin, Aragorn or Eärendil were basically made for that sort of thing. They're superhuman. Frodo on the other hand was just a wee little hobbit, who accomplished more than many of the heroes of old in terms of conquering fear and fighting off relentless evil. I don't think anyone was pursued as closely as Frodo was. Sauron was absolutely desperate to find him and the One Ring. Frodo never gave in to fear, never shirked the burden, even though he was not under any real obligation to do so, at least while the Fellowship lasted.

Sam is truly a great hero, but did not have to sacrifice all that Frodo did. He could have his cake and eat it too, being both a hero and a happy, family hobbit. Gandalf came close to getting my vote, but as a Maia of Arda I believe he had somewhat of an obligation to do what he did. It was his job, you might say, even though he was much better at it than all the others.

frodo is daft, he is forever being saved by others

But he's a pansy. He'd totally be dead without Sam.

I'm thinking of a word starting with 'B' and ending in 'arrow'. I guess even then he did get bailed out by someone else, though. But his personality and charm was what enabled him to get so much help from Bombadil, Gildor, Galadriel, Sméagol and all the rest.