Thoughts on friendships.

[Boromir88]

I think you nailed it about the "trust." That could be the biggest part in having a successful bond, trust, if you can't trust one another how can you have a lasting friendship? That was a good point you made.

Gandalf and Saruman, I never really saw as a friendship, I thought of it more that Saruman was a role model for Gandalf. Like an adviser, or tutor sort of thing. Gandalf went to Saruman for advice on matters, and that advice didn't turn out too well. But, even after his capture, and escape, he said if he would have suspected Saruman of turning "evil" he wouldn't have gone, or would have went more cautiously. I don't see it quite as a friendship, just a peer leader, Gandalf looked up to and went for, for a 2nd opinion on matters.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Merry and Pippin didn’t become Frodo’s friends after the Fellowship was formed, they were his friends long before that. One of Tolkien’s most wonderful statements of friendship involves the element of trust. From “A Conspiracy Unmasked”:

You can trust us to stick to you through thick and thin – to the bitter end. And you can trust us to keep any secret of yours – closer than you keep it yourself. But you cannot trust us to let you face trouble alone, and go off without a word. We are your friends, Frodo… We are horribly afraid – but we are coming with you; or following you like hounds.

[Boromir88]

Estelyn Telcontar , yes, I noticed that quote in the Chapter by Chapter discussions, one of my favorites as well. Correct, Merry and Pip were Frodo's best friends before they left Crickhollow (as I believe that is mentioned in the "Shadow of the Past.") One Friendship the Fellowship did create however was between Sam and Frodo. In the beginning chapters Sam was only a servant to Frodo, his Gardner, but their long journey together, Frodo then put Sam up with Merry and Pip as his best friends.

[ninlaith]

His thoughts on friendship are terribly moving. The little things he slips into the books really matter the most to me. Such as when Sam grabs Frodo's hand when he wakes up in Rivendell, when Frodo is sleeping on Sam's lap and Sam thinks about their friendship and says "I love him", and how when Pippin was wisked off to Gondor it was almost unbearable for him to leave Merry. Tolkien made such a point with his thoughts on friendship. I almost think he was saying if we all had at least one friend like Sam or Merry and Pippin we are truly blessed people.

[Tuor of Gondolin]

One remarkable tale of friendship overcoming various kinds of obstacles is that of Maedhros and Fingon.

"Long before, in the bliss of Valinor, before Melkor was unchained, or lies came between them, Fingon had been close in friendship with Maedhros; and though he knew not yet that Maehros had not forgotten him at the burning of the ships, the thought of their ancient friendship stung his heart. Therefore he dared a deed which is justly renowned among the feats of the princes of the Noldor: alone, and without the counsel of any, he set forth in search of Maedhros..."

[Boromir88]

Ninlaith , yes, Tolkien was real big on friends. I agree, I think everyone needs a friend like a Sam, or Merry. From what I've read a few times is one of Tolkien's friends always talked about writing a fantasy book similar to LOTR, Sil..etc, but when going into WW1 together his friend died. Also, I think the Tolkien's first ever "thing" started on his Middle-Earth books, was a poem he wrote in the trenches called "The Fall of Gondolin." I'm not sure but maybe he writes on friendships because of his friend from WW1, we do know Tolkien wrote a lot from the experiences of WW1. You never know how someone is special to you until you lose them. One of Sam's most heroic feets (which is why I like Sam, as well as Merry, Pip, and Frodo, more then the other Hobbits of the Shire) was when he carried Frodo up Mount Doom. Atleast, part of the way, that is.

[ninlaith]

Boromir, I absolutlely agree. That was such a riveting moment. If there was no movie and everyone only saw that little piece I think everyone would understand the kind of friendship they had and the point Tolkien was trying to convey. Another part of the movie that I thought told of true friendship was when Pippin had to leave Merry. I know I already posted that but the actors hit it right on. Just the expressions on both of their faces were so heartfelt and genuine like they were actually Pippin and Merry leaving each other. It's so inspiring. I think Tolkien wanted to help people respect the kind of friendship held between an Officer and a Solider. That it does not have to be just Master and Slave if the Master is the right person. It goes much deeper than that.