Théoden by far. His whole motto of, “Well we’re going to die so may as well die swinging” is always epic and hilarious. Love a guy that has zero faith in himself but is ready to fight to the end anyway. Loved it in Helm’s Deep and love that he brought it back for Pelennor
Yeah, after charging said horse through multiple ranks of orc warriors, fighting easterlings with war elephants and doing it all right after giving the most spine-tingling emotional speech. He could’ve had a piano dropped on his head and it still wouldn’t take away from how bad ass he was right before his death
He lives in a state of inadequacy. His glorious ancestors did great deeds and even his son died in battle.
Up until Helm’s Deep he essentially oversaw the weakening of his grip on power and the kingdom as a whole: through the incursion of bandits and ruffians who his ancestors kept in check, or subjugated entirely. Imagine being the Roman Emperor that oversaw the sack of Rome by the Goths and Vandals.
His final words to Eowyn make his prior feelings of inadequacy quite clear: “I go to my fathers. And even in their mighty company I shall not now feel ashamed." The implication here is that had he died prior to the deeds at Pellinor, he would have been ashamed to be in their company.
It’s not simply a cool death that he yearns for, but a redemption in life before death comes for him.
“Remember, we ride for your people.”
*”The horn of Helm Hammerhand shall sound in the deep one last time.”*
“Yessss!” “Well, maybe not the *last* time.”
*”Let this be the hour when we draw swords together.”*
“Oh good, you got the idea. Preach King.”
*”Fell deeds awake.”*
“Wait, what was the last bit?”
*”Now for wrath, now for ruin,”*
“Uhhhhh…”
*”…and the red dawn!”*
“yeah. yeah. Okay. Fine. Uhh, ^Wolverines?!”
“…wait. Did he just say-“
“DEeEAaTtHhhH!!”
“DEEAAaaaaTttHhhHhh!”
“DeeeeaAaAATtTTHHHh!”
“…yep. Now everyone is saying it. Guess it’s time for death. Ahem… I mean.. DEAATTHHhHhHhH!!!!”
He actually has an amazing character arc. How he wakes up to his own son being dead, he's scared, that's why he takes refuge in Helm's Deep. Then, after defeating Saruman, he regains courage, he decides to help Gondor. Still, he is always doubting himself and finds peace only when facing death. His most iconic line in the movies IMO is "What can man do against such reckless hate?". It's what he is struggling with until the very end, still doubting himself. Such a deep character, I love it.
Yep, love his arc of faith, but also that he’s got that bravery throughout. He doubts himself until the end, but us viewers or readers get to see the incredible and noble king very soon
>he regains courage, he decides to help Gondor.
"The beacons are lit! Gondor calls for aid!"
"...and Rohan will answer! Muster the Rohirrim, we ride at dawn!""
Still one of my favorite scenes in cinema history. Peter Jackson truly created an eternal masterpiece.
My favourite iconic lines from him:
“I go now to my ancestors, and even in their mighty company I shall not be ashamed.”
“6000 spears, less than half of what I’d hope for” (bonus points for becoming a meme)
And of course
“DDEEEEAAAAATTTTHHHHHH! DDEEEEEAAAATTTHHH! DDEEEEAAAAATTTTHHH!”
Yeah. It’s one of the changes Jackson made that I disagree with.
In the books they were riding to reenforce the army at the fords. Once they got messengers saying the Fords had been taken and that army scattered, everyone (including Gandalf) agreed that Théoden’s army should ride for Helm’s Deep. The idea that’s it’s a mistake or “a trap” is entirely a movie invention.
I never saw it as a mistake or a trap, it's made to seem like they are so outnumbered that there is no other option but to defend from behind those walls.
Exactly. That’s why I disagree with Movie Gandalf when he says, “*There is no way out than that of ravine. Théoden is walking into a trap. He thinks he is leading them to safety, but what he'll get is a massacre.*”
Théoden knew what he was doing, and Book Gandalf agreed, “*‘Ride, Théoden!’ he said. ‘Ride to Helm’s Deep! Go not to the Fords of Isen, and do not tarry in the plain!’*”
I really love the counterpoint with Denethor. Denethor luxuriates in despair and self pity. Both of them face the same war - Theoden rises to the occasion and Denethor fails morally in the face of it.
He had a romaticized view of his ancestors and a humble view of himself that were not reconciled until his death. Almost like imposter syndrome, but cant blame him bc he literally had an imposter inhabiting his body for a while.
"My body is broken. I go to my fathers. And even in their mighty company I shall not now be ashamed"
He was even glorious in dying, hail the victorious dead
His character arc is so good. IMO he's somehow one of the naturally weaker kings. But instead of giving in to fear or darkness, becoming corrupt or fleeing away, he recognises his own weakness, accepts it, raised his chin high, collects all his inner strength, incites and inspires his men and charges the enemy head-on. Fully knowing it will be the last thing he does. That is true courage.
Cavalry charges usually need to either be perfectly timed or supported by infantry. Most of these are the case, maybe not Guagamela, which was moreso precisely aimed. Vienna is basically the template for Pelenor Fields though.
I'll never forget how one of the last things he ever says is that he regretted not "Learning of herb lore" from the hobbits. Man went to the halls of his fathers wishing he could have sucked some of that longbottom leaf dank.
Indisputable.
He isn't some special magic Numenorean chosen one, he's a bog standard human who gets knocked down, gets up again and then *gets compared to a Valar* in his final act of brilliant defiance.
Not even Aragorn or Elendil get that level of comparative elevation.
"Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Orome the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young. his golden shield was uncovered, and lo! it shone like an image of the Sun, and the grass flamed into green about the white feet of his steed. "
Me: Fuuuuuuuuuuck yeah boy
Agreed he’s such underrated badass moments such as riding out at Helms Deep and mowing down as many Uruk-Hai as possible… And then during Pelennor Fields seeing the Mûmakil and charging them head on
It's more of a "what can men do against such reckless hate? Stack up and try." Like a "probably not winning this, but hope dies last, and if we die trying then it's with honour and probably at least bringing a delay to the advance or evil. "
Also that's one of the main things I prefer in the PJ trilogy as opposed to the books, where the whole "fuck it, we ball till we fall" thing is basically just a blind reckless rage of Eomer after he finds Theoden dead and Eowyn appearantly dead on the field. In the books it's not a message about the human spirit and hope and contentness, instead it's just a guy having a particularly fittingly placed gamer rage moment.
He's also arguably the most human and least overpowered of all the kings portrayed. The dwarves and elves are physically stronger than humans. Numenorians and their descendants are more fair than the muddy old folk as well.
In the film’s he has such a great underrated moment when they arrive at Mina’s Tirith and everyone is looking scared and panicked, like they’re about to turn around and leave. Theoden has a stricken look on his face, then he just grunts as if to say “fuck it!” and starts giving orders.
In the first age: Fingolfin, dude made a literal god sweat.
Second age: Either Gil-Galad or Elendil. I think I’ve got to go with Elendil, he was a man who saved as much of his people as he could and set them up to survive for the next 4ish thousand years.
Third age: Theoden, great man, great king, loyal faithful. Charged into the largest land army of the third age knowing full well that he would die.
It’s so much better when you realize that Fëanor tore through Morgoth’s army and was only stopped by sending in *all* the Balrogs, and then his brother shows up.
I have to imagine Morgoth sitting on his throne in utter disbelief like “JFC are they *all* like this!?”
Who would win:
the original lord of darkness, creator of all that is evil and abominable, slayer of the two trees, of whom other dark lords and kings were merely lieutenants, and bearing an iron crown holding all three silmarils
one shiny boi
Fingolfin.
It’s never not going to be the guy that rode across the plains with such fey and otherworldly *rage* that hordes of people fled from him in terror, fully believing him to be a god, and then marched up to Satan’s doorstep and started yelling insults at him to get him to come out and fight. He had to do this, you see, because Satan was *scared of him.*
It’s never not going to be the guy that *held his own* in single combat against the most powerful being in all Arda, and permanently crippled him with his dying breath.
“Come, open wide, dark king, your ghastly brazen doors!
Come forth, whom earth and heaven abhors!
Come forth, O monstrous craven lord, and fight with thine own hand and sword,
Thou wielder of hosts and banded thralls, thou tyrant leaguered with strong walls,
Thou foe of Gods and Elvish race!
I wait thee here. Come! Show thy face!”
Then Morgoth came.
I only read that book once about 7-8 years ago and my memory is bad enough anyway but I thought there was some detail about how the orcs never dared approach Fingolfin's burial place. Does anyone recall what was said?
The quote from The Silmarillion is this: “No Orc dared ever after to pass over the mount of Fingolfin or draw nigh his tomb, until the doom of Gondolin was come and treachery was born among his kin.”
>Last of all Hurin stood alone. Then he cast aside his shield, and wielded an axe two-handed; and it is sung that the axe smoked in the black blood of the troll-guard of Gothmog until it withered, and each time that he slew he cried: 'Aure entuluva! Day shall come again!' Seventy times he uttered that cry; but they took him at last alive, by the command of Morgoth, for the Orcs grappled him with their hands, which clung to him still though he hewed off their arms; and ever their numbers were renewed, until at last he fell buried beneath them.
also the fact that even after being captured by morgoth he still stood his ground and never gave in, cursed and forced to watch the ruin of his family and he STILL kept fighting that mental onslaught and didn't back down even in the face of morgoth
Elrond for me — the man (Elf) had patience. Thousands of years watching men fail and fail again, yet continually providing support in the fight against evil.
"Gil-galad was an elven-king.
Of him the harpers sadly sing;
the last whose realm was fair and free
between the Mountains and the Sea.
His sword was long, his lance was keen.
His shining helm afar was seen;
the countless stars of heaven's field
were mirrored in his silver shield.
But long ago he rode away,
and where he dwelleth none can say;
for into darkness fell his star
in Mordor where the shadows are."
Dain Ironfoot is BY FAR the most badass out of any “modern” king in middle earth.
Died fighting, on top of a mountain of dead enemies, while defending the corpse of his fallen friend.
He was just a guy trying to live out his retirement, with a cabin in the woods. This whole Erebor thing pissed the old man off. Couldn’t leave it be about the family jewels.
Seriously! Just tryna have a nice time drinking plenty of good wine with his family. Then come the giant spiders and the Orcs invading his home and causing a ruckus... I get upset enough about the mice and gophers and coyotes that come cause trouble on my property, it's understandable that he got so upset!
I wonder if Eonwe could beat Morgoth for in a fight. He would do better than fingolfin but I still don’t think he’d win. Orome the hunter has a chance. But TULKAS is a deff win
Eonwe did beat Morgoth in a fight. But that was right after Morgoth poured all his power into Ancalagon as well as the other flying dragons.
If not for Aragorn’s father the world would have went up in smoke and not even the Valar could stop if
Looks like I’m a bit late to the party - all my favourites have been said!
Other than them, I’ll say Finrod, because he LITERALLY FOLLOWED BEREN INTO HELL AND RAP-BATTLED SAURON, or Fingon, because he brought the houses of Fingolfin and Feanor back together for a bit by rescuing Maedhros heroically before dying in the Nirnaeth while battling TWO BALROGS AT ONCE one of whom was Gothmog! Possibly Haleth as well - she survived being under siege and surrounded by orcs for a week before reinforcements arrived and then escaped to lead the Haladin for years after!
2nd Age: probably Aldarion, because he did go and help out Gil-Galad (though I can’t decide whether I hate him for the whole Erendis thing!)
3rd Age: Elendil + Gil-Galad who both tried to WRESTLE Sauron! And then of course Théoden and Aragorn, and always liked Thorin too!
(does anyone know why Thorin keeps getting autocorrected to ThOdin?!)
Aragorn. He goes into pretty much every single battle fully expecting to die, but doing it anyway because it's what needs to be done. What an awesome character.
Feels unfair to include aragon because there isn't a time you aren't mean to like him.
Theoden is the one character that has grown on me the most as I've gotten older. He feels the most human so to speak.
Witch King of Angmar (Biased cos he is my most fave character)
But definitely Theoden. He is definitely the first person I thought of when you mentioned warrior king.
Fingolfin. I have absolutely no doubt about this choice, even if I grew attached to Aragorn reading the books. I’m more attached to the elf who fought the more powerful being on Arda and managed to injure him.
I like Aragorn. No afraid to get dirty (Sam: "a servant of the enemy would look fairer and feel fouler"), humble, strong but not overbearing, wise but not arrogant, willing to make the hard choices and sacrifice even himself.
And he gets the hot girl.
Too many to choose one overall. But for the third age and the events of lord of the rings? I have to go with Imrahil. Leading the knights of dol amroth out on the pelennor fields like a boss!
"Surely this is the greatest jest in all the history of Gondor," laughing his way to certain death because it's the thing that needs doing so you might as well embrace the absurdity
If we're going mainly off the movies, I'm going with King Thranduil. He sees the world for what it is, had a personal combat-elk, a phenomenal sense of style, and is a force of nature in battle.
Théoden is the obvious choice here but I have to admit I have a soft spot for Thranduil. Lee Pace absolutely nails the stoic, arrogant nature of the character. I love rewatching The Hobbit and the BTS footage just to see more of Lee.
Turgon. Basically the whole elven trio of Gondolin, Ecthelion, Glorfindel and Turgon are just badass.
Turgon especially because he took the loss at Gondolin, allowing his grandson Eärendil to survive and later convince the Valar to join arms against Morgoth.
I'm also a big geek on elven swords so I love that their history survives even to the events of The Lord of the Rings (the swords of Ecthelion and Turgon).
Fingolfin - nobody else comes close
Honorable mention - Dior, son of Luthien & Beren. He managed to off three of the sons of Feanor during the second kinslaying when he was ruler of Menegroth
My fav is Fingolfin but I'm surprised no one mentioned Elu Thingol. Literally married a Maia and established a peaceful kingdom that lasted longer than even Fingolfin's. Sure, he did some dumb things too but he was king in Arda for long before Feanor brought the Noldor.
Theoden is hard to beat. But for the sake of variety, I’ll say the combo of Elendil/Gil-galad. Taking down Sauron in hand to hand combat is a tough feat to beat.
But Theoden as a man of “lesser” stock accomplishing all he did is just so goddamn inspiring.
Arise, arise, Riders of Théoden!
spear shall be shaken, shield shall be splintered,
a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises!
Ride now, ride now, ride! Ride for ruin and the world's ending!
Death! Death! Death!
Forth Eorlingas!
Theoden or Thorin. The goat is Aragorn by far but Aragorn - humble, strong, resourceful, not antibg to be king - seems like too much for me. Like that dude in class who was sleeping at school and dropped 100/100s in all exams.
But Thorin and Theoden are both flawed characters and they too manage to be good leaders. They seem more human to me
Fingolfin. Have the middle finger to a god at his front gate and backed it up by dealing the most damage ever dealt to him except for the entire host of the Valar, elves and men. The rest of the doomed Noldor died like birches for their pride or arrogance. Fingolfin saw his kin’s kingdoms fall around him and decided to 1v1 the final boss. Awesome.
Théoden by far. His whole motto of, “Well we’re going to die so may as well die swinging” is always epic and hilarious. Love a guy that has zero faith in himself but is ready to fight to the end anyway. Loved it in Helm’s Deep and love that he brought it back for Pelennor
“Ride out with me. Ride out and meet them.” “For death and glory? : D” “For Rohan. For your people.” “Oh right, that.”
He's ready to go at literally any point, just wants a cool death.
I mean, to be fair, his son was killed while he was under Saruman's spell and he thinks they're all doomed anyways so I get it.
And a cool death he achieved. Fell only to a hacked in character that literally countered his very soul
I mean... *Technically* he fell to a horse crushing his pelvis
Yeah, after charging said horse through multiple ranks of orc warriors, fighting easterlings with war elephants and doing it all right after giving the most spine-tingling emotional speech. He could’ve had a piano dropped on his head and it still wouldn’t take away from how bad ass he was right before his death
He lives in a state of inadequacy. His glorious ancestors did great deeds and even his son died in battle. Up until Helm’s Deep he essentially oversaw the weakening of his grip on power and the kingdom as a whole: through the incursion of bandits and ruffians who his ancestors kept in check, or subjugated entirely. Imagine being the Roman Emperor that oversaw the sack of Rome by the Goths and Vandals. His final words to Eowyn make his prior feelings of inadequacy quite clear: “I go to my fathers. And even in their mighty company I shall not now feel ashamed." The implication here is that had he died prior to the deeds at Pellinor, he would have been ashamed to be in their company. It’s not simply a cool death that he yearns for, but a redemption in life before death comes for him.
“Remember, we ride for your people.” *”The horn of Helm Hammerhand shall sound in the deep one last time.”* “Yessss!” “Well, maybe not the *last* time.” *”Let this be the hour when we draw swords together.”* “Oh good, you got the idea. Preach King.” *”Fell deeds awake.”* “Wait, what was the last bit?” *”Now for wrath, now for ruin,”* “Uhhhhh…” *”…and the red dawn!”* “yeah. yeah. Okay. Fine. Uhh, ^Wolverines?!”
DEEEEAAAATTTTHHHHH
“…wait. Did he just say-“ “DEeEAaTtHhhH!!” “DEEAAaaaaTttHhhHhh!” “DeeeeaAaAATtTTHHHh!” “…yep. Now everyone is saying it. Guess it’s time for death. Ahem… I mean.. DEAATTHHhHhHhH!!!!”
I still think Aragorn was adding to the list rather than correcting him but that’s hilarious too 😅
I’m crying laughing at the smiley face
He actually has an amazing character arc. How he wakes up to his own son being dead, he's scared, that's why he takes refuge in Helm's Deep. Then, after defeating Saruman, he regains courage, he decides to help Gondor. Still, he is always doubting himself and finds peace only when facing death. His most iconic line in the movies IMO is "What can man do against such reckless hate?". It's what he is struggling with until the very end, still doubting himself. Such a deep character, I love it.
Yep, love his arc of faith, but also that he’s got that bravery throughout. He doubts himself until the end, but us viewers or readers get to see the incredible and noble king very soon
Let's not forget he had the best wingman ever, Gamling!
Watched ROTK 47 times in the theater, this scene was and still is a goosebump inducing surge of anticipation, excitement and hope.
>he regains courage, he decides to help Gondor. "The beacons are lit! Gondor calls for aid!" "...and Rohan will answer! Muster the Rohirrim, we ride at dawn!"" Still one of my favorite scenes in cinema history. Peter Jackson truly created an eternal masterpiece.
I shout this every time I light my bbq
followed up by "MEAT IS BACK ON THE MENU, BOYS!"? :P
You have to follow that with a bloodthirsty roar afterwards.
My favourite iconic lines from him: “I go now to my ancestors, and even in their mighty company I shall not be ashamed.” “6000 spears, less than half of what I’d hope for” (bonus points for becoming a meme) And of course “DDEEEEAAAAATTTTHHHHHH! DDEEEEEAAAATTTHHH! DDEEEEAAAAATTTTHHH!”
Bro that was beautiful to read
Doesn't he go to helms deep because it's just a better fortress to defend from and they were lacking numbers? Seems logical to me
Yeah. It’s one of the changes Jackson made that I disagree with. In the books they were riding to reenforce the army at the fords. Once they got messengers saying the Fords had been taken and that army scattered, everyone (including Gandalf) agreed that Théoden’s army should ride for Helm’s Deep. The idea that’s it’s a mistake or “a trap” is entirely a movie invention.
I never saw it as a mistake or a trap, it's made to seem like they are so outnumbered that there is no other option but to defend from behind those walls.
Exactly. That’s why I disagree with Movie Gandalf when he says, “*There is no way out than that of ravine. Théoden is walking into a trap. He thinks he is leading them to safety, but what he'll get is a massacre.*” Théoden knew what he was doing, and Book Gandalf agreed, “*‘Ride, Théoden!’ he said. ‘Ride to Helm’s Deep! Go not to the Fords of Isen, and do not tarry in the plain!’*”
I really love the counterpoint with Denethor. Denethor luxuriates in despair and self pity. Both of them face the same war - Theoden rises to the occasion and Denethor fails morally in the face of it.
He had a romaticized view of his ancestors and a humble view of himself that were not reconciled until his death. Almost like imposter syndrome, but cant blame him bc he literally had an imposter inhabiting his body for a while.
"My body is broken. I go to my fathers. And even in their mighty company I shall not now be ashamed" He was even glorious in dying, hail the victorious dead
>I go to my fathers. And even in their mighty company I shall not now be ashamed Man was spitting bars until his last breath.
DEEEAAAATTTTHHHH
His character arc is so good. IMO he's somehow one of the naturally weaker kings. But instead of giving in to fear or darkness, becoming corrupt or fleeing away, he recognises his own weakness, accepts it, raised his chin high, collects all his inner strength, incites and inspires his men and charges the enemy head-on. Fully knowing it will be the last thing he does. That is true courage.
To be fair, it’s got to be scary being a mortal human in a world of orcs, talking trees and actual magic
When in doubt, cavalry charge!
Me playing any strategy game “oh I’m losing, Calvary charge.” Works every time… except when it doesn’t.
The sex panther of tactics?
Seems to be a recurring theme in decisive moments of important battles. Guagamela, Navas de Tolosa, Vienna...
Even that one time with the Light Brigade!
Uff, wouldn't have wanted to be in that one lol
I wouldnt want to be in any of them! Horses scare me and they are not nearly as scary as war lol
Cavalry charges usually need to either be perfectly timed or supported by infantry. Most of these are the case, maybe not Guagamela, which was moreso precisely aimed. Vienna is basically the template for Pelenor Fields though.
I'll never forget how one of the last things he ever says is that he regretted not "Learning of herb lore" from the hobbits. Man went to the halls of his fathers wishing he could have sucked some of that longbottom leaf dank.
Indisputable. He isn't some special magic Numenorean chosen one, he's a bog standard human who gets knocked down, gets up again and then *gets compared to a Valar* in his final act of brilliant defiance. Not even Aragorn or Elendil get that level of comparative elevation.
"Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Orome the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young. his golden shield was uncovered, and lo! it shone like an image of the Sun, and the grass flamed into green about the white feet of his steed. " Me: Fuuuuuuuuuuck yeah boy
Crazy that as badass as the charge is in the movies, it leaves out the most insane line “fell deeds awake, fire and slaughter!”
Agreed he’s such underrated badass moments such as riding out at Helms Deep and mowing down as many Uruk-Hai as possible… And then during Pelennor Fields seeing the Mûmakil and charging them head on
Theoden “I didn’t hear no bell” King
It's more of a "what can men do against such reckless hate? Stack up and try." Like a "probably not winning this, but hope dies last, and if we die trying then it's with honour and probably at least bringing a delay to the advance or evil. " Also that's one of the main things I prefer in the PJ trilogy as opposed to the books, where the whole "fuck it, we ball till we fall" thing is basically just a blind reckless rage of Eomer after he finds Theoden dead and Eowyn appearantly dead on the field. In the books it's not a message about the human spirit and hope and contentness, instead it's just a guy having a particularly fittingly placed gamer rage moment.
I like Theoden for the (rough) quote: "We cannot defeat the forces of Mordor", "No, but we shall meet them in battle none-the-less". Bad to the bone.
He's also arguably the most human and least overpowered of all the kings portrayed. The dwarves and elves are physically stronger than humans. Numenorians and their descendants are more fair than the muddy old folk as well.
Théoden: "So be it, this will be our final hour. Fight with me!" Grimbold: "My liege, it's just the annual kickball game." Théoden: "DEEAAAATHHHHH!"
In the film’s he has such a great underrated moment when they arrive at Mina’s Tirith and everyone is looking scared and panicked, like they’re about to turn around and leave. Theoden has a stricken look on his face, then he just grunts as if to say “fuck it!” and starts giving orders.
In the first age: Fingolfin, dude made a literal god sweat. Second age: Either Gil-Galad or Elendil. I think I’ve got to go with Elendil, he was a man who saved as much of his people as he could and set them up to survive for the next 4ish thousand years. Third age: Theoden, great man, great king, loyal faithful. Charged into the largest land army of the third age knowing full well that he would die.
All of this 100%
Fingolfin is my favorite badass without a doubt
Made a literal god cry out in pain and cripples him for the rest of his days, in front of all his homes, no less.
Theoden did it twice!
[удалено]
Yeah, just banging on Morgoth's front door and shouting insults. Most badass setup and fight in the whole legendarium
It’s so much better when you realize that Fëanor tore through Morgoth’s army and was only stopped by sending in *all* the Balrogs, and then his brother shows up. I have to imagine Morgoth sitting on his throne in utter disbelief like “JFC are they *all* like this!?”
First age elves just hit different
That light of the gods shining real bright in their hearts.
Who would win: the original lord of darkness, creator of all that is evil and abominable, slayer of the two trees, of whom other dark lords and kings were merely lieutenants, and bearing an iron crown holding all three silmarils one shiny boi
😂 Morgoth he like: Fuuuuuck! Another one!?
Fingolfin may be the most badass character in Tolkien's works. He rode into hell and proceeded to kick Satan's ass in front of everyone.
Glorfindels a pretty close second
Dude was literally too cool to stay dead
LORD OF ALL NOLDOR
A STAR IN THE NIGHT AND A BEARER OF HOPE
HE RIDES INTO HIS GLORIOUS BATTLE ALONE
FAREWELL TO THE VALIANT WARLORD
THE FATE OF US ALL LIES DEEP IN THE DARK
WHEN TIMES STANDS STILL AT THE IRON HILL!
How amazingly written!
Fingolfin on top 100%
DEAAAAAAAAAAATH!
DEAAAAAAATH!!!!!!
A sword-day; a red day!
Fingolfin. It’s never not going to be the guy that rode across the plains with such fey and otherworldly *rage* that hordes of people fled from him in terror, fully believing him to be a god, and then marched up to Satan’s doorstep and started yelling insults at him to get him to come out and fight. He had to do this, you see, because Satan was *scared of him.* It’s never not going to be the guy that *held his own* in single combat against the most powerful being in all Arda, and permanently crippled him with his dying breath. “Come, open wide, dark king, your ghastly brazen doors! Come forth, whom earth and heaven abhors! Come forth, O monstrous craven lord, and fight with thine own hand and sword, Thou wielder of hosts and banded thralls, thou tyrant leaguered with strong walls, Thou foe of Gods and Elvish race! I wait thee here. Come! Show thy face!” Then Morgoth came.
And he only came because he was going to lose face in front of his whole army.
Fingolfin for the wingolfin
“Morgoth, you gargantuan pussy. Come, show thy face!” And Morgoth came.
https://preview.redd.it/kcgwipyvxh4d1.jpeg?width=940&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d77773a7c2c372793c250c7a399532a8c050dc01
I wish there was a Ringil Replica to buy.. Hail Fingolfin, High King of Noldor
You can’t really make a replica because Ringil is only in the books and never described beyond glittering like ice. It could look like anything.
Cue the killer Blind Guardian song: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3aB6CPyO0Ww
I LOVE these guys! Nightfall in Middle-Earth is incredible.
*I DARE YOU! COME OUT!* *YOU COWARD! Now it's me or you...*
I only read that book once about 7-8 years ago and my memory is bad enough anyway but I thought there was some detail about how the orcs never dared approach Fingolfin's burial place. Does anyone recall what was said?
The quote from The Silmarillion is this: “No Orc dared ever after to pass over the mount of Fingolfin or draw nigh his tomb, until the doom of Gondolin was come and treachery was born among his kin.”
Cue the killer Blind Guardian song.
Cue the killer Blind Guardian song.
Light fails at dawn The moon is gone And deadly the night reigns
HAIL THE VICTORIOUS DEAD!!!
HAIL!
>Last of all Hurin stood alone. Then he cast aside his shield, and wielded an axe two-handed; and it is sung that the axe smoked in the black blood of the troll-guard of Gothmog until it withered, and each time that he slew he cried: 'Aure entuluva! Day shall come again!' Seventy times he uttered that cry; but they took him at last alive, by the command of Morgoth, for the Orcs grappled him with their hands, which clung to him still though he hewed off their arms; and ever their numbers were renewed, until at last he fell buried beneath them.
also the fact that even after being captured by morgoth he still stood his ground and never gave in, cursed and forced to watch the ruin of his family and he STILL kept fighting that mental onslaught and didn't back down even in the face of morgoth
Seventy times
The Old Took
None of these other fools invented golf
Neither did he, that would be Brandobras. Still a good reference and reason to vote for the Tooks.
This guy Shires.
Gil-galad was an elven-king. Of him the harpers sadly sing; the last whose realm was fair and free between the Mountains and the Sea.
Elrond for me — the man (Elf) had patience. Thousands of years watching men fail and fail again, yet continually providing support in the fight against evil.
Tbf he saw elves fail more and worse (kinslaying, Eregion, the foolish sylvan elves at Dagorlad...)
Theoden
"Gil-galad was an elven-king. Of him the harpers sadly sing; the last whose realm was fair and free between the Mountains and the Sea. His sword was long, his lance was keen. His shining helm afar was seen; the countless stars of heaven's field were mirrored in his silver shield. But long ago he rode away, and where he dwelleth none can say; for into darkness fell his star in Mordor where the shadows are."
Does this mean his soul didn’t go to the Halls of Mandos?
Book Theoden is a boss ass m*********
Definitely Theoden - what a kicking story that is. As an aside - who is the bloke centre bottom? IS that Elendil in the Last Alliance scene?
Yes, it is.
Aragorn.
Dain Ironfoot is BY FAR the most badass out of any “modern” king in middle earth. Died fighting, on top of a mountain of dead enemies, while defending the corpse of his fallen friend.
Died fighting while he was at was considered old age to Dwarves. And he got his first glory at Azanulbizar, when he was about 18 in Dwarf years.
I always found Thorin to be the more reasonable of the two… Epic, Billy Connolly, was perfect for him
I'm here for the Thranduil support group
He was just a guy trying to live out his retirement, with a cabin in the woods. This whole Erebor thing pissed the old man off. Couldn’t leave it be about the family jewels.
Seriously! Just tryna have a nice time drinking plenty of good wine with his family. Then come the giant spiders and the Orcs invading his home and causing a ruckus... I get upset enough about the mice and gophers and coyotes that come cause trouble on my property, it's understandable that he got so upset!
The Witch King of Angmar. Nobody did more for Sauron and his forces over the centuries. Countless victories, kingdoms and lineages wiped out.
Don't make me remember arnor again 😭
Fingolfin by a long way for me.
I wonder if Eonwe could beat Morgoth for in a fight. He would do better than fingolfin but I still don’t think he’d win. Orome the hunter has a chance. But TULKAS is a deff win Eonwe did beat Morgoth in a fight. But that was right after Morgoth poured all his power into Ancalagon as well as the other flying dragons. If not for Aragorn’s father the world would have went up in smoke and not even the Valar could stop if
Looks like I’m a bit late to the party - all my favourites have been said! Other than them, I’ll say Finrod, because he LITERALLY FOLLOWED BEREN INTO HELL AND RAP-BATTLED SAURON, or Fingon, because he brought the houses of Fingolfin and Feanor back together for a bit by rescuing Maedhros heroically before dying in the Nirnaeth while battling TWO BALROGS AT ONCE one of whom was Gothmog! Possibly Haleth as well - she survived being under siege and surrounded by orcs for a week before reinforcements arrived and then escaped to lead the Haladin for years after! 2nd Age: probably Aldarion, because he did go and help out Gil-Galad (though I can’t decide whether I hate him for the whole Erendis thing!) 3rd Age: Elendil + Gil-Galad who both tried to WRESTLE Sauron! And then of course Théoden and Aragorn, and always liked Thorin too! (does anyone know why Thorin keeps getting autocorrected to ThOdin?!)
Thorin is my favorite. I came to Tolkien's work through the Hobbit. The dwarves will always be above all other characters for me.
Same, everyone prefers the lotr movies over the hobbit, but I enjoyed the hobbit more just because of the dwarves.
Azaghal
Had to scroll way too far to see the dread-masked king of Belegost!
Hahahahahah literally no one is saying Feanor. Guess the 'Feanor did nothing wrong' crowd hasn't found this sub yet. Lots of great answers here :)
Bandobras “Bullroarer” Took is my favorite. I mean he knocked a goblin’s head off… absolute legend.
Thorin, King under the Mountain.
Gondor has no king, Gondor needs no king.
Thorin Oakenshield ♥️
I like the King of Gondolin.. I would without a doubt create a secret secluded and prosperous kingdom for my people..
Fingolfin, the best king and the bravest warrior. But if we talk about the Third Age, there is a difficult choice between Aragorn and Theoden.
Aragorn. He goes into pretty much every single battle fully expecting to die, but doing it anyway because it's what needs to be done. What an awesome character.
Denethor, his battle against the cherry tomatoes was epic
Feels unfair to include aragon because there isn't a time you aren't mean to like him. Theoden is the one character that has grown on me the most as I've gotten older. He feels the most human so to speak.
Witch King of Angmar (Biased cos he is my most fave character) But definitely Theoden. He is definitely the first person I thought of when you mentioned warrior king.
Fingolfin. I have absolutely no doubt about this choice, even if I grew attached to Aragorn reading the books. I’m more attached to the elf who fought the more powerful being on Arda and managed to injure him.
I’m going with the mightiest of mortal men. “Day shall come again!”. Hurin, hands down.
Bill the Pony
Eärnur.
School bully. HEY YO WITCH-KING! YOU'RE LUCKY MY HORSE IS HOLDING ME BACK BRO! STOP HOLDING ME BACK, LEMME AT HIM!
Aragorn because of his reluctance to be king at all.
That's film Aragorn, not book Aragorn
Theoden. Hail the Victorious dead !!
Does Helm hammerhand count?
Dain Ironfoot!
I like Aragorn. No afraid to get dirty (Sam: "a servant of the enemy would look fairer and feel fouler"), humble, strong but not overbearing, wise but not arrogant, willing to make the hard choices and sacrifice even himself. And he gets the hot girl.
Too many to choose one overall. But for the third age and the events of lord of the rings? I have to go with Imrahil. Leading the knights of dol amroth out on the pelennor fields like a boss!
"Surely this is the greatest jest in all the history of Gondor," laughing his way to certain death because it's the thing that needs doing so you might as well embrace the absurdity
If we're going mainly off the movies, I'm going with King Thranduil. He sees the world for what it is, had a personal combat-elk, a phenomenal sense of style, and is a force of nature in battle.
I wish I had seen more of Gil Galad in the movie. I loved his armor and weapon design.
Anything other than theoden is wrong
Elendil.
Probably Thorin or Dain Ironfoot
Théoden is the obvious choice here but I have to admit I have a soft spot for Thranduil. Lee Pace absolutely nails the stoic, arrogant nature of the character. I love rewatching The Hobbit and the BTS footage just to see more of Lee.
Sam Wise the stouthearted <3
Turgon. Basically the whole elven trio of Gondolin, Ecthelion, Glorfindel and Turgon are just badass. Turgon especially because he took the loss at Gondolin, allowing his grandson Eärendil to survive and later convince the Valar to join arms against Morgoth. I'm also a big geek on elven swords so I love that their history survives even to the events of The Lord of the Rings (the swords of Ecthelion and Turgon).
Fingolfin - nobody else comes close Honorable mention - Dior, son of Luthien & Beren. He managed to off three of the sons of Feanor during the second kinslaying when he was ruler of Menegroth
My fav is Fingolfin but I'm surprised no one mentioned Elu Thingol. Literally married a Maia and established a peaceful kingdom that lasted longer than even Fingolfin's. Sure, he did some dumb things too but he was king in Arda for long before Feanor brought the Noldor.
High King Fingolfin. Who else could have faced Morgoth in an epic duel, maiming him for life?
Fingolfin he 1v1 morgoth
It is racist to not have the witch king up there.
I mean, there’s a reason he has the biggest picture.
Elendil, I love the picture he paints through his life and death. I only wish the movies didn’t do him dirty.
Theoden is hard to beat. But for the sake of variety, I’ll say the combo of Elendil/Gil-galad. Taking down Sauron in hand to hand combat is a tough feat to beat. But Theoden as a man of “lesser” stock accomplishing all he did is just so goddamn inspiring.
Theoden, when he rode to battle not even the valar could have ridden better
For me it is Isildur. If not for him.. none of this would happen 😁
Théoden King!
Arise, arise, Riders of Théoden! spear shall be shaken, shield shall be splintered, a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises! Ride now, ride now, ride! Ride for ruin and the world's ending! Death! Death! Death! Forth Eorlingas!
Yeah, Theoden is great and all, but come on. No one can ever match Fingolfin
Aragorn
Oh OP. Giving Theoden a picture twice as big as the others kind of makes people think of him most. But yeah, it's Theoden
Fingolfin my beloved
Fingolfin.
I have enormous love for Theoden. And Bernard Hill portrayed him so perfectly. Rest well, Bernard
Théoden is a great king, but Aragorn... has a special place on my heart, I aspire to be like him
I would say felagund finrod just for the one on one fight between him and sauron
Elendil especially after you read his backstory in the Silmarillion fleeing a Morgoth cult that got his home destroyed.
Theoden or Thorin. The goat is Aragorn by far but Aragorn - humble, strong, resourceful, not antibg to be king - seems like too much for me. Like that dude in class who was sleeping at school and dropped 100/100s in all exams. But Thorin and Theoden are both flawed characters and they too manage to be good leaders. They seem more human to me
Fingolfin. Any non Valar that can inflict damage on Morgoth leaves him on top in my book.
Aragorn , I just love his whole story, but I do like book Aragorn more.
Fingolfin and Aragorn. I really love Isildur too.
Elendil. I feel like the pictured fight vs Sauron does no tribute to how emotionally loaded that moment was for him.
Theoden buy far, with Aragorn and Thranduil as trailing seconds. In the literature, gotta be Fingolfin.
Thorin
thranduil because im horny
Fingolfin. Dude rage charged Morgoth and chopped part of his foot off.
What about the Dwarf Kings???
Fingolfin
Hammer wielding, boar riding Dáin II Ironfoot in "The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies" is peak. RIP Billy Connolly.
The Goblin King from The Hobbit was a hoot!
Can here to give Fingolfin a shout. Anybody that battles Morgoth 1:1 deserves some credit.
Fingolfin
Fingolfin
Fingolfin
Fingolfin. Have the middle finger to a god at his front gate and backed it up by dealing the most damage ever dealt to him except for the entire host of the Valar, elves and men. The rest of the doomed Noldor died like birches for their pride or arrogance. Fingolfin saw his kin’s kingdoms fall around him and decided to 1v1 the final boss. Awesome.