More often than not, great events in Middle-earth occur because of individuals willing to sacrifice all in order to bring about change for the better. In The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, the most unassuming of characters, the diminutive Hobbits, are the focal points amid legendary events. A scholar chronicling the great heroes of Middle-earth might easily overlook the Hobbits, but that would be a mistake. Hobbits are considered strong for their size, yet they are not as strong as Dwarves or Men. They are also fleet of foot and able to move in complete silence through even wooded lands. It is the intangible qualities of Hobbits, however - their resistance to corruption, strong bonds of kinship, loyalty to friends, love of simple pleasures and the giving of gifts, and a sense of what is important in life - that truly sets them apart as an influential force during the War of the Ring.

In The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, five Hobbits in particular assume primary roles in the quest to destroy the One Ring.

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Bilbo Baggins was well-known as peculiar among Hobbits, having travelled some years before on a mysterious adventure only to return far wealthier than when he left. For many years afterward, events in Bilbo’s home at Bag End were a popular topic of conversation and gossip throughout the Shire. If only half of the stories told were half-true, old Bilbo would be one of the most unusual hobbits in history! For the most part, though, Bilbo lived a pleasant and unremarkable existence in Bag End … except for occasional visits from Dwarves or sightings of Gandalf, the wandering wizard, at the door of Bag End.

Bilbo’s cousin Frodo shares kinship with the Bagginses and Brandybucks, both influential families with long histories in the Shire. His parents died when he was just twelve years old, after which he lived with his Brandybuck relations at sprawling Brandy Hall in Buckland. Taller and fairer-skinned than most Hobbits, Frodo was prone to getting into trouble as a youngster (particularly by stealing mushrooms from the ornery Farmer Maggot), but most folk regarded him as a fine, if somewhat mischievous, young hobbit. He gained an interest in the languages, histories and tales of the Elves, presumably from conversations with Bilbo. Bilbo adopted him as his heir when Frodo was twenty-one, and Frodo moved to Bag End to live there.

In more recent years, particularly after Bilbo’s strange disappearance during his eleventy-first birthday party, Frodo has seemed much less light of spirit, carrying a heavy burden of responsibility and keeping mostly to himself in Bag End, though few in the Shire dare guess what might be weighing so heavily upon him. His recent departure to live at Crickhollow, nearer to his Brandybuck kin, has been met with nearly as much speculation as Bilbo’s departure 17 years ago.

One Hobbit who may know more than most about Frodo’s sudden departure is Samwise Gamgee of Bagshot Row, the youngest son of Gaffer Gamgee. As gardener and caretaker of Bag End, Sam has a close relationship with Frodo, as he did with Bilbo for many years. It is through Bilbo’s stories and writings that Sam became interested in the far-off lands of Middle-earth, particularly the ways of the ancient Elves.

Sam, like most Hobbits, prefers a fine meal (or three) to adventure of any kind. When the need arises, however, he always manages to hold on to hope, no matter how dire the circumstances. Ever-loyal to Frodo, Sam has also left the Shire to travel whatever road his master has chosen. This unwavering bond of loyalty and friendship between Sam and Frodo will be crucial as the Hobbits travel from the peaceful lands of the Shire and into the unknown wilderness that lies before them.

In these dark days when Frodo has seemed the most troubled, it is the strength of his friendship with his cousins Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took that has carried him through. Merry and Pippin seem the perfect complement to one another: Merry is thoughtful and organized, while Pippin is youthful and exuberant, the one who “leaps before he looks”. The pair have landed in their fair share of mishaps and adventures (along with Frodo in earlier days), but have the wherewithal to escape serious injury by using their wits, resulting in many not-quite-believable stories to be told over drinks at the local inns.

Suspecting that Frodo’s departure may be more than meets the eye, Merry and Pippin have had great success in determining Frodo’s plans, though they have not shared this knowledge out of loyalty to their friend, leaving many in Hobbiton curious as to the true reasons behind Frodo’s departure. Perhaps these Hobbits will return soon to share their tale, or perhaps they will never be heard from again. Time will tell.