13 iconic The Lord of the Rings moments fans still cherish
By Bryce Olin
4. Frodo and Gandalf leave Middle-earth
After the Ring is destroyed, the hobbits return home, years pass, and all the arrangements are made; Gandalf and Bilbo are leaving Middle-earth at the Grey Havens. They are accompanied by Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin to see them off.
What Sam, Merry, and Pippin don’t know is that Frodo is also leaving Middle-earth with Bilbo and Gandalf. It’s one of the most crushing moments of the trilogy, but it’s also a happy moment, especially considering what could have been.
Frodo and Gandalf leave Middle-earth on their own terms and move on to the white shores of Valinor, the ones Gandalf mentioned to Pippin during the assault on Minas Tirith.
We also get to see a great scene after that. Sam returns back to the Shire, to his wife Rosie and their two children. It puts the whole story in perspective. Even though it’s devastating that Frodo has moved on, Sam’s life and family are all possible because of their collective sacrifices.