13 iconic The Lord of the Rings moments fans still cherish

9. Gandalf and Frodo’s conversation in the Mines of Moria in The Fellowship of the Ring

"Frodo: “I wish the Ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened.”  Gandalf: “So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.”"

This is one of the most important conversations between two characters in The Lord of the Rings movies. Frodo spots Gollum following the Fellowship through the Mines of Moria, and he says it’s a pity that Bilbo did not kill Gollum when they met many years ago. Gandalf surprises him with a treatise on pity and how Gollum may still have some role to play in this drama, which of course he does.

Gandalf’s wisdom is unmatched in The Lord of the Rings. He’s always dropping these truth bombs, particularly on the hobbits, and it’s a great way for viewers to see how the wizard is motivated and what he truly believes.

I think this scene is important because Gandalf is also preparing Frodo (and everyone watching) for how he will be tested over and over again on this journey, and Frodo will always have to make a choice to do right. I think that’s one of the bigger messages of The Lord of the Rings. The circumstances can’t be controlled, but you can control how you choose to act in the face of those circumstances.