The Lord of the Rings is a story about reviving a darkened earth and bringing light back to the people therein. Even with its bright disposition, Peter Jackson’s franchise, based on the original works of J.R.R. Tolkien, includes plenty of characters who just can’t seem to get along.

From Saruman the White and Gandalf the Grey to Azog the Defiler and Thorin Oakenshield, there are multiple memorable rivalries in The Lord of the Rings. These rivalries run the gamut of ferocity, with some only taking the form of friendly competition and others leading to war.

10Legolas And Gimli Have A Memorable Friendly Rivalry

Legolas and Gimli don’t get off on the best foot during their adventures in The Lord of the Rings. Both noble warriors join Frodo Baggins as part of the Fellowship of the Ring but struggle to get along due to the long history of animosity between Elves and Dwarves. Along the way, the two companions trade jibes and snide remarks about one another.

As time goes on, Legolas and Gimli’s rivalry begins to transform into a sweet friendship built on competition. Eventually, the two become quite close and fight side-by-side in the final battles of the War of the Ring. After the events of the film, Legolas takes Gimli to the Undying Lands, making him the first Dwarf to ever do so.

9Faramir And Boromir Are Set Against One Another By Their Father

Boromir and Faramir were brothers whose relationship struggled due to the attitude of their terrible father Denethor. Denethor, the ruling steward of Gondor, visibly favored Boromir over his younger brother, deriding Faramir for being unable to live up to his example. While Boromir and Faramir were still close and loved one another, there is no denying that there was a wall of separation between the two brothers.

As rivalries go, Boromir and Faramir’s competition was relatively tame. For the most part, this rivalry existed in the eyes of their father, who endlessly compared the two young warriors. Faramir was forever haunted by these comparisons and constantly tried to live up to his older brother’s deeds, but it was never enough for his father, especially after Boromir’s death.

8Aragorn Always Struggled With Isildur’s Legacy

Aragorn and Isildur never met, as the two were separated by millennia. However, the two kings of Gondor fostered a fierce rivalry, at least thematically. Isildur, who was king of Gondor at the beginning of the Third Age, ultimately failed to destroy the One Ring, having succumbed to its power. In the end, this decision led to his demise and the slow decline of Gondor.

Over three thousand years later, Isildur’s descendant, Aragorn, was haunted by his ancestor’s mistakes. Spending his days as a Ranger in the North, Aragorn was concerned that he would falter as Isildur did. However, when thrust into the fight to save Middle-earth, Aragorn proved himself to be a fair, honorable, and true ruler. He even resisted the pull of the One Ring, succeeding where Idildur failed.

7Théoden And Denethor Are Diametric Opposites

Théoden, the king of Rohan, and Denethor II, the ruling steward of Gondor, are two sides of the same coin in The Lord of the Rings. Both rulers were poisoned by the dark will of Saruman the White, leaving both of their kingdoms to fall into decay. Both rulers were meant to show just how far the world of Men had fallen as the darkness rose in Middle-earth. However, each king had a very different ending to his story.

After Gandalf healed Théoden from Saruman’s spell, the king of Rohan reverted to his robust, honorable ways. Though he was not without fault, Théoden made sure to fight for the side of good, eventually giving his life during the Battle of Pelennor Fields, dying a hero. Denethor, on the other hand, descended into madness as a result of his grief over Boromir’s death. He exemplified everything weak about mankind and eventually perished by his hand.

6Eowyn Was The Only One Who Could Defeat The Witch-king Of Angmar

The Witch-king of Angmar was one of the most fearsome antagonists in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The one-time ruler of the now-ruined kingdom of Angmar, the Witch-king was corrupted by one of the nine Rings of Power given to Men by Sauron. He and eight of his compatriots were transformed into Nazgul, serving at the behest of their dark lord during the War of the Ring.

As the leader of the Nazgul, the Witch-king of Angmar was one of Sauron’s strongest generals. It was said that no man could ever slay him, though he did not account for the possibility of running into a woman on the battlefield. After a fierce fight, the Witch-king perished at the hand of Lady Eowyn, with an assist from the Hobbit Merry.

5Sauron Betrayed Lady Galadriel In The Rings Of Power

The first season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power reveals that Lady Galadriel once had dealings with Sauron himself, though not knowingly. During her adventures, Galadriel came across a man named Halbrand who claimed to be the rightful king of the Southlands. However, Halbrand was Sauron in disguise, playing the Elf in hopes of making his long-awaited return to Middle-earth.

By the time Sauron finally revealed his identity to Galadriel, it was too late for her to stop him. Though she had hated the dark lord before, Sauron’s trickery caused Galadriel to dedicate her entire life to stopping him. While this rivalry isn’t as plain to see in the original story, The Rings of Power fleshes out Galadriel’s relationship with Sauron, making it more personal than ever before.

4Samwise Gamgee Never Trusted Gollum

During their journey to Mordor, Frodo Baggins, and Samwise Gamgee became virtually inseparable. However, they eventually encountered Gollum, the previous Ringbearer, who made it his mission to reclaim the One Ring by feigning loyalty to Frodo. While Frodo trusted Gollum, wanting to see the good in him, Sam always suspected that the old villain was up to some trickery and sought to expose him.

Each knowing that the other was up to something, Sam and Gollum traded jibes and untrusting stares during their journey to Mordor. Things come to blows between them several times, with Frodo usually separating the two. Eventually, Gollum frames Sam for eating the last of the provisions, causing Frodo to briefly part ways with his companion. Thankfully, Sam returned just in time to save Frodo from certain doom.

3Gandalf The Grey Fiercely Fought The Balrog Of Moria

When the Fellowship of the Ring passed through the Mines of Moria, they awakened the fearsome and ancient beast that dwelled in the depths of the fallen Dwarven kingdom. Chased by the Balrog known as Durin’s Bane, the Fellowship would have perished in Moria if not for the heroism of Gandalf the Grey, who confronted the creature on the Bridge of Khazad-dûm.

Gandalf’s battle with the Balrog is one of the most iconic in the entire Lord of the Rings franchise. The grey wizard and Durin’s Bane plummeted into the depths of Khazad-dûm together, battling the whole way down. Eventually, Gandalf managed to slay the Balrog, though it cost him his mortal life. Thankfully, Gandalf returned after his battle, albeit in a different and more powerful form.

2Thorin Oakenshield Vowed Revenge Against Azog The Defiler

After the Dwarven kingdom of Erebor, hidden in the Lonely Mountain, was destroyed by the dragon Smaug, King Thror, his son Thráin, and grandson Thorin led a crusade to reclaim the Kingdom of Moria. However, there they were confronted by the vicious Orc known as Azog the Defiler. During the battle, Azog killed Thror, leading to a bloody duel with his grandson.

Years later, during the events of The Hobbit, Thorin’s Company journeyed to Erebor, where the Dwarf Prince came face-to-face with Azog once more. The two warriors were always destined for another battle after their first duel and each thrived on the feeling of getting revenge on the other. They finally got their rematch during the Battle of the Five Armies, killing one another in one of the fiercest one-on-one battles in the history of Middle-earth.

1Gandalf The Grey Became The Replacement For Saruman The White

Gandalf the Grey and Saruman the White were part of the same order of wizards, serving the people of Middle-earth alongside their three other companions. However, during the events of The Fellowship of the Ring, Gandalf learns that Saruman has betrayed them and joined forces with the Enemy. This revelation sparked a bitter rivalry that would decide the fate of Middle-earth.

The two wizards were at odds with one another throughout the War of the Ring, each commanding forces in hopes of swaying Middle-earth toward their side. After his death, Gandalf was resurrected in a new form, now resembling Saruman himself and claiming to be all that the original white wizard should have been. From this point, the rivalry between the two wizards grew even fiercer until Saruman’s death at Isengard. Thereafter, Gandalf sought to right all of Saruman’s wrongs and restore peace to Middle-earth.