Darkness Wasn’t Just in Sauron and Saruman: These 3 'Lord of the Rings' Villains Nearly Ended Frodo’s Mission
The Fellowship faced more than just the usual suspects.
The battles of Middle-earth brought out some of the saga’s most terrifying villains. For every hero, there were dozens of enemies, making the fight for freedom anything but easy.
While Sauron and Saruman had plenty of screen time — as their influence demanded — the trilogy also introduced other, equally deadly foes. Frodo’s journey to Mordor wouldn’t have been half as dangerous without these three monsters standing in the way.
The Cave Troll of Moria
Even deep beneath the mountains, the Fellowship wasn’t safe. Their journey through the Mines of Moria led them straight into an ambush: first by orcs, and then by a monstrous Cave Troll.
Lumbering but relentless, the troll brought brute force and raw power. He wasn’t fast, but with one swing of his massive club, he could have taken out any member of the Fellowship. In true Tolkien fashion, even the darkness had muscle.
The Witch-king of Angmar
The Nazgûl are among the most chilling creatures in Middle-earth, bound to Sauron’s will. Cloaked in shadow, their shrieks pierced the soul. Leading them was the Witch-king of Angmar, focused solely on reclaiming the One Ring.
Far stronger than the rest, the Witch-king showed no fear — especially on the Pelennor Fields. Fans know his downfall came at the hands of Éowyn and Merry, but not before he killed King Théoden and nearly turned the tide of battle.
Lurtz
Middle-earth had plenty of orcs, but Saruman went further — creating the powerful Uruk-hai. Bigger, faster, stronger, and downright terrifying.
In the films, their rise is unforgettable: clawing out of the earth, primal and ready. At their front stood Lurtz — a character invented for the films, but one who became a symbol of the new threat. He’s the one who killed Boromir, delivering one of the saga’s most emotional blows.
Even in death, Lurtz was terrifying. Stabbed by Aragorn, he dragged the sword deeper into himself, trying to take his enemy with him. His rage and fearlessness made him one of the Fellowship’s deadliest foes.
