Aragorn, much like Gandalf, hides an impressive amount of power, greatness, and knowledge under a humble exterior. We first meet Aragorn as Strider, the laconic, worn Ranger at the Prancing Pony inn in Bree. As the action moves forward, we see Aragorn slowly transform into the king he is destined to become. Aragorn also displays Gandalf’s bravery, kindness, and wisdom—indeed, neither of them appear to have any major faults to speak of. At certain moments, however, Aragorn does display a sort of vulnerability. When questioned about why he does not immediately offer proof of his identity to the hobbits in Bree, one of his answers is simply that he wishes the hobbits would count him as a friend without knowledge of his lineage—indeed, he is tired of being constantly wary. Such an admission is a poignant revelation of a somewhat unexpected trait in such an indomitable woodsman and warrior as Aragorn.

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