8. Frodo Baggins
Before Frodo got all wrapped in that business with a ring and a mountain of fire and stuff he was just a poor little orphaned Hobbit living with his uncle in the Shire. Background Frodo Baggins' parents, Drogo Baggins and Primula Brandybuck, met their untimely end in a boating accident when Frodo was 12 after which he lived with his maternal parents until being adopted by his cousin at the age of 21. Go to the mirror and question your life choices if you don't know what comes next. Importance of being orphaned You may certainly have the domino effect going on here (he wouldn't have moved in with Bilbo and so on) but it's not made a big deal of. Frodo isn't tortured by his parents' absence and he has a nice enough time after they die. This is one character where you question the relevance of him being and orphan. Why was the choice made? J.R.R. Tolkien himself was also orphaned when he was 12 which he may have had some effect on the decision to make Frodo and orphan. Companions Frodo definitely wins the prize for 'most racially diversity in a group of friends' but his main man has got to be Sam who sticks with him through all sorts including giant spiders, ring wraiths and stale lembas bread.