To be sure, such interludes can provide comic relief, like the hobbits' frequent repasts or Gimli and Legolas's alcohol-fueled competition. But they also showcase character nuances and the burgeoning bonds between these otherwise unlikely fellow sojourners. We find ourselves charmed by the same modest pleasures that sustain them amidst their epic trials. Transcending cultural divides, the communal act of eating and drinking humanizes these fantastical creatures. Thus it often foreshadows greater triumphs through teamwork ahead.