"Yet hope remains while all the Company is true"

[Artanis]

And with that word she held them with her eyes, and in silence looked searchingly at each of them in turn. None save Legolas and Aragorn could long endure her glance.

Galadriel was testing the heart of each one of the Fellowship, offering them something they greatly desired, if they only left the Quest. Sam told the rest of them what he was offered: A nice journey back to the Shire to a comfortable little hole and a garden of his own. What do you all think she tempted the rest of them with? What do you think were their greatest desires?

And, did they all in their hearts reject the temptation?

[Nurvingiel]

I think all but Boromir rejected the temptation, and it was his downfall. I think Boromir's greatest desire was to have Sauron defeated and Gondor safe, with him ruling as a good king. He wanted what was best for his people, but he also wanted to succeed his father as King, not just as a Steward. He was still not entirely convinced that the Ring could not be used against Sauron, and the Ring preyed on this weakness. As Gandalf pointed out (in reference to himself, but it also applies to Boromir) he would have tried to use the Ring for good, but it would only do evil.
Galadriel tested them in the relative safety of Lothlorien so they could overcome any doubts there instead of at a key moment. Boromir did not overcome his doubts, and I think Galadriel forsaw what would happen to him. This is why Galadriel disturbed Boromir so much. He sensed what he saw, though he did not know what it was. Maybe if he had he might have been able to resist the Ring.

[Attalus]

I certainly agree about Boromir. His comment that the Men of Gondor are true to their word and Galadriel's telling Gandalf that he was in danger make no other interpretation possible, IMHO. Frodo she held longest in her gaze. What was she offering him? I have always thought that she offered him an honorable way to end his part in the Quest, leave the Ring with some other Bearer, and return home, or perhaps Rivendell. His readiness, feigned or true to offer her the Ring argues for this. Aragorn? Perhaps that he might forsake the Quest, marry Arwen, and stay there in Lorien. Legolas? I don't know. Something he greatly desired. Perhaps a Princedom adjacent to Mirkwood ? Merry and Pippin? Wealth and power in the Shire, perhaps? All the food and ale they could eat? Certainly a return to the Shire. Gimli? Weath and power, perhaps a new Dwarf-realm? Not certain. Hard are the hearts of the Dwarves to fathom.

[Halbarad of the Dunedain]

Originally Posted by Attalus

Gimli? Weath and power, perhaps a new Dwarf-realm? Not certain. Hard are the hearts of the Dwarves to fathom.

Im not entirely sure that would be Gimli's ultimate desire, for when he was questioned by Galadriel in this fashion he had already looked upon her beauty. All he would desire from that moment on was her, could she have tempted Gimli with a vision of a life with Galadriel!?

[Rosie Gamgee]

Whoa. There's a weird picture. Um, I don't think that Galadriel would have tempted him with that. I wonder if she tempted him at all. It doesn't seem that Elves exactly have the capacity to deign what is in the hearts of dwarves. Doesn't she actually have to ask what gift he would wish of the elves?

[Halbarad of the Dunedain]

But this part is not of the gifts it is what she tempted them with in their minds and in thei hearts. I think i understand what your saying though, that she had a gift for everyone save Gimli, due to the fact elves know not how to apease the desires of dwarvs. but like i said in the previous post, Gimli after looking upon galadriel desired nothing over that ehich is fairer, Galadriel. I wonder if she did not tempt Gimli.
as for legolas, perhaps she tempted him with the beach, with the white gulls, and white ships... to sail to Valinor. It was in her warning message to him, go not to the seas...
only othe difficult one is Aragorn. in the book what he desired was to be king and to do what was right, in the film he was reluctant ot become the king? So i would say in the book version, he was tempted with something similar to boromir, to have the ring, win the war, and save arwens life. not to mention with the ring he could live longer, if not forever with arwen.

[Lefty Scaevola]

Originally Posted by Attalus

Merry and Pippin? Wealth and power in the Shire, perhaps? All the food and ale they could eat?

They already had this, each being the frist in line scion of one of the two most aristoractic and wealthy families there (counting Buckland as part of the shire).

[Nurvingiel]

Merry and Pippin, compared to other members of the Fellowhip, didn't have much of a burden. Maybe they were tempted with a similar thing to Frodo - to have someone else competant to carry the burden for him so they could return to the Shire together, in safety.

If Gandalf had been present, what do you think he would have been offered?

Edit: By the way, great thread idea Artanis!

[Attalus]

Originally Posted by Lefty Scaevola

They already had this, each being the frist in line scion of one of the two most aristoractic and wealthy families there (counting Buckland as part of the shire).

True, but they probably didn't know of a good way to get back there, with honor. Perhaps that was their temptation.

[Haradrim]

I always thought she tempted them all with the ring. Aragorn knew he was tempted and therefore could withstand her gaze and Im sure LEgolas was used to it. GImli with the power to get all the gold he wanted with the ring. Boromir to save Gondor, Frodo to give someone else the ring. Merry and Pippen something frivolous. Aragorn- to live forever, save Godnor and basically make everyone happy. and Legolas with his own line of hair and body products.