I think everyone considers Sam the most noble and heroic character in LOTR. I don’t believe that is an accident.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Have you ever observed who had -- literally -- "the last word" in LOTR...?
Have you ever considered what a tremendously masterful bit of writing that ending was?
For more years than I'd like to admit, I have read the entire Hobbit + LOTR series at least once a year -- usually when camping -- in my hammock...
Even so, each time, that ending laves me a bit "stunned" for a while -- as it leads me to mentally review the series -- and to muse on the bright future ahead for the one who has just journeyed through such vast darkness...
Religious? Perhaps not.
Numinious? Yes, indeed...