I tried reading the books - was one chapter away from finishing
The Fellowship of the Ring before getting absolutely bored with all the crap. Tom bloody Bombadil?
Anyway, the only thing I have to go on is the story set out by the films. Within them I thought that the roles of Legolas and Gimli could have been cut from the story completely - they did
nothing to further the plot throughout all three films.
The only reason I can see their inclusion was, at times, for comedic moments and the
love thy neighbour theme which, rather than be subtle, they just shouted out at the end.
Na, crap. Bin him.