The Fellowship of the Ring

Tolkien uses a metaphor comparing Frodo's inner sense of courage to a seed in a scene in which Frodo and the other hobbits are captured by a terrifying barrow-wight, a wraith-like creature, shortly after leaving the home of Tom Bombadil and Goldberry: 

But though his fear was so great that it seemed to be part of the very darkness that was round him, he found himself as he lay thinking about Bilbo Baggins and his stories, of their jogging along together in the lanes of the Shire and talking about roads and adventures. There is a seed of courage hidden (often deeply, it is true) in the heart of the fattest and most timid hobbit, waiting for some final and desperate danger to make it grow. 

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When Frodo awakens in Rivendell after nearly succumbing to his poisoned wound, he speaks with Gandalf about the balance of power in Middle-Earth. Gandalf uses a metaphor that compares those places that, like Rivendell, might have power to fight back against Mordor to "islands": 

Indeed there is a power in Rivendell to withstand the might of Mordor, for a while: and elsewhere other powers still dwell. There is power, too, of another kind in the Shire. But all such places will soon become islands under siege, if things go on as they are going. The Dark Lord is putting forth all his strength.

"Still," he said, standing suddenly up and sticking out his chin, while his beard went stiff and straight like bristling wire, "we must keep up our courage. You will soon be well, if I do not talk you to death." 

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Gandalf uses several metaphors when proposing to the Council of Elrond that they adopt the unexpected strategy of sending The One Ring to Mordor, stronghold of Sauron, in order to destroy it and him: 

It is wisdom to recognize necessity, when all other courses have been weighed, though as folly it may appear to those who cling to false hope. Well, let folly be our cloak, a veil before the eyes of the Enemy! For he is very wise, and weighs all things to a nicety in the scales of his malice. But the only measure that he knows is desire, desire for power; and so he judges all hearts. Into his heart the thought will not enter that any will refuse it, that having the Ring we may seek to destroy it.

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In the ruins of Moria, Samwise inquires into the motivations of the dwarves in building such extensive mines, and Gandalf uses several metaphors in his response: 

The wealth of Moria was not in gold and jewels, the toys of the Dwarves; nor in iron, their servant. Such things they found here, it is true, especially iron; but they did not need to delve for them: all things that they desired they could obtain in traffic. For here alone in the world was found Moria-silver, or true-silver as some have called it: mithril is the Elvish name. The Dwarves have a name which they do not tell. Its worth was ten times that of gold, and now it is beyond price; for little is left above ground [...]

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Tolkien employs both simile and metaphor in describing the eyes of Celeborn and Galadriel, joint rulers of Lothlórien: 

They stood up to greet their guests, after the manner of Elves, even those who were accounted mighty kings. Very tall they were, and the Lady no less tall than the Lord; and they were grave and beautiful. They were clad wholly in white; and the hair of the Lady was of deep gold, and the hair of the Lord Celeborn was of silver long and bright; but no sign of age was upon them, unless it were in the depths of their eyes; for these were keen as lances in the starlight, and yet profound, the wells of deep memory.

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After the Fellowship leaves the comforts of Lothlórien, Legolas uses a metaphor and paradox to describe the distinct manner in which elves, who are immortal, experience time: 

Legolas stirred in his boat. "Nay, time does not tarry ever," he said; "but change and growth is not in all things and places alike. For the Elves the world moves, and it moves both very swift and very slow. Swift, because they themselves change little, and all else fleets by: it is a grief to them. Slow, because they need not count the running years, not for themselves. The passing seasons are but ripples ever repeated in the long long stream. Yet beneath the Sun all things must wear to an end at last."

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