Good question, Birdland. Sauron being Sauron, as you say, he probably assumed that the great Warriors, Wizards, Kings and so forth were letting some lowly Hobbit bear the ring while they sorted out which of them would cast down all others and claim it. He probably thought this half-pint One Ring Valet ('May I park your Ring, sir?') was under strict guard and close control by the squabbling wise and great. When he sensed Frodo, he assumed he was on his way to Minas Tirith under control, or already there. Pippin's Palantir escapade helped further that impression, obviously. I doubt he could tell the difference between Pippin's fea and Frodo's fea, he wasn't exactly Mr. Sensitive, but I think he could tell they were hobbit fea. And I think at that last moment when Frodo put on the ring, Sauron saw him and knew him for a hobbit, even knew him for a Baggins, at least a Baggins, and maybe even a Frodo Baggins. Frodo was claiming the ring containing much of Sauron's power and bound to him, claiming him, in a sense, so I think there was enough communion (ugh!) for Sauron to name his opponent.
[ September 04, 2002: Message edited by: Nar ]
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