Surely a frequent poster to the Movies section will just love to read this, but the more I read it, the more I don't get
the shiv at Weathertop.
Assuming we all know what does take place, let's recap what could have fared for fair Frodo as the Nazgul approach on Weathertop:
- Like every other hobbit on the scene, he swoons. Does the Witch-King stab his prone body? Can the King even see the hobbit?
- Frodo does not put on the Ring and stands his ground, sword and brand in hand with elvish words on his lips. Does the Witch-King attack?
- He gets shivved, Ring on, and dies immediately. What then?
What happens if the Witch-King hits his mark? If Frodo dies, wouldn't another of the party take the Ring to bear? Would Aragorn not be a somewhat better bearer ("Merry, Sam, Pip - we must bury the fallen. Why don't you guys start while I search for some...ah...athelas"
Aragorn runs off eastward when their backs are turned.)? The Nazgul flee, and so the Ring stays with Frodo. If Frodo were to become a wraith, could he carry the Ring to the Nine?
Surely Frodo had the luck on that hill, but think that the Witch-King lucked out as well. By not killing him on Weathertop, and by horse-surfing the Bruinen, the Witch-King sets up the conditions for Frodo to hand deliver the Ring to its Master.
Conspiracy indeed.