What if Aragorn had chosen differently at Parth Galen ?

[The Mouth of Sauron]

After the departure of Boromir, Aragorn had to choose whether to try and find Frodo and Sam on the east side of the Emyn Muil, or whether to follow the Orcs who had captured Merry and Pippin. As we know, he led Legolas and Gimli to follow the Orcs into Rohan.

But what would have happened if Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli had followed Frodo and Sam instead ?

- would they have found Frodo and Sam in the Emyn Muil ?
- would Gollum have played the part he subsequently did ?
- would the victory at Helm's Deep still have happened ?
- assuming the Ents still destroyed Isengard, would the Orthanc palantir have come into play ?
- presumably the Dead would not have been summoned and South Gondor would have been lost ?
- etc., etc., etc, ?

[deagol]

There's an awful lot to consider here. Really, there's an endless cycle of extrapolation that could evolve from this one question. But when I think about this choice and the immediate consequences regarding the Ring, it occurs to me that the first question is "How much help could they have been to Frodo and Sam?" It seems clear that stealth was the fellowship's only viable course in approaching Mount Doom. If the Three Hunters are still in the company (and hence, not the Three Hunters at all), stealth becomes more of a problem. We know that hobbits can be inconspicuous when it suits them -- not so men, and most certainly not dwarves. So without even considering the changes this decision wreaks in Isengard, Rohan and Gondor, how does the company go about infiltrating Mordor and reaching the Cracks of Doom?

There is also the question of Smeagol to consider. I would assume that if Aragorn is still calling the shots, Smeagol is dealt with in some fashion and is not there at the end -- or at least not free -- to ultimately rescue the entire enterprise. So what happens when Frodo claims the Ring for himself and the fate of the Third Age is balanced on the razor's edge? The pragmatist in me says that, at this point, somebody is going to have to dispose of it (and, most likely, Frodo himself, in the bargain). It seems a safe bet, given history and what we know of the Ring and men that Aragorn would be unable to do this. It seems to me that Gimli could do it -- he seemed sure enough in Rivendell -- although his willingness to destroy it when he could not and his ability to do so when he actually could might be two different things. Legolas? Who knows? I've had this debate in my own mind over and over again. Would dependable old Sam chuck his master, Ring and all, into the abyss?

There are so many facets to just this one aspect of your question that volumes could be written on this topic alone.

But that would require someone much more knowledgeable and dedicated than poor old Deagol.

[Andsigil]

Another question to consider: would the Ring have been able to affect Aragorn the way it affected Boromir?

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

Quick answer is that all the good guys would have been killed.

[deagol]

Originally Posted by Andsigil

Another question to consider: would the Ring have been able to affect Aragorn the way it affected Boromir?

I don't think there's any question that it would. Isildur certainly was not immune to it. There's no reason to believe Aragorn would be.

[PrinceOfTheHalflings]

Originally Posted by Andsigil

Another question to consider: would the Ring have been able to affect Aragorn the way it affected Boromir?

No. That isn't to say that Aragorn would have been totally immune to the Ring's effects, but I don't think he would have been affected in the way that Boromir was. Boromir tried to take it the first time he had the opportunity (when none of the others were around).

If Aragorn had been so easily tempted then he could have taken the Ring at any time between Bree and Rivendell. The Hobbits would not have been able to prevent him. I think he makes that fairly clear when the Hobbits first meet him at Bree!

[Andsigil]

Originally Posted by PrinceOfTheHalflings

No. That isn't to say that Aragorn would have been totally immune to the Ring's effects, but I don't think he would have been affected in the way that Boromir was. Boromir tried to take it the first time he had the opportunity (when none of the others were around).

If Aragorn had been so easily tempted then he could have taken the Ring at any time between Bree and Rivendell. The Hobbits would not have been able to prevent him. I think he makes that fairly clear when the Hobbits first meet him at Bree!

Well, I meant "like Boromir" in general terms. I think it would have been certain that Aragorn would surrender to the Ring's power sometime between Parth Galen and Mordor.

The Ring isn't like a virus, with immunity at the first few encounters guaranteeing perpetual immunity. It showed a definite ability to accumulate its effects and corrupt or tempt over time.

Others with arguably more ability than Aragorn were overcome. Frodo, being a hobbit, was born "without guile", and he succumbed inside Orodruin. Galadriel came from a lineage greater than Aragorn's, and resisting it just once ruined her. Even Gandalf, a Maia, sprang to his feet and ordered Frodo not to tempt him with the Ring at Bag End.

While Aragorn would probably have lasted longer than Boromir, I could see Aragorn having succumbed sometime around Osgiliath or Cirith Ungol. I think it would have been inevitable at Orodruin (and good luck to Gollum being able to struggle with him and bite off a finger!).

[Erendis]

Originally Posted by Andsigil

I think it would have been inevitable at Orodruin (and good luck to Gollum being able to struggle with him and bite off a finger!).

Oh didn't they have already a nice history the two of them?

I bet for a roasted Gollum just after exiting Emin Muil.