What was the point? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

symestreem · 04-14-2004, 03:06 PM

If Aragorn had carried the sword to Gondor, it most definitely have been recognized, and Denethor would have had proof to back up his suspicions. Also, if Aragorn had carried the sword while fighting the servants of Sauron, word would eventually have gotten back to Sauron. But, Sauron only knew that the Heir of Isildur lived when Aragorn revealed himself in the palantir at Helm's Deep.
Morwen's theory that Aragorn was carrying the shards of Narsil for a special purpose seems like a good one. But why would Aragorn leave his other sword at home? It can't be so hard to carry two swords that he would risk his life on it. Swords were the mainstay of the Dunedain. He could have worn the Shards of Narsil on his other hip. I suppose the only explanation is that Aragorn was a good enough warrior to not need a sword.

Lhundulinwen · 04-14-2004, 07:37 PM

Though Aragorn was an excellant fighter, he needed some type of weapon with him. Even though the broken sword was more of a calling card, or more like a good guy flashing the really big gun, Aragorn would have an assortment of weapons. Probably a sword, a knife, and bow and arrow, and possibly some kind of hidden weapon. I personally think Gandalf had already told him a long time before the hobbits set out to patrol the Shire. On the far side of the Shire, he was sidetracked, and Gandalf couldn't get a hold of him. He may not have had the broken sword with him while circleing the Shire, but he had it in a safe spot. But that's just my theory.

Knight of Gondor · 04-14-2004, 08:53 PM

Well, having been redirected to this thread, I'll just go ahead and post my original thread that I posted.

One of the flaws that people have brought up in the comparison between the movie and book is that Aragorn carried one sword of his own BEFORE accepting the Shards of Narsil. In the book, he carried only the shards. I have been a defender of this move, as it made sense for the Ranger in Aragorn (still wandering in the wild) to have a real sword for defense, etc., instead of a broken hilt. (That, and it gave us another beautiful sword to look at!)

But why DID Aragorn carry around just the shards? Where were the other bits? Were they arranged perfectly in the sheath? Did he just upend his sheath to dump all the shards out on the Elven smithy's table? Were they in his pocket, and why didn't they cut through? Did the 800-year old heirloom of the house of Elendil spend some time digging in the dirt to make a convenience hole for "Strider"? Why would such an important token be given to Aragorn to cart around the Wilds with, and how did he survive with just a dagger-like blade?

04-14-2004, 07:37 PM	#2
Lhundulinwen Wight Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wishin' and hopin' in the Shire Posts: 139	Though Aragorn was an excellant fighter, he needed some type of weapon with him. Even though the broken sword was more of a calling card, or more like a good guy flashing the really big gun, Aragorn would have an assortment of weapons. Probably a sword, a knife, and bow and arrow, and possibly some kind of hidden weapon. I personally think Gandalf had already told him a long time before the hobbits set out to patrol the Shire. On the far side of the Shire, he was sidetracked, and Gandalf couldn't get a hold of him. He may not have had the broken sword with him while circleing the Shire, but he had it in a safe spot. But that's just my theory. __________________ ~Just call on me, and I'm there. I'll always be your Sam~

04-14-2004, 08:53 PM	#3
Knight of Gondor Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Kentucky Posts: 744	Well, having been redirected to this thread, I'll just go ahead and post my original thread that I posted. One of the flaws that people have brought up in the comparison between the movie and book is that Aragorn carried one sword of his own BEFORE accepting the Shards of Narsil. In the book, he carried only the shards. I have been a defender of this move, as it made sense for the Ranger in Aragorn (still wandering in the wild) to have a real sword for defense, etc., instead of a broken hilt. (That, and it gave us another beautiful sword to look at!) But why DID Aragorn carry around just the shards? Where were the other bits? Were they arranged perfectly in the sheath? Did he just upend his sheath to dump all the shards out on the Elven smithy's table? Were they in his pocket, and why didn't they cut through? Did the 800-year old heirloom of the house of Elendil spend some time digging in the dirt to make a convenience hole for "Strider"? Why would such an important token be given to Aragorn to cart around the Wilds with, and how did he survive with just a dagger-like blade? __________________ Eagerly awaiting the REAL Return of the King - Jesus Christ! Revelation 19:11-16

04-14-2004, 03:06 PM	#1
symestreem Face in the Water Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 728	If Aragorn had carried the sword to Gondor, it most definitely have been recognized, and Denethor would have had proof to back up his suspicions. Also, if Aragorn had carried the sword while fighting the servants of Sauron, word would eventually have gotten back to Sauron. But, Sauron only knew that the Heir of Isildur lived when Aragorn revealed himself in the palantir at Helm's Deep. Morwen's theory that Aragorn was carrying the shards of Narsil for a special purpose seems like a good one. But why would Aragorn leave his other sword at home? It can't be so hard to carry two swords that he would risk his life on it. Swords were the mainstay of the Dunedain. He could have worn the Shards of Narsil on his other hip. I suppose the only explanation is that Aragorn was a good enough warrior to not need a sword.