How did the Nazgul reach the Shire Before Gandalf? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Kuruharan · 08-14-2003, 08:22 AM

I think that you lack sufficient understanding of the timeline.

-Taken from Appendix B-

September 18: Gandalf escapes Orthanc in the early hours (after having been there since July 10). The Black Riders cross the Fords of Isen.

September 19: Gandalf comes to Edoras as a beggar, and is refused admittance.

September 20: Gandalf gains entrance to Edoras. Theoden commands him to go: "Take any horse, only be gone ere tomorrow is old!"

September 21: Gandalf meets Shadowfax, but the horse will not allow him to come near. He follows Shadowfax far over the fields. (emphasis mine)

September 22: The Black Riders reach Sarn Ford at evening; they drive off the guard of Rangers. Gandalf overtakes Shadowfax. (emphasis mine)

September 23: Four riders enter the Shire before dawn. The others pursue the Rangers eastward, then return to watch the Greenway. A Black Rider comes to Hobbiton at nightfall. Frodo leaves Bag End. Gandalf having tamed Shadowfax rides from Rohan. (emphasis mine)

September 24: Gandalf crosses the Isen.

You will note that there is no reference to a side trip to Rivendell or anywhere else, and Gandalf did not have Shadowfax when he escaped Orthanc.

08-14-2003, 08:22 AM	#8
Kuruharan Regal Dwarven Shade Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: A Remote Dwarven Hold Posts: 3,594	I think that you lack sufficient understanding of the timeline. -Taken from Appendix B- September 18: Gandalf escapes Orthanc in the early hours (after having been there since July 10). The Black Riders cross the Fords of Isen. September 19: Gandalf comes to Edoras as a beggar, and is refused admittance. September 20: Gandalf gains entrance to Edoras. Theoden commands him to go: "Take any horse, only be gone ere tomorrow is old!" September 21: Gandalf meets Shadowfax, but the horse will not allow him to come near. He follows Shadowfax far over the fields. (emphasis mine) September 22: The Black Riders reach Sarn Ford at evening; they drive off the guard of Rangers. Gandalf overtakes Shadowfax. (emphasis mine) September 23: Four riders enter the Shire before dawn. The others pursue the Rangers eastward, then return to watch the Greenway. A Black Rider comes to Hobbiton at nightfall. Frodo leaves Bag End. Gandalf having tamed Shadowfax rides from Rohan. (emphasis mine) September 24: Gandalf crosses the Isen. You will note that there is no reference to a side trip to Rivendell or anywhere else, and Gandalf did not have Shadowfax when he escaped Orthanc. __________________ ...finding a path that cannot be found, walking a road that cannot be seen, climbing a ladder that was never placed, or reading a paragraph that has no...