Lazy Nazgul

I disagree to the idea that the Ring must emit a sort of "signal." We find apparent in The Lord of the Rings that there are seemingly two worlds - you might even label them "physical" and "spiritual." The Nazgûl evidently have power in this second realm, as do the High Elves and the Istari. Aragorn II had this power too - not entirely physical, but spiritual as well. We find in the Reader's Companion that the Dûnedain sent for him because he was the only one who successfully might resist the Nazgûl.

We also learn from the texts that the Ring seems to have a will of its own. It has the ability to put its wearer one foot - eventually almost fully - into the spiritual realm. It itself seems to have power, but not of the kind effective in the physical. It could touch souls and minds. I think the whole idea of the Nazgûl sensing the Ring's presence is because of the magnitude of its presence in the spiritual realm. Of course if the Ring wants to go back to its master, but is bound to the spiritual realm in a physical object, it might try and contact its master's servants through the same realm.

If this is obvious to everyone already, just ignore me, but I'm not up on the current theories moving across the Downs.

Now, coming back to the main question of why Khamûl could not sense the Ring's presence in the darkness and from such short a distance, I would say he merely wasn't paying attention. He'd been through a lot - fighting Dûnedain, confronting Saruman, getting ordered here and there by the Witch-king and entrusted in finding the Ring. Khamûl might only be able to sense the Ring if he had been paying attention.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Gordis

No strict evidence, only that there is not a single mention of ALL the nazgul at the Pelennor.

And is there a mention they were not all? You know, this is all 50-50.

Originally Posted by Gordis

The rest is only conjecture: someone had to lead the assault on Lorien - why not the most obvious one, Khamul? - especially considering that with his Fell Beast he could return to Mordor in matter of hours. One more "shrieker" above Minas Tirith, one less, doesn't make much difference, but to have Khamul leading the host of Dol Guldur is a big asset.

More likely now, I would presume that someone else led the assaults on Lórien (remember there wasn't only one!) and that Khamul, or another Nazgul for that matter, would carry messages about the war to Mordor. That's a much better way of using the (Winged) Nazgul's abilities.

Originally Posted by Gordis

I always read it as aversion to flowing water, not the mire water or bathtub water. Something to do with Ulmo's power, I believe.

I don't think so. Not that I would really think bathtub water or the marshes to be significant in this way to the Nazgul, but I am referring to Ulmo's power. It's just a mild correction - that cannot be "direct" power of Ulmo; as Ulmo says even to Tuor in the First Age that his power is withdrawing from the rivers of Beleriand, and also remember Valar laid down their rulership of Arda with the fall of Númenor. Yet we know from Ainulindalë about water, that it contained the strongest "echoes" of the Music. So: Ulmo's power, yes, but not "direct", rather some "immanent" power.

Originally Posted by Narcolindo

Now, coming back to the main question of why Khamûl could not sense the Ring's presence in the darkness and from such short a distance, I would say he merely wasn't paying attention. He'd been through a lot - fighting Dûnedain, confronting Saruman, getting ordered here and there by the Witch-king and entrusted in finding the Ring. Khamûl might only be able to sense the Ring if he had been paying attention.

I cannot agree with this one - such explanation does not suffice, in my opinion. Khamul's priority was to find the Ring, and surely he didn't think of anything else from the moment he left Mordor, or from the moment he entered the Shire. "He wasn't paying attention" is very bad excuse. No, if anything, I'd say "because of the forest he didn't see the trees", so to say - I mean, maybe he was so concentrated on collecting information from some Gaffers and other people (especially after he learned Mr. Baggins is away) that he did not concentrate on sensing the Ring's presence.

[Gordis]

Originally Posted by Narcolindo

It could touch souls and minds. I think the whole idea of the Nazgûl sensing the Ring's presence is because of the magnitude of its presence in the spiritual realm. Of course if the Ring wants to go back to its master, but is bound to the spiritual realm in a physical object, it might try and contact its master's servants through the same realm.

"To touch souls and minds" - That's what I call "emitting the signal". No, I didn't mean supersonic beeps, I meant osanwe contact. So, I don't see any contradiction in our ideas.
But maybe you think that the Ring tried to touch souls and minds - to make manifest its presence intermittently? It is theoretically possible, but then some cases are hard to explain. For instance how come Gandalf the Maia, wielder of one of the Three failed to recognize this presence?

We find in the Reader's Companion that the Dûnedain sent for him because he was the only one who successfully might resist the Nazgûl.

I am not aware of this, though I have read the RC. Can you post the quote, please?

And, as Legate, I don't think Khamul was not paying attention. He should have had - after all, he was chosen to go to Hobbitton because of his sensitivity to the Ring.

Legate: More likely now, I would presume that someone else led the assaults on Lórien (remember there wasn't only one!) and that Khamul, or another Nazgul for that matter, would carry messages about the war to Mordor. That's a much better way of using the (Winged) Nazgul's abilities.

The best way was to send him lead the assault and when it failed, make him come to report about it in person.

Legate: So: Ulmo's power, yes, but not "direct", rather some "immanent" power.

Agreed.

Originally Posted by Gordis

But maybe you think that the Ring tried to touch souls and minds - to make manifest its presence intermittently? It is theoretically possible, but then some cases are hard to explain. For instance how come Gandalf the Maia, wielder of one of the Three failed to recognize this presence?

Quite true, I hadn't thought of that. It may be that the Ring can "disguise" it's power, but that is entirely theoretical.

Originally Posted by Gordis

I am not aware of this, though I have read the RC. Can you post the quote, please?

Sorry, I don't have the RC. But I'm sure it's in there, when the Nazgûl are trying to enter the Shire. The Witch-king drives the Dûnedain from the ford at night and then pursues with some of the wraiths while the others enter the Shire to search for the Ring.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Narcolindo

Sorry, I don't have the RC. But I'm sure it's in there, when the Nazgûl are trying to enter the Shire. The Witch-king drives the Dûnedain from the ford at night and then pursues with some of the wraiths while the others enter the Shire to search for the Ring.

That's even in the UT, but nothing implies that Aragorn had power in the Wraith-world. I believe it was only because of Aragorn's "natural" strength, leadership and other qualities why the Rangers sent for him. The encounter at Bruinen also does not prove anything about this matter - Frodo sees Glorfindel as the shining figure in the wraith-world, but no trace of Aragorn.

[Gordis]

You must have referred to this quote then:

[The nazgul]came to Sarn Ford and the southernmost borders of the Shire. They found them guarded for the Rangers barred their way. But this was a task beyond the power of the Dunedain; and maybe it would still have proved a even if their captain, Aragorn, had been with them. But he was away to the north, upon the East Road near Bree; and the hearts even of the Dunedain misgave them.

Nothing is said that they sent for Aragorn, instead it is told that his presence likely wouldn't have made much difference.