Gandalf, blood of hobbits on his hands?

[Morthoron]

Originally Posted by The Might

Of course coming of age, blah blah, but the point remains - Hobbits died.

Yes, a few Hobbits died, blah, blah -- but not many (a grand total of 19!), and the ruffians certainly were more on the receiving end of this 'battle' (actually, more of a fist fight with some cudgels, knives and arrows thrown in). I think the problem here is that you are under the common assumption that Hobbits were children or child-like, and not adults of small stature. Gandalf did not view them as helpless creatures in need of super-heroic aid, because, for good or ill, the time of their naivety was well over. Gandalf was leaving, his time for warlike deeds ended with Sauron's destruction (as Inziladun and Andsigil capably pointed out).

One never sees the full measure of a man (or Hobbit) by continually acting as the cavalry; in fact, it merely weakens one's resolve to be independent. Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin had been molded under fire to achieve their victory over Sharky/Saruman. I would say this was both Gandalf and Tolkien's intention (although, again, I see no indication that Gandalf knew for certain that Saruman was anywhere near the Shire). By throwing Gandalf into the mix, you diminish the Hobbits' singular achievement, and you cast into doubt their ability, which was proven throughout the trilogy. Indeed, you lessen the significance of their role in the War of the Ring. I'll take 'The Scouring of the Shire' over 'Gandalf Rides to the Rescue' any day.