Which Names Were Worth "1,000 Mail-Clad Knights?

[Uruk's Bane]

Originally Posted by Eönwë

Wasn't there a line where Théoden said something along the lines of Aragorn's Dúnadan kinsmen being worth more that than normal people?

edit: Looked it up. This is what I meant. I suppose it's not really the same.

I think it's assumed that they WERE like Aragorn in skill, so it still kind of speaks to their importance. :\

[Galadriel55]

Speaking of the Dunedain, I think they are just as skilled as Aragorn. Aragorn is more powerful than they are internally, that's the main difference between them. Even so, I think an average Ranger would have a much, much stronger willpower than regular folk. That's the reason, in my opinion, that Theoden, Eowyn, and Eomer told Aragorn that his people would be a great help in actual fighting and in keeping up hope.

[Uruk's Bane]

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

Speaking of the Dunedain, I think they are just as skilled as Aragorn. Aragorn is more powerful than they are internally, that's the main difference between them. Even so, I think an average Ranger would have a much, much stronger willpower than regular folk. That's the reason, in my opinion, that Theoden, Eowyn, and Eomer told Aragorn that his people would be a great help in actual fighting and in keeping up hope.

Agreed. Aragorn was of course the Heir of Elendil and had a much more important role, not to mention his strength of purpose. But, I'd still say the Dunedain might have been on Gandalf's list.

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Uruk's Bane

But, I'd still say the Dunedain might have been on Gandalf's list.

I have no doubt of that.

[Forlong the Fat]

I agree that the Dunedain potentially had the skill/inner power to qualify for the "list." But I wonder if Sauron knew about them. He apparently knew nothing about Aragorn, as evidenced by his reaction to Aragorn's reveal in the palantir. Though I am not at all sure how Aragorn manages to escape his notice.

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Forlong the Fat

I agree that the Dunedain potentially had the skill/inner power to qualify for the "list." But I wonder if Sauron knew about them. He apparently knew nothing about Aragorn, as evidenced by his reaction to Aragorn's reveal in the palantir. Though I am not at all sure how Aragorn manages to escape his notice.

He considered the Dunedain too small a force to do any harm. As for Aragorn, firstly, I think that he hoped that Isildur's line was cut for good, though he would not count on it. Secondly, he reasoned that even if an heir is alive, he's long lost in some dirty hovel with 30 people to rule. Not much of a threat either.

[Uruk's Bane]

Originally Posted by Forlong the Fat

I agree that the Dunedain potentially had the skill/inner power to qualify for the "list." But I wonder if Sauron knew about them. He apparently knew nothing about Aragorn, as evidenced by his reaction to Aragorn's reveal in the palantir. Though I am not at all sure how Aragorn manages to escape his notice.

I'm guessing Sauron knew about them. I don't think the Rangers of the North were in any way secret. Sure, they were mysterious, but they traveled all around. I'd find it hard to believe that Sauron didn't know about them or their skill. As for Aragorn, I feel sure Sauron knew a Ranger was with the fellowship. I'm also sure Sauron recognized his skill, even though he didn't know the Ranger was the heir. After all, Aragorn single-handedly drove off the Nazgul from Weathertop. I'm sure Sauron heard about that. I think he knew about Strider. The thing that surprised him was when Aragorn, the heir of Elendil, showed him himself and his sword in the palantir.

[Formendacil]

I think it's worth emphasising the symbolism of the names on the list. Even from the way Imrahil talks about it, I think it's clear that a big part of the reason Sauron will take notice of the names, specifically, of those marching on the Black Gate is because of what they stand for, that is, what they symbolise, not necessarily what actual force they command.

With regards to the Dúnedain of the North, they are a reminder that Sauron failed in Eriador. While Arthedain is no more, neither is Angmar; and of the two, Arthedain was the one that left behind survivors--left behind an institution in fact. Admittedly, the North-kingdom was no longer a military threat to Sauron's takeover of Middle-earth, but their continued survival was a sign that Sauron, just like the good guys, had been fighting "The Long Defeat" without complete success.

What is more, I agree with Uruk's Bane that Sauron probably knew about the existence of the Rangers. After all, they'd been thwarting his wolves and goblins in Eriador for centuries (take note of all the premature deaths noted among Aragorn's ancestors), and these incursions must have had at least some direction from Sauron during his time as Necromancer.

With that in mind, consider what Sauron must have thought when the Dúnedain of the North made their reappearance in the broader world in the immediate wake of his discovery that Isildur still had an Heir. Aragorn's appearance would have made the very existence of the Rangers go from being an irritation in the North to a symbolic slap in the face of three millennia of planning. If they were to march on the Morannon and all be slaughtered, Sauron would be able to destroy more than just an annoyance, he'd be able to effect a massive symbolic coup.

On a similar note, I think the March on the Morannon must have reminded Sauron of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men--not something he would want to remember. Admittedly, the number of Elves in this new alliance was only three if you count the Sons of Elrond, but the presence of the Sons of Elrond and the Northern Dúnedain in battle with his enemies of the South represented the alliance of their respective lands. This would serve as a reminder of Sauron's failure to divide his enemies against him, and would also serve as a reminder of past failures. After all, the last time that Gondor and Arnor fought together, the Witch-king's armies were destroyed, and the time before that was the Last Alliance.

Sauron, whose calculated cunning was very great, would have been extremely unlikely, in my opinion, to have ignored the symbolic victory the chance to wipe out these enemies afforded him.