Gandalf, Moria, and Arrest

[Moonraker]

Originally Posted by Inziladun

Aragorn's trust of Gandalf had nothing to do with the Ring. He had simply been a friend of Gandalf for a long time, and had also no doubt been instructed by Elrond and the Rivendell elves of Gandalf's importance to the effort against Sauron.

Were Gandalf and Boromir not on good terms previously? No real fondness, but they certainly were on the same side. Yet his desire for the Ring made friendship second nature.

[Belegorn]

Originally Posted by Moonraker

Were Gandalf and Boromir not on good terms previously? No real fondness, but they certainly were on the same side. Yet his desire for the Ring made friendship second nature.

I don't recall there being any ill-will between them. I got the impression, at least if I were in the Company's shoes, that Boromir would be one of those guys who said things that could rub you the wrong way but in no way meant to demean one. Boromir was one of most anybody who would look to use the Ring to do good but in the end it would turn to evil. He saw the Ring as a means to help Gondor, a weapon to use against the enemy. I do not think his intentions were bad. Just as it appears was the case with Saruman. Even though he tried to take the Ring by force in the end he was still on the side of the free people. I think it just ate at him that Frodo taking the Ring to Mordor rather than using it to destroy Sauron was like handing him a gift. I could see how he would have misgivings about Frodo taking the Enemy's weapon back to the Enemy to destroy it.

[Moonraker]

Why didn't Gandalf not consider taking the Ring through Mirkwood, and for a time come under the hospitality of the Wood Elves?

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Moonraker

Why didn't Gandalf not consider taking the Ring through Mirkwood, and for a time come under the hospitality of the Wood Elves?

For one thing, Dol Guldur was a location of Sauron's minions. Not to mention the fact that Thranduil's halls were quite a bit out of the way, and time was rather pressing.

[Moonraker]

Originally Posted by Inziladun

For one thing, Dol Guldur was a location of Sauron's minions. Not to mention the fact that Thranduil's halls were quite a bit out of the way, and time was rather pressing.

Legolas never once mentioned going that way, which is a little surprising. He would have known where his kindred were hidden as ambushers in Mirkwood, so they may well have received an escort for much of the journey once they went in. Though the Eye of Sauron may well have been fixed on and near to Dol Guldur.

[Belegorn]

Originally Posted by Moonraker

Legolas never once mentioned going that way, which is a little surprising. He would have known where his kindred were hidden as ambushers in Mirkwood, so they may well have received an escort for much of the journey once they went in. Though the Eye of Sauron may well have been fixed on and near to Dol Guldur.

As Inziladun mentioned Thranduil's realm was far from the direction they would need to be going. It was by the Grey Mountains in the north of Mirkwood. Sauron was looking for Hobbits. I do not think had his scouts seen them in an escort of Elves if that would have been the best thing for the Company.

[Belegorn]

Originally Posted by Moonraker

Why didn't Gandalf not consider taking the Ring through Mirkwood, and for a time come under the hospitality of the Wood Elves?

Sauron has a fortress there. Besides, Legolas told the Council that Mirkwood was not safe and he also mentions Dol Guldur.

Originally Posted by FotR; The Council of Elrond

Dark things that were driven out in the year of the Dragon's fall have returned in greater numbers, and Mirkwood is again an evil place, save where our realm is maintained.

<...>

We failed to recapture Gollum <...> we were drawing nigh to Dol Goldur, and that is still a very evil place; we do not go that way.

It was also said how the men of Dale were also being harassed, "Already war is gathering on his [King Brand's] eastern borders." [FotR, bk. 2, ch. 2] So really that area was not a safe place to bring the Ring. Also the Elves of Thranduil's realms were attacked when the people of Dol Goldur learned of the captivity of Gollum there. On March 15th in Mirkwood several attacks occur.

Originally Posted by Appendix B: The Thrid Age

Battle under the trees in Mirkwood; Thranduil repels the forces of Dol Guldur. Second assult on Lórien.