Aragorn's options at Bree

Namelessfoe

New Member
Retro question, have watched up to episode 68 as of this writing. I find it strange that discussion of possiblity of heading back to Tom Bombadil's never came up while at Bree. They are many days travel out from Rivendell and only a very short distance from Bombadil's borders. One would think that Strider must have heard something of Bombadil's powers from Rangers or Elves, and surely the hobbits could have told him the events with the Wight that morning. Of especial interest would be the incantation that brought Bombadil to the hobbits rescue in mere moments. Seems that all Strider would have to do, is get the hobbits to Bombadil's borders so they can call for Bombadil's aid. The hobbits could then hang out with Bombadil for a few weeks learning more of the world while Strider makes for Rivendell alone and unburdened to bring back a force of powerful Elves, and maybe Gandalf by then, to escort the Hobbits to Rivendell.
 
Retro question, have watched up to episode 68 as of this writing. I find it strange that discussion of possiblity of heading back to Tom Bombadil's never came up while at Bree. They are many days travel out from Rivendell and only a very short distance from Bombadil's borders. One would think that Strider must have heard something of Bombadil's powers from Rangers or Elves, and surely the hobbits could have told him the events with the Wight that morning. Of especial interest would be the incantation that brought Bombadil to the hobbits rescue in mere moments. Seems that all Strider would have to do, is get the hobbits to Bombadil's borders so they can call for Bombadil's aid. The hobbits could then hang out with Bombadil for a few weeks learning more of the world while Strider makes for Rivendell alone and unburdened to bring back a force of powerful Elves, and maybe Gandalf by then, to escort the Hobbits to Rivendell.
Are the Barrow-wights not under the Witch-king? Might be difficult to go back.
 
Additionally, the Nazgûl are likely watching all roads out of Bree. They would prefer to close in when the bearer is alone in the dark if possible, but they would certainly pounce if it looked like he was going to disappear into a safe haven. We see exactly this behaviour from them.
 
I have two objections to that idea. First, it would take too long - the trip from Bree to Rivendell takes just about 3 weeks, and that plan would require 3 trips. There would also have had to be scouts sent out to see what the Nazgul were up to before they left Rivendell if the elves would even consider going so far. Elrond sends out scouts to look for Frodo to assist him, but that took a matter of days, not weeks. and Glorfindel says only some of them can face off with the Nazgul. And we have no idea where the Nazgul would be - and they would not have chased Strider, and hence would not have been scattered by the flood.

My second problem with your plan is that going backwards is wrong somehow. One of the purposes of this part of the journey is for the hobbits to toughen up both physically and mentally. The thought of them being babysat by Tom Bombadil for a few months will teach them nothing that they need to learn for their ultimate roles in the story - it's infantalizing, and I'm not even sure Bombadil would accept them back. They will make mistakes and need help along the way, but their task is to go and become stronger from their mistakes. They also need to learn how much they are capable of. And Strider's job is to guide them to Rivendell, not to go there without them. It would feel like shirking to him, and I don't think he'd be wrong.
 
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My second prolem with your plan is that going backwards is wrong somehow. One of the purposes of this part of the journey is for the hobbits to toughen up both physically and mentally. The thought of them being babysat by Tom Bombadil for a few months will teach them nothing that they need to learn for their ultimate roles in the story - it's infantalizing, and I'm not even sure Bombadil would accept them back. They will make mistakes and need help along the way, but their task is to go and become stronger from their mistakes. They also need to learn how much they are capable of. And Strider's job is to guide them to Rivendell, not to go there without them. It would feel like shirking to him, and I don't think he'd be wrong.
Yes, that is true, but we talk here about Aragorn's decission as a commander and stategist, not Tolkien's as the storyteller.
I think for Aragorn Bombadil is a too unknown, uncertain and unaccountable agent for to really count him in. Being gratefull for what he has already done -sure - but not really daring to rely on him again.
 
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