I4detail
Member
Way back when the party was crossing the road beneath Weathertop (I know, I know), I was one of the people who said it wasn't inconceivable that the Nazgul had human helpers about who could spot for them. "Oi, there they are," said the Squint Eyed Southerner. "And blast it, they're running across the road, not along it."
Corey said at the time the idea didn't sit right with him, but he wasn't really able to place a finger on why.
I think the section here is why. There is no sign of lackeys here. The lack of lackeys is telling. While there is a chance they just abandoned the hired help after Weathertop ("Fat lot of good you guys did."), more likely, the nazgul are operating alone.
But this brings us back to the question of how did they spot the party on the road, and even here, as it still mostly light out (Late afternoon). The nazgul would have had to be well off the road for them not to have been spotted. (Remember, while there were some Pine trees, they have been passing through an area with "much grass at either side"), and they've got ranger and freaking Glorfindel with them. If the Nazgul were just off the road, I'm pretty sure they would have been spotted. So most likely well off the road in the pine trees.
So, how do these creatures, mostly blinded in the day, spot the party? Some people like the horse explanation, but I say neigh.
I was thinking about this issue while taking the dog for a walk after dark in the forest near my house, and I had a flash of inspiration. It says that, when Frodo puts on the ring, the Nazgul become "terribly clear."
While we were walking, my flashlight reflected off a hiking sign. As I kept walked, a tree went between me and the sign, and the sign winked out of view, then came into view again.
What if, I thought—and this is all just speculation—what if the Nazgul use their sight as a sort of visual trip wire? One of those infrared door alarms? Set up so you have line of sight of another Nazgul. The world is grey, but I can see the other Nazgul clearly. If something passes between me and ... him? it? I can't see what came between the two of us, but I will know something has passed. And, while it could just be a party of passing dwarves, there's a good chance it will be the ringbearer.
Anyway. Just a thought.
Corey said at the time the idea didn't sit right with him, but he wasn't really able to place a finger on why.
I think the section here is why. There is no sign of lackeys here. The lack of lackeys is telling. While there is a chance they just abandoned the hired help after Weathertop ("Fat lot of good you guys did."), more likely, the nazgul are operating alone.
But this brings us back to the question of how did they spot the party on the road, and even here, as it still mostly light out (Late afternoon). The nazgul would have had to be well off the road for them not to have been spotted. (Remember, while there were some Pine trees, they have been passing through an area with "much grass at either side"), and they've got ranger and freaking Glorfindel with them. If the Nazgul were just off the road, I'm pretty sure they would have been spotted. So most likely well off the road in the pine trees.
So, how do these creatures, mostly blinded in the day, spot the party? Some people like the horse explanation, but I say neigh.
I was thinking about this issue while taking the dog for a walk after dark in the forest near my house, and I had a flash of inspiration. It says that, when Frodo puts on the ring, the Nazgul become "terribly clear."
While we were walking, my flashlight reflected off a hiking sign. As I kept walked, a tree went between me and the sign, and the sign winked out of view, then came into view again.
What if, I thought—and this is all just speculation—what if the Nazgul use their sight as a sort of visual trip wire? One of those infrared door alarms? Set up so you have line of sight of another Nazgul. The world is grey, but I can see the other Nazgul clearly. If something passes between me and ... him? it? I can't see what came between the two of us, but I will know something has passed. And, while it could just be a party of passing dwarves, there's a good chance it will be the ringbearer.
Anyway. Just a thought.