Rachel Port
Well-Known Member
Most of the time, we seem to ignore what was going on in Rivendell during the two months the scouts were out, except that in this episode there was some talk of Boromir hanging out rather than going back to Minas Tirith right away. But Corey also said that Legolas and Gimli were strangers to Frodo, as one example of what I mean. Legolas and Gimli have just spent two months in Rivendell with the hobbits. Especially given the relationship between Gloin and Bilbo, Gimli at least have gotten to know all the hobbits. Legolas also is likely to have known Bilbo, and Bilbo will want news from him too. So Frodo and the other hobbits would have had the chance to get to know both of them over two months. Also, Elrond must have had time to talk with everyone. The same goes for Gandalf, whom I think Elrond also consulted quite a bit. His choices were not random. Maybe it was getting to know them that led him to conclude that all the free peoples should be represented.
There is also the question of when the members of the Company were actually selected. I don't think these were last minute choices, except for Merry and Pippin. Elrond no doubt talked to both Gloin and Gimli about his idea that Gimli should go, and also to Legolas. I think. Frodo, Sam, Gandalf, and Aragorn were pretty much a given. I think Gimli and Legolas were also chosen weeks before Elrond's announcement of the members.
Then there's Boromir. We might start with another question - how does Aragorn know that he is a valiant man? I was skeptical at first about Boromir going out with Aragorn's scouting party - thus incidentally meeting other Rangers. I had thought Aragorn must have returned early, since it was obviously important that he and Boromir get to know each other. But if Boromir had been out scouting with Aragorn, Aragorn would have some knowledge of Boromir's courage and strength (and vice versa). I actually like the thought of Boromir meeting some of the Dunadain. The scouting expedition might have been a kind of audition, and the final decision about his suitability for the Company would have been made with Aragorn when they returned. Aragorn was going to be part of the Company, after all, and he was going with Boromir to Minas Tirith.
What do people think?
There is also the question of when the members of the Company were actually selected. I don't think these were last minute choices, except for Merry and Pippin. Elrond no doubt talked to both Gloin and Gimli about his idea that Gimli should go, and also to Legolas. I think. Frodo, Sam, Gandalf, and Aragorn were pretty much a given. I think Gimli and Legolas were also chosen weeks before Elrond's announcement of the members.
Then there's Boromir. We might start with another question - how does Aragorn know that he is a valiant man? I was skeptical at first about Boromir going out with Aragorn's scouting party - thus incidentally meeting other Rangers. I had thought Aragorn must have returned early, since it was obviously important that he and Boromir get to know each other. But if Boromir had been out scouting with Aragorn, Aragorn would have some knowledge of Boromir's courage and strength (and vice versa). I actually like the thought of Boromir meeting some of the Dunadain. The scouting expedition might have been a kind of audition, and the final decision about his suitability for the Company would have been made with Aragorn when they returned. Aragorn was going to be part of the Company, after all, and he was going with Boromir to Minas Tirith.
What do people think?