October 19, 2002

Wraith.com
Brett [the Wraith] C.

Laurie, Wraiths can only specifically sense the Ring's presence when it is worn, hence Gandalf's warning to never put it on. Unworn it creates only a vague disturbance in their Wraith-radar [which is like having spider-senses while wearing very cool sunglasses].

The implication from the discussion of Pippin at the bar about whether he knows a 'Baggins' is that human agents of the Wraiths are in the Inn. From the books, especially Unfinished Tales [The Hunt for the Ring] we know these are actually agents of Saruman which the Nazgul have pressed into their service. So I guess you could reason that is how the Nazgul learn of the Hobbits' room numbers in the movie. Interestingly, the idea of the Nazgul invading the inn is a purely cinematic concept, first used by the esteemed Mr Bakshi. In the original text it's the human spies in Bree who break into the Hobbit's rooms through a window. It was not until days later, when my ill-fated predecessor the WitchKing learned of the Hobbits escape, that the five Nazgul seen on Weathertop threw down the gates of Bree in the night and rode in wrath along the road after Aragorn and his charges.