January 25, 2003

Ring to Nazgul
Endor Ea

Although Frodo's "offering" of the ring to the Nazgul in Osgiliath was an unexpected departure from the book, it is not an unforgivable sin. Remember in FOTR, the Nazgul was just as close to finding the ring when Frodo and company were under the tree off the path. He was not nescesarily offering the ring to the Nazgul at either of these times, he was merely strongly tempted to put it on, as he is throughout both the films and the books. The Wraiths' proximity to the Ring does not seem to be a factor in their ability to sense its use, such as in the Prancing Pony, where Frodo wears the ring and the somewhat distant Wraiths turn and give chase. I believe that Sauron would not find it surprising to find the Ring near Gondor, as that is where he had suspected it to be all along. The book references this many times. Some have complained that Frodo's Osgiliath incedent makes the quest "pointless", as it somehow informs Sauron that Good is seeking to destroy the Ring. This is far from the case. It is much more likely that the Wraith flew back to Mordor upon his injured Fell Beast and delivered the message to his master that, yes, indeed, the Ring is going to/is in Gondor. Thus aiding Sauron's desire to make full war upon the City with the greatest of speed. He was already besieging Osgiliath, the gate to Gondor, as it were, and there was not much more he could have done to get the Ring, "offered" to His servant or not.