May 17, 2003

Could Sauron See Bilbo?
G

Unless I have misinterpreted the text, it is the case that whenever Frodo wore the Ring, the Dark Lord became aware of him and the Nazgul were drawn to him.

Should the same not have been the case for Bilbo during his adventures en route to the Lonely Mountain and subsequently when he kept and occasionally wore the Ring in the Shire. I'm pretty sure that the Nazgul were active at this time, probably hanging about Minas Morgul trying to wind up Gondor and I know that Gandalf disappered from Thorin's company for a time in order to meet with the White Council and drive Sauron from Dol-Guldur so Sauron himself was obviously in the vicinity and getting pretty powerful.

If Sauron wasn't able to see the wearer of the One Ring and know his mind then how did he manage to capture Gollum? Without this power ghe would never have heard of him but with it he would have been aware of Bilbo and could have sent the Nazgul to the Shire much earlier. And what was to stop him going in person and trying to use his famous trickery to take the Ring? Actually, to answer myself, Gandalf and the Rangers.

Talking of the descendents of the men of Numenor, I recently became aware that Aragorn is a full seventeen years OLDER than King Theoden. I know the Numenoreans age slower and live longer than normal men but this one really gets to me.

I am also sure now that I think about it that Aragorn served Theoden in earlier life under another name. Why then, does the King not question Aragorn's identity when he claims tbe Isildur's heir?

I would be pleased to hear your thoughts on any of this.

G.