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| The Tenth Walker by Lindelea | 5 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Virtuella | Reviewed Chapter: 57 on 3/2/2025 |
| You try your best here to justify Tolkien, but it has long bothered me - why did they go on foot? It would have made more sense to ride. And why was Gandfalf so set against bringing horses? Later on he is happy to use Shadowfax. Was Gandlf determined from the outset to go through Moria? But why? Why would he fear the Rohirrim more than the orcs? Author Reply: How well I know... but unless I want to label this "AU", I'm stuck with what the original portrays. (My recurring question: Why didn't they just ride Eagles? I believe I read a letter of JRRT's that explained that point, but still...) Here are some of the explanations that have occurred me regarding JRRT's choices in plotting the story (besides the simple fact that his intent was to write an epic based on the themes of the Pilgrim and the Journey), as well as not cutting the story short after two or three chapters: - Gandalf senses evil when he probes the energies in the direction of Rohan. He mistakes the energy as coming from the Rohirrim rather than Saruman. Then later, after he escapes from Saruman, he wants to keep as much distance between the Ring and Orthanc as he possibly can. When the Eagle rescues Gandalf from Orthanc after Saruman's treachery, he tells Gandalf that "if Saruman has become evil, as you say, then their doom cannot be long delayed.” This could give Gandalf good cause to believe that the Rohirrim have fallen to Saruman's wiles. It's only after Gandalf "dies" and is "sent back" again as the White Wizard that he goes to Rohan. Perhaps he didn't have enough power as Gandalf the Grey to deal with or counter Saruman's influence, but as the White Wizard, he knows he can prevail? - Assuming that the Rohan route is too dangerous: If you study the accounts of the Oregon Trail and the California Trail, you'll find that most of the emigrants used oxen. They were slow, but also sturdier than horses, and they could get by on what they could forage and very little water and still have the strength to pull a loaded wagon. Horses would be the fastest choice but were much more likely to break down as well as starve or die of thirst along the way. Horses require a lot of water! In addition, their digestive systems require a lot of fiber (like hay or grass, for example) to keep functioning. A wagon couldn't carry enough food and water for horses as well as people. In fact, even without horses, people ran out of food and water along the way. Mules fell somewhere between oxen and horses as a choice: they were faster and more hardy than horses, but not as hardy as oxen. As far as the Quest is concerned, oxen would have been too slow, cumbersome, and difficult to hide from airborne spies. - It's very doubtful that a horse could manage the climb to the summit of Caradhras, considering JRRT's descriptions of that part of the journey. In addition, horses would need more feed or forage than a pony. Bill's short legs also make him more stable and less likely to lame himself. Horses are also (in my experience) much more volatile than ponies, and I'd imagine a panicky horse would be more difficult to control than a pony. If they were forced to go the Moria route, Gandalf knew that neither horse nor pony would be able to negotiate the mines, for example, having to jump a seven-foot fissure. (Frankly, I'm astonished that the hobbits were able to do that!) Author Reply: Another thought: Frankly, llamas would have been a superior choice of pack-beast, even better than a pony, but they probably didn't have them in Middle-earth, I should think. | |
| KathyG | Reviewed Chapter: 57 on 2/19/2014 |
| At least, we know how this will turn out--Bill will be chosen! =) Author Reply: He certainly intends to be! (Thanks!) | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 57 on 2/19/2014 |
| If my Sam is going on a journey, then of course I am going with him. And it's as simple as that. Thank you for filling in this gap for us, as to how and why Bill was chosen over another. Author Reply: You're welcome! I have often wondered just how Bill made his case to Sam, and it has been fun to imagine the argument. If Bill is anything like a certain dog or cats of my acquaintance, he has a way of making his wishes known... | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 57 on 2/19/2014 |
| Aww...this is a conversation we know that Gandalf and Elrond must have had. Poor Gandalf, realizing ahead of time that a pony might be unable to travel the whole way and might have to be turned out before journey's end. And poor Bill, understanding some, but not enough. But even if he *did* understand--he'd still want to go, though he'd be very frightened. (Just as Gandalf said about Merry and Pippin when he advocated for them.) Author Reply: Yes, they must have had it, and I get the impression from reading in the original that Gandalf argued against bringing horses or ponies with them because he feared all along that they must go through Moria... Very nice parallel, what Gandalf said about Merry and Pippin. I hadn't thought of that! | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 57 on 2/19/2014 |
| Poor Bill--to think that they would even consider any other equine should go with the company! No, Bill is the one, and he is telling them so freely and clearly, even if he does not know the cost of companionship nore the reason they go at all. Dear Bill--he knows he belongs already! Author Reply: Poor Bill. What better pony could they take, than one who has already proved himself so brave and loyal? Thanks! | |