Three riders?

[Lalaith]

I idly picked up the The Return of the KIng last night and re-read "Minas Tirith". I noticed something I had never really noticed/thought about before - that Pippin is vaguely aware of 'three riders' who come up to Gandalf during the long ride to Gondor. Who are these riders? Halbarad, and the sons of Elrond were the only suggestions I could think of. Am I being very dim here?

[Galadriel55]

I thought they were Gondorian messengers, possibly the same ones that were decapitatedon their way back.

Edit: sorry, that hypothesis is likely wrong. I checked ROTK, and it says that there were two riders: Hirgon and his companion that we saw during Hirgon's report about the darkness. We don't see a third messenger anywhere. Unless the third one stayed with Theoden or went back to Gondor by himself or rode on to some other place, they aren't the three riders Pippin and Gandalf saw.

[Inziladun]

Gandalf had not long before noted that "the land of Anórien is passing by", which was part of Gondor. Also, the alarm-beacons of Gondor were visible, so it seems entirely possible that the three riders were simply anonymous Gondorian soldiers on some errand or other.

[Lalaith]

Yes, I suppose that would work, I just wondered if it referred to something I'd missed.
Also, reading the chapter in the wake of visiting Mont St Michel this summer, this is the vision I had in my mind of Minas Tirith...
http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/0e/7e/7c/a-beautiful-day-at-mont.jpg

[littlemanpoet]

Reasonably close, Lalaith! Nice pic, too.

[Inziladun]

Indeed, Lal. Good one!

[Galadriel55]

Thirded. Nice picture!

And I think that Zil is right about the riders: Tolkien did not write Sherlock Holmes novels where every detail means something or other. The riders could be random, accidental, passers-by.

[littlemanpoet]

Mebbe the third one got et by orcs....

[Inziladun]

Mebbe the third one got et by orcs....

That, or he joined the Drúedain and could be found wearing a loincloth in the forest. :D

[Lalaith]

Oh yes the Third Rider..(cue zither music and Orson Welles standing in the shadows)

btw I can't take credit for that pic, took it off t'internet, but yes, it is nice.

[Tuor in Gondolin]

Interesting observation by Galadriel55. I always just assumed it was
Hirgon and friend(s). Although Tolkien seems more inclined with 3
at a time riders. Wasn't that the number sent several times to Eorl
asking for HELP! :eek:

[Inziladun]

Interesting observation by Galadriel55. I always just assumed it was
Hirgon and friend(s). Although Tolkien seems more inclined with 3
at a time riders. Wasn't that the number sent several times to Eorl
asking for HELP! :eek:

According to UT, Cirion the Steward sent three pairs of messengers to Eorl.

[Galadriel55]

Let's not forget the obvious Three is Company. (though they were not riders, but rather walkers) :)