How did Gandalf know?
 

How did he know that he had used it? This was written long before Frodo ever left the shire. Or did he just guesse?

Gandolf did know to an exstent as he knew how powerful that ring was. He may have sensed its power being used. Or it could have been intuition.

I agree he may of hiad an hunch of the power and danger so that is what i think.

Gandalf is phsycic... its a wizard thing they can since the happenings of friends. u would know if u were one *looks around nervously* but Gandalf is Gandalf u cant explain things about him much. i want his hat i really like it. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img] [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

For one thing, Gandalf knew for sure that Bilbo had been using the ring, and so he could advise Frodo not to repeat the same foolisness.

And then, Gandalf himself was wearing one of the Rings of Power, so he probably could sense when the One was being 'activated'

If memory serves, that wa from the letter given to frodo at the Prancing Pony, which means it was written, after Gandalf had discovered the writing on the ring and what it really was, so warning Frodo not to use it seems only sensible, likewise, knowing it was the ring and that Sauron was likely to be seeking it, the warning not to travel at night, is afain common sense,a s evil beings were more likely to attack under cover of darkness than in broad daylight, especially if Gandalf suspected that the Nazgul were once more abroad in the world.

I think Gandalf guessed about Frodo maybe using it. The letter was written several months before Frodo had set out... in fact, I'm sure that Frodo did not use the ring between when he last talked to Gandalf and when Gandalf wrote the letter. Gandalf probably assumed that Frodo would by the time he got it. Even if he hadn't used the ring, it still makes sense as a reminder.

You also must relize that Gandalf was frightened of the rings power. Enough that he didn't want to touch it. Being in this paranoid state he didn't want Frodo to do anything with the ring untill he was certain of what to do.

But he said don't use it again, didn't he? Could someone please refresh my memory and tell if Frodo actually had used it before then? [img]smilies/confused.gif[/img]

Frodo never used the Ring until The Prancing Pony, and that was purely accidental. Gandalf knew magic rings were very rare and powerful tools, and he was suspicious of the One Ring. He didn't want anything to happen until he knew what it was.

Gandalf would have guessed, as I would, that curiousity would get into Frodo, and he would try it at least once.
But I tsk tsk all of you! Don't you remember, Frodo put on the Ring in Tom Bombadil's house! (Before the Prancing Pony, and with sure and purposeful intent.)
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Actually Gandalf first had a hunch of what the ring might be, at the Bilbos birthday party. He went away to check on it. He told Frodo to keep it safe and keep it secret. Years passed before his return and warning.

Gandalf simply assumed Frodo to have used it in the years between in the same manner Bilbo had... up to and including avoiding random encounters with Lobelia.

After all why would Frodo not have?

Would it have kept Frodo young if it had just laid on the bottom of a chest in the livingroom?


Janne Harju