* bump *
As Finwe pointed out in the
Barliman Butterbrain thread, the sieve-like memory of our favourite innkeeper had some far-reaching effects.
What would have happened if Frodo had received the letter on time? No chance meeting with Gildor, or perhaps more importantly Aragorn? Or would his early departure have meant he would reach Rivendell before the Nazgūl could catch up to him? I wonder if Merry and Pippin would still have been forewarned of Frodo's plan? They did almost as much for the fulfillment of the quest as Frodo and Sam.