[VanimaEdhel]

My reasoning is very similar to many people before me, so I won't go into great detail, repeating the reasoning behind my decision.

Like so many others, it came down to Merry and Pippin in my opinion. A major contributing factor is the fact that those were the two that seemed to have the least knowledge regarding the ring. Through either recently acquired knowledge (especially first-hand) or old lore, the others seemed to be more aware of the ring's position in the world - its history and power. I think that Merry, if the Fellowship had stayed together, would have seen the subtle effects of the ring - seen how it was changing all of them. While he is in no regard unintelligent, I don't think that Pippin would have been quite as aware of the power beginning to turn him and his companions. I think Merry would have been perceptive enough to realize the danger, however. Pippin was also the most curious of the group - more than once his curiosity put the group in danger. If they remained together, I think it would have only been a matter of time before the seduction of the ring, mixed with his own curiosity, would have overcome him. As all of his other blunders, Pippin would have had no harm in mind - in fact he may not have even had good deeds in mind - but would have found himself in danger.

Then, however, falls the fact that it seems that Hobbits were particularly strong when it comes to the ring. They, as a race, have far less ambition than men, Dwarves and Elves. And I don't see any particular desire for power coming from Merry or Pippin. But the others knew of the power so well - Gandalf, Aragorn and Legolas best of all. Gimli did not seem to have enough personal drive to be affected and Sam is another Hobbit - he did begin to feel the effects when he was wearing the ring himself, but he was far stronger than any mortal would have been.