[deal_with_it]

Would Gollum had followed them into Rohan? most likely

Would it be Frodo and Samencountering Treebeard and marching off to Isengard?

Merry and Pippins roles drastically reduce at this point. They may pick-up again after Gandalf the White is encountered.

Would it be Frodo and Sam lounging on the pile of rubble that was Isengard's gates?

What is Theoden's reaction to the Ringbearer? Is it now too late to continue to Mordor at this point? Or does the Fellowship figure out a way (most likely).

My theory: While the Rohirrom muster for the march to Pellenor, the Fellowship plan for Frodo's next move. It is agreed all four hobbits will make the journey.

- Problem here is Merry will not be present to aid Eowyn against the Witch King, who'd die anyway when the Ring is destroyed (but is Eowyn killed w/o Merry's aid?)

It is also agreed the although he longs to help Frodo in MOrdor, Aragorn must gather the Army of the Dead and Gimli and Legolas will accompany him.

This is still assuming Boromir is killed defending the hobbits (in this case Frodo and Sam). If he's alive, he longs to return to Minas Tirith and will accompany Gandalf and the Rohirrim.

Gollum is still somehow following the Ringbearer awaiting his chance, only now he's got 4 hobbits to deal with instead of 2.

Do they still encounter Faramir? Does that encounter go any different? probly not.

Will Gollum still try to get them killed by Shelob? Probly but it'll take a little longer. With all his friends with him, Frodo's morale is stonger than with just Sam.

The rest of the story would probly play out the same with all 4 friends encouraging each other on thru this inhospitable land.

Aside from Merry's absence in Pellenor and Pippin not lighting the alarm fires (Gandalf would find another way) and Pippin not looking into the Orthanc Palantir (which actually could still happen), very little would change, I think.[/list]