[Raynor]

Originally Posted by MatthewM

Interesting point about the Hobbits dealing with Sharkey. I can't recall, did Gandalf have a feeling of Saruman's destruction of the Shire?

There is this interesting discussion at the end of Homeward Bound, RotK:

- But if I were you, I should press on now for home, or you will not come to the Brandywine Bridge before the gates are locked.

- But there arent any gates, said Merry, not on the Road; you know that quite well. Theres the Buckland Gate, of course; but theyll let me through that at any time.

- There werent any gates, you mean, said Gandalf. I think you will find some now. And you might have more trouble even at the Buckland Gate than you think. But youll manage all right. Good-bye dear friends! Not for the last time, not yet. Good-bye!