The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post

ainur · 08-29-2002, 11:25 AM

In UT, Christopher Tolkien states (in the chapter "The Hunt for the Ring") that the Witch-king had established a camp at Andrath on the eastern border of the Barrow Downs and had entered the Barrow Downs himself to rowse the Barrow-Wights and other creatures of evil in the Downs and the Old Forest. He remained there in this task for "some days" while he sent four Black Riders into the Shire by way of Sarn Ford in the Southfarthing on September 22 (RoTK-Appendix B), the same day Frodo left Bag End. The camp would have been established (probably) the next day (the 23rd). Frodo and company reached Tom Bombadil's house on Sept. 26th and spent 2 nights. IMO, Bombadil conveniently used the rain on the 27th to keep the hobbits safe in his house because the Witch-King was still on the Downs. It is very likely that Tom Bombadil knew about the encampment and he certainly would have know that the Lord of Nazgul had entered the Downs on or after the 23rd approaching from the east. The hobbits best chance of concealment without knowing ahead of time the exact location of the Witch-King, was to keep the barrow mounds between them and the camp of the Nazgul on the eastern border of the Downs.

08-29-2002, 11:25 AM	#8
ainur Haunting Spirit Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Minneapolis MN Posts: 72	In UT, Christopher Tolkien states (in the chapter "The Hunt for the Ring") that the Witch-king had established a camp at Andrath on the eastern border of the Barrow Downs and had entered the Barrow Downs himself to rowse the Barrow-Wights and other creatures of evil in the Downs and the Old Forest. He remained there in this task for "some days" while he sent four Black Riders into the Shire by way of Sarn Ford in the Southfarthing on September 22 (RoTK-Appendix B), the same day Frodo left Bag End. The camp would have been established (probably) the next day (the 23rd). Frodo and company reached Tom Bombadil's house on Sept. 26th and spent 2 nights. IMO, Bombadil conveniently used the rain on the 27th to keep the hobbits safe in his house because the Witch-King was still on the Downs. It is very likely that Tom Bombadil knew about the encampment and he certainly would have know that the Lord of Nazgul had entered the Downs on or after the 23rd approaching from the east. The hobbits best chance of concealment without knowing ahead of time the exact location of the Witch-King, was to keep the barrow mounds between them and the camp of the Nazgul on the eastern border of the Downs. __________________ Yet all the while I sit and think of times there were before, I listen for returning feet and voices at the door.