If they still had Gandalf...

[alatar]

Originally Posted by Estelyn Telcontar

Problem is, I don't remember and haven't been able to find the source of that information by quickly skimming the various books - I'll add it if and when I do...

Don't have my books, but I think that it's just after they complete 40 days out of Rivendell. Aragorn and Gandalf discuss Moria, and I think that Frodo gets a wiff. Also there might be more just before the wolves attack after Caradhras.

Gandalf, like most of the Fellowship (in the end, even Boromir) were to sacrifice themselves as needed so that Frodo could complete his mission. The object of the 'game' was to keep Frodo alive and out of the hands of the enemy; if they didn't, game over.

Gandalf understood this well.