Flaws in Lord of the Rings... Yes in the book.

[Lalwendë]

Well I'd be saying 'no way' myself and leaving old Strider to meet his fate. But they would have heard Bilbo's stories and maybe felt either curious, or brave, remembering that this bunch of Hobbits aside from Frodo, were young lads. Or it could have been that Strider was simply one of those guys who you just don't say 'no' to - rather like the Geography teacher who might insist that you get down that pothole right now instead of running round at the surface shrieking in fear. You know what I mean, I think. It might have boiled down to following Strider anyway, or leaving him and taking their chances in unfamiliar country with who knew what perils to face.