If elves had gone on the quest instead of Merry and Pippin

[Rumil]

Yeah that's an interesting one...

Crossing the Misty Mountains - they probably still don't make it

Decision to go through Moria - the elves would likely be opposed to Moria as Legolas was, Gandalf has more serious opposition, but then the wolves appear..

Moria - the orcs aren't alarmed as early (no Pippin), this could have v. big consequences! If the Balrog misses his appointment at the bridge, Gandalf escapes, but doesn't become 'the white' - scary!

Emyn Muil - the company takes more casualties because the Uruk Hai won't leave without capturing halflings.

From there on its v. unpredictable, what would Aragorn or Gandalf decide, follow Frodo and Sam or head to Minas Tirith or Rohan?

Other problems = Rohan defeated perhaps - would Gandalf etc. go to Edoras, would the Ents be roused ??? No riders at the Pelennor Fields, Gondor and Rohan laid waste. Merry doesn't kill witchking, Pippin fails to save Faramir, the scouring of the shire changes.

As they say, for the want of a nail....