Why Moria? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Rhod the Red · 05-19-2006, 02:39 AM

Improvise. He said something near the Redhorn Gate passage like "Let's plan only as we progress".

alatar · 05-19-2006, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhod the Red

Improvise. He said something near the Redhorn Gate passage like "Let's plan only as we progress".

Exactly. I think that there may have been three determinants affecting the planning. One, not knowing exactly what they would find around any bend of the road, the FotR had to assess the path as far as they could foresee at that time. Like the crossing of the mountains - that was the plan until the snow and giants/boulders changed everything. Two, there were certain sanctuaries that were to be visited after some traumatic adventure (i.e. Old Forest -> Bombadil; Riders -> Rivendell; Moria -> Lothlorien; Black Gate -> Ithilien) in order to replenish the body and soul for the next stage/level of the journey(s). And third and to me most important, we mustn't leave out that seemingly infallible guide *stupidity*.

Think about it. It's stupidity that keeps Frodo from being found by the Black Riders, it's stupidity that gets Merry and Pippin into the hands of the Uruks, ultimately leading to the overthrowing of Saruman. It's the same idiocy that allows Aragorn to get Sauron to play his hand earlier than he may have wanted (i.e. Pip looking into the palantir), and where would Middle Earth be if Gollum chose to leave Sammath Naur before dancing a gig?

I'll leave the other examples to you to find.

Morsul the Dark · 08-14-2009, 07:19 AM

I feel, That stealth was far more important than speed. I'd also agree with the question regarding Legolas's route to Rivendell. Also Two or three more elves in the group may have been useful. I would think 5 more sets of hands wouldn't have made the troupe burdensome of course I'd also think it interesting if the fellowship contained as many as the dwarves' company.

In the end though I'd say They could have taken alternate routes through the mountains or even if Gwaihir still was Lord there (Of course assuming they still had regular patrols) could have brought them over the mountains.

as for Dul Guldor, the ring had passed it by bfore in a FAR closer proximity when Bilbo went through Mirkwood in fact he Wore it in Mirkwood.

Eönwë · 08-29-2009, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhod the Red

Improvise. He said something near the Redhorn Gate passage like "Let's plan only as we progress".

As well as other reasons mentioned, I think that this would also be useful because if they didn't know exactly where they were going, then it would be much harder for anyone else to know where they were going and ambush them there.

CSteefel · 08-29-2009, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eönwë

As well as other reasons mentioned, I think that this would also be useful because if they didn't know exactly where they were going, then it would be much harder for anyone else to know where they were going and ambush them there.

Yes, with also the implication that the obvious routes should be suspect--the northern Route, the Gap of Rohan, and the Redhorn Pass. Moria strikes me as a route nobody would have predicted...

Keyan · 08-31-2009, 07:54 AM

I don't think the sea is a viable option. A ship is easy to spot, and an elven ship would be very conspicuous. The Corsairs would certainly intercept it, along with the winged Nazgul.

I think that part of it is simply literary adventure. And, we had to have an Evil that could be on par to Gandalf for that part of the story, which I am unsure would have been that plausible if they had gone another route.

And Moria is one of the best parts of the book.

Morsul the Dark · 02-26-2013, 04:31 PM

Couldn't radagast have guided them through mirkwood? Also they may have been able to rest in Thranduil's halls for a bit to recover as well.

Inziladun · 02-26-2013, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morsul the Dark

Couldn't radagast have guided them through mirkwood? Also they may have been able to rest in Thranduil's halls for a bit to recover as well.

I wouldn't think bringing the Ring within the influence of Dol Guldur would have been wise.

Aiwendil · 02-26-2013, 06:59 PM

If you recall, after the Council Elrond sent many scouts out; some of them went to Rhosgobel, but Radagast was not there. So that may not have been an option simply because they did not know how to get in touch with Radagast.

Kuruharan · 02-27-2013, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inziladun

I wouldn't think bringing the Ring within the influence of Dol Guldur would have been wise.

To be fair they kinda brought the Ring into the range of Dol Guldur when they left Lorien.

05-19-2006, 02:39 AM	#1
Rhod the Red Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: May 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 257	Improvise. He said something near the Redhorn Gate passage like "Let's plan only as we progress". __________________ Head of the Fifth Order of the Istari Tenure: Fourth Age(Year 1) - Present Currently operating in Melbourne, Australia

08-14-2009, 07:19 AM	#3
Morsul the Dark Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 3,448	I feel, That stealth was far more important than speed. I'd also agree with the question regarding Legolas's route to Rivendell. Also Two or three more elves in the group may have been useful. I would think 5 more sets of hands wouldn't have made the troupe burdensome of course I'd also think it interesting if the fellowship contained as many as the dwarves' company. In the end though I'd say They could have taken alternate routes through the mountains or even if Gwaihir still was Lord there (Of course assuming they still had regular patrols) could have brought them over the mountains. as for Dul Guldor, the ring had passed it by bfore in a FAR closer proximity when Bilbo went through Mirkwood in fact he Wore it in Mirkwood. __________________ Morsul the Resurrected

02-26-2013, 04:31 PM	#7
Morsul the Dark Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 3,448	Couldn't radagast have guided them through mirkwood? Also they may have been able to rest in Thranduil's halls for a bit to recover as well. __________________ Morsul the Resurrected

08-31-2009, 07:54 AM	#6
Keyan Pile O'Bones Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 12	I don't think the sea is a viable option. A ship is easy to spot, and an elven ship would be very conspicuous. The Corsairs would certainly intercept it, along with the winged Nazgul. I think that part of it is simply literary adventure. And, we had to have an Evil that could be on par to Gandalf for that part of the story, which I am unsure would have been that plausible if they had gone another route. And Moria is one of the best parts of the book.

02-26-2013, 06:59 PM	#9
Aiwendil Late Istar Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 2,224	If you recall, after the Council Elrond sent many scouts out; some of them went to Rhosgobel, but Radagast was not there. So that may not have been an option simply because they did not know how to get in touch with Radagast.