A chance meeting

[Tuor in Gondolin]

I tend to agree with [MatthewM . As I see
JRRTs concept of free will, a generally Catholic/Christian one
I tend to agree with, individuals do have freedom of
will, which can affect events for a considerable time and space,
but God/Eru acts to eventually redress the world situation
so that evil does not permanentloy prevail.
Two instances: Gandalf observing he would not have wholly
failed if anything survives:

‘I will say this: the rule of no realm is mine, neither of Gondor nor any other, great or small. But all worthy things that are in peril as the world now stands, those are my care. And for my part, I shall not wholly fail of my task, though Gondor should perish, if anything passes through this night that can still grow fair or bear fruit and flower again in days to come. For I also am a steward. Did you not know?’”

And Eru allowing but then finally "adjusting" Melkor's rather cheeky meddling in
the music of the Ainur:
[QUOTE]And thou, Melkor, shall see that no theme may be played that hath
not its uttermost source in me, nor can any alter the music in my despite.
For he that attempteth thia shall prove but mine instrument in the
devising of things more wonderful, which he himself hath not imagined.[/QUOTE


And it should be kept in mind, to paraphrase Monty Python: "It's a situation which makes for a ripping good yarn."
(I believe the introduction to the Spanish Inquisition. I bet no one was expecting that! )