Which Names Were Worth "1,000 Mail-Clad Knights?

[Eönwë]

Wasn't there a line where Théoden said something along the lines of Aragorn's Dúnadan kinsmen being worth more that than normal people?

edit: Looked it up. This is what I meant. I suppose it's not really the same.

Originally Posted by LOTR, ROTK, The Passing of the Grey Company

Théoden was indeed glad of the news. "It is well!" he said. "If these kinsmen be in any way like to yourself, my lord Aragorn, thirty such knights will be a strength that cannot be counted by heads."

[Uruk's Bane]

Originally Posted by Eönwë

Wasn't there a line where Théoden said something along the lines of Aragorn's Dúnadan kinsmen being worth more that than normal people?

edit: Looked it up. This is what I meant. I suppose it's not really the same.

I think it's assumed that they WERE like Aragorn in skill, so it still kind of speaks to their importance. :\

[Galadriel55]

Speaking of the Dunedain, I think they are just as skilled as Aragorn. Aragorn is more powerful than they are internally, that's the main difference between them. Even so, I think an average Ranger would have a much, much stronger willpower than regular folk. That's the reason, in my opinion, that Theoden, Eowyn, and Eomer told Aragorn that his people would be a great help in actual fighting and in keeping up hope.

[Uruk's Bane]

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

Speaking of the Dunedain, I think they are just as skilled as Aragorn. Aragorn is more powerful than they are internally, that's the main difference between them. Even so, I think an average Ranger would have a much, much stronger willpower than regular folk. That's the reason, in my opinion, that Theoden, Eowyn, and Eomer told Aragorn that his people would be a great help in actual fighting and in keeping up hope.

Agreed. Aragorn was of course the Heir of Elendil and had a much more important role, not to mention his strength of purpose. But, I'd still say the Dunedain might have been on Gandalf's list.

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Uruk's Bane

But, I'd still say the Dunedain might have been on Gandalf's list.

I have no doubt of that.

[Forlong the Fat]

I agree that the Dunedain potentially had the skill/inner power to qualify for the "list." But I wonder if Sauron knew about them. He apparently knew nothing about Aragorn, as evidenced by his reaction to Aragorn's reveal in the palantir. Though I am not at all sure how Aragorn manages to escape his notice.

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Forlong the Fat

I agree that the Dunedain potentially had the skill/inner power to qualify for the "list." But I wonder if Sauron knew about them. He apparently knew nothing about Aragorn, as evidenced by his reaction to Aragorn's reveal in the palantir. Though I am not at all sure how Aragorn manages to escape his notice.

He considered the Dunedain too small a force to do any harm. As for Aragorn, firstly, I think that he hoped that Isildur's line was cut for good, though he would not count on it. Secondly, he reasoned that even if an heir is alive, he's long lost in some dirty hovel with 30 people to rule. Not much of a threat either.

[Uruk's Bane]

Originally Posted by Forlong the Fat

I agree that the Dunedain potentially had the skill/inner power to qualify for the "list." But I wonder if Sauron knew about them. He apparently knew nothing about Aragorn, as evidenced by his reaction to Aragorn's reveal in the palantir. Though I am not at all sure how Aragorn manages to escape his notice.

I'm guessing Sauron knew about them. I don't think the Rangers of the North were in any way secret. Sure, they were mysterious, but they traveled all around. I'd find it hard to believe that Sauron didn't know about them or their skill. As for Aragorn, I feel sure Sauron knew a Ranger was with the fellowship. I'm also sure Sauron recognized his skill, even though he didn't know the Ranger was the heir. After all, Aragorn single-handedly drove off the Nazgul from Weathertop. I'm sure Sauron heard about that. I think he knew about Strider. The thing that surprised him was when Aragorn, the heir of Elendil, showed him himself and his sword in the palantir.