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

[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.

[Formendacil]

I think it's worth emphasising the symbolism of the names on the list. Even from the way Imrahil talks about it, I think it's clear that a big part of the reason Sauron will take notice of the names, specifically, of those marching on the Black Gate is because of what they stand for, that is, what they symbolise, not necessarily what actual force they command.

With regards to the Dúnedain of the North, they are a reminder that Sauron failed in Eriador. While Arthedain is no more, neither is Angmar; and of the two, Arthedain was the one that left behind survivors--left behind an institution in fact. Admittedly, the North-kingdom was no longer a military threat to Sauron's takeover of Middle-earth, but their continued survival was a sign that Sauron, just like the good guys, had been fighting "The Long Defeat" without complete success.

What is more, I agree with Uruk's Bane that Sauron probably knew about the existence of the Rangers. After all, they'd been thwarting his wolves and goblins in Eriador for centuries (take note of all the premature deaths noted among Aragorn's ancestors), and these incursions must have had at least some direction from Sauron during his time as Necromancer.

With that in mind, consider what Sauron must have thought when the Dúnedain of the North made their reappearance in the broader world in the immediate wake of his discovery that Isildur still had an Heir. Aragorn's appearance would have made the very existence of the Rangers go from being an irritation in the North to a symbolic slap in the face of three millennia of planning. If they were to march on the Morannon and all be slaughtered, Sauron would be able to destroy more than just an annoyance, he'd be able to effect a massive symbolic coup.

On a similar note, I think the March on the Morannon must have reminded Sauron of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men--not something he would want to remember. Admittedly, the number of Elves in this new alliance was only three if you count the Sons of Elrond, but the presence of the Sons of Elrond and the Northern Dúnedain in battle with his enemies of the South represented the alliance of their respective lands. This would serve as a reminder of Sauron's failure to divide his enemies against him, and would also serve as a reminder of past failures. After all, the last time that Gondor and Arnor fought together, the Witch-king's armies were destroyed, and the time before that was the Last Alliance.

Sauron, whose calculated cunning was very great, would have been extremely unlikely, in my opinion, to have ignored the symbolic victory the chance to wipe out these enemies afforded him.

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Formendacil

Sauron, whose calculated cunning was very great, would have been extremely unlikely, in my opinion, to have ignored the symbolic victory the chance to wipe out these enemies afforded him.

And at the same time recognized the threat of a severe symbolic loss, even if the Rangers et al would gain little. That would be part of the foundation of his fears. (other parts including, of course, that all of a sudden Isildur still has an heir, that this heir has a stronger willpower than Sauron, and that he's coming with the Broken Sword in hand - another symbolic relic).

[The Mouth of Sauron]

Denethor ? Although he was driven mad by what he saw with the Palantir, he was "too great to be subdued" according to Gandalf.

[Glorthelion]

I think the 30 or so Dunedain would be worthy to be added on that list because they are a remnant of the Numenoreans of the north which were not seen that frequently in the Third age. Perhaps the rarity of seeing one adds to the splendor when an ordinary Man or an orc sees them.
I wouldn't say that Saruman would be worth a thousand mail clad knights because he really did not contribute anything in the war of the ring although he did in the effort against Sauron in Dol Guldur. Radagast I would not also put in the list. The Blue Wizards I'm not sure of. Perhaps they might have been in the east, busy stirring rebellions among the inhabitants of Rhun? Perhaps the efforts of the blue wizard prevented prevented Sauron from having more Easterlings in his army. I don't know.
The king of dale, Thranduil and Dain deserve mention too although in my knowledge Thrandiul never participated in any battle whatsover. The Hobbit never explicitly mentioned that Thranduil was involved in the battle of Five Armies, although he did lead the elves there. But him having led the elves there I am inclined to think that this implies he did participate in the battle.



Glorthelion