How did Frodo get his Mithril Coat back?

[Galadriel55]

d4rk3lf has it. The story does not elaborate on how the mithril coat passed from Shagrat to the Mouth of Sauron, but it's assumed that the orc handed it over to the authorities, and Sauron decided to give it to the Mouth to present before the Captains of the West. And Gandalf took it from the MoS.

[Runes]

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

d4rk3lf has it. The story does not elaborate on how the mithril coat passed from Shagrat to the Mouth of Sauron, but it's assumed that the orc handed it over to the authorities, and Sauron decided to give it to the Mouth to present before the Captains of the West. And Gandalf took it from the MoS.

But what is the "Mouth of Sauron"? So does that mean Gandalf entered Mordor to negotiate? Or did this happen during the battle in front of the Morannon?

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Runes

But what is the "Mouth of Sauron"? So does that mean Gandalf entered Mordor to negotiate? Or did this happen during the battle in front of the Morannon?

The Mouth of Sauron is what the guy who "negotiated" for Mordor called himself. He was the one who came out before the battle at Morannon to speak to Gandalf, Aragorn, Eomer, Imrahil, and others. He was supposed to toy around with the Captains by showing them Frodo's mithril coat and Sam's sword to make them despair. But Gandalf cracked that tale in time. The Mouth spoke like there was only one hobbit, but he had objects from two. Therefore Sauron did not, in fact, know and have everything. Perhaps at least one of the hobbits is still alive, and more importantly, still carrying the Ring.

So Gandalf takes the objects from the Mouth and in a few moments the battle starts.

[Runes]

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

The Mouth of Sauron is what the guy who "negotiated" for Mordor called himself. He was the one who came out before the battle at Morannon to speak to Gandalf, Aragorn, Eomer, Imrahil, and others. He was supposed to toy around with the Captains by showing them Frodo's mithril coat and Sam's sword to make them despair. But Gandalf cracked that tale in time. The Mouth spoke like there was only one hobbit, but he had objects from two. Therefore Sauron did not, in fact, know and have everything. Perhaps at least one of the hobbits is still alive, and more importantly, still carrying the Ring.

So Gandalf takes the objects from the Mouth and in a few moments the battle starts.

Thanks, this is interesting! Is this all speculation, or was this info revealed somewhere? Sorry, I'm quite a Tolkien-novice. I've only read the Hobbit and LoTR once before the movies came out, and once again recently.

[Puddleglum]

Originally Posted by Runes

Thanks, this is interesting! Is this all speculation, or was this info revealed somewhere? Sorry, I'm quite a Tolkien-novice. I've only read the Hobbit and LoTR once before the movies came out, and once again recently.

It's in the book: Return of the King, chp "The Black Gate Opens".
He calls himself "The Mouth of Sauron", says he has tokens to show, in especial, to Gandalf, declares the tokens are proof that the mission of the "spies" Gandalf had sent into Mordor has failed and that they will be tortured and broken if the Captains do not meet Sauron's terms (essentially to surrender).

The Movies here are wrong. Aragorn does not suddenly behead the Mouth. Instead, Gandalf is the one who, for a moment, unveils his glory and, in the momentary shock (to the Mouth) comes and takes the tokens from him declaring:

These we will take in memory of our friend. But as for your terms, we reject them utterly.
Get you gone, for your embassy is over and death is near to you.
We did not come here to waste words in treating with Sauron, faithless and accursed; still less with one of his slaves. Begone!

Really an *In Your Face, Mouth* moment!!

The Mouth is filled with rage, but also fear; turns and gallops back to the Black Gate with his embassy - blowing horns to sound the attack.

[William Cloud Hicklin]

One also suspects, although this is nowhere stated, that had Sauron recovered the Ring Gandalf, as the bearer of Narya, would have been aware of it - just as the original bearers of the Three were aware of the One the moment Sauron completed it.

[d4rk3lf]

Originally Posted by William Cloud Hicklin

One also suspects, although this is nowhere stated, that had Sauron recovered the Ring Gandalf, as the bearer of Narya, would have been aware of it - just as the original bearers of the Three were aware of the One the moment Sauron completed it.

That is perfectly logical.

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by William Cloud Hicklin

One also suspects, although this is nowhere stated, that had Sauron recovered the Ring Gandalf, as the bearer of Narya, would have been aware of it - just as the original bearers of the Three were aware of the One the moment Sauron completed it.

If that were the case though, what would account for Gandalf's obvious anxiety when he learned from Faramir that Frodo had headed for Cirith Ungol, and apparently equated the darkness from Mordor with Frodo's capture?

Pippin became aware that Gandalf's hands were trembling....with a thrill of fear Pippin knew that Gandalf, Gandalf himself, was troubled, even afraid.

Faramir gleaned the source of Gandalf's worry.

'Indeed I see what you fear. But the darkness is not due to [Frodo and Sam's] venture....It is clear to me that the Enemy has long planned an assault on us, and [the darkness's] hour had already been determined before ever the travellers left my keeping.'

ROTK The Siege of Gondor

If Gandalf thought Narya would be an indicator that Sauron had regained the One, I see no reason he would have associated the darkness with Frodo's intended destination.

[William Cloud Hicklin]

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

d4rk3lf has it. The story does not elaborate on how the mithril coat passed from Shagrat to the Mouth of Sauron, but it's assumed that the orc handed it over to the authorities, and Sauron decided to give it to the Mouth to present before the Captains of the West. And Gandalf took it from the MoS.

According to Tolkien's unpublished synoptic chronology, Shagrat carried the mithril coat and other spoils together with news of the orc-fight and prisoners' escape to Barad-Dur, arriving (unfortunately for him) two days later, after a Nazgul had preceded him- a ****ed off Sauron killed him.

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by William Cloud Hicklin

According to Tolkien's unpublished synoptic chronology, Shagrat carried the mithril coat and other spoils together with news of the orc-fight and prisoners' escape to Barad-Dur, arriving (unfortunately for him) two days later, after a Nazgul had preceded him- a ****ed off Sauron killed him.

So much for being loyal, hehe.