How did the Nazgul reach the Shire Before Gandalf?

[Morgoth the Great]

we all know that Gandlaf was carried by Gwaihir to Edoras, and he then took Shadowfax, fastest of all horses. He then surely went directly to The Shire, knowing that the Nazgul were going there. The Nazgul however, dont know where the shire is, and have to rely on directions from Grima Wormtongue. He directs them a way that sends them past the Rangers. They also dont really know where they are going, and would therefore be slowed a bit more than Gandalf, who knows exactly where he is going. Gandalf however, despite being on a faster horse, with a headstart(he must of been going faster than Grima was, and therefore was nearer to the Shire) unthwarted, and with a much clearer sense of direction still managed to "lose the race" with the Nazgul, and the Ringwraiths got to the Shire first. can anyone clear this up for me(or indeed begin a debate)??

[Lily Bracegirdle]

Hi!

According to appendix B, Gandalf was imprisoned by Saruman from July until September 18th. The Ringwraiths were across the Fords of Isen that day. Gandalf didn't get into Edoras until Sept. 20 and it took until the 23rd for him to tame Shadowfax, by which time the Black Rider was already in Hobbiton. So the Rider was making good time while Gandalf was chasing Shadowfax around the fields of Rohan.

Cheers!

-Lily

[Gorwingel]

The Nazgul however, dont know where the shire is, and have to rely on directions from Grima Wormtongue. He directs them a way that sends them past the Rangers. They also dont really know where they are going, and would therefore be slowed a bit more than Gandalf, who knows exactly where he is going.

Where is this information located? Is it in HoME or something like that? Because I have never heard anything about the Nazgul being directed, I always just thought that they were drawn by the ring, so all they did was ride in the direction of the ring.

[The Squatter of Amon Rûdh]

The reference is to The Hunt for the Ring in Unfinished Tales, where it is written

Such was still the power of the Voice of Saruman that even the Lord of the Nazgûl did not question what it said, whether it was false or short of the full truth; but straightway he rode from the Gate and began to hunt for Gandalf in Rohan. Thus it was that on the evening of the next day the Black Riders came upon Gríma Wormtongue as he hastened to bring word to Saruman that Gandalf was come to Edoras, and had warned King Théoden of the treacherous designs of Isengard. In that hour the Wormtongue came near to death by terror; but being inured to treachery he would have told all that he knew under less threat.
'Yea, yea, verily I can tell you, Lord,' he said. 'I have overheard their speech together in Isengard. The land of the Halflings: it was thence that Gandalf came, and desires to return. He seeks now only a horse.
'Spare me! I speak as swiftly as I may. West through the Gap of Rohan yonder, and then north and a little west, until the next great river bars the way; the Greyflood it is called. Thence from the crossing at Tharbad the old road will lead you to the borders. "The Shire", they call it.

'Yea, verily, Saruman knows of it. Goods came to him from that land down the road. Spare me, Lord! Indeed I will say naught of our meeting to any that live.'

This is a nice passage, in that it demonstrates Wormtongue's utter lack of loyalty even to Saruman. It also tells us that the Nazgûl, and through them Sauron himself, knew all about Saruman's double dealing. When Tolkien says that the Lord of the Nazgûl left Gríma alive "because he saw that the creature was evil and was likely to do great harm yet to Saruman" he is already showing us how the forces of evil are forever working against one another, and this contrasts nicely with the co-operation of the free peoples. What the Nazgûl cannot possibly realise is that in leaving the Wormtongue alive they provide the means by which Gandalf and Aragorn receive the Palantír of Orthanc, with which Aragorn later distracts Sauron so effectively.

[Morgoth the Great]

but Saruman told the Nazgul to seek for Mitrhandir near by. they then came across Grima, who was on his way to tell Saruman that Gandalf had sought council in Edoras. Gandalf is obviously faster than Grima and would of been going ahead of him when he was met by the Nazgul. so Gandalf is still theoretically going to get to the Shire first.

[Kuruharan]

But Gandalf did not have Shadowfax at that point. He was still in the process of being taken to Edoras and shown the door.

[Morgoth the Great]

he has to of had Shadowfax, because of what i said in the post before yours. I think i have it though people!!! Gandalf was oblivious to the fact to the fact that Barliman had no delivered the letter. he therefore probably went straight to Rivendell, saw that the Hobbits had no arrived and then was on his way to Bree, and decided that Aragorn would most likely direct them to Weathertop, and there he was attacked by the four that were pursuing him. what do you (much more learned than i) think of that suggestion?

[Kuruharan]

I think that you lack sufficient understanding of the timeline.

-Taken from Appendix B-

September 18: Gandalf escapes Orthanc in the early hours (after having been there since July 10). The Black Riders cross the Fords of Isen.

September 19: Gandalf comes to Edoras as a beggar, and is refused admittance.

September 20: Gandalf gains entrance to Edoras. Theoden commands him to go: "Take any horse, only be gone ere tomorrow is old!"

September 21: Gandalf meets Shadowfax, but the horse will not allow him to come near. He follows Shadowfax far over the fields. (emphasis mine)

September 22: The Black Riders reach Sarn Ford at evening; they drive off the guard of Rangers. Gandalf overtakes Shadowfax. (emphasis mine)

September 23: Four riders enter the Shire before dawn. The others pursue the Rangers eastward, then return to watch the Greenway. A Black Rider comes to Hobbiton at nightfall. Frodo leaves Bag End. Gandalf having tamed Shadowfax rides from Rohan. (emphasis mine)

September 24: Gandalf crosses the Isen.

You will note that there is no reference to a side trip to Rivendell or anywhere else, and Gandalf did not have Shadowfax when he escaped Orthanc.