FOTR/ TP40-Capture and Escape

From Create Your Own Story

Sauruman proves to be too much for Gandalf, and he is overpowered. Gandalf is imprisoned atop Orthanc, allowing weeks to pass in which the hobbits and Aragorn do not know where Gandalf is. He is finally rescued by Gwaihier the eagle and taken to Edoras in Rohan. There, the king Theoden grants Gandalf any horse he wishes - and he claims (and tames) Shadowfax. There is only one place to go - Gandalf must get back to the Shire as quickly as possible, to confirm that the hobbits are still safe.

By the time Gandalf reaches the Shire, the hobbits have left. After consulting with the Gaffer and others, Gandalf races ahead to Bree. The place is a mess - Aragorn and the hobbits left only a few days before, and the town was attacked by dark riders and evil men that very night. The people of the town ask Gandalf to stay and help them, and they are in a desperate state.

Gandalf weighs his options - reminding himself that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. If he stays to liberate Bree from the evil men who have taken advantage of the chaos by taking over, he will be delayed in ariving at Rivendell. Aragorn and Elrond are highly capable - plus, they are backed up by heroes like Glorfindel. Can they truly manages without Gandalf's help?

Decision

You are still on Tolkien's path. What should Gandalf do?

• Gandolf has to trust Aragorn to get the hobbits to Rivendell. As a result, Gandalf races ahead to Rivendell, in order to clear the road of any dark riders and provide early warning to Elrond.

• Gandalf decides to assist Aragorn, leaving Shadowfax in Bree and venturing into the wilderness. He is only slightly faster than Aragorn and the hobbits, so it takes him more time than expected to catch up.

• Gandolf cannot bear to leave the people of Bree in the state they are in. He stays for a few days to restore order to the town, even further trusting Aragorn's ability to avoid trouble when staying off the road.