LOTR Read-Along: The Fellowship of the Ring: Strider

After Frodo's vanishing act, he knows he may have well and truly ended everything for himself and the mission. Unbeknownst to him though, is that an unexpected ally has been patiently waiting for him. The solitary Strider turns to be a friend of Gandalf's (whom the wizard had mentioned months ago to Frodo in his story of the Ring's origins) and has arrived at The Prancing Pony under Gandalf's request as he could not be there himself. 

The hobbits are unsure about trusting this ranger, especially after what just happened. However, when Mr. Butterbur produces a letter from Gandalf, its contents explaining exactly what Strider has told them. Strider--or Aragorn as Gandalf reveals in his letter--knows full well of the dangers of the Ring and how the use of it can signal the Black Riders. Due to Frodo's accident, the Black Riders are indeed on their way and the hobbits are alone and vulnerable in a big world that expands with danger every minute. 

In spite of Sam's constant reservations, Frodo has confidence in Gandalf's instructions and allows Strider to help them. Although he isn't entirely on board with who Strider is personally, Gandalf's leaves little clues in his letter that allow Frodo to judge wisely. His life as well as his friends and maybe the fate of Middle-Earth now lay on Gandalf's wisdom and Frodo's trust in his words.

I was never a big fan of Aragorn in the movie or at least Viggo Mortensen's portrayal of him. He was always mumbling and moody and there were times when Viggo really overshot the performance. That being said, after I rewatched the first two films, my general distaste for Viggo as Aragorn was primarily in the first film. By the end of The Two Towers, he really captured the role. 

Strider is like a firecracker that was quietly lit in a corner. He leaps into action when he finally finds Frodo and wastes no time in doing Gandalf's bidding. Judgment by appearances is frequent in this book. Whether its the height of the hobbits, the forest where Tom Bombadil resides, or Aragorn's disheveled and dirty clothes. As Gandalf quotes in his letter 'All that is gold does not glitter' C.S. Lewis used this example constantly in Narnia, first with Jadis, the White Witch and the Lady of the Green Kirtle. Both beautiful with foul intentions. While Puddleglum was an ugly and misshapen creature, but a true follower of Aslan. Aragorn, though cold and dark with mud covered clothes proves to be the most honorable and decent of men and protectors. 

Heidi's Question:

• Practically speaking, when making decisions do you think the line between wavering and proper caution is always easy to see in real life?

It would definitely depend on the situation. If it deals with trusting a stranger, then most definitely. If I was in the hobbits position I would not have thrown caution to the wind. Yet, Gandalf considered this man a trustworthy comrade and if Gandalf has his trust, then I would feel that was a enough.

• Were you surprised by the idea of Aragorn himself being pursued and hunted down even before he joined with the hobbits? (For some reason that little line had always slipped by me.)

Given who he actually is and his line of work, I'm not surprised. You could probably do an entire spinoff series off of Aragorn and his life prior to The Fellowship of the Ring.