J. R. R. Tolkien - New quotes from the Hunt for the Ring.doc

http://www.marquette.edu/library/collections/archives/Mss/JRRT/mss-jrrt-s-a4copies.html

THE LORD OF THE RINGS

Additional Manuscripts Presented by Christopher Tolkien

Fourth Installment (MSS-4)

Acquired August 13, 1997

COPIES

Note: Documents are arranged in the order in which they were received.

Note: 1/2 denotes 1 sheet / 2 pages; a sheet is the physical item itself; a page is a side of a sheet bearing written, printed, or illustrative material.

Copies with numbered pages were made by Christopher Tolkien himself.

Christopher Tolkien, Unfinished Tales:

I have given them the title "The Hunt for the Ring." The manuscripts themselves, in great though hardly exceptional confusion, are sufficiently described on p. 357; but the question of their date (for I believe them all, and also those of "Concerning Gandalf, Saruman, and the Shire," given as the third element in this section, to derive from the same time) may be mentioned here. They were written after the publication of The Lord of the Rings, for there are references to the pagination of the printed text; but they differ in the dates they give for certain events from those in the Tale of Years in Appendix B. The explanation is clearly that they were written after the publication of the first volume but before that of the third, containing the Appendices.

Quotes from Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull, The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion (Houghton Mifflin, 2005):

p. 241-3

Marquette MSS 4/2/35, a mainly unpublished text trailing into illegibility, shows Tolkien work­ing on a solution to the problem:

On June 29th Radagast could not know this [that the Nine were abroad, etc.], if B[lack] R[ider]s did not cross the Anduin till June 20. Saruman had to discover it; tell Radagast; and Radagast had to look for Shire. It must have taken 14 days at least.

Therefore all the story of BRs going North etc. and then coming to Isengard on [the] day of Gandalf's release must be remodelled [e.g. the story told in Unfinished Tales, pp. 338-9, and similar versions].

Something of this sort. Sauron did not know where 'Shire' was. Gollum had been unclear on that point (perhaps deliberately: but in any case S[auron]'s natural assumption was that all the events and the 'thief' belonged like Gollum to Anduin Vale). Nonetheless S[auron]'s chief fears were directed towards Havens and Rivendell: he naturally suspects the Westlands.

The Nazgûl are ordered to steal over Anduin one by one and make enquiries. This is ordered soon after S[auron] learns that Gollum (who disappeared into the D[ead] Marshes) has been captured and is with Thranduil, and that Gandalf has visited that realm. *Say sometime early in April.

At first the Nazgûl investigate Anduin's Vale ... but can find no trace of Ring or 'Baggins' ... some begin to investigate Rohan.... Sauron is already in communication with Saruman [illegible] Palantír; but has not yet mastered him. Yet he reads enough of his mind to suspect (a) that he covets the Ring for himself and (b) that he knows something about it. The Nazgûl are ordered to visit Saruman. Saruman is v[ery] frightened at S[auron]'s suspicion of himself and his knowledge of the Ring. Though he dislikes Gandalf intensely and is v[ery] jealous of him, he believes G[andalf] knows something vital about the Ring because the Nazgûl [?ask] of the Shire which has always been a great concern of Gandalf, and because his agents have discovered that it is extraord[inarily] closely guarded; also that Gandalf is now actually there since 12 April. He [Saruman] therefore thinks of getting his [Gandalf's] help. ...

The Nazgûl, then, came to Isengard towards early? June. Saruman was helped at this point [by] g[ood] fortune. Radagast becomes aware that Nazgûl are abroad in Anduin Vale spreading panic and searching for 'Shire'. He becomes v[ery] alarmed and can think of nothing but to go and consult Saruman head of order of Wizards. He does so ... not long after visit of the Nazgûl to Isengard. Saruman knows that Radagast is a kinsman of Gandalf's and wholly trusted by him: he uses him as messenger, and sends him off to the Shire. Radagast leaves Isengard about June 15th. ...

Soon after Sauron wishing to distract attention from the Nazgûl attacks Osgiliath. The Witch-King ... captures bridge and passes into Gondor. ...

What happens between June 20 and escape of Gandalf which cannot be earlier than night of Sept. 16/17? [17/18 September in The Tale of Years] Some 86 days!

Radagast's words 'they are moving westward' would apply in the situation up to visit of Nazgûl to Isengard. The westward move must then be delayed. And the race of the B[lack] R[ider]s for Shire in September must be due to some new definite information obtained just before Gandalf's escape.

Several of the Nazgûl must remain in A[nduin] Vale. One or more actually direct the attack on Thranduil when Gollum escapes. Sauron thinks it vital to have him captured again and/or killed. 2/3 Nazgûl still prowl about Rohan and [?] in Dunland, and up towards Eregion. They are rather timid and ineffectual without [the] W[itch]-king. Also they will not cross Greyflood into 'enemy Elvish country' without his leadership or express command. The ?major force of N[azgûl] 5/6 are engaged in hunt in Anduin Vale and forest etc. for Gollum. ...

When no news of Gollum can be found Nazgûl asks for new orders. Sauron has now more information. Belated Sept. 1 he has learned of the 'oracular words' and of Boromir's mission (July 4). How? The words became widely? known in Gondor and Rohan, and Boromir's [?departure] was also known. This is enough to make S[auron] suspect that the Wise know about the Ring, and that some tryst is arranged in Rivendell. His suspicions of Saruman are redoubled. He has caught S[aruman] again in palantír.

p. 249-0

Marquette MSS 4/2/33, probably the latest manuscript among the Hunt for the Ring papers (marked 'official & final'), gives the following account of Gandalf's escape to Rohan, with slight differences from The Tale of Years:

Gandalf escapes night of 17/18. Full Moon 6 days waned, but bright because the weather after long cloud has become clear. Gandalf cannot descend on an Eagle before the Gates of Edoras, and in any case has to avoid the pursuit of Saruman. He is set down therefore by Gwaihir in the foothills of the White Mts. at dawn on Sept[ember] 18 (west of Edoras), and does not come to Edoras until Sept 19 – in a beggarly guise on foot. He cannot get an audience with Théoden [the king], and is treated as a beggar at the doors. It is not until Sept 20 that his persistence (and growing anger which alarms the doorwards) gains him entrance to Théoden warning him against Saruman. Wormtongue [secretly in Saruman's service, and with great influence over the king] is absent for some reason and Théodred [the king's son] is more favour­able to Gandalf; so Théoden is troubled but will not make up his mind. He says he will speak of it again next day. But next day 21 [September] Wormtongue reappears. It was really for him that Théoden waited (since he has become enthralled by his counsel). Wormtongue now opposes Gandalf as Théoden bids him begone next morning: it then being late in the day. (W'tongue (as G. guesses or knows) sends off a messenger to Isengard that night. But the messenger even with utmost haste does not reach Saruman until late on 24 [September]. It is about 250 miles from Edoras to Isengard.)

Gandalf says that this is ill-treatment which Théoden will rue. He does not understand the urgency of the times. He mentions the dreadful rumours of the passage of the Black Riders which have terrified all Rohan. Now said Gandalf if no one else dare oppose these evil things, I dare. But not on foot. One might look for aid in such business from a great king, lord of horses.

Then Théoden rashly exclaims: why take any horse you wish – and begone! This is much to dislike of W'tongue but Théoden is reluctant to take back his word, and Théodred opposes W'tongue, saying that a king cannot do so even to a beggar, but that for his part he thinks more honour and heed should be paid to Gandalf Greyhame.

So on 22 [September] Gandalf leaves Edoras and goes to the horse-sheds. (They are some way from Edoras. Gandalf does not get there until evening?) There he sees Shadowfax, and decides to have him alone. S'fax is wild wary and unwilling, and walks away whenever Gandalf approaches. It is not till late on 22 that S'fax will allow Gandalf to come up and speak to him; and not until Sept 23rd that he is tamed and will allow Gandalf to ride off Gandalf sets off 6 pm 23rd of September.

The main chronological difference between this account and The Tale of Years is that in the latter Théoden dismisses Gandalf on 20 September, Gandalf takes longer to tame Shadowfax, but still sets off on the 23rd.

p. 251-2

Marquette MSS 4/2/33 (The Hunt for the Ring, partly published in Unfinished Tales) describes the Black Riders' arrival at Isengard while Gandalf is still a prisoner:

Saruman is terrified and desperate. The full horror of service to Mordor is perceived by him. He suddenly resolves to yield to Gandalf, and beg for his pardon & help. Temporizing at the gate, he admits he has Gandalf within, and says he will go and try to discover what he knows. If that is unavailing he will deliver Gandalf to them.

Saruman then hastens to Orthanc. He goes to the summit - and finds Gandalf gone! Away south against the setting moon he sees a great Eagle apparently making for Edoras. Now his case is worse. If Gandalf has escaped there is still a real chance that Sauron will not get the Ring, and will be defeated. In his heart Saruman recognizes the great power and the strange 'good fortune' (we might say divine blessing and suc­cour) that go with Gandalf. But now he is left alone to deal with the Dreadful Nine. His mood changes and his pride reasserts itself in anger at Gandalf's escape from impenetrable Isengard, and in furious jealousy.

He goes to the Gate and says (lying) that he made Gandalf confess. He does not admit that this is his own knowledge, not being aware of how much Sauron knew of his mind and heart! 'I will report this myself to the Lord of Barad-dûr' he said loftily, 'to whom I speak from afar on great matters that concern us. But all that you need to know on the mission that he has given you is where "the Shire" lies. That, he says, is north-west from here, some 600 miles, on the borders of the sea-ward Elvish country'.

The Riders leave and move in haste to the Fords of Isen. (This agrees with The Tale of Years, which says that the Black Riders crossed the Isen on the same day that Gandalf escaped. See further, notes for p. 155.)

According to Marquette MSS 4/2/33, Gandalf himself

starts from some point about 20 miles east of Edoras - S'fax [Shadowfax] has led him a good way, before being tamed. This would be about 620 miles to Sarn Ford, and S[arn] F[ord] was about 100 miles direct to Hobbiton. His great ride from 6 p.m. Sept 23 to 6 p.m Sept 28 when at latest he must have reached the Shire at Sarn Ford. ... In that time G[andalf] covered 620 miles. ...

Start 6 p.m. 23 [September]. Rode through night (needing secrecy until far from Isengard) Gandalf at [? this point] would be [?] Sept 24 would be just approaching the Fords of Isen. (Cross Isen Sept 24 morn­ing 7 a.m.) He would probably push on and ride further west near Dol Baran. (Gandalf probably rode with frequent short halts; and actually rested for 8 hours. His average for the 16 hours going was not therefore very quick @ 120 m[iles] p[er] day, but one has to allow for 3 halts so that riding time was probably only 12 hours, and for difficulties of route - places where only a walking pace was possible, river crossings, detours for fen &c. So average even for S'fax was 10 m.p.h. [miles per hour])

He would reach Dol Baran another 30 miles on, about 9 a.m. Sept 24. He would start again about 5 p.m. At 9 a.m. Sept 25 he would be 145 miles on into Enedwaith (or 170 from Tharbad). He would go on again after 5 p.m. At 9 a.m. Sept 26 he would be 265 miles on in Enedwaith.

Start again 5 p.m. Cross Greyflood (Tharbad) 1 a.m. 27 [September]. At 9 a.m. Sept. 27th he would have passed Tharbad by 60 miles and be 90 miles from Sarn Ford. Go on at 5 p.m. He would reach Sarn Ford at about 2 a.m. 28 [September]. Aware of [?] of B.Rs [Black Riders] (he would meet Rangers no doubt who gave him the information cited Text I 276 [i.e. "I heard tidings..."]) would cross into Shire and [?maybe] rest while at [?Sarn Ford]. He came to Hobbiton some time during Sept 29.

p. 97-8

In the second part of 1954 Tolkien wrote several, differing accounts of the Black Riders' search for the One Ring, summarized by Christopher Tolkien in The Hunt for the Ring, published in Unfinished Tales. At the end of one unpublished version it is said that the account was 'drawn up by Gandalf, Elrond, and told to Frodo in Rivendell' (Marquette MSS 4/2/36). It begins by noting that after the Black Riders overcame the Rangers guarding Sarn Ford, four of them, including the leader, the Witch-king, turned eastward (see note for p. 143), and five, including Khamûl, formerly the commander of Dol Guldur, entered the Shire and divided:

[One] keeps to the east, passing northwards towards the Marish and Bridge. [One] takes road leading northwest to Michel Delving, and [another] goes with him, but there ?fares on and traverses the North Farthing. [The other two] go through the central Shire, until they reach the East Road, probably near the Three-Farthing Stone. ([These] were probably Khamûl and his companion, from Dol Guldur; and [Khamûl] [is] the most ready of all (save [the Witch-king]) to perceive the presence of the Ring, but also the one whose power was most confused and diminished by sunlight). Drawn by the Ring [Khamûl] goes to Hobbiton which he reaches at evening on Fri. Sep. 23rd. [His companion] keeps an eye on the East Road and Stock Road, lurking probably between the two, just south of Whitfurrows. [Khamûl] just misses Frodo, and misled by the Gaffers [sic] starts out east again.

[On 24 September he] picks up the Stock Road, and overtakes Frodo at approaches to Woody End - probably by accident; he becomes uneasily aware of the Ring, but is hesitant and uncertain because of the bright sun. He turns into the woods and waits for night.

p. 99

According to Marquette MSS 4/2/36 (The Hunt for the Ring): 'After dark, becoming acutely aware of the Ring, [Khamûl] goes in pursuit; but is daunted by the sudden appearance of the Elves and the song of Elbereth. While Frodo is surrounded by the Elves he cannot perceive the Ring clearly.'

p. 116

Marquette MSS 4/2/36 (The Hunt for the Ring) gives the following account of the Black Riders' pursuit of Frodo on 25 September 1418:

As soon as the Elves depart [Khamûl] renews his hunt, and reaching the ridge above Woodhall is aware that the Ring has been there. Failing to find the Bearer and feeling that he is drawing away, he summons [his companion] by cries. [He] is aware of the general direction that the Ring has taken, but not knowing of Frodo's rest in the wood, and believing him to have made straight eastwards, he and [his companion] ride over the fields. They visit Maggot while Frodo is still under the trees. [Khamûl] then makes a mistake (probably because he imagines the Ringbearer as some mighty man, strong and swift): he does not look near the farm, but sends [his companion] down Causeway towards Overbourn, while he goes north along it towards the Bridge. They tryst to return and meet one another at night; but do so just too late. Frodo crosses by ferry just before [Khamûl] arrives. [His companion] joins him soon after. [Khamûl] is now well aware that the Ring has crossed the river; but the river is a barrier to his sense of its movement.

p. 145

In Marquette MSS 4/2/36 (The Hunt for the Ring) it is said that after the Black Riders had overcome the Rangers guarding Sarn Ford, four of the Riders

pursue Rangers along Greenway, and having slain them or driven them off Eastwards, make a camp at Andrath (where the road passes between the Barrowdowns and the South Downs) [cf. note for p. 177]. [The Witch-king] now visits the Barrowdowns and stops there some days (probably until late on 27). This proves a main error, though in fact it was nearly successful, since the Barrowwights are roused, and all things of evil spirit hostile to Elves and Men are on the watch with malice in the Old Forest and on the Barrowdowns. [The other three Black Riders] are left to guard the eastern borders, to watch the Greenway, and guard against Elves or Dúnedain coming from eastwards.

Another text concerning The Hunt for the Ring, Marquette MSS 4/2/33, notes that 'the Witch-King ... had known something of the country long ago, in his wars with the Dúnedain, and especially of the Tyrn Gorthad of Cardolan, now the Barrow-downs, whose evil wights had been sent there by himself' (see also Unfinished Tales, p. 348).

p. 164-5

In Marquette MSS 4/2/36 (The Hunt for the Ring) Tolkien explains their delay as follows. Khamûl, alarmed at the escape of the Ring over the river on the night of 25 September, sum­moned the other four Riders who had entered the Shire:

(The Nazgûl found one another easily, since they were quickly aware of a companion presence, and could hear the cries over great distances. They could see one another also from far away, even by day when to them a Nazgûl was the one clearly visible thing in a mist.)

As soon as he has assembled his force (in the early morning of 26th, probably) [Khamûl] leaves one to lurk near the Bridge and watch it; he sends [two] along the East Road, with orders to report to [the Witch-king] the eastward movement of the Ring; he himself with [his com­panion] passes secretly into Buckland by the north gate of that land. But desiring to attract as little notice as possible he (mistakenly and against Sauron's orders) sacrifices speed to stealth.

[The two sent east] pass along the East Road, and visit Bree and 'The Prancing Pony'. They then go in search of [the Witch-king] but cannot at once find him [until 27th September. He] is elated to learn that the Ring was really in the Shire, but is alarmed and angry at its escape; and also by the fact that the Bearer must now certainly know that he is being hunted. (If he is a person of power and knowledge he may find out indeed how to use it, and compel a Nazgûl to leave him unmolested at the least. But [he is told that Khamûl] has discovered that the Bearer is a v[ery] small spiritless creature with no pride or will power, and is filled with terror at the approach of a Ringwraith.)

[The Witch-king] is uncertain what to do. The Bearer seems to be making eastwards, he is therefore surely bound...