[ElizabethWyeth]

Actually, I was having this discussion with some people just the other day.

Tolkien had this wonderful place and great story and much of what happened in it all hinged pivitol on the actions of a lot of people. So while Frodo got the ring there, Cutie Sam got Frodo there, And Golum got the Ring to the fire..... If any one thing along the way had changed, then it all would have fallen apart. SO I have to say that I think they all had equal parts in the ring's destruction. I know, that's lame.

But think. For instance, If Aragorn and the others of the fellowship had gone along to Mordor, then there would have been no one to keep Sauron busy at the last moment. Sauron's eye was on Gondor because he thought they had the ring. He couldn't percieve why else they would have had the audacity to stand against His many fell forces at the Black Gates? Had Aragorn and the others not been there to Keep Sauron's attention then He would have been scouring for the true ringbearer with more deliberate force. He would have found him too. So though seperated, the living members of the fellowship continued to serve the ringbearer.

And let's not talk about what would have happened in that pivitol moment had Faramir taken the ring. But goodness love him, he wasn't even really tempted. So again, another piece fell in place along the way.

I sat and debated with a friend who insisted that the actions and occurences of the ring war were seperate from the quest to destroy the ring. But they were not. All things that happened lent support or cover or distraction.... any missing component that otherwise changed things from just as they happened would have resulted in the capture of the ring. So in effect, all of middle earth was responsible for the destruction of the ring.

My friend did win the debate. He piddled out and said. "That doesn't count, that's destiny"

*chuckle* I quite agree....

[Aratlithiel]

Oh, sure - jump in there and throw LOGIC at me why dontcha?

You're right - it was a veritable house of cards that needed each event to turn properly in its place lest the entire thing falter. I agree whole-heartedly.

ButFrodowasstilltheheroandyou'llnevergetmetobelieveotherwise

*Aratlithiel walks away humming with her fingers in her ears *

[ElizabethWyeth]

Hey, I would never think of robbing nine fingered Frodo of his glory here. In terms of who did the most to see it done and in terms of who suffered the most for it, Frodo wins hands down.

But Gollum did the actual deed and he did bear the ring a LOT longer tha Frodo. Of course, he did it accidentally. No way he would have cast Precioussssss into the fires of Mount Doom.

Yes, color me devil's advocate.

[LegolasLover]

I think there is still people who would like to vote so we could start (if you like) to just state who you feel deserves the most credit for the destruction of the ring. I say.........

Frodo

[Aratlithiel]

Frodo, Frodo, Frodo, Frodo!!!! Does that count as four?

[LegolasLover]

Sorry no it doesn't.