This caused the Dark Lord much fear and haste and solidified his decision to use the Ringwraiths. Particularly since he learned that Gandalf had went to Mirkwood presumedly to see Gollum. His regular servants could not obtain any further information. "And this was due largely both to the vigilance of the Dunedain and to the treachery of Saruman, whose own servants either waylaid or misled the servants of Sauron" (p. 337, Unfinished Tales). This, of course, made Sauron very angry but for the moment he did not have the strength to punish Saruman. Rather, speed was of the essence so risking the Wise learning of their mission he prepared the Ringwraiths.
Meanwhile roughly three weeks passed (into May now) and Frodo still had not acted on his plan to leave the Shire though Gandalf constantly reminded him he needed to go both soon and quietly. Frodo insisted it was tough to do both. Frodo decided that by his (and Bilbo's) next birthday (in September) he could make all arrangements. Gandalf agreed but insisted it should not be any later for he was growing more anxious the longer they waited. Frodo felt this starting point to be appropriate since he would be 50 at his next birthday just as Bilbo was on his adventure. Gandalf counseled Frodo to make for Rivendell, which was East, and this pleased Frodo very much.
Soon after (perhaps end of May) big news spread around the Shire: Frodo Baggins was selling Bag End, or rather had sold it to none other than Lobelia Sackville-Baggins! Rumors swirled as to why he did this (running out of money? heading back to his relations?) but whatever the reason it was clear Frodo was moving out of Bag End and heading to Buckland where he did have some family. He announced that his friend Merry would be helping him find a new hole. Indeed, with Merry's help he had secretly already bought a house at Crickhollow just outside of Buckland. "To all but Sam he pretended he was going to settle down there permanently. The decision to set out eastwards had suggested the idea to him; for Buckland was on the eastern borders of the Shire, and as he had lived there in childhood his going back would at least seem credible" (p. 76, The Fellowship of the Ring).
Sauron wished to keep hidden the sending of the Ringwraiths prepared a diversion. It was an offensive assault on both Gondor and the realm of Thranduil. After, it was viewed by many as the beginning of the War of the Ring. "The Orcs assailed the realm of Thranduil, with orders to recapture Gollum; and the Lord of Morgul was sent forth openly to battle against Gondor" (p. 338, Unfinished Tales). Two quick points: Gandalf said he left Gollum with the Wood Elves and the Lord of Morgul is the Witch-king, Captain of the Nazgul. These two strokes happened at the end of June. He found Gondor more prepared that he anticipated, for Denethor had great foresight, but really both fronts were a disguise as to why the Ringwraiths were moving abroad.
Sauron's purposes came to be. "In the event Gollum escaped" (p. 344, Unfinished Tales). So now his enemies were deprived of using Gollum for any future information. In the assault on Gondor the Witch-king was permitted to reveal himself (and his terror) briefly and in the chaos the other Nazgul began their hunt for the Ring. "Without belittling the valour Gondor, which indeed Sauron found greater far than he hoped, it is clear that Boromir and Faramir were able to drive back the enemy and destroy the bridge, only because the attack served its main purpose" (p. 344, Unfinished Tales).
Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, 3018, April-June
Today's reading comes from: Unfinished Tales, pages 343-344; 338; 345 and The Fellowship of the Ring, pages 73-76
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