Council of Elrond (versions 2-4)

Christopher Tolkien weaved his way through four versions of the Council of Elrond in the next chapter of The Treason of Isengard. Each subsequent version furthering the narrative toward the finished version. Details such as the various speakers when when their various tales entered the council shifted throughout the writings. Details that emerged in this writing process include:

• Elrond's recollection of the Elder Days and his lineage
• Aragorn's tale of the hunt for Gollum
• Gandalf's analogy of he and Bombadil: "'I am a rolling stone, and he is a gatherer of moss'" 9p. 111, The Treason of Isengard). I like that saying. 
• Elrond asserts the Three Rings of the Elves have been taken over the Sea. 
• Elrond decides the Fellowship is to consist of 7 walkers (Merry & Pippin are excluded). Gandalf explains that Pippin's heart is not ready for such adventures and of Merry: "'He is merry in name, and merry in heart, but this quest is not for him...'" (p. 115, The Treason of Isengard). The wise wizard does suspect there will be work for the two young hobbits to do. Perhaps a foreshadow of problems in the Shire? 
• The 7 walkers are: Frodo, Sam, Gandalf, Aragorn, Boromir, Gimli, and Galdor (of Mirkwood)
• As the texts were written the role of the Númenóreans in Middle-earth, Aragorn's lineage, becomes clearer and clearer.
• Minas Ithil, Minas Anor, Elendil, and Isildur and there roles begin to take shape.
• The relation of the Land of Ond and the Númenórans is quite interesting at first conception: "'And the Men of Minas Tirith drove out my fathers,' said Aragorn. 'Is that not remembered Boromir? The men of that town have never ceased to wage war on Sauron, but they have listened not seldom to counsels that came from him'" (p. 120, The Treason of Isengard). I like how the history came to be with the Stewards and Denethor's hesitancy to give up power; but is intriguing to think how the return of the King would have been handled by a rebellious people.
• Much talk about the sword that was broken; Elendil prophesied when it would be reforged and by all accounts at the council it seems the time is at hand. 
• More names enter for the first time: Khazaddûm and Osgiliath for example. 
• Finally Gandalf's tale of his capture emerges: his restlessness, his meeting with Radagast the Brown (who finally makes it into the story!) who tells of the Nine Ringwraiths who are abroad, his going to Saruman the White for help; his betrayal and capture by Saruman.