Three riders? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Lalaith · 10-02-2011, 10:05 AM

I idly picked up the The Return of the KIng last night and re-read "Minas Tirith". I noticed something I had never really noticed/thought about before - that Pippin is vaguely aware of 'three riders' who come up to Gandalf during the long ride to Gondor. Who are these riders? Halbarad, and the sons of Elrond were the only suggestions I could think of. Am I being very dim here?

Galadriel55 · 10-02-2011, 10:56 AM

I thought they were Gondorian messengers, possibly the same ones that were decapitatedon their way back.

Edit: sorry, that hypothesis is likely wrong. I checked ROTK, and it says that there were two riders: Hirgon and his companion that we saw during Hirgon's report about the darkness. We don't see a third messenger anywhere. Unless the third one stayed with Theoden or went back to Gondor by himself or rode on to some other place, they aren't the three riders Pippin and Gandalf saw.

Inziladun · 10-02-2011, 11:19 AM

Gandalf had not long before noted that "the land of Anórien is passing by", which was part of Gondor. Also, the alarm-beacons of Gondor were visible, so it seems entirely possible that the three riders were simply anonymous Gondorian soldiers on some errand or other.

Lalaith · 10-02-2011, 11:27 AM

Yes, I suppose that would work, I just wondered if it referred to something I'd missed.
Also, reading the chapter in the wake of visiting Mont St Michel this summer, this is the vision I had in my mind of Minas Tirith...

littlemanpoet · 10-02-2011, 06:43 PM

Reasonably close, Lalaith! Nice pic, too.

Inziladun · 10-02-2011, 08:16 PM

Indeed, Lal. Good one!

10-02-2011, 10:05 AM	#1
Lalaith Blithe Spirit Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,779	Three riders? I idly picked up the The Return of the KIng last night and re-read "Minas Tirith". I noticed something I had never really noticed/thought about before - that Pippin is vaguely aware of 'three riders' who come up to Gandalf during the long ride to Gondor. Who are these riders? Halbarad, and the sons of Elrond were the only suggestions I could think of. Am I being very dim here? __________________ Out went the candle, and we were left darkling

10-02-2011, 10:56 AM	#2
Galadriel55 Blossom of Dwimordene Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: The realm of forgotten words Posts: 10,411	I thought they were Gondorian messengers, possibly the same ones that were decapitatedon their way back. Edit: sorry, that hypothesis is likely wrong. I checked ROTK, and it says that there were two riders: Hirgon and his companion that we saw during Hirgon's report about the darkness. We don't see a third messenger anywhere. Unless the third one stayed with Theoden or went back to Gondor by himself or rode on to some other place, they aren't the three riders Pippin and Gandalf saw. __________________ You passed from under darkened dome, you enter now the secret land. - Take me to Finrod's fabled home!... ~ Finrod: The Rock Opera Last edited by Galadriel55; 10-02-2011 at 11:12 AM.

10-02-2011, 11:19 AM	#3
Inziladun Gruesome Spectre Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Heaven's doorstep Posts: 8,037	Gandalf had not long before noted that "the land of Anórien is passing by", which was part of Gondor. Also, the alarm-beacons of Gondor were visible, so it seems entirely possible that the three riders were simply anonymous Gondorian soldiers on some errand or other. __________________ Music alone proves the existence of God.

10-02-2011, 11:27 AM	#4
Lalaith Blithe Spirit Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,779	Yes, I suppose that would work, I just wondered if it referred to something I'd missed. Also, reading the chapter in the wake of visiting Mont St Michel this summer, this is the vision I had in my mind of Minas Tirith... __________________ Out went the candle, and we were left darkling

10-02-2011, 08:16 PM	#6
Inziladun Gruesome Spectre Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Heaven's doorstep Posts: 8,037	Indeed, Lal. Good one! __________________ Music alone proves the existence of God.

10-02-2011, 06:43 PM	#5
littlemanpoet Itinerant Songster Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Edge of Faerie Posts: 7,066	Reasonably close, Lalaith! Nice pic, too.

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