Wk6 Bk5 Ch7: Gandalf's Decision

[Stormrider]

From: Stormrider (Original Message) Sent: 4/20/2003 11:00 PM

The Siege of Gondor by Douglas Beekman

Copyright Douglas Beekman. All Rights Reserved.

Gandalf and Shadowfax are about to ride out onto the battlefield after the Captain of the Black Riders but Pippin stops him. Pippin explains that the Lord Denethor is "out of his mind" and that he will kill himself and Faramir.

"I must go," Gandalf replies. "The Black Rider is abroad, and he will yet bring ruin on us. I have no time."

"But Faramir!" cried Pippin. "He is not dead, and they will burn him alive, if someone does not stop them."

"Burn him alive?" said Gandalf. "What is this tale? Be quick!"

Pippin explains that Faramir is still alive and that Denethor's servants are making a pyre to burn both of them on it. Pippin says that he told Beregond but doesn't think he will leave his post to stop Denethor so Pippin pleads with Gandalf to help.

Gandalf fears that if he helps others will die and only evil and sorrow will come of it. "Even in the heart of our stronghold the Enemy has power to strike us; for his will it is that is at work."

Do you think that Sauron planned for Denethor to distract Gandalf from following after the Captain of the Black Riders on the battlefield?

Did Gandalf believe that he was the only person capable of facing the Dark Captain?

Why did Gandalf chose to help Pippin stop Denethor rather than follow after the Dark Captain on the battlefield?

[Stormrider]

From: AnnieLT Sent: 4/26/2003 9:46 AM
I have often thought that the decision to leave the battle and not follow the Captain of the black riders must have weighed heavily on Gandalf. But before Pippin appeared pleading that Gandalf save Faramir, the wizard heard the horns of Rohan as the Black Captain had and that had driven him from the gate. Before that moment, Gandalf might have rightly felt that he was the only one capable of facing the Dark Captain. I feel that the arrival of Rohan might have been a deciding factor. Perhaps it was hope, renewed in the moment he heard the horns, more than a believe that only he could defeat this foe, that sent Gandalf to the tombs to save Faramir. Another factor might have been when Gandalf realized that he was the only one who could save Faramir, "Well, I must come, since no other help can reach him."