Gimli would have then had to agree just to avoid being seen as cowardly in the face of the Elf. Legolas (who agreed first) was also likely swayed, at least a bit, by Gandalf and Aragorn's confidence, since he held both of them in high respect. Gimli and Legolas likely agreed to let Frodo carry it primarily because it meant keeping it away from the other. Gandalf's opinion would also have likely swayed Aragorn, on top of the fact that Aragorn had already traveled with Frodo, and 'knew his heart'. Frodo was 'just a hobbit' even if he did succumb to the ring's influence, his capacity to cause real harm would be limited.īeyond that, Gandalf certainly seemed to believe that Frodo was destined to be the one to carry the ring when Frodo finally did volunteer, Gandalf's face was not surprised, but resigned.Frodo was already a ring bearer, and it was certainly a good idea to limit the number of people that had direct contact with it.Gandalf and Elrond had already commented how Frodo, and Bilbo before him, seemed unusually resistant to the ring's influence.None of the council members ever explicitly say why they agreed to go with Frodo, but we can infer some of their individual reasons by their reactions:įor starters, I should point out that Frodo had a lot of qualifications that made him logically the best candidate to carry the ring, In particular: There isn't any one reason why everyone agreed to let Frodo carry the ring each person has their own reasons. It's tempting to tie this into Tolkien's Catholicism, which has a strong belief in providence: that is, seemingly chance events being pre-ordained by God.

In which case you also were meant to have it. I can put it no plainer than by saying that Bilbo was meant to find the Ring, and not by its maker. 'Behind that there was something else at work, beyond any design of the Ring-maker. Here's Gandalf, when he first tells Frodo about the Ring: It's clear from this and other conversations that Elrond and Gandalf believe there is a great deal pre-destined about this whole thing: Bilbo finding the Ring first of all, then passing it to Frodo. This is the hour of the Shire-folk, when they arise from their quiet fields to shake the towers and counsels of the Great.'

'If I understand aright all I have heard,' he said, 'I think that this task is appointed for you, Frodo and that if you do not find a way, no one will. Here's Elrond's answer when Frodo volunteers:

Frodo ring of power