One might also consider whether it makes sense to carry the Ring to the Havens, and then take ship south towards Mordor, on the theory that sea travel might be faster or safer than going over land. Against this idea: * From Rivendell to the Havens is about as far as to the Gap of Rohan. The territory to the west of Rivendell is already being patrolled by <PERSON>'s forces, so it would be difficult to move the Ring stealthily. Even if he is not able to seize the <PERSON> at this point, he would know where it was headed. * The route would pass through or near the Shire, putting it in danger from a direct assault by <PERSON>'s northern forces in order to intercept the Ring. * Once at sea, an Elven ship would have to make its way to the Bay of Belfalas and up the Anduin. (If they make landfall earlier then there is no time saved compared to the book route.) <PERSON>'s naval forces out of Umbar, to the south of the bay, would know the ship was coming and be well-prepared to seek it out. Even if <PERSON>'s craft is fast and stealthy, it's not guaranteed to be able to slip past the large corsair fleet. * If we've made it this far, the Ring is in southern Gondor. 88
Compared to the book situation, things are more difficult. <PERSON>'s main army is ready to fall on Gondor, as in the book, but the Ring is now in the wrong place. It's arrived under the hot pursuit of the enemy, and in any case it's very much harder to slip into Mordor from the southwest. The northern route, taking a detour through the Dead Marshes, is easier than braving the gauntlet of the Emyn Arnen directly - so we must pass through Minas Tirith. * Meanwhile, <PERSON> has fallen to <PERSON>, and he may have moved on to attacking Lothlorien, or bringing his own forces against Minas Tirith from the north. By taking the sea route, we have lost the chance to deal with <PERSON>, and so the assault on Gondor is stronger. * As the Ring is now in the city, <PERSON> would be in a position to seize it for his own use. This is actually what <PERSON> thinks is happening in Return of the King - that under the pressure of war, with the Ring in Minas Tirith, the enemy commanders will fight over it and he will be able to swoop in and reclaim it. In this timeline, he may well be right. 88