Why Was Glorfindel Chosen to Protect Frodo Instead of Gandalf?

In J.R.R. Tolkien's The Fellowship of the Ring, the decision to send Glorfindel to protect Frodo from the Nazg?l is primarily rooted in the urgency and peril faced by the Shire and the close proximity of Rivendell. Let’s delve into why this decision was made and explore the context in which it occurred.

Context and Urgency

It is important to understand the immediate context in which the Nazg?l, or the Dark Lord's mighty servants, were on the move. The Nazg?l, being powerful and dangerous, required an ally of significant strength to face them. In The Fellowship of the Ring, it is explicitly mentioned that the Nazg?l were abroad and were pursuing Frodo and the Ring.

Rivendell and its Strategic Importance

Rivendell, located near the Shire and on the same side of the Misty Mountains, was the nearest safe haven to the hobbits. In the chapter "The Ring Goes South, " it is described how crossing the Misty Mountains would be both perilous and treacherous. Without the safe passage provided by Elrond and Rivendell, the path to safety would have become much more perilous and indirect.

The Proximity to Danger

According to Elrond, the immediate proximity of Rivendell to the Nazg?l's potential pursuit was critical. A passage from The Fellowship of the Ring reads: 'They said that the Nine were abroad and that you were astray bearing a great burden without guidance for Gandalf had not returned. There are few even in Rivendell that can ride openly against the Nine but such as there were Elrond sent out north west and south. It was thought that you might turn far aside to avoid pursuit and become lost in the Wilderness.' This emphasized the immediate threats and the need for swift action.

The Strength and Motive of Glorfindel

Despite the urgency and the peril, the decision to send Glorfindel was not just about proximity. Glorfindel, one of the Guardians of Magical Derivatives, had both the strength and the motive to undertake this mission. As an Elf-lord, Glorfindel was powerful enough to confront the Nazg?l, a lesser being with immense magical power, such as Gandalf, would have undoubtedly been needed as well.

The decision to send Glorfindel over Gandalf was also influenced by the fact that Gandalf had not yet returned to Rivendell. Elrond, in his wisdom, knew that with the Nazg?l in pursuit, every moment was crucial, and sending the most capable and available force was essential.

Furthermore, the necessity to protect Frodo, who was not as powerful as Gandalf, underscored the critical importance of Glorfindel’s presence. Frodo, carrying the One Ring, was a key target for the Nazg?l; thus, a powerful protector was needed to ensure his survival.

Conclusion

In summary, the choice to send Glorfindel to protect Frodo instead of Gandalf was a strategic decision rooted in urgency, proximity, and the need for a protector of significant strength. While Tolkien does not explicitly state this in his text, it can be inferred from the context and the unfolding events in The Fellowship of the Ring.

Through the eyes of Elrond and the subtleties of the narrative, we can deduce that Glorfindel’s presence was crucial not just for practical reasons but also as part of a larger plan to guide and protect the Fellowship in the face of overwhelming danger.