Why Weathertop ???

[EG]

'That is Weathertop' said Strider. 'The Old Road, which we have left far away on our right, runs to the south of it and passes not far from its foot. We might reach it by noon tomorrow, if we go straight towards it.I suppose we had better do so.'
'What do you mean?' asked Frodo.
'I mean: when we do get there it is not certain what we will find. It is close to the Road.'
'But surely we were hoping to find Gandalf there?'
'Yes; but the hope is faint. If he comes this way at all he may not pass through Bree, and so he may not know what we are doing. And anyway, unless by luck we arrive at the almost together, we shall miss one another; it will not be safe for him or us to wait there long. If the Riders fail to find us in the wilderness, they are likely to make for Weathertop themselves. It commands a wide view all around. Indeed, there are many birds and beasts in this country that could see us, as we stand here from that hillhop. Not all the birds are to be trusted, and there are other spies more evil than they are. 

(Saw this discussion on another forum I visit, and thought it interesting...)

WHY did Aragron knowing the high risk of being tracked by the Nazgul, take the Hobbits to Weathertop   He even admits the risk ...

[In AmericEar]

Well, doesn't Strider say that it has good views from all around. So that would help because they would have more chance of sighting Gandalf.

Or maybe Strider knew or had a feeling Gandalf had already been there and wanted to search for clues

 

.... maybe

[Taurendil]

If I remember rightly, they saw lightnings on Weathertop the night before, so maybe Aragorn guessed that that was Gandalf and decided to either look for him there or avoid the Nazgul, since they are supposedly gone from there

[In AmericEar]

Yeah and later on in the book when they are actually at Weathertop, Aragorn says that he guessed it was Gandalf...

I think...

[Beleriel]

I thought he went there to try to find out anything he could  about Gandalf.  He was obviously concerned that Gandalf had not turned up when expected and no doubt the 'strange lightening' that he saw there made him hope to find some trace of Gandalf or even Gandalf himself on Weathertop. 

But I think it can be safely contended that going to Weathertop was one of Aragorn's mistakes that he refers to later on as they approach Rivendell.

[EG]

yeah, but really Aragorn didnt hold up much hope of finding Gandalf....

'But surely we were hoping to find Gandalf there?'
'Yes; but the hope is faint. If he comes this way at all he may not pass through Bree, and so he may not know what we are doing. And anyway, unless by luck we arrive at the almost together, we shall miss one another; it will not be safe for him or us to wait there long. If the Riders fail to find us in the wilderness, they are likely to make for Weathertop themselves.

so why bother ?  why not skirt around the edge... ?  why go to the most obvious point!

[In AmericEar]

Well if you skirt around the edge of a massive rock thingy then you cannot see what enemies are at the other side. So I think if you were at the top, you were more likely to see an approaching enemy.

 

My theory anyway

[EG]

and neither can your enemies see you so obviously!

[In AmericEar]

BUT you would have the advantage because you would be able to prepare / run away like a wimp with your tail between your legs while the enemy was trying to access you (climb up the big rock thingy)

 

[EG]

hahahah! IF you have the wit to notice them, and theyre not coming from all sides.....

Surely, Aragorn would have been better to lay low..

I mean, it isnt as if he didnt know he had a important burden with him ...

[Taurendil]

Or perhaps he tired of sleepless nights in wilderness and chose a more comfortable place

[EG]

where he knew he'd be lucky if he didnt end up fighting several nazgul alone...

the strangest thing about this, is that as a Ranger, he knew how the land lay... he was experienced in making himself invisible.... so why, on possibly his most important mission to date, expose himself   (no rude comments ladies   LESSA!)

[Taurendil]

Perhaps, despite the fact the hope of finding Gandalf was faintest he nonetheless ventured there because he was much worried by his absence. He knew that Gandalf went to Orthanc and of Saruman being not trustworthy.

[Lessa]

Well Weathertop has always been an important place to Aragorn's line. I also agree with others that he was worried about Gandalf, who usually managed to leave word when he was so delayed. Having seen the lights the previous evening and knowing it was probably Gandlaf he wanted to see what had happened and also the message Gandlaf was likely to leave there for him.
Yes it was dangerous having the hobbits and the ring with him but it was a risk he had to take. he needed to know if the routes to Imladris were still safe.

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