Book 3.1.4: Halros' Decision

[Majesto]

Just a comment, it really depends how much they are following the movies vs how much the novels. All of the ending events from the novels are left out of the movies, so in one sense at least Turbine can do whatever they like with the Shire.

Turbine's license is for the books, not the movies. That's why Aragorn has Anduril before he leaves Rivendell, we have Tom Bombadill, etc. We've already seen what happens with the Tuckborough skirmish.

Is Halros supposed to be Halbarad's brother? Perhaps we'll get something to that effect when Halbarad perishes on the Pelennor Fields.

Anyway, I sent Halros on, since that was the plan from Elrond, and I also thought that if he stayed in the Shire he'd probably end up slain. I couldn't have that on my conscience.

Nice catch with 3.1.4 and pi.

[Bellowyn]

heres what i did, i accepted each quest to see lothos reaction, first i told hal to leave...lotho seemed quite disappointed (sarcastically). hes obviously behind the troublemakers

when i told hal to stay...boy did lotho get mad. besides hes a sackville baggins, theyre always up to no good

[MataTahu]

I admit it, I was metagaming.


I told him to go, since we all know the Shire is invaded later anyway. He'd probably just get killed, overwhelmed by numbers. Better to die on the fields of the Pelennor than at the hands of brigands, eh?

[ericbelser]

Turbine's license is for the books, not the movies. That's why Aragorn has Anduril before he leaves Rivendell, we have Tom Bombadill, etc. We've already seen what happens with the Tuckborough skirmish.

Hmm, I always believed Turbine's license was from Saul Zaentz Co. which has it all really..(as they have certainly engaged in enough lawsuits to prove lol)

[MataTahu]

Hmm, I always believed Turbine's license was from Saul Zaentz Co. which has it all really..(as they have certainly engaged in enough lawsuits to prove lol)

It is, but I believe the rights for film were transferred to New Line or whoever when PJ pitched the idea.

The rights for the books (Trilogy and Hobbit), are still property of SZC, but licensed to Turbine. The Tolkien Estate has the rights to all other Tolkien books, such as the Silmarillion.

[Majesto]

Hmm, I always believed Turbine's license was from Saul Zaentz Co. which has it all really..(as they have certainly engaged in enough lawsuits to prove lol)

Yep, SZC has it all, but Turbine's only able to use material from the LotR, the Hobbit and the appendices. All the other books (like the Silmarillion, Lost Tales, etc) are off-limits. That's why they have to call the Lt. of Dol Guldur the Lt. of Dol Guldur instead of Kamul. It's just not in the books they have rights to.

Of course, things not covered in any books they can get creative with... like Halros.

[chetdawg30]

Hmmmmmmm interesting. I guess i was in the minority with my decision. My thought process was that someone could bring an extra ranger to replace him with ease, and when telling Aragorn when you saw him later about Halros staying behind, he would totally understand that the hobbits could use the extra protection.

[OldMadeOfLions]

PPS- Is it just me or did anyone else think 3.1.4 was funny for the Shire since 3.14 is pi (get it, pie). Okay. It was just me, never mind

I am extremely annoyed that I didn't do that on purpose!

But an excellent observation!

MoL

[Angadan]

I am extremely annoyed that I didn't do that on purpose! :P

But an excellent observation!

MoL

So MoL, that wasn't one of the several Easter Eggs you mentioned being in the quest string? I was sure it was.

[Doronlas]

I told him to go on my first 2 characters, because he should go with his king, regardless of what mission he's currently on (IMO). My third will tell him to stay, just to see what happens. I'm thinking he will probably pay dearly for befriending Lotho in the first place.

[mxyzptlk]

PPS- Is it just me or did anyone else think 3.1.4 was funny for the Shire since 3.14 is pi (get it, pie). Okay. It was just me, never mind

Jilla wins for post of the week!

[TheOneRinger]

I am extremely annoyed that I didn't do that on purpose!

But an excellent observation!

MoL

That's okay, MoL, it just means you're awesome when you're not even trying.

[Trilli]

I think I'll have him "go" with my Hobbits, as they know the resourcefulness of their race. (And, I already told him to "go" with my Hunter... )

My other gals will have him "stay" as they think that the Hobbits aren't quite up to the task and need to be protected.

[Jilla]

I am extremely annoyed that I didn't do that on purpose!

But an excellent observation!

MoL

I would say your secret is safe with me... but you went and told everyone. No matter. I plan on spreading the rumor on Vilya that it's a real Easter Egg.

BTW, I am enjoying this book it really does have a kind of mustering the troops before the great battle/anticipation feel to it. Kind of like in a movie where you get close ups of all the solider's faces and one last glimpse into their personal lives before the battle breaks.

That's okay, MoL, it just means you're awesome when you're not even trying.

Exactly!

Jilla wins for post of the week!

Hehe, thanks. The main reason I play a hobbit is I think like one ya know

[Golledhel]

I myself am wondering what would happen in the Ice Cave instance if you had never done the Fem quest chain, or if you only did it up to the point with the bigfoots(first time you meet that woman).

[Eliel]

I think I'll have him "go" with my Hobbits, as they know the resourcefulness of their race. (And, I already told him to "go" with my Hunter... )

My other gals will have him "stay" as they think that the Hobbits aren't quite up to the task and need to be protected.

That's what I was thinking. My Hobbit has explored Angmar, faced down Amarthiel, fought a Balrog, and reclaimed Tuckborough from brigands with just one other Hobbit friend. Plus he can get back to the Shire at a moment's notice. If something goes wrong in the Shire, I'm awesome enough to handle it myself, so he should go do his Ranger thing.

[Henay]

I myself am wondering what would happen in the Ice Cave instance if you had never done the Fem quest chain, or if you only did it up to the point with the bigfoots(first time you meet that woman).

Is that where she's from? I went through Angmar before they did the big revamp. I'm assuming that's when those Fem quests went in, because I've never done them. The quest was exactly the same for me as it was for others in my kin that have done the Fem quests.

[Beldacar]

Haven't done it yet (taking my time, as best as I can, getting to the endgame), but the decision seems pretty straightforward to me:

Aragorn (and presumably Elrond) are well aware of what orders they gave Halros, yet he's sending for him anyway; that implies that circumstances have changed and Aragorn has made a strategic decision.

Aragorn set Halros to guard the Shire because of the Ring. I may not know what the Fellowship is about, but I do know that it revolves around Frodo and his "burden." If Frodo isn't in the Shire anymore, the main reason for Halros' presence is no longer valid.

Aragorn is Halros' captain; it's Halros' responsibility is to obey his captain's direct orders.

Elrond asked me to summon this fellow. I promised to do so. It's my responsibility to Elrond to convince him to join the Grey Company, regardless of any of the above.

In short, every single rational argument points to sending Halros on his way.

[Angadan]

(1) Aragorn (and presumably Elrond) are well aware of what orders they gave Halros, yet he's sending for him anyway; that implies that circumstances have changed and Aragorn has made a strategic decision.

(2) Aragorn set Halros to guard the Shire because of the Ring. I may not know what the Fellowship is about, but I do know that it revolves around Frodo and his "burden." If Frodo isn't in the Shire anymore, the main reason for Halros' presence is no longer valid.

(3) Aragorn is Halros' captain; it's Halros' responsibility is to obey his captain's direct orders.

(4) Elrond asked me to summon this fellow. I promised to do so. It's my responsibility to Elrond to convince him to join the Grey Company, regardless of any of the above. (numbering added for reference purposes)

I agree with your conclusion, but would like to offer comments on the specific reasons you gave:

(1) Aragorn doesn't actually know anything about this mustering of the troops. In the books, he is utterly surprised when the Grey Company shows up. At this point, in the books, Aragorn has made no decision at all, strategic or otherwise, concerning his Ranger kin and preparations for war.

(2) The Dunedain have been guarding the Shire for many years, and started long before anyone (even Gandalf) knew that the One Ring was there with Biilbo. Remember, Gandalf had suspicions but did not know for sure about the ring until the spring-summer prior to Frodo's departure from the Shire. The Rangers had long been keeping the Shire safe before then. Why do they do it, if not about the ring? Goodness, a desire to preserve the innocence of these quaint and lovable small people? That reason for guarding the Shire hasn't changed at all, of course, even with the departure of at least five of those little fellows.

(3) and (4) I agree entirely with, and are _the_ reason my hunter, burg, and mini are advising Halros to go with the Company (I'm cheating a bit to see alternate outcomes; my cappy and guard are telling him to stay at the Shire heehee).

[Adalas]

Aragorn is Halros' captain; it's Halros' responsibility is to obey his captain's direct orders.

Then you should make him stay in the Shire. Aragorn (probably) ordered him to watch the Shire. Galadriel on the other hand foresaw that Aragorn would need the Grey Company and asked Elrond to gather them.

[OldMadeOfLions]

I'm very pleased at all the discussion about Halros's decision, and I love reading everybody's reasons for what they advised him to do. I thought of this quest as the Should He Stay Or Should He Go Now quest, which tended to elicit groans during V3B1 reviews.

MoL

[uadanb]

I'm very pleased at all the discussion about Halros's decision, and I love reading everybody's reasons for what they advised him to do. I thought of this quest as the Should He Stay Or Should He Go Now quest, which tended to elicit groans during V3B1 reviews.

MoL

Why did they "Groan" you didn't you sing it did you?

[KainXI]

I told him to go because I don't think Hobbits are worth protecting. The only ones who care about anyone but themselves are already out of the Shire

[robnkarla]

I told him to stay, just because I hated the fact that I'd be the one to tell Lotho that the Rangers were leaving. When I tested it in BR, I felt like I had to take a shower after talking with Lotho.

[Sylux14]

I told him to go, but it's a hard choice. I figure he's doomed either way.

If he stays in the Shire he'll probably get killed dead by a half-orc or brigand...
If he goes with the company he'll probably die with Halbarad on Pelennor...