Could Haldir have met Gollum in 3017?

[Arthur_Vandelay]

"The Hunt for the Ring" (in Unfinished Tales) gives a detailed account of Aragorn's journey through the Vale of Anduin with Gollum in tow in 3017. Having crossed the River to avoid Sauron's spies, he at one point passes through the woods of Lorien with his prisoner.

Yet in Lord of the Rings, the elves of Lorien do not appear to have heard of Gollum--for they do not recognise him as the "strange creature" that eludes their capture, but not their detection, on the edge of the woods (as Haldir relates to the Fellowship). How is it possible that Aragorn managed to pass through Lorien and evade the Elves' detection in 3017? Also--even though Aragorn undertook this journey with the greatest stealth, wishing to avoid the eyes of the servants of Sauron, why would he have avoided the Elves of Lorien (as he appears to have done)?

 

[Confusticated]

As far as I have figured it's probably just an inconsistency. The closest thing to an explaination I can think of is that some of the Lorien elves did see Gollum when Aragorn passed through, but they were not concerned enough to run around telling all the others about him and giving descriptions. That and those who saw Gollum in Lorien when the fellowship passed were not among those who saw him the first time. But imagine Galadriel meets Gollum?

 

[HLGStrider]

Possibly Aragorn was well known enough that they didn't bother to give him more than a passing, 'Oh look who's going through our boarders carrying a hairless squirrely thing?"

 

[Inderjit S]

It could be that they just left him alone, or it could be that Haldir and co. or the Elves Frodo and co. encounter were not part of the group of Elves that met Aragorn, if any ever did. Aragorn was in a hurry, he knew the Wilderland better then anybody and he wouldn't have wanted to stop and talk, though then again he could have learnt of the movements of the enemy in the vicinity of the area and could have been supplied by the Elves.

 

[Aglarband]

I agree with what Salagan said.

The closest thing to an explaination I can think of is that some of the Lorien elves did see Gollum when Aragorn passed through, but they were not concerned enough to run around telling all the others about him and giving descriptions.

Elves have become VERY placid by this time. They really don't care for gossip and would much rather talk about their History and Sing Songs about it while getting very drunk. The only Elves who seemed concerened about Middle-earth were Legolas and the Mirkwood elves, Elrond, Arwen, and Galadriel. And I doubt Aragorn wished to speak with Galadriel, knowing what she would say or just not wanting to hear what she had to say. He was still weary about becoming King, although Gandalf seemed keen on making him so. I just don't see why Elves would care about a scragly looking thing Aragorn had taken as a pet.

 

[Inderjit S]

The only Elves who seemed concerened about Middle-earth were Legolas and the Mirkwood elves

Naturally, they were going to remain in Middle-Earth, whereas the others were going to go to Aman. I think the other Elves cared-but were to concerned with their own sorrows, as Gildor states.

 

[e.Blackstar]

Possibly Aragorn was well known enough that they didn't bother to give him more than a passing, 'Oh look who's going through our boarders carrying a hairless squirrely thing?"

I think that HLG hit it right on the head. Probably, if the elves saw Aragorn at all, they didn't truly 'notice' him, because he's a welcome guest. And if he's got a companion, well, it is to be assumed that the other person is either trusted by Aragorn and thus should be trusted by the elves, or, if its a prisoner, Aragorn is perfectly capable of keeping it secure.

 

[Confusticated]

Well that isn't quite how it went when he showed up with the fellowship.