Trying to explain the behaviour of the
Rangers is a bit tricky. And I don’t speak only of their decision to stay North and avoid the
wars of
Gondor. I speak generally of the denial of their royal line, and the acceptance of their role as Rangers. Why didn’t they try to reconstitute their kingdom? To unite all the people of the Northern Kingdom? Sure, the shadow of
Angmar was heavy upon them, but thousands of years had passed since then. And just considering this, someone with bad intentions, might accuse them of cowardice – against their history and their duty.
It is intriguing to explain the behaviour of the Rangers as guided by
Eru, whose plan was to bring the salvation of the world through the least important
race – the
Hobbits. In general I don’t prefer such “theological” explanations of
events. I think that more a rational approach is better. So, did the Rangers behave as real descendants of
Isildur?
Clearly, they protected their lands with the best intentions and results.
Shire was kept for many years protected. But what about the other
places, like Cardolan and Rhudaur? They seem deserted. Isn’t it the fault of the Rangers? In general, the
mannish populations of the Northern Kingdom seem much neglected by their
kings. And what about the wars of Gondor? Could just a few exceptions (Aragorn-Thorongil) change the rule that the Rangers did not aid their kin?
As a whole, I judge the behaviour of the Rangers during the second half of the TA, as at least disappointing. They had become a group of homeless people, without any specific target (except a vague war against the
evil creatures), in memory of the past
ages and in hope of the future. In which future, they did not seem to have much hope. I do not accuse them of being unworthy. They were probably brave
men, fighting hard the enemy, but still they were not kings. They could not be and did not pursue it. Maybe the time had not come, but how could they know if they tried. They might be waiting for the right one (
Aragorn) to bring back the glory. I just don’t like this simple explanation. It seems to me that the failure of Isildur was still haunting them.
by Arvedui
The Rangers had one major advantage in staying in
the shadows:
That
Sauron did not know that an heir of
Elendil and Isildur was still alive and kicking.
Other advantages:
- They kept close connection with
Elrond, and gained much knowledge and protection from him.
- They were able to keep the line of Elendil pure, almost untroubled from the Dark Forces. At least after the destruction of Angmar.
- They were also close to the Gray Havens and
Círdan.
The connection with the sources of
elvish wisdom would not be lost. Joining the forces of Gondor, it wouldn’t mean that they would stay there forever.
And their keeping in shadows to be unknown to Sauron is not an excuse either. When would they strike Sauron? When it was too late? Or who did they expect to fight Sauron and weaken him, while they stayed back in Shire? Only Aragorn realized his duty that anonymity was no longer a benefit. Was he “told” that by someone, I don’t know.
Concluding, I think that although the behaviour of the Rangers was eventually justified by history (and one can argue that this is enough), they failed to remove the failure of Isildur from their line, until the coming of Aragorn
Elessar.
