Alan Sisto

Version C. Why do we know that?

Well, look at the Tale of Years.

That says, for September 18, 3018, that Gandalf escapes from Orthanc in the early hours the Black Riders cross the Fords of Isen.

Now, Christopher's commentary points out that brief though this entry may be, and saying nothing about the nine stopping by Isengard first, nevertheless, it seems to be based on the story told in version C. My question for you then, Matt, is does that mean we take C to be

the definitive version in all circumstances or just for this one single element?

Like how helpful is that?

Not very.

First edition Hobbit or second edition Hobbit?

He's gaslighting his buddies.

Of course, yes.

First edition or second edition of Lord of the Rings because there were some minor changes to that.

No, the published, because that's in the Lord of the Rings, which is... Yeah.

Well, that's the thing, because he changed so much so frequently.

I mean, you look at just, in the history of Gladwell and Celeborn, which is all written after the Lord of the Rings, it shows that had he...

And we'll have more on him later.

Oh, we certainly will.

So we catch up with the Nazgul most of the way across.

And the Dwight, they're getting close to the crossing of the Grey Flood at Tharbad.

Now, before we're told what happened, we're told that it is good fortune for the Nazgul, but a disaster for Soderman.

And it creates a massive danger for Frodo.