Question about the Witch King in LOTR

[Kai Lord]

Do the novels offer any insight as to why the Nazgul King fled from Aragorn on Weathertop considering ROTK's revelation that he was invulnerable to all living men? Or did that encounter not occur in the books?

 

[ConnorSB]

oh, no, it was in the books. its mostly cause nazgul really dont like fire, like REALLY. and cause aragorn was hardcore. If i remember correctly..

 

[ConnorSB]

I just read the scene. Basically its cause aragorn is hard core. The witch king stabs Frodo, and he puts the ring on. before he fades to black he sees aragorn leap from the shadows with "a flaming brand in each hand," and then thats basically it. So its cause nazgul dont like fire, or b/c aragorn is good looking.

 

[Kai Lord]

Then I can see why the Nazgul had their own castle instead of hanging out in Sauron's volcanic landscape.

 

[Nightfall]

Yeah they needed their own digs. Sauron doesn't mind fire. Probably why he had control of the Barlogs during the first couple wars against the elves and the Men of Numeron(sp).

 

[demiurge1138]

I remember hearing somewhere that the Nazgul were vulnerable to the elements, which was why they could be driven off with flames and had problems fording rivers. I don't remember where I read that, though...

Personally, I think the whole "no man may harm me" is just so Eowyn can have her big "I am no man" scene before offing the Witch-King.

Demiurge out.

 

[Celtavian]

re

As I understand it from the books, the Nazgul fled because they felt they had accomplished their mission after the Witchking stabbed Frodo. The piece of the knife that broke off was slowly turning Frodo into a wraith that would eventually do the bidding of the Witchking. There was no reason to press the fight, so they pulled back after Frodo said the name of Elbereth and removed the ring. That name also is apparently a bane to the Nazgul as well as the fire. I would say it was a combination of the fire, the name of Elbereth, and the Witchking thinking the knife would do the work of finishing Frodo and recovering the ring without having to risk disembodiment.

If not for the help of the elflord Glorfindel, his swift horse, and Elrond's and Gandalf's magic, he would have been right.

 

[John Crichton]

Yeah they needed their own digs. Sauron doesn't mind fire. Probably why he had control of the Barlogs during the first couple wars against the elves and the Men of Numeron(sp).

Ya know, it's a good thing that Sauran had those Barlogs on his side. Cause when your drinkin' some fine mead with a good buzz on and ya trip over one, it really stings like a sonofagun.

 

[Umbran]

I would say it was a combination of the fire, the name of Elbereth, and the Witchking thinking the knife would do the work of finishing Frodo and recovering the ring without having to risk disembodiment.

Also, they mention that at Weathertop the nazgul are not yet at their full strength. Even if the Witch King is not vulnerable, his lackeys might be, and he might withdraw to get them out of the fight.

The original quote from RotK is "No living man may hinder me." We'll note that in saying "man" not only is the Witch King leaving out women, but dwarves, elves, and istari (like Gandalf). Aragorn is as pureblooded a Numenorian as exists in Middle Earth at the time, and the Numenorians have elven blood in thier lines. He may not quite count as human in that regard. Facing Strider might be nearly as bad as facing Glorfindel...

 

[Buttercup]

I also recall that it's because all nine weren't present for the attack on Weathertop. Though I might be misremembering.

All nine were there by the time they got to the ford of Rivendell. And regarding that, the flood killed their horses, and washed their clothing and armor away, leaving them nothing but ghosts who couldn't really interact with the living world. Gandalf says something about them having to make their way back to Mordor as pale shadows.