Who Moved the One Ring When Frodo was Recovering in Rivendell: Theaelfic Details

During Frodo's recovery in Rivendell, an intriguing detail emerges: the One Ring, which had been hanging from his waist, was moved to a new chain. This change in the ring's appearance is a point of discussion among several factors and characters involved in Frodo's care. In what follows, we will explore this matter further and consider the most probable candidates responsible for the change.

Changes in the Text

From Many Meetings, we read: "When he had dressed Frodo found that while he slept the Ring had been hung about his neck on a new chain light but strong." While the text does not explicitly mention the sequence of events, we can infer several details. For instance, since Frodo was changing his attire in Rivendell, it is clear that he was momentarily left unattended—albeit due to injury and recovery—allowing someone to make this change.

Potential Candidates

The most likely candidates for moving the ring to a chain are Elrond and Gandalf. Both figures played crucial roles in caring for Frodo during his stay in Rivendell and each possessed one of the Three Rings. Interestingly, all Three Rings were untouched by Sauron, adding another layer to the discussion. Here's a closer look at each:

Gandalf's Role

While most interpretations suggest that Gandalf was the one who set the ring on a chain, this is based on a mix of literary inference and personal speculation. In the movie adaptation, Gandalf's reluctance to touch the ring is a notable element, but in the book, the situation is somewhat different. In The Fellowship of the Ring, before Frodo was given the One Ring, Gandalf had already had brief contact with it, which allowed him to recognize its power immediately. This suggests that Gandalf was not afraid to handle it during Frodo's recovery, as he had already established its significance.

Elrond's Role

Elrond, being the head of the Elven house and a skilled healer, had the opportunity and the capability to implement this change. Moreover, his position among the Elves would provide easy access to various tools, including tweezers or forceps, which could have been used to delicately thread the new chain through the ring. The description in the text of light but strong chain indicates that the person handling it was familiar with such jewelry work.

The Surgical Aspect

One interesting angle to consider is the extent of Frodo's injury and the parallel operation performed by Elrond. Following Frodo's surgery, it would be entirely plausible that Elrond or another competent Elven jeweler, perhaps Elrond himself, replaced the old chain with a new one using tweezers. This action would minimize the risk of contact and temptation, a key factor in maintaining Frodo's purity.

Less Probable Candidates

Other less probable candidates include Glorfindel, who while notable for his interactions with Frodo, did not seem to be directly involved in the relief of his injuries. Speculating that someone else, like Glorfindel, made the change without explicit textual support adds unnecessary complexity to the scenario.

Conclusion

While the exact identity of the person who changed the ring for Frodo is not definitively stated, the candidates most likely to have done so include Gandalf and Elrond. Gandalf's previous contact with the ring and Elrond's expertise in surgery and craftsmanship strongly suggest that one of these two would have been the most logical choice. The minor change in the ring's appearance serves as a reminder of the One Ring's subtle but potent influence, one that can corrupt even the good if one covets it.