Did the Nazgul wear their own Rings?
This is a hotly debated issue. Some believe that the Nazgul kept their own rings and were enslaved and controlled by Sauron through their rings. This side also believes that the Nazgul derived their power as Ringwraiths by wearing their own rings. The only clear statement for this stand is during the Council of Elrond where Gandalf states that “The Nine the Nazgul keep.” [17] There are faults with this position; 1)why was there no ring left on the ground after the Witch-king was defeated by Eowyn and Merry, whereas Sauron’s Ring was left for the taking by Isildur when defeated by Gil-galad and Elendil, and 2)why didn’t Frodo, as Ring Bearer, see the rings on the Ringwraiths on Weathertop and at the Ford of Bruinen when he saw their swords, pale faces, their eyes, and their crowns? Compare this to the fact that while in Lothlorien he was able to see Galadriel’s ring, Nenya, upon her finger when Sam could not. Most of the evidence points to the opinion that Sauron himself held the rings.
