Why didn the Nazgul take the Ring at Weathertop?
The Nazgul withdrew from Weathertop despite a five-against-one fighting advantage and with the One Ring almost within their grasp. Many share Aragorn’s confusion about this: “I cannot think why they have gone and do not attack again.” The true reason appears to have been a combination of several factors. Aragorn’s analysis in “Flight to the Ford” is least in part accurate: I don’t think they expected to be resisted… They will come again another night, if we cannot escape. They are only waiting, because they think that their purpose is almost accomplished, and that the Ring cannot fly much further. Many have considered this explanation inadequate: the Ring seems like too great a prize for the Nazgul to take such foolish caution. Some quote Letter #210 where Tolkien says that the Nazgul “have no great physical power against the fearless”, arguing that Aragorn was able to drive them away. However, this quote does not preclude them from having “normal” physical power, and the Witch King
