Posted: February 19, 2000 at 12:22:12: by Paul
: Tolkien states that Sauron was completely certain of the Nazgul's loyalties because they were his slaves. He had no doubts about them, and that is why they were selected to go after the Ring. There is never any question of one of the Nazgul turning upon or somehow refusing to obey Sauron.
Yes, they were no longer independantly willed men. They had lost that long ago. Anyone powerful, possessing their ring would probably have total control over the Nazgul. They had enslaved themselves to their ring.
I think if Sauron had given the 9 rings to new Bearers, the original nine would have finally died once the ring attuned itself to the new bearer. But the new nine would not be under the total control of Sauron yet and thus not the best bearers while Sauron was still seeking the One. I also think that one sufficiently powerful could make himself visable in the real world -- even the Nine wielding their rings could probably do so. Paul
| 
