Re-reading the Lord of the Rings, Chapter 15

This third chapter of the second book is pretty similar to the third chapter of the first, so much so that some questions arise about both Gandalf and Aragorn.

Is Aragorn any better prepared at the outset of his journey than Frodo was at his?

And what exactly is Gandalf up to?

This time the Company leaves at the winter solstice, befitting a journey through death. Aragorn is again painfully cautious, without achieving much in terms of secrecy. Gandalf agrees with this, but also points out that they'll be seen anyway, once they'll reach Caradhras' shoulder.

How we can get over that without being seen, I cannot imagine.

And it is he who reminds Aragorn of the passage through Moria.

But there is another way, and not by the pass of Caradhras: the dark and secret way that we have spoken of.

And then there's again the delay. Now, Frodo never heard of Gandalf's advice by Butterbur's mistake (which Gandalf kind of foresaw though), but the Company must take the route through Moria as the result of the assembled wisdom of Middle-earth, after Elrond had sent his two sons to Galadriel and they returned.

The sons of Elrond, Elladan and Elrohir, were the last to return; they had made a great journey, passing down the Silverlode into a strange country, but of their errand they would not speak to any save to Elrond.

And Gandalf already pointed out in the last chapter that Sauron's mind would be revolving around possible uses of The Ring.

For he is very wise, and weighs all things to a nicety in the scales of his malice. But the only measure that he knows is desire, desire for power; and so he judges all hearts.

So it seems only logical that Gandalf would try to send a message to Sauron that would suggest that somebody was already wielding The Ring and broadening his power, like, say, reclaiming Moria.

And Aragorn would learn something on the way, something else than just to hide about, namely single-handedly taking on an overwhelming seeming foe: Gandalf the Grey, teacher of courage and leadership.