This is the last point in the quest where they have the option to turn back, to give up the One Ring to the detriment of all, and to forget that they ever had a part to play. Beyond the Crossroads, there is no turning back. The interesting thing about the Crossroads though, is that the four different pathways lead in four very different directions, each of which would have a very different outcome of the allies in the War of the Ring.
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The first path, the path directly behind them as they reach the middle point in the road, leads to Morranon. This is the direction that they have come from, and symbolizes the past. Morannon is where the Black Gates of Mordor lie, where Frodo and Sam had their chance to enter, but turned aside, choosing instead to trust in Gollum that he can lead them another way. Morannon is the northern road, and is symbolic of all that has happened in the quest so far, of their dark voyage through the Mines of Moria, of their long crossing of the Dead Marshes, and of their close encounters of the enemy along the way.
Away to the right, the pathway would take them to Osgiliath. This pathway symbolizes false hope. For Osgiliath is currently under siege, and as much as it would seemingly ease the burden of the ring bearer to take the ring to this once mighty city, and place it in the hands of stronger, more valiant men, the men would be too easily corrupted, and the ring would fall back into the hands of the true master, Sauron himself.
As Frodo and Sam stand there on the road looking down to Osgilliath, Faramir currently fights for his life there alongside his men, at the behest of his father Denethor the Steward of Gondor, who is the epitome of hope abandoned. He has despaired to the lord’s will after many years of being influenced by the Palantir, and is willing to forsake even his son in his own grief and madness. To take the path to Ogilliath would be the greatest folly of the journey so far.
The path to the west, leads, as ever, to Gondor itself. This is a path of strength, and symbolizes the love and the loyalty of all those who fight to protect Middle Earth. At Gondor, The riders of Rohan have joined in the fierce battle at Pelennor fields, and are at that moment, sacrificing themselves in true valor for the sake of Frodo and Sam, so that they may reach Mount Doom undetected.
The west path shows that there is still some strength and some honesty in the blood of men, which is shown in tenfold by warriors like Eowyn and Eomer, who both battle to protect their king, and Aragorn, who will later take the throne and rule all with a fair and compassionate love. Although Frodo and Sam cannot take the path west, because it would mean bringing the ring too close to the enemy’s clutches, that way lies their fellowship, a more brave and noble group that will ever be seen again in all the ages of their world. And as a true symbol of this hope, this is the pathway on which they see the fallen king who has regained his crown of flowers, a sign that everything is going to be okay, and that the kingdom will eventually be in safe hands once more.
And on the eastern pathway, lies the future. This is the road that they have chosen, the only path that they can now take in order to fulfill the quest. They are unaware at this moment how many dangers lie ahead, from the evil spider demon shelob, who almost manages to kill Frodo with the help of the cunning Gollum, an entire host of orcs tucked up in their dark tower, and the Silent Watchers, a cruel and evil malice that watches over the entrance to Mordor. Their future is full of many perils, but the path is already laid before their feet, and they must trust that this is the right way.
Fate is a funny thing, and although this isn’t the path that Gandalf intended for them to take, perhaps it is the path that was always meant for them. In trusting each other, and their brave and loyal friends who battle on their behalf, Frodo and Sam achieve the quest, and bring about the downfall of the dark lord, signifying the Fourth Age of Middle Earth, and a time of great joy.
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