What a great gapfiller and dialogue--i often wonder if Frodo and the other hobbits did study the maps before their Quest and their thoughts about it. I love how Frodo wants to protect his Shire but think that his path leads him South. I am doing this because roads traveled down can be traveled up again. While we can travel down from the Shire to lands of danger, the danger can as easily travel back up to the Shire. If I can prevent darkness from affecting a land I love, I'll do it. My road goes south."

i love this line and agree with it. Also, i love the fact that Frodo knows he can't always rely on others for their guidance... no one knows what may happen in the Quest and i love Frodo's insight.