Part 2/8:
Even without the One Ring, Sauron's strength was considerably formidable. As described in The Return of the King, his armies significantly outnumbered those of the West, with a ratio of at least ten to one. Aragorn and Gandalf knew the stakes; unless Frodo succeeded in destroying the Ring, they were heading toward certain death. Therefore, the outlook was dire even before considering the potential revival of Sauron’s full power.