Which was probably the single largest logical flaw in the book. The Nine of the Fellowship part of the book, sneaking into The Prancing Pony and fleeing in terror from Aragorn and a few torches held by hobbits, have almost nothing in common with the Nine of ROTK, who go toe to toe with Gandalf the White, with the strong implication that Gandalf might be defeated by the Witch-King, although the confrontation never quite materializes in the book.
If the Nine are so powerful, why are they sneaking around trying to grab the Ring by stealth? Why not take it by force?
Because Sauron knew he was going to war, Ring or no Ring, and was trying to achieve strategic surprise. The greater the delay before the Men and Elves got off their arses, the greater his advantage. Recall the disorganized state of the kingdoms of Men - it nearly worked, too. Would have, if not for Gandalf.
P.S. Agree re the torches. If the Nine feared fire, why didn't Gandalf, or even Aragorn, order the armies to pepper the bastiches with flaming arrows?