[Marileangorifurnimaluim]

Sharku, we're on the same page again [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img].

I think Minas Tirith would have been sacked and Rohan in shambles, but the quest would still have succeeded.

Sauron would still have been distracted by his wars, and with Aragon's help the hobbits would have gone faster through the Dead Marshes, avoided Shelob made better time.

Boromir would definately have turned south to Minas Tirith.

Aragorn would have come to the decision that stealth required a paring down of the company. Eight is too much.

He would have insisted Merry and Pippin continue South with Boromir. There's no doubt of that.

Then would have convinced Legolas and Gimli to go with those two.

Boromir would not have been none too pleased to act as halfling babysitters.

Plus he would've needed watching as to what he told his father about the ring and the coming king.

The gesture of faith of sending two warriors would have been neccessary, too.

Aragorn would have found no welcome from the people of Minas Tirith - those who lived that is. He would not have been the hero crowned king, but a stranger to them.

Boromir would have been able to prevent the suicide of Denethor, another strike against the easy step onto the throne for Aragorn.

Boromir probably would have died at the gates of Minas Tirith without the riders of Rohan and the shades from the Paths of the Dead. What can I say? Boromir was just doomed one way or the other.