[Celuien]

Unfinished Tales:

Of major interest, however, is a brief and very hasty sketch of a narrative, telling of a council of the Valar, summoned it seems by Manwë ("and maybe he called upon Eru for counsel?"), at which it was resolved to send out three emissaries to Middle-earth. "Who would go ? For they must be mighty, peers of Sauron, but must forgo might, and clothe themselves in flesh so as to treat on equality and win the trust of Elves and Men. But this would imperil them, dimming their wisdom and knowledge, and confusing them with fears, cares, and weariness coming from the flesh." But two only came forward: Curumo, who was chosen by Aulë, and Alatar, who was sent by Oromë. Then Manwë asked, where was Olórin ? And Olórin, who was clad in grey, and having just entered from a journey had seated himself at the edge of the council, asked what Manwë would have of him. Manwë replied that he wished Olórin to go as the third messenger to Middle-earth (and it is remarked in parentheses that "Olórin was a lover of the Eldar that remained," apparently to explain Manwë's choice). But Olórin declared that he was too weak for such a task, and that he feared Sauron. Then Manwë said that that was all the more reason why he should go, and that he commanded Olórin (illegible words follow that seems to contain word "third"). But at that Varda looked up and said: "Not as the third;" and Curumo remembered it.

I think this passage can be interpreted as an early sign of Saruman's pride. Saruman puts himself forward as Sauron's equal while Gandalf fears him. Plus, Saruman's volunteering for the mission despite being warned of the potential of "dimming their knowledge and wisdom" could be a sign that he thinks he is immune to the problem. The only one of the Istari who succeeded was the one who did not volunteer because he didn't think that he was capable of accomplishing the task. Thus, Gandalf would be more alert to the potential for failure through his weaknesses and would be more likely to take steps to correct himself if he saw a problem arising. Maybe the basic inability to recognize his weaknesses is the ultimate source of Saruman's downfall.

I'm also wondering if Varda's "Not as the third" is the beginning of Saruman's jealousy of Gandalf. I think that his making special note of the statement can be read that way if we take it as meaning that Gandalf is not the third ranking of the Istari. It sets up the idea that Saruman is annoyed that Varda would place Gandalf as an equal to him. I can imagine Saruman being nettled by Manwë choosing Gandalf (at least in part) because of the humility that Saruman lacks.