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Another problem I would envision is that, repented or not, Sauron had a very different idea on how to wage war; a way that (especially considering his Voice) might have insinuated itself into the alliance. I can easily imagine sometime during the seige of Minas Tirith Saruman sidling up to Denethor as saying "you know I do have this formula for this blasting fire....." How would the whole seige have gone if Gandalf had to face a Denethor who was opposed to him and not consumed by despair (which he well might not be, since with the fire and other devices of Saruman, he might have thought Minas Tirith had a chance of opposing Sauron's forces) Beyond this you could have Aragorn coming to a Minas Tirith still ruled by Denethor (if he wasn't despairing he might not have decided to take his own life (with the devices he might not have sent Faramir out of Osgiliath, as he might not have though is necceary) and Denetor who might think himself powerful enough to take on Aragorn's Ranger's (on the grounds that if Aragorn were slain he and his sons could hold the stewardship forever) and the Rohannim (a stab in the back move, with the aim of conquering Rohan and making it a Gondorian Colony). If Faramir did still go out and get wounded, then in his despair, Denethor migh have not been content to merely take his own and Faramir's life, he might have had blasting fire set and blown up the whole city, decide it was better for it to burn as well.
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