[Moonraker]

Originally Posted by Andsigil

Had Gandalf done that, he would have defied Glorfindel's prophecy that no man could kill the Witch-King. This is something of a moot question, since Tolkien clearly wanted Eowyn as the vehicle for this.

Gandalf clearly was no ordinary man. Plus the prophecy of Glorfindel was just a prediction, he was not psychic. He did not predict the fall of Gandalf the Grey, only to come back as a more powerful Gandalf the White?

Originally Posted by Aiwendil

That's debatable, since the prophecy, if I recall correctly, said rather than no mortal man would kill the Witch-king. Does an incarnated Istar count as a mortal man? Though Tolkien's solution of having him killed by a mortal woman is, of course, nicer.

Not forgetting the handy work of a certain hobbit.

Originally Posted by Moonraker

In the event that Gandalf the White killed the Witch King at the main gate of Minas Tirith, would this victory have been enough to drive the hosts of Mordor back in fear and disarray, leading to a quick and decisive victory in favour of Gondor? Kill the leader, and the sheep will scatter? Or would another leader step in, such as the remaining 8 Nazgul, or even the Mouth of Sauron?

I wonder if Sauron himself may have decided enough was enough, and for this to be his hour he must confront the slayer of his most powerful servant head on? Sauron versus Gandalf the White? What a titanic battle that would have been, even bigger than Gandalf the Grey versus the Balrog of Morgoth. Gandalf would have been weary from his battle with the Witch King, so Sauron couldn't have taken him on at a more opportune moment.