Facing 19 Fingers and One Big Eye

[alatar]

In the 'Voice of Saruman' chapter, Gandalf the White tells Saruman that he may leave Orthanc to go wherever he chooses, even to Mordor, if Saruman so wishes. What was Gandalf thinking? First, as a caveat, I'm not sure how well received Saruman would be at Barad-dur - if I were Sauron, I'd definitely watch my back. That said, Saruman had valuable information that could have aided Sauron in his war effort and in his efforts to recover the Ring.

So how would that play out? And what would the West face if Saruman did physically join up with the East, if Hand and Eye were to join forces.

[Morthoron]

Originally Posted by alatar

So how would that play out? And what would the West face if Saruman did physically join up with the East, if Hand and Eye were to join forces.

Hmmm...I think Sauron would have flayed Saruman alive, particularly after the Nazgul brought back news of Saruman's double-dealing and treachery. In fact, after Saruman's confrontation with the Nazgul at Orthanc, I don't believe Saruman would have even considered a trip to Mordor.

[Inziladun]

I believe by that time Sauron likely already had all the useful information that Saruman could offer, courtesy of their conversations by Palantír. I don't think Saruman knew of the plan to destroy the Ring, as either Sauron would have gleaned that from Saruman's mind during one of their conferences, or Saruman would have willingly informed Sauron so as to receive his favour in victory. If Saruman himself could not lay hands upon the Ring, that had to have been his "Plan B".
Sauron was well aware of Saruman's doings and did not need him, though I'm sure repaying Saruman for trying to get the Ring for himself would have been a priority for Sauron once the West was beaten.

[alatar]

I'm not sure Sauron would be comfortable with Saruman - a rival - hanging on the mat. On the other hand, I can't see Saruman playing second fiddle to the other maia either - even if he were the Captain of the Forces of Barad-dur, he would still be #2.

On the other hand, as Saruman had just been humiliated by Gandalf, and as he's already stated that he would accept lesser-than-optimal means to an end, he might become a captain of the East just to get revenge on the hobbits, ents and especially Gandalf.

Thanks for replying.

[Morthoron]

Originally Posted by alatar

On the other hand, as Saruman had just been humiliated by Gandalf, and as he's already stated that he would accept lesser-than-optimal means to an end, he might become a captain of the East just to get revenge on the hobbits, ents and especially Gandalf.

Oh, but he did exact revenge...in the basest, most meanspirited manner possible (a reflection of how far he had fallen), by becoming the petty dictator of the Shire, Sharky. He says as much to Frodo.

[alatar]

Originally Posted by Morthoron

Oh, but he did exact revenge...in the basest, most meanspirited manner possible (a reflection of how far he had fallen), by becoming the petty dictator of the Shire, Sharky. He says as much to Frodo.

Hmm...started thinking about that. What again was the rationale for him to mordorize the Shire? Sure, he had business associates there, but I thought that when the Hobbits came upon him like some beggar on the road, he was going a different direction - so was the thought late in coming? I assume that, as he had little more than one fang left, he left the abodes of Elrond, Galadriel, Aragorn and Eomer alone.

Had he been looking to be a spoiler - didn't Galadriel try to keep him from resume-padding - if he had joined with Morder, he could have led the attacks on Lorien, maybe to better effect.

Maybe since the attack of the Ents, he developed a phobia about trees, and so had as many as possible cut down in the Shire.