Gandalf Vs. The Witch King

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Originally Posted by Essex

Seems like Denethor thinks the WK is Gandalf's match, and Gandalf doesn't argue!

Apologies for not having my book, but if Essex would be so kind as to continue the quote, one would see (IMO) that Gandalf was being polite to Denethor, as Gandalf knows that Denethor is losing his mind. Doesn't Gandalf continue saying something like 'mayhap is, mayhap ain't' (or was that Mother Abigail? ) in regards to being overmatched by the Witch-King?

And why should we 'trust' Denethor's opinion anyway? His city is under seige, yet what is he doing? Is he acting like the wise and shrewd leader that we know that he was formerly, or is he succumbing to despair? Does he fight the noble fight like Theoden, ala 'the Charge of the Light Brigade' or is he planning on taking the easy way out by killing himself and his son, forsaking honor, office and responsibilities?

Gandalf returns, not because he was overmatched, but because he wanted to save the wounded that still had a chance. If logic (and my memory) holds, if Gandalf returned because he was overmatched yet Faramir remained behind on the field, then a Steward's son (yes, of Numenorean blood) is the Witch-King's match yet a Maia is not.

It just gets so confusing, but would make a great card game ("My Steward's son trumps your Witch-King..." ).