What if the orcs had not captured Merry & Pippin?

[Aratlithiel]

Well, I can see the eyelash batting didn't distract you so...

What of Aragorn realizing that he'd be more of a magnet in Mordor than an aid?

Well, if that were the case then I could definitely see him leaving Frodo to his fate with many regrets, but you don't explain how he would become this magnet. Sauron would not be able to 'feel' Aragorn's presence as he does the Ring and possibly Gandalf. Sauron isn't even sure of Aragorn's existence until after the palantir incident. Explain to me how Aragorn becomes the magnet and I'll give you this one too.