What if Saruman had repented at Orthanc ?

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Legate of Amon Lanc

I believe there is one very important thing to note in this debate. Inziladun, with all due respect, I consider your answer here not completely appropriate. "Could have been trusted" - well, what does that mean? By whom? That's the point. By the reader? Well, that depends, likely not. But we are talking about the others. By Gandalf? I daresay: yes. By the Rohirrim? Well, that does not sound too good. By some Gimli? Likely not. There would have been a conflict, Gandalf would certainly dare to trust him, if he believed that Saruman has truly turned away from his past deeds. But even then, he could not gloriously ride back to Edoras "look, we have a new strong ally!" Saruman would have been shot to death by some angry Rohirrim, or killed in a similar way like in Bag End, just a while earlier.

When I said I didn't believe Saruman could have been trusted, I meant that I did not believe his repentance could be permanent and he would have fallen into his old thoughts and desires, for the reasons I stated. I was not speculating on who would have been likely to give him a chance and take him at his word.
As you say, Gandalf would have, and said as much after the breaking of Saruman's staff. I was simply opining that doing so would have been unwise.