Saruman's death

[blantyr]

Interesting conjectures here. Don't have any answers, but might throw up a few other issues.

I'm inclined to think Saruman's ring less than the 20 Great Rings. Would its power fade after the destruction of The One? Frodo and Sam at least would be aware of Saruman's ring from the Council of Elrond, yet there was no mention of checking his body after his death. I have this image of Frodo and Sam, after their long trip, after the cleansing of the Shire, sitting down in Bag End with a ring on the table between them, likely golden, likely no gem. I've also wondered, if when Elanor went to Minas Tirith with Aragorn and Arwen, if Sam might have asked her, since she was going to be down near Mount Doom anyway, if she might toss this little trinket in the Crack of Doom.

I've also wondered how a wizard's staff compared in power to the Great Rings. They certainly seemed to break more easily. At a guess they might be as The Five, greater than The Seven, less than The Three?

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by blantyr

I'm inclined to think Saruman's ring less than the 20 Great Rings. Would its power fade after the destruction of The One? Frodo and Sam at least would be aware of Saruman's ring from the Council of Elrond, yet there was no mention of checking his body after his death.

Whatever Saruman's ring was, no one seemed to be all that concerned about it, including one who knew Saruman better than any: Gandalf. He failed to mention it again after the Council, and even let Saruman pass him and the other travelers by in Dunland, knowing that Saruman might still have it. That tells me that Gandalf had some insight that the ring was not a threat, either as an instrument of power, or a corrupting influence.

Originally Posted by blantyr

I've also wondered how a wizard's staff compared in power to the Great Rings. They certainly seemed to break more easily. At a guess they might be as The Five, greater than The Seven, less than The Three?

There have been some interesting threads here over the years about the staves of the Istari, and what they actually did. Here is one of the most recent.

I don't think the staves and the rings are comparable. The Rings of Power imparted to the wearer power that did not belong to them originally. The staves were, in my opinion, a means of focusing the user's innate "magical" power, much as the wands in the Harry Potter series.

[FlameofAnor]

Is it not realistic to assume Saruman will fight alongside Sauron and Melkor at Dagor Dagorath - the Final Battle? It would suit him. Also, if memory serves me correctly, in one of Tolkeinls volumes, did he not say a third evil would rise as Sauron's equal and fight in The End with Melkor? Could be him, eh?