Saruman's Opposition and the War of the Ring: A Closer Look

Introduction

The decision of Saruman to oppose Gandalf's earlier suggestion to drive the Necromancer out of Dol Guldur is often debated in discussions about the War of the Ring. This article explores whether Saruman's opposition made a significant difference in the unfolding events of the War of the Ring.

The Role of the Necromancer

The Necromancer, later identified as Sauron, was a major threat to Middle-earth. When Gandalf initially suggested attacking Dol Guldur, he proposed driving Sauron from his hidden citadel. Saruman's opposition led to a delay in the White Council's action and ultimately allowed Sauron to strengthen his position in Mordor.

Sauron's Plans and Intentions

Beyond the immediate consequences, Sauron was always on a path to reclaim his true power. In less than ten years, Sauron would still have been building his forces and preparing to attack Gondor and other realms. By the time of the Two Towers quest, Sauron had already planned his return to Mordor, away from the prying eyes of the White Council.

Sauron's withdrawal from Dol Guldur was a strategic move. He was prepared to return to his true home in Mordor, making Dol Guldur expendable. This decision was driven by the growing power of his re-emerging presence, a presence that could not be ignored by the Nazg?l and the growing threat of the One Ring.

The Impact of Saruman's Betrayal

If Saruman had not succumbed to the corruption of dark powers, the events of the War of the Ring could have unfolded differently. Gandalf would have been able to proceed with his plans without interruption, and Saruman would not have had the motive to corrupt the king of Rohan or aid the Nazg?l.

The Hobbits, Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin, would have had a significant head start on their journey to Mordor. Bilbo Baggins would not have obtained the One Ring from Gollum, and the entire saga of the Lonely Mountain and the confrontation with Smaug would not have occurred.

The Underlying Motives and Outcomes

A key factor in the war was the Ring itself. The Ring's decision to abandon Gollum was influenced by the growing power of Sauron in Dol Guldur. If the White Council had expelled Sauron earlier, the Ring would not have felt the need to leave Gollum, and many subsequent events would be altered or eliminated entirely.

However, by the time of the Last Alliance, Sauron had already constructed Barad-dur, his primary fortress. Even if the White Council had attacked earlier, Sauron could still have retreated to Mordor with his armies in place. The Ring's return to Gollum and its eventual journey to Frodo was a series of events that overshadowed the changes Saruman's betrayal could have caused.

The war would likely have been delayed or altered, but not fundamentally changed. The Nazg?l, Sauron's most loyal servants, would still find a way to bring Gondor and other realms to their knees. The ultimate battle would still occur, and the nature of Sauron's return would have been different but no less catastrophic.

Conclusion

The opposition of Saruman to Gandalf's suggestion to drive the Necromancer out of Dol Guldur did have some impact. However, the overall timeline and trajectory of the War of the Ring would not have been dramatically altered. Sauron's motivations and preparations for war were deeply rooted, and the fate of Middle-earth was ultimately prepared to be darkened by his return.