Saruman

Saruman the White was one of five Istari who came to Middle-earth in the Third Age. As the head of the order and the White Council, his duty was to aid the Free Peoples counter the potential return of Sauron. Early on he delved deeply in the study of the Enemy's devices, coming to rather praise his works, thus gaining an interest in the area of Rings of Power.
Ever spiteful of Gandalf the Grey and yearning for power, Saruman turned away from his mission to slowly fall under Sauron's sway of temptation - at first unintentionally and later quite willingly. The corrupted Istari became the scheming and duplicitous servant of the Enemy: by terrible means he sought to become an almost-equal lieutenant and receive his master's favor in victory, or seize the One Ring first when an opportunity arose.
== History ==
Saruman was originally among the Maiar, primordial spirits that came with the Valar as their people, before being sent to Middle-earth as the head of the Heren Istarion in the Third Age. He was a master of lore, but his wisdom had made him proud over the years. Even then he had been spiteful of Gandalf, in part because the latter had been given Narya, the Ring of Fire, but also due to the recognition he enjoyed among the elves.
While he still held true to his mission, Saruman became the head of the White Council, an alliance of the wisest beings in Middle-earth whose purpose was to aid the Free peoples counter Sauron should he take shape once more. Having researched the vast arcane lore in the library of Minas Tirith, Saruman now held significant knowledge of the devices of the Enemy - especially the Rings of Power - and was taken in and coveted similar accomplishments. Granted permission by the Steward of Gondor, Saruman settled in the Tower of Orthanc in Isengard - he had offered to counsel the neighboring kingdom of Rohan in defense of the west.
=== Head of the White Council ===
"I do not feel I can condone such a quest" - Saruman on the Dwarves
At some point, Saruman had evidently set about spying on Gandalf. He was aware of Gandalf's intention to lead the Dwarves into Erebor and was strongly opposed to it. He arrives in Rivendell for a meeting of the White Council. Saruman expresses his disapproval of Gandalf's actions concerning the quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain and dismisses Gandalf's reasons as 'looking for trouble where none exists'. He is skeptical of the information Gandalf provides on the Necromancer and he further dismisses the information when he learns it came from Radagast the Brown, who he believes is a fool and an embarrassment to the Istari due to his consumption of mushrooms. When presented with the Morgul blade, Saruman states there is no proof that it belonged to the Witch-king of Angmar. Saruman sums up all of Gandalf's concerns as nothing to worry about but states that he feels he cannot condone the quest of the Dwarves to reclaim Erebor. However, unbeknownst to Saruman, the Dwarves have already left Rivendell.
=== Battle of Dol Guldur ===
"Leave Sauron to me!" - Saruman plans to handle Sauron
Saruman arrives at Dol Guldur along with Elrond, after being summoned there by Galadriel, to rescue Gandalf. Saruman appears as Galadriel and Gandalf are surrounded by the Nazgûl and asks if she needs assistance. At this, two of the Nazgûl turn towards him and both he and Elrond begin to battle with the Nine. Saruman duels several of the Ringwraiths, appearing to be able to handle up to two at a time. In the end, both he and Elrond overpower the Nine and they retreat momentarily. After Gandalf is taken away by Radagast, Sauron appears before the remainder of the White Council along with the returning Nazgûl. Saruman readies himself for further battle but appears to be paralyzed with awe of Sauron's power. Galadriel rises in a terrifying ethereal form and begins a battle of wills with Sauron. Saruman barely seems to notice this, still stunned in amazement of Sauron. Galadriel eventually gains the upper hand and banishes Sauron from Dol Guldur. After recovering from his shock, Saruman notes that while Galadriel has banished Sauron, it took nearly all of her power to do it and tells Elrond to take her back to Lothlórien, When Elrond argues that Sauron must be found and permanently destroyed, Saruman replies that without the One Ring, Sauron will never regain his full strength. He then tells them to go and 'leave Sauron to me.' This is most likely the point, where Saruman begins his fall into evil. Although he spoke of Sauron not regaining his full power, Saruman was clearly dumbfounded after witnessing his power first hand, foreshadowing his eventual loss of any hope of defeating him and his eventual service to Sauron.
=== Treachery Revealed ===
"We must join with him, Gandalf. We must join with Sauron. It would be wise, my friend." - Saruman reveals his allegiance to Sauron
Saruman reveals that he has been utterly enslaved by the will of Sauron and by his own thirst for power. When Gandalf refuses to join Mordor, he imprisons him in Orthanc. Instructed by his master to build him "an army worthy of Mordor", Saruman gathers his Orcs and begins the preparations for war: constructing dams and wooden machinery, fortifying the ringed walls of Isengard, forging arms and breeding Uruk-hai. He confronts Gandalf once more atop Orthanc, trying to coerce him into submitting to Sauron, only for the Grey Pilgrim to flee. Saruman tracks the Fellowship using Crebain and summons massive snow avalanches and rock-slides to try and hinder the heroes at Caradhras. Uruk-hai in service to Saruman attack the Fellowship at the conclusion of the film, killing Boromir and capturing Merry and Pippin. Saruman's interactions with Gandalf also were toned down in the movie compared to in the books, where he was shown to interact with Gandalf in a genuinely friendly manner, as well as appearing to accept that Gandalf chose death over serving Sauron with some sadness, whereas even before his allegiance to Sauron was revealed, he barely hid his contempt for Gandalf with sarcastic barbs.
=== War on Rohan ===
"This night the land will be stained with the blood of Rohan. March to Helm's Deep. Leave none alive. To war!" - Saruman addresses his legions of Uruk-hai
Saruman leads his master's conquest in the West of Middle-earth. He allies himself with the Dunlendings who join his Orc parties and burn the Westfold, then amasses an Uruk-hai army of 10,000 to destroy Rohan. He is aided by Gríma Wormtongue and is depicted as having outright possessed Théoden. At the climax of the film, Saruman's army is defeated at Helm's Deep and Isengard is overrun by Ents. . Saruman communicates with Sauron through the Palantir, declaring the alliance of the Two Towers against Middle-Earth. He speculates that their victory is assured as none can withstand the combined might of Mordor and Isengard. Under Sauron's orders, Saruman turns to his neighbors in Rohan and sends the Uruk-hai to attack Theoden's lands. Saruman also persuades the wild men of Dunland to join his master and to lay waste to the lands. This later leads to the horrific burning of the Westfold. While this is ongoing, he oversees the work at Isengard with an Orc commander, telling him that he wants the army ready to march within two weeks.
The Orc commadner informs him that resources are running low and the army cannot be armed within the time period. Impatient, Saruman instructs him to work the furnaces double time, and build a dam, but the Orc commander informs that they no longer have enough fuel to feed the fires. Gazing from the top of his tower, Saruman notes that the forest of Fangorn lies on their doorstep, and orders the orcs to burn it, and the Orc commander eagerly agrees, with both blatantly forgetting the perils of the forest.
Meanwhile his Uruks are being lead by Uglúk, after Lurtz's death at the hands of Aragorn the Ranger. Sauron sends an orc band led by Grishnakh to hurry them up. Saruman's plans to claim the ring are shattered when the Uruks are killed by Rohirrim Riders. However, he does secure a victory at the Fords of Isen, where the Uruks decimate the defenders of Rohan and mortally wound the King's son, Theodred.
At some point, Saruman makes a deal with Grima Wormtongue, promising him the hand of Lady Eowyn if he can spy for the wizard. Wormtongue obliges and places a spell on King Theoden, allowing Saruman to posses the King and weaken him. Rohan is robbed of its leader and its forces are scattered thanks to Wormtongue banishing Eomer and his army from the lands. With this, Saruman essentially prepares Rohan for imminent destruction.
But his plans soon go awry. Saruman suddenly finds himself magically assaulted from afar by Gandalf, who has returned as the White Wizard. Saruman senses that Gandalf is trying to break his spell over Theoden. Speaking through the King, Saruman declares that Rohan "is mine". But Gandalf becomes wrathful and continues to magically attack him. Saruman tries to resist, but Gandalf proves too powerful and overwhelms him. Saruman is violently thrown down in Orthanc and left to bleed on the floor.
Shaken from the encounter, Saruman now realises that he has lost control of the King and must now conquer Rohan by force. Grima soon returns to Orthanc, having been ousted as a traitor by Theoden. Grima relays the encounter to Saruman, who is fuming over Gandalf's triumph over him. He wonders at this new change in Gandalf as the White Wizard, though he still declares him a fool for not joining Sauron. Saruman is intrigued by Grima's description of Aragorn, especially his ring. Saruman deduces it as the Ring of Barahir, an heirloom of the House of Elendil. Saruman dismisses the matter as the world of men will fall anyhow.
=== Isengard Unleashed ===
"A new power is rising, it's victory is at hand!" - Saruman speaks to his army of Uruk-Hai
Grima counsels that Theoden will not remain at Edoras as it is too vulnerable. He knows that Theoden will lead his people to the much stronger dwelling of Helm's Deep. Having learned that they will travel though the mountain pass, Saruman sends out a company of Warg Riders to waylay them. The attack is heavy, but eventually the Warg Riders are defeated. Saruman learns from the Crebain that Theoden has safely reached Helm's Deep.
Grima advises that Helm's Deep has at least one weakness in its impenetrable walls; a single culvert at the base of the deeping wall. With this in mind, Saruman prepares a blasting powder to blow a hole in the wall. Grima is skeptical of this, arguing that even if the wall is breached it will take numerous forces to storm the keep. Saruman agrees, mildly suggesting tens of thousands, before he goes to the balcony of Orthanc and is greeted by army of 10,000 Uruk-Hai.
From the tower, Saruman declares a new age and orders the Uruks to strike upon the weakened men of Rohan at Helm's Deep. The Battle of Helm's Deep soon commences, and the Uruks successfully use the black powder to blast the wall into pieces. The Uruks manage to overwhelm the fortress, but at the last minute the siege is broken by Gandalf arriving with Eomer and his men. The reinforcements destroy the Uruks and the remaining few flee.
=== Wrath of Fangorn ===
Things soon take a turn for the worse for Saruman. The wizard hears a commotion from Orthanc and goes to investigate. From the tower, he is horrified to see the Ents of Fangorn storming into Isengard. Angered by the burning of the trees, the Ents destroy all of Saruman's machinery and flood the whole plain by breaking the dam of the Isen. The orcs are drowned and the pits of Isengard are cleansed. Alarmed and unable to fight them, Saruman retreats into his tower. He is later seen by the hobbits Merry and Pippin as he watches from the balcony, dismayed at the destruction of his forces.
=== Final confrontation with Gandalf and demise ===
"You're all going to die" - Saruman to the Fellowship
Gandalf, King Theoden, Prince Eomer, Aragorn, Legolas Greenleaf and Gimli later arrive in Isengard to parlay with Saruman. The Ent leader Treebeard has assumed the role of Isengard's new master. Saruman emerges on the roof Orthanc and is somehow able to communicate with them despite being 500 feet above them. Gandalf attempts to reach Saruman's conscience, reminding him that many lives were lost because of him, but by revealing Sauron's evil schemes he can prevent more loss of life. Saruman believes it is too late to intervene in Sauron's plans, as the Dark Lord has prepared his armies for some time. He also reveals that there is a darkness in the heart of Middle-Earth itself that will weaken their efforts.
Saruman scorns Gandalf's plan to set up Aragorn as King, spitefully declaring him as a mere ranger. He also calls Gandalf out on burdening Frodo with the impossible task of destroying the ring. Gandalf offers to spare and forgive Saruman if he surrenders, to which Saruman shoots a fire ball from his staff in a desperate attempt to kill the wizard. But Gandalf dissolves the flames and tells Saruman that the latter's staff is broken, to which Saruman's staff explodes. Saruman is left fuming on top of his tower, having being out-gambitted by Gandalf again.
Grima emerges on the tower beside him. Theoden tells Grima to leave Saruman's side, reasoning that he is not evil like the wizard and that once he was a good man and a fair aide. Grima seems to welcome the offer from Theoden. Saruman becomes angry, taunting Theoden that Helm's Deep was never his victory as by right it was won by Aragorn. Theoden ignores this and urges Grima to come back with him to Rohan and be free of the darkness. Saruman sneers that Grima will never be free. When Grima objects, Saruman slaps him to the ground. Gandalf upbraids him and asks for more information. Saruman says he will tell them where they will eventually fall, but Grima suddenly stabs him in the back with a knife. Although Legolas hastily shoots Wormtongue with an arrow, it is too late. Saruman topples over the tower and falls, landing on a spiked mill wheel. His body slips into the water and the palantir falls from his sleeve. Pippin retrieves it and gives it to Gandalf.