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.