What Would Have Happened if Gandalf Had Not Returned as Gandalf the White?

Imagine a future where Gandalf did not return as Gandalf the White. The consequence would be catastrophic, with untold suffering and loss:

Death, Fire, and Blood in Gondor

The scenes of Lord of the Rings depict a grim future for Gondor. The land would be ravaged by death, fire, and blood. The blooding of Gondor would not be limited to just humans, but also extended to the hobbits.

Frodo, the hero, might not survive as the New Dark Lord. His fate could be worse, leading to a bloody end. Samwise Gamgee, who has shown great bravery and loyalty, would meet his demise a little later. Rosie Cotton, the hobbit lass, would tragically succumb to despair, either by her own hand or by marrying an unworthy man. However, such a lonely and miserable existence would pale in comparison to the broader tragedy that would soon unfold. The entire race of hobbits would face their end, their fate sealed by the dark forces at play, leading to a bloody conclusion.

You can see the pattern here: if Gandalf had not returned, the odds were stacked against a happy ending for even the most unlikely of heroes.

Rohan's Fall and the End of Gondor

With Gandalf absent, Rohan would have fallen. There would be no reinforcements to aid the Battle of Pelennor Fields. Gondor, left undefended, would also fall, opening the doors to Sauron's full conquest of Middle Earth.

In these dire circumstances, Gandalf the White’s role as a mental warrior would be crucial. His battle with Sauron would involve a game of wills to distract the Eye of Sauron when Frodo possessed the Ring during the chaotic events at Amon Hen.

The Fate of Secluded Elves and the Dark Path of Gandalf

The texts in The History of Middle-earth (HoME) Volume X, Morgoth's Ring, contain profound insights into the fates of elves who chose to remain in Middle-earth after the Third and Fourth Ages. These elves, having refused the call to sail to the Undying Lands, were often burdened by a stain of evil on their spirits.

These elves varied in their response to this dark influence. Some sought solitude, while others would actively attempt to possess and control others. This raises the question of what might have happened if Gandalf, after the fall of Sauron and the Third Age, chose to continue his existence as Gandalf instead of returning to the Beyond. It is a possibility that he might have began with noble intentions, only to succumb to the darker temptations that would eventually lead to tyranny.

It is speculated that Gandalf could have become like Saruman, gradually shifting from advisor to tyrant. Initially, his role as advisor to King Aragorn served the realm's best interest, but this could have evolved into a more oppressive regime.

Furthermore, the body Gandalf had inhabited was not immortal. He was an elder being, the age of 2000 years when he met his demise in Moria. Over the extended period he might have remained, it is unclear whether he would have been able to regenerate a new body, leaving the question of his ultimate fate unclear.