Pipe weed at Isengard
Saruman was also fond of pipeweed the cigarette that came from the Shire. Gandalf and Saruman both enjoyed the pipeweed that originated from the Shire.
Saruman has saved stacks of pipeweed in Isengard and after Isengard fell to the ents and the hourns after the Last March of the Ents, Merry and Pippin smoked the pipeweed. Merry and Pippin greated Gandalf, Legolas, Gimli and Aragorn along with Eomer and King Theoden.
Fall of Saruman’s Isengard and the Ents
The Ents and huorns destroyed all the infrastructure of Isengard and Saruman was trapped inside the Tower of Orthanc. The ents decided to grow back the forest of Nan Curuinr which was destroyed by Saruman.
Like Gandalf’s prediction, Merry and Pippin helped contribute to the fall of Isengard and the destruction of Saruman’s forces. Saruman lost all his forces at the Battle of the Hornburg Castle, the Dunlendgins surrendered to Theoden as well.
Destruction of Saruman’s staff
With his voice, Saruman makes his final words to Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and Gandalf. Saruman believes that Gandalf was foolish to trust Aragorn to return as the king of Gondor. Saruman also tempted Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas with the magic of his voice that Gandalf would sacrifice anyone for his cause.
Saruman claims that Gandalf was able to take collateral damage during the quest of Erebor and this is also proven by giving the One Ring to Frodo such a vulnerable hobbit.
However, Saruman failed to tempt the Fellowship of the Ring and Saruman tried to attack Gandalf by force who was trying to persuade him to surrender. Gandalf, now permitted with more power by Iluvatar when he came back from the dead destroyed Saruman’s staff.
Death of Saruman – Movie Lord of the Rings
In the movie, Saruman’s staff was broken by Gandalf, but still refuses to yield. Grima Wormgtongue, however who already regretted his actions attempted to surrender by Theoden’s offer. Saruman hits Grima Wormtongue while Grima Wormtongue stabbed Saruman from the back.
Saruman fell from the top of the Orthanc tower while Legolas landed a shot on Grima Wormtongue as well. Saruman didn’t survive his fall from the Orthanc tower.
Saruman was also a maia, so his soul was left dwelling in middle earth. The powers of Iluvatar and the Valars stopped Saruman’s soul from entering Valinor so Saruman’s soul had to wander Middle Earth.
Death of Saruman – Original novel
In the original novel, Saruman lost all his powers except for the tempting magic in his voice. The ents kept Saruman as a prisoner but Saruman was able to persuade the ents to release him.
Powerless, Saruman became a gang leader at the Shire where he would harass the hobbits for his grudge against them.
Eventually Saruman was halted by Frodo and Sam who have returned from Mordor. Saruman was also betrayed in the novel by Grima and his soul wandered middle Earth as the Valars and Iluvatar denied passage of his soul to return to Aman, Valinor and the west.
King Theoden’s trust on Aragorn & King Theoden’s blame on himself and guilt
With the victory of the Hornburg Castle at Helm’s Deep, Theoden throws a celebration party at Edoras. King Theoden was grateful for Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas and Gandalf who aided him and saved Rohan from the crisis.
However, King Theoden was ashamed of himself because he believed he relied too much on others while putting Rohan into danger. Theoden also believed that he had not contributed to the victory at Helm's Deep at the Hornburg Castle
Aragorn’s firm belief and Gandalf’s hope became an example for King Theoden but Theoden couldn’t shake off the guilt easily. However, this self-reflection of King Theoden made King Theoden redeem himself and become the true leader as the King of Rohan.
Gimli and Legolas’s drinking bet
Gimli lost to Legolas at the drinking bet at the victory party at Rohan
Eowyn’s crush on Aragorn -
Eowyn did have emotions on Aragorn after the series of events and hardships that they went through. However, Aragorn was deeply in love with Arwen and eventually Aragorn assured his firm love in Arwen to Eowyn later.
However, Eowyn’s emotions were rather respect on Aragorn as a warrior where Aragorn’s words encouraged Eowyn to redeem herself as a warrior. With her experience next to Aragorn, Eowyn who feared as a female woman that couldn’t fight for her own destiny would eventually decide to break old customs to enter battle.
Thus, Eowyn’s emotions with Aragorn were not a typical love story between a hero and a princess. It was rather an awakening of Eowyn as a feminine stereoscopic warrior to fight against old customs and prejudice that women are weak and passive.
What do you fear, lady?"
"A cage. To stay behind bars, until use and old age accept them, and all chance of doing great deeds is gone beyond recall or desire. “
- Conversation of Aragorn and Eowyn –
