Saruman Occupies Isengard

Saruman offered to take command of Isengard and repair it for defensive purposes and this proffering by the wizard was well received by Beren the Steward of Gondor and Frealaf King of Rohan. "The Rohirrim were grievously reduced by war and dearth and loss of cattle and horses; and it was well that no great danger threatened them again for many years, for it was not until the time of King Folcwine that they recovered their former strength" (p. 348, The Return of the King). "It was for this reason that Beren welcomed Saruman, and gave him the keys of Orthanc; and from that year on (2759) Saruman dwelt in Isengard" (p. 334, The Return of the King).

Saruman had come praising the valor of the Rohirrim and attended the coronation of Frealaf as King. Furthermore he had the permission of Beren to take control of Orthanc as well as the Ring of Isengard. The Rohirrim in turn could rest at ease with a trusted ally in Orthanc and concentrate on defending the Fords of Isen which were the most vulnerable parts of Rohan. In the beginning Saruman was indeed perceived to be a strong friend to Rohan and Gondor. "There can be little doubt that Saruman made his offer in good faith or at least with good will towards the defence of the West, so long as he himself remained the chief person in that defence, and the head of its council" (p. 373, Unfinished Tales). For in his wisdom Saruman saw the strategic importance of Isengard as bulwark against invasion of Eriador or an attempt to surround Gondor.

And through the years, though he hid his intentions well, Saruman had evil plans for Rohan knowing that Fords were of little importance without Isengard and could not hold defenses against it. Indeed "...afterwords there was little doubt in men's minds that Saruman went to Isengard in hope to find the Stone still there, and with the purpose of building up a power of his own" (p. 348, The Return of the King). "Saruman had no doubt from his investigations gained a special knowledge of the Stones, things that would attract his attention, and had become convinced that the Orthanc-stone was still intact in its tower" (p. 404, Unfinished Tales). After the last meeting of the White Council (yet to come) he began building the strength of Isengard for his own purposes. "His friends and servants he drew then from all who hated Gondor and Rohan, whether Men or other creatures more evil" (p. 348, The Return of the King).

Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, 2758-59

Today's reading comes from: The Return of the King, pages 347-348; 334 and Unfinished Tales, pages 373; 404-405