[Scott]

One point that I think might have been overlooked is the fact that while he is in the Shire, Saruman is left poweless. Now, would this be because it is the Shire? No, of course not. Would this be because Gandalf had put a curse on Saruman from using his powers? Again, no. He was left powerless because his staff was broken.

While Saruman was still in most every aspect still a Maia, because his staff was broken - his channel or "divining rod" if you will - he was left mojo inept.

As for whether conjecture on this is even relevant, all I have to say is that conjecture and imagination are the very stuff that good fiction are made of. Simple conjecture doesn't necessarily translate into sacriligious "fan-fictioning". It only means that the reader is consciously thinking about what they're reading. Isn't that what this forum was set up for?

~Scott