The Straight Road

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by Boromir88

That's Saruman's thinking, and precisely why you're off the Straight Road.

I know, but isn't he brilliant? I always read about him wanting to know things and know how things work and how they can be improved and thought he was great.

I should imagine that of all the people in Middle-earth, Saruman might be the one who could tell you how the Straight Road works. I think that the designation of 'white' to the head of the order suggests that this 'colour' (or lack of colour or combination of all colours, depending on how you view 'white' as a symbol in Tolkien's world) is linked in some way to Valinor or beyond, to Eru.

Saruman!" he cried, and his voice grew in power and authority. "Behold, I am not Gandalf the Grey, whom you betrayed. I am Gandalf the White, who has returned from death. You have no colour now, and I cast you from the order and from the Council." He raised his hand, and spoke slowly in a clear cold voice. "Saruman your staff is broken." There was a crack, and the staff split asunder in Saruman's hand, and the head of it fell down at Gandalf's feet.