Did Gandalf make a mistake at Isengard ?

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Formendacil

Although the basic point here that Inziladun and {b]Ibrin[/b] are making is to the effect that the palantír did not play a deliberative role in Gandalf's actions, I think it's incorrect to say that he did not know a palantír was in Saruman's possession.

The Orthanc-stone, after all, had always been at Isengard. Unlike the stones of Arnor, it was never moved due to enemy advances, and unlike Osgiliath and Minas Ithil, Orthanc was never taken by an enemy army--though, if my memory serves (and it IS hazy), the garrison did become strongly Dunlendish at some point, and resist Rohirric influence.

If Gandalf was so certain of Saruman possessing the Stone, why would that not have been his first assumption of the manner in which Saruman and Sauron communicated?

There was some link between Isengard and Mordor, which I have not yet fathomed. How they exchanged news I am not sure; but they did so.

TT The Palantír

Surely, if Gandalf had been fully aware of the Orthanc-stone, it would not have taken Pippin's experience on Dol Baren for him to recognize what the Stone was.
Unlike Saruman, Gandalf's mind did not have a special affinity for artifacts of power, and I can see how the palantíri would have eluded his attention. It certainly appears to me that the event on Dol Baren took him completely by surprise.

[William Cloud Hicklin]

And how would a Nazgul have managed to seize a hobbit guarded by Ents, anyway?

[The Mouth of Sauron]

Originally Posted by William Cloud Hicklin

And how would a Nazgul have managed to seize a hobbit guarded by Ents, anyway?

A Nazgul could have snatched them easily enough, as they sat alone by the gate, while the Ents were working at the north side of Isengard.

[Hakon]

Originally Posted by The Mouth of Sauron

A Nazgul could have snatched them easily enough, as they sat alone by the gate, while the Ents were working at the north side of Isengard.

I think even the Nazgul fear the Ents, they would not venture towards Isengard if they were aware of the Ents there.

[William Cloud Hicklin]

A Nazgul could have snatched them easily enough, as they sat alone by the gate, while the Ents were working at the north side of Isengard.

Flight time from Barad-dur to Isengard was six or seven hours. It wouldn't have been, as they say, actionable intel.

And that assumes that Grima even was concerned with anything other than the political disaster at Edoras and Theoden's riding to war, as well as the destruction of Isengard. Shock upon shock: Gandalf not dead, Isildur's Heir revealed- what matter small rag-tag and bob-tail? Heck, was Wormtongue even in the loop regarding Halflings and their significance? He was merely Saruman's mole in Meduseld with a Rohan portfolio; Ring-related matters were not within his ambit of need-to-know.

And why would Saruman have done anything of the sort? "Sauron, sir! Halflings right here! Maybe one has the Ring!" Saruman was not about to tell Sauron anything Ring-related if he could possibly help it. He was playing a double game right up to then end.

[William Cloud Hicklin]

So, in Tolkien's own words, only Saruman had much interest in, or knowledge of, the Stones and he never mentioned them to other members of the White Council. In other words: Gandalf probably did not know about the Orthanc-stone.

I would also mention Denethor's words, "Though the Stones be lost, they say." It's of course a freighted line, because Denethor knows they're not lost, and Gandalf knows they're not lost, and they each don't know, even if they may dimly suspect, that the other knows the truth. Nonetheless: "They say." In other words, the Conventional Wisdom was that the Palantiri had all disappeared.

[Ibrîniðilpathânezel]

Originally Posted by William Cloud Hicklin

In other words, the Conventional Wisdom was that the Palantiri had all disappeared.

Except for the one in Elostirion, if I recall correctly. Though that one was not useful for anything but looking to the West, also IIRC. I think my brain is still post-vacation addled....