If Denethor hadn't committed suicide

[Sarumian]

Originally Posted by Erendis

Was he really surprised to learn there was still one heir of Isildur?Remember that his true identity was hidden from him at teh requrst of his mother.Isn't it an indication that Sauron suspected his existence and propably searced secretly for him?

I think Sauron's reaction was not that surprised as a result of fear-he had suspicions,but the relevance of true caught him unready.

As I can remember, Sauron's identity was also hidden during the time of Aragorn's childhood.

By the way, as Gandalf believed there was a hope even for Gorlum, though just a little, I think there was even a better chance for Denethor to recover and accept reality after Sauron's end. No, he could hardly have bacome a friend of the king and was too old and weak to carry any service for Gondor, but there were things he could have taken into attention after his despair had withdrawn. First of all, Aragorn had been avoiding claming for power. Secondly, Boromir, while dying, named Aragorn his brother and asked to save Gondor. Thirdly, Aragorn saved Faramir. And finally, Aragorn saved Gondor and made an enormous contribution into the removal of Sauron. If Denethor had understood he was no more able to run the kingdom, then becoming a father of the prince of Ithilien would not have been a dishonour, taking into account that this was a monarchical title for his decendants, wuoldn't it?