Of Domination and Tools

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Belegorn

In the Appendix Aragorn and Denethor agreed on everything except on their feelings about Gandalf/Saruman. I think before even his use of the palantir Denethor was not really in Gandalf's corner. After his use of the palantir I think he saw the return of the king, and knew who Aragorn was and grew to mistrust Gandalf.

Actually, I think the Appendix states that Aragorn/Thorongil and Denethor were only at variance in the counsels they gave to Denethor's father, Ecthelion, in one area: Aragorn urged Ecthelion to trust Gandalf, and Denethor was for Saruman.
That seems to me another indication that Saruman and Denethor were indeed likely to have been actively communicating with one another leading up to the War of the Ring.