So if Merry and Pippin had not been there, there would have been no one to run off (like lunatics) and get into trouble. Right. So Boromir would not have had to protect them and would not have been killed. Sorry chaps just getting things totally right in my head.

Therefore Boromir, Elladan and Elrohir would be available to search for Frodo. Lets say they still did not find him. Aragorn would have searched with Boromir and the two sons of Elrond would have searched together, so there are three groups of two.

They would have met back up. But what would have happened then?

Aragorn and Gimli would have gone after Frodo, while Boromir would have led Elladan, Elrohir and Legolas to Minas Tirith. When I say led, he would have merely led them their as a guide. I think either Elladan or Elrohir would probably taken the Leadership.

I don't think their is any question of Aragorn having found Frodo, at which point he would have had two choices. Go with Frodo to Mordor or go to Minas Tirith. I think they would have still met Gollum and they would have gone to Mordor.

But Boromir. Yes Boromir as you say. How did he take his peril with him?......Oh yes! What would have happened to Boromir. I think he would have gotten to Minas Tirith and once again taken command of the forces.

I don't think we need worry about Saruman. If Merry and Pippin hadn't roused the Ents then I think Gandalf the White would have and Saruman would have been dealt with.

So Gandalf turns up at Minas Tirith (although I think the Rohirrim would have would still follow the same sort of time scale as they did before). Gandalf would know of Boromir's previous treachery but I don't think he would have done anything.

Boromir KNEW he had done wrong, but the forces that would pull at him (Gandalf and Denethor) may have been too much for him. Gandalf's power to influence must have been enormous, but Denethor was also very powerful in that regard. It is difficult to say which way Boromir would fall. For the benefit of the story I think Boromir would have been more influenced by Gandalf, which would have merely served to make Denethor an even more bitter man. Gandalf, Boromir and Imrahil would have taken ovre the running of the city and due to Boromir's support there would have been no doubt in the minds of the men that Gandalf was in command.

The battle for Minas Tirith would have been very much worse for Gondor. The Corsairs would have arrived (no Aragorn to whip up some dead warriors to waste them) and any attempt to defend the Pelennor would have been wasted effort. So the WK batters down the gates, where he find Gandalf and Boromir (no horse, remembering Earnur(sp?).

It is here that I believe Boromir would have bought it attacking the WK in some effort to redeem himself. He and the WK would have fought, but I don't think their is any doubt as to who the victor would be. But what of Gandalf? Would his intervention be enough to swing the fight so that Boromir would survive. Probably.

So I don't think Boromir would necessarily have died. Maybe badly injured, but no death. But then Gandalf would have had to deal with the WK, there and then, for no help would be coming in the form of Merry's blade. Gandalf would have killed the WK, but then have had a huge army to deal with, including the Corsairs.

At the end of the day Aragorn, Gimli, Frodo and Sam may well have destroyed the ring (I'm sure Aragorn would have killed Gollum as soon as they had gotten into Mordor. Gollum was just to much of a liability and more importantly Aragorn knew it), but they would have returned to the lands of the West in the firm control of the leaderless enemy.

Phew! Well there's my penneis worth.

Cheers

Padster