The Lord of the Rings picks up thousands of years into Gandalf and Saruman's friendship, but Tolkien's other works outline the path to betrayal. Aragorn's costume as the Strider that first ...

Somewhat uniquely, Aragorn was a leader from the realm of Men raised by Lord of the Rings' Elves, which would have helped him on his path. Aragorn was a Dúnadan, a descendant of Númenóreans.