As Gandalf left the ruins of Orthanc, much competed for his attention and thought. He grieved for Saruman, that he had not been able to overcome his pride and hatred at the end. Almost Curumo had relented, but chosen to launch into a tirade instead.

Thinking back over it, Gandalf snorted. It revealed how little Saruman knew of master he had chosen to follow. For even if Sauron was defeated and forced to hand over the keys of Barad-dûr, Gandalf was sure that his little brother would first melt them in defiance.

"Keys of Barad-dûr, indeed," he muttered.

Another of the more persistent plot-bunnies that have attacked me as I'm re-reading LotR.