What if the Gondor line hadn't died out?

[BalrogRingDestroyer]

If I understand correctly, the Numenorean kingdom of Arnor itself fell but still had some kind of heir, Aragorn, but the Numenorean kingdom of Gondor itself still stood but it had no king or legitimate heirs to the throne but instead a line of Stewards. Eventually, Aragorn, the heir of Arnor, came and, I guess by deed and other things, somehow became the Kingdom of both Gondor and the old area of Arnor (the Shire, Rivendale, Bree, etc). However, how would things in LOTR have gone different had not the line of Gondor's kings been wiped out, and there had been a sitting king in Gondor at the time of the Ring Quest in the Third Age?

 

[Olorgando]

Formally, Aragorn was still, as Isildur's heir, also heir to the high kingship of Elendil. I doubt it would have made that much of a difference, as Denethor, even though "only" a steward, was disdainful of that "Ranger from the North". Assuming a Denethor-Boromir-Faramir constellation as in the existing tale, the outcome would have to follow much the same path. The question might be if a Gondorian king, his heir (and the "spare") might have been more "relaxed" about the situation than a regent who might just have a bit of an inferiority complex chip on his shoulder ...

 

[Valandil]

I doubt that the option of Aragorn becoming Gondor's King would be possible. Unless the line was wiped out in the War of the Ring. Or if he fought for control of the kingdom - which I don't think he would be inclined to do. And which would involve eradicating the dynasty in place.

Unlike Olorgando suggests, I don't think a sitting King and his family would be more relaxed about Aragorn coming in to be the new King than a Steward would be.

And yes - very favorable situation and a great resolution for all. A King without a Kingdom, a Kingdom without a King. And they were connected. Aragorn was NOT from a separate line than that of their Kings - and from more recently than Elendil. In addition to Aragorn's descent from Isildur, he was descended from Anarion as well - through Firiel, daughter of Gondor's King Ondoher, who married Arvedui, last King of Arthedain (about 1000 years before LOTR). So he is right to count Anarion as one of his sires. King Ondoher was succeeded by Earnil II - a distant cousin - selected over the claims of that same Arvedui on behalf of his wife Firiel.

 

[Olorgando]

In addition to Aragorn's descent from Isildur, he was descended from Anarion as well - through Firiel, daughter of Gondor's King Ondoher, who married Arvedui, last King of Arthedain (about 1000 years before LOTR). So he is right to count Anarion as one of his sires.

Riiiiight! That little non-trivial fact had slipped my mind. I'm just no good (not being a Hobbit) at memorizing 60-generation genealogies ... 🥵

 

[Valandil]

Riiiiight! That little non-trivial fact had slipped my mind. I'm just no good (not being a Hobbit) at memorizing 60-generation genealogies ... 🥵

Don't sweat it. The Dunedain are my particular area of interest - especially the Northern Dunedain. I've devoured all the information I can possibly find of them.