Gandalf
| House / Order | The Istari |
|---|---|
| Race / Culture | Maia |
| Status | Departed |
| Origin | Middle-earth (wandering) |
| Born | |
| Died | |
| Weapon | Glamdring; the Elven-ring Narya |
| Fate | Sailed from the Grey Havens to the Undying Lands, 29 September T.A. 3021 |
| Portrayed by | Ian McKellen |
Gandalf — known to the Elves as Mithrandir, born Olórin among the Maiar of Valinor — was one of the five Wizards sent to Middle-earth to contest the will of Sauron. Bearer of Narya, the Ring of Fire, he laboured for some two thousand years to kindle courage and resistance among the Free Peoples, and stood as the chief architect of Sauron's downfall in the War of the Ring.
He is remembered as the patient counsellor of the Fellowship, the rider of Shadowfax, and the only one of the Wizards to remain faithful to his errand to the end.
Origins
Gandalf was a Maia, an immortal spirit of the order that served the Valar in the shaping of the world. In Valinor he was called Olórin, and was counted the wisest of his kind, dwelling in the gardens of Lórien and learning pity and patience from Nienna. When the Valar resolved to send emissaries against the rising shadow of Sauron, Olórin went humbly and, some say, fearfully — yet Manwë judged that very humility fit for the task.
He came to Middle-earth by ship at the Grey Havens about the year T.A. 1000, clothed in the body of an old man so that he might move among the peoples as a counsellor rather than a lord, forbidden to meet Sauron's power with power of his own.
The Istari
- Main article: Istari
Five Wizards came into the West: Saruman the White, chief of the order; Gandalf the Grey; Radagast the Brown; and the two Blue Wizards who passed into the East. Where Saruman sought mastery and Radagast was lost in the love of beasts and birds, Gandalf alone kept faith with the purpose for which they were sent — to advise, to encourage, and to unite, never to dominate.
The Quest of Erebor
Gandalf's reach into small affairs proved decisive. Sensing the danger that the dragon Smaug posed should Sauron win his alliance, he set in motion the Quest of Erebor, persuading Thorin Oakenshield to take the hobbit Bilbo Baggins as the company's burglar. On that journey Bilbo found the One Ring in the dark beneath the Misty Mountains — the event upon which the fate of the Age would later turn.
The War of the Ring
Confirming the Ring
For many years Gandalf doubted the nature of Bilbo's ring. Returning at last to the archives of Minas Tirith, he found the scroll of Isildur and proved the truth: it was the One Ring. He charged Frodo to carry it from the Shire and bear it to Rivendell.
Moria and the fall
- Main article: Bridge of Khazad-dûm
When the pass of Caradhras was shut against the Fellowship, Gandalf led them through the deeps of Moria. There they roused a Balrog of Morgoth, Durin's Bane. Upon the Bridge of Khazad-dûm Gandalf made his stand — "You cannot pass" — and cast the demon down, but was dragged after it into the abyss. He perished in the fight, and his spirit passed out of the world.
Gandalf the White
Gandalf was sent back by Eru Ilúvatar to finish his task, returning as Gandalf the White — now openly the head of his order in Saruman's place. He found the Three Hunters in Fangorn, roused Théoden of Rohan from the poison of Gríma Wormtongue, and helped turn the tide at the Battle of Helm's Deep.
Minas Tirith and the Black Gate
Riding Shadowfax, Gandalf came to Gondor and took up the ordering of the city's defence during the Siege of Gondor, standing against the Witch-king of Angmar himself at the broken Gate. After the victory on the Pelennor, it was Gandalf who counselled the march to the Black Gate — a feint to draw the Eye of Sauron outward, buying Frodo the moments needed to reach Mount Doom.
Departure
With Sauron unmade and Aragorn crowned, Gandalf's errand was complete. He lingered to set the new King on his road, then turned west. On 29 September T.A. 3021 he passed over Sea from the Grey Havens, together with Frodo, Bilbo, Elrond, and Galadriel, bearing Narya back to the Undying Lands and bringing the Third Age to its close.
Character
Gandalf was wise and compassionate, yet quick to anger and sharp of tongue. He set little store by strength or dominion, and great store by mercy, free will, and the courage of small folk — it was, in the end, the pity of Bilbo and the endurance of two hobbits that justified his long faith. Secretive by habit, he revealed his power rarely and reluctantly, for he had been sent to kindle hearts, not to rule them.
Relationships
- Frodo Baggins — his charge and the Ring-bearer; mentor and protector.
- Bilbo Baggins — long friend from the days of the Quest of Erebor.
- Aragorn — his foremost ally in the strategy of the War.
- Saruman — once his superior in the order, fallen to the desire for power.
- Elrond and Galadriel — fellow keepers of the Three Rings.
- Shadowfax — lord of the Mearas and his companion in the war's last campaigns.
Appearances
- The Hobbit
- The Fellowship of the Ring
- The Two Towers (Book III)
- The Return of the King
- Unfinished Tales ("The Istari")
In Peter Jackson's film trilogy (2001–2003), Gandalf was portrayed by Ian McKellen.
Quotes
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.
A wizard is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to.
I will not say: do not weep; for not all tears are an evil.
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