Gandalf the Grey-His Wandering Name
Most of his time on Middle-earth Gandalf was known as 'the grey'-a less important wizard than his contemporary, Saruman, but of higher status than Radagast, another wizard, who was only 'the brown'. Gandalf spent most of his time disguised as a wandering old man, counseling wherever there was trouble and moving from place to place. After Aragorn left Rivendell and began his wandering life also, the two met and became friends. (See here ). Later Gandalf recommended Aragorn to Frodo the hobbit in a letter, saying that he would help them. (And he did!)
At the White Council of 2851, Saruman spoke against Gandalf's advice to attack Dol Guldur, saying that it should not be destroyed. Gandalf sat smoking Halfling pipe weed in a corner. The smoke from his pipe choked Saruman and made him angry, and he asked Gandalf why he chose to mess about with a toy such as that, and Gandalf replied that it was made by the Little People, the hobbits, and that they were good folk, though perhaps Saruman didn't pay much attention to them. Saruman grew even angrier and spoke evil words to Gandalf. Gandalf did not reply but instead blew out a larger smoke ring and several smaller ones, maybe implying that he knew that Saruman coveted the ring. After that Saruman mistrusted Gandalf even more. Gandalf, however, knew nothing certain about Saruman's allegiance until Radagast told him that Saruman sought to speak with him. Going to Isengard Gandalf heard Saruman's true thoughts and refused to join with him in finding the ring and ruling the world. Saruman then betrayed Gandalf, imprisoning him. Luckily for Gandalf Gwindor, the lord of the eagles, rescued him and brought him to Rohan.
Gandalf was the one who remained in doubt when Saruman said, "The ring will never be found again--no worries." Gandalf knew that the ring into which Sauron the great enemy poured all his power would be found again, if it already hadn't. And if the enemy regained it, the effects would be disastrous. As the enemy gained control and worries and anxiety multiplied and spread over Middle-earth, Gandalf had a shrewd suspicion of where the ring was, remembering his old, rich friend Bilbo Baggins of the Shire, who had found this mysterious ring roughly fifty years before in a deep cavern of the Misty Mountains. It had helped him win a riddle contest, rejoin his friends, save them when they were captured by elves, and it also kept him alive when he was forced to talk to Smaug, a great dragon who lived in Erebor, the lonely mountain. This ring, apparently benign, had worn out Bilbo for many years, making him feel 'stretched'. The suspicion of Gandalf was confirmed as he put the ring in the fire and evil words glowed on its edge: One ring to rule them all. He then explained to Frodo, Bilbo's nephew, of the journey he must take, therefore Gandalf being the man who put things into action. If he had not been there, the servants of Sauron, the Nazgul, would have come to the Shire and wrested the ring from Frodo and carried it back to their master, the doom of Middle-earth complete. It is only because Gandalf defied and doubted the word of Saruman that The Lord of the Rings was able to have a happy ending at all.
Later Gandalf met up with Frodo in Rivendell, the northern elven kingdom, and formed the fellowship of the ring, whose task was to help Frodo reach Mount Doom and throw the ring inside it, this being the only way to destroy the ring. Gandalf was the brave leader, making plans and decisions, weaving the dark and troublesome way through the Mines of Moria, and finally facing the Balrog, an evil creature made by Morgoth, whose name was "Durin's Bane". Gandalf fought bravely and alone while the rest of the fellowship trembled in fear. At last, the Balrog threw Gandalf into the abyss, and Gandalf, ever practical and worrying for the safety of his friends, cried, "FLY YOU FOOLS!" This is the last the fellowship see of Gandalf the Grey.
My thoughts: I'm going to take a moment to cry. *sobbing* If you go to the contact form and type in "Send you tissues and miniature Gandalf staff" I will mention you on the main page, I really will. I love Gandalf and always get a pang when I read of his death. He was so selfless and so brave, one of the wisest on Middle-earth. Gandalf is way better than Dumbledore. (Potterheads may disagree.)
Okay, go ahead. Click NEXT
Most of his time on Middle-earth Gandalf was known as 'the grey'-a less important wizard than his contemporary, Saruman, but of higher status than Radagast, another wizard, who was only 'the brown'. Gandalf spent most of his time disguised as a wandering old man, counseling wherever there was trouble and moving from place to place. After Aragorn left Rivendell and began his wandering life also, the two met and became friends. (See here ). Later Gandalf recommended Aragorn to Frodo the hobbit in a letter, saying that he would help them. (And he did!)
At the White Council of 2851, Saruman spoke against Gandalf's advice to attack Dol Guldur, saying that it should not be destroyed. Gandalf sat smoking Halfling pipe weed in a corner. The smoke from his pipe choked Saruman and made him angry, and he asked Gandalf why he chose to mess about with a toy such as that, and Gandalf replied that it was made by the Little People, the hobbits, and that they were good folk, though perhaps Saruman didn't pay much attention to them. Saruman grew even angrier and spoke evil words to Gandalf. Gandalf did not reply but instead blew out a larger smoke ring and several smaller ones, maybe implying that he knew that Saruman coveted the ring. After that Saruman mistrusted Gandalf even more. Gandalf, however, knew nothing certain about Saruman's allegiance until Radagast told him that Saruman sought to speak with him. Going to Isengard Gandalf heard Saruman's true thoughts and refused to join with him in finding the ring and ruling the world. Saruman then betrayed Gandalf, imprisoning him. Luckily for Gandalf Gwindor, the lord of the eagles, rescued him and brought him to Rohan.
Gandalf was the one who remained in doubt when Saruman said, "The ring will never be found again--no worries." Gandalf knew that the ring into which Sauron the great enemy poured all his power would be found again, if it already hadn't. And if the enemy regained it, the effects would be disastrous. As the enemy gained control and worries and anxiety multiplied and spread over Middle-earth, Gandalf had a shrewd suspicion of where the ring was, remembering his old, rich friend Bilbo Baggins of the Shire, who had found this mysterious ring roughly fifty years before in a deep cavern of the Misty Mountains. It had helped him win a riddle contest, rejoin his friends, save them when they were captured by elves, and it also kept him alive when he was forced to talk to Smaug, a great dragon who lived in Erebor, the lonely mountain. This ring, apparently benign, had worn out Bilbo for many years, making him feel 'stretched'. The suspicion of Gandalf was confirmed as he put the ring in the fire and evil words glowed on its edge: One ring to rule them all. He then explained to Frodo, Bilbo's nephew, of the journey he must take, therefore Gandalf being the man who put things into action. If he had not been there, the servants of Sauron, the Nazgul, would have come to the Shire and wrested the ring from Frodo and carried it back to their master, the doom of Middle-earth complete. It is only because Gandalf defied and doubted the word of Saruman that The Lord of the Rings was able to have a happy ending at all.
Later Gandalf met up with Frodo in Rivendell, the northern elven kingdom, and formed the fellowship of the ring, whose task was to help Frodo reach Mount Doom and throw the ring inside it, this being the only way to destroy the ring. Gandalf was the brave leader, making plans and decisions, weaving the dark and troublesome way through the Mines of Moria, and finally facing the Balrog, an evil creature made by Morgoth, whose name was "Durin's Bane". Gandalf fought bravely and alone while the rest of the fellowship trembled in fear. At last, the Balrog threw Gandalf into the abyss, and Gandalf, ever practical and worrying for the safety of his friends, cried, "FLY YOU FOOLS!" This is the last the fellowship see of Gandalf the Grey.
My thoughts: I'm going to take a moment to cry. *sobbing* If you go to the contact form and type in "Send you tissues and miniature Gandalf staff" I will mention you on the main page, I really will. I love Gandalf and always get a pang when I read of his death. He was so selfless and so brave, one of the wisest on Middle-earth. Gandalf is way better than Dumbledore. (Potterheads may disagree.)
Okay, go ahead. Click NEXT