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Black Númenóreans

2008-11-15T01:16:59Z

68.8.247.240: Replacing page with '{{Rewrite}} {{race |image=300px |name=Black Númenóreans |dominions=Umbar, other southern lands |languages=Adûnaic |height=...'

Black Númenóreans

2008-11-15T01:15:27Z

68.8.247.240:

{{Rewrite}}
{{race
|image=[[Image:John Howe - Black Numenorean.jpg|300px]]
|name=Black Númenóreans
|dominions=[[Umbar]], other southern lands
|languages=[[Adûnaic]]
|height=
|length=
|skincolor=
|haircolor=
|feathers=
|distinctions=Survivors of the [[Downfall of Númenor]], loyal to [[Sauron]]
|lifespan=
|members=[[Herumor (Black Númenórean)|Herumor]], [[Fuinur]], [[Berúthiel]], [[The Mouth of Sauron]]
|}}
The '''Black Númenóreans''' were originally among the survivors from a human kingdom that had yet been, [[Númenor]], which was destroyed by [[Eru]] in the late [[Second Age]].

As their power and knowledge had grown throughout the course of the Second Age, the Númenóreans had become increasingly preoccupied with the limits placed on their happiness—and eventually their power—by mortality, the purpose of which they began to question;
{{quote|But the fear of death grew ever darker upon them, and they delayed it by all means that they could; and they began to build great houses for their dead, while their wise men laboured unceasingly to discover if they might the secret of recalling life...|"[[Akallabêth]]", ''[[The Silmarillion]]''}}

This growing wish to escape death, known as "the doom of Men", made most of the Númenoreans envious of the immortal [[Eldar]], who they had come to physically resemble. The Eldar sought ever to remind the men of Númenor however, that death was a gift of the One God, [[Ilúvatar]], to all men, and the will of Ilúvatar could not be gainsaid.

Nevertheless, after Second Age 2221, when Tar-Ancalimon became King of Númenor:
{{quote|...the people of Númenor became divided. On the one hand was the greater party, and they were called the [[King's Men]], and they grew proud and were estranged from the [[Valar]] and the Eldar.|"[[Akallabêth]]", ''[[The Silmarillion]]''}}

The King's Men ultimately became vulnerable to the corruption of [[Sauron]], who, having arrived in Númenór:
{{quote|...naturally had the One Ring, and so very soon dominated the minds and wills of most of the Númenóreans.|''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'', No. 211}}

Eventually, in Númenor's last years, its powerful and elderly King [[Ar-Pharazôn]], who had become "frightened of old age" (Letters ~ No.156), was persuaded by Sauron that Ilúvatar was a lie invented by the Valar, and seduced him;
{{quote|...back to the worship of the Dark, and of Melkor the Lord thereof, at first in secret, but ere long openly and in the face of his people.|"[[Akallabêth]]", ''[[The Silmarillion]]''}}

Within Númenor, the majority quickly followed suit, and this worship quickly passed across the ocean to most of Númenor's colonies in Middle-earth:
{{quote|The Men of Númenor were settled far and wide on the shores and seaward regions of the Great Lands, but for the most part they fell into evils and follies. Many became enamoured of the Darkness and the black arts...|"[[The Window on the West]]", ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''}}

These "black arts" and "follies" were presumably the earliest culture traits of those who became known afterward as Black Númenóreans,
{{quote|...for in the days of the sojourn of Sauron in that land the hearts of well nigh all its people had been turned towards darkness. Therefore many of those who sailed east in that time and made fortresses and dwellings upon the coasts were already bent to his will...|"[[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]]", ''[[The Silmarillion]]''}}

This worship of Melkor and the Dark marked the final, irrevocable division between its adherents and the "[[Faithful]]" Númenóreans, the ''[[Elendili]]'', who kept to their old faith in Ilúvatar, but these were a small minority;

For many centuries after the Downfall, some descendants of the "[[King's Men]]" held onto what became the most northerly and famous of their realms-in-exile, the [[Haven of Umbar]], although
{{quote|...because of the power of [[Gil-galad]] these renegades, lords both mighty and evil, for the most part took up their abodes in the southlands far away.|"[[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]]", ''[[The Silmarillion]]''}}

Most of those few Númenóreans who had never envied the Eldar, and had always remained true to their belief in Ilúvatar, also survived the destruction of their homeland, and they established their own realms-in-exile north of Umbar, where previously had come
{{quote|...only the Faithful of Númenor, and many therefore of the folk of the coastlands in that region were in whole or in part akin to the Elf-friends and the people of [[Elendil]]...|"[[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]]", ''[[The Silmarillion]]''}}

After founding [[Gondor]] and [[Arnor]] these self-styled "Faithful" Númenóreans saw their southern counterparts as renegades, calling them:
{{quote|...the Black Númenóreans; for they established their dwellings in Middle-earth during the years of Sauron's domination, and they worshipped him, being enamoured of evil knowledge.|"[[The Black Gate Opens]]", ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''}}

The Black Númenóreans held a similiarly low opinion of 'The Faithful' and their descendants, as
{{quote|..they inherited without lessening their hatred of Gondor.|"Appendix A" of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''}}

Two early Black Númenórean lords are named from the time of the late [[Second Age]]: [[Herumor (Black Númenórean)Herumor]] and [[Fuinur]]. Like all Black Númenóreans and 'King's Men' before them, Herumor and Fuinur desired power over men of other, lesser races, and they "rose to (great) power amongst the [[Haradrim]]", the peoples neighbouring Umbar. Their fate is unknown, but they likely shared Sauron's defeat at the hands of the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]].

The Black Númenórean style of governing was no doubt tyrannical, but may also have involved a tradition of duumviracy, at least in Umbar, whose lords are usually paired when mentioned; Herumor/Fuinur for example, were probably rulers of Umbar, as much later Angamaite/Sangahyando were. Whatever political system was in place, however, the Black Númenóreans did not govern effectively;
{{quote|...some were given over wholly to idleness and ease, and some fought amongst themselves, until they became conquered in their weakness by the wild men.|"[[The Window on the West]]", ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''}}

The triumph of the Last Alliance marked the decline of the Black Númenórean race and the end of their racial superiority;
{{quote|After the fall of Sauron their race swiftly dwindled or became merged with the Men of Middle-earth...|"Appendix A" of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''}}

Nevertheless, a Black Númenórean elite survived at least in Umbar for over a thousand years after Númenor's fall, maintaining much influence in [[Haradwaith]]. As late as Third Age 1015, for example, even after being exiled from their homeland for nearly a century
{{quote|...the Men of Harad, led by the lords that had been driven from Umbar, came up with great power against that stronghold...|"Appendix A" of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''}}

The Black Númenóreans did not use [[Westron]], but probably retained their old tongue [[Adûnaic]], speaking a dialect of it. (In [[The Notion Club Papers]], part of ''[[Sauron Defeated]]'', Arundel Lowdham cited two descendants of classical Adûnaic. One of these must have been Westron, the other the tongue of the Black Númenóreans (Black Adûnaic?).

The Black Númenóreans are absent from recorded history after their defeat by [[Ciryaher]] in 1050, but a population of sorts must have survived somewhere at least until the end of the [[Third Age]], as [[The Mouth of Sauron]], who mocked the army of [[Aragorn|King Elessar]] in front of the [[Morannon]] was described both as a Black Númenórean and "Renegade", which is presumably the term used by the Free Peoples of that time to describe all folk of similiar ancestry.

In an interview Tolkien described [[Queen Berúthiel]], wife of Gondor's King [[Tarannon Falastur]], as "a black Númenórean". This was a loveless union, and was presumably a political accommodation: that such arrangements were possible implies the existence at that time of more Gondor-friendly Black Númenóreans than the much later Mouth of Sauron.

Three of the [[Ringwraiths]] can be considered among the first and most powerful Black Númenóreans, even though their origin predates Númenor's fall by about 1,000 years: they served Sauron, being enslaved to his will, having become so because of their lust for power or knowledge. One of which, [[Khamul]] was the only wraith to be named.

[[Category:Black Númenóreans]]
[[de:Schwarze Númenorer]]
[[fi:Mustat númenorilaiset]]

The Return of the King

2008-11-15T00:57:27Z

68.8.247.240: /* Book V */

{{rotkchapters}}
'''''The Return of the King''''' is the third and final volume of [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', following ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'' and ''[[The Two Towers]]''.

==Book V==

The Return of the King, being the third and final part of J.R.R. Tolkien's trilogy - The Lord of the Rings - which came out on October 20, 1955. The story begins as Pippin is at Rohan with his freinds, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and Gandalf. Pippin grabs Saruman's Palintir and sees that Sauron will attack Minas Tirith. Then Gandalf delivers news to the steward of Gondor that war is imminent. Gandalf brings Pippin with him, who enters the service of the steward. [[Aragorn]] by his courage and leadership proves himself a worthy ruler of men. He is destined to find a lost army of men now dead yet entrapped in a curse set forth long ago by their own disobedience, in the place known as the paths of the dead. The remnants of the Fellowship lead the forces of Gondor and Rohan in defence of Gondor's capital city, [[Minas Tirith]], resulting in the cataclysmic [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]]. Those characters that manage to survive the battle are led by [[Aragorn]] on a assuredly suicidal feint-attack against the Black Gates of Mordor, partly to distract Sauron from defending his other borders so that Frodo and Sam can gain a clear passage into Mordor. Aragorn's company now surrounds the Black Gates of the Morannon exchanging idle words with the Mouth of Sauron.

===Chapters===

*'''I - [[Minas Tirith (chapter)|Minas Tirith]]''' - Gandalf with Pippin arrive in Minas Tirith; they talk with [[Denethor]]; Pippin enters the service of the steward.
*'''II - [[The Passing of the Grey Company]]''' - Follows Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli as they pass through the paths of the dead between Rohan and Gondor.
*'''III - [[The Muster of Rohan]]''' - Rohan prepares for war; Merry heads off for Minas Tirith, on a horse with a rider who calls himself Dernhelm.
*'''IV - [[The Siege of Gondor]]''' - Back to Gandalf and Pippin, and the preparations of the city of Minas Tirith for the attack by the armies of Mordor; Minas Tirith is besieged; chapter ends with the gate of Minas Tirith broken, and the army of Rohan finally arriving.
*'''V - [[The Ride of the Rohirrim]]''' - The Rohirrim pass through the Druadan Forest with the aid of the wild men who live there, that are led by Ghan-buri-Ghan; the army arrives in Minas Tirith. (as seen from their point of view)
*'''VI - [[The Battle of the Pelennor Fields]]''' - Armies of Rohan and Gondor fight the armies of Mordor, Rhun and Harad as described in [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]]; Merry and Eowyn help to kill the chief of the Nazgul.
*'''VII - [[The Pyre of Denethor]]''' - Denethor goes mad and tries to burn Faramir alive; he is saved by Gandalf; Denethor then sets fire to himself. They discover that Denethor has been using a palantir.
*'''VIII - [[The Houses of Healing]]''' - Merry, Faramir, Eowyn and many others are injured and placed in the houses of healing; Aragorn uses [[kingsfoil]] to help treat the injured.
*'''IX - [[The Last Debate]]''' - Gimli and Legolas meet Merry and Pippin again; the captains of the west hold a counsel on their next action; they decide to send 7000 men against Mordor to march on the Black Gate.
*'''X - [[The Black Gate Opens]]''' - The army, with Gandalf, Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas and Pippin (but not Merry) marches to the black gate. The Mouth of Sauron comes out to discuss terms, and presents tokens which were owned by Frodo; he then departs and the army of Mordor attacks them.

==Book VI==

In the meanwhile, the brave and loyal [[Sam Gamgee]] (who for a short time has himself become the ring-bearer) enables the long-suffering [[Frodo Baggins]] to navigate the barren wasteland of Mordor. For part of the way they are captured by a company of orcs and must pretend to be orcs before they are able to escape. The company, tired and half-alive, finally reach the [[Crack of Doom]], where the [[One Ring]] is destroyed along with [[Gollum]], freeing [[Middle-earth]] from [[Sauron]]'s power forever. This happens when Frodo at the last moment decides to keep the ring rather than destroy it, and is attacked by Gollum who bites off Frodo's finger to take the ring, trips, and falls into the lava while still holding the ring. Frodo and Sam are rescued by the giant eagles who Gandalf rides to Mount Doom, from the black gates of Morannon. After Sauron is defeated, his armies at the black gates flee, and the men of Gondor and Rohan are victorious in the battle.

Aragorn is crowned King of Gondor at Minas Tirith. After a series of goodbyes, the [[Hobbit]]s return home, only to find [[the Shire]] under the control of 'sharky' who they find out is [[Saruman]], diminished in power but not in malevolence. [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]], now experienced warriors of [[Rohan]] and [[Gondor]] respectively, take the lead in setting things right again, and lead an uprising of hobbits against Saruman, freeing the shire. Time passes. The Shire heals, but Frodo does not. Eventually Frodo departs for the [[Undying Lands]] to find healing, along with [[Bilbo Baggins]], [[Gandalf]] and the [[Elves]]. [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]], Merry and Pippin watch them depart and return home in silence. Sam is greeted by his wife Rose and his daughter Elanor. The last line of the book Sam says to Rose; "Well, I'm back".

===Chapters===

*'''I - [[The Tower of Cirith Ungol]]''' - Sam goes to find Frodo in the orc tower.
*'''II - [[The Land of Shadow]]''' - Sam and Frodo make their way into Mordor; they are captured by an orc company
*'''III - [[Mount Doom (chapter)|Mount Doom]]''' - Frodo and Sam reach Mount Doom; the final battle for the ring between Gollum and Frodo.
*'''IV - [[The Field of Cormallen]]''' - The story returns to the Field of Cormallen, continuing from Book Five, chapter X; the eagles arrive; Captains of the west victorious; Frodo and Sam rescued by Gandalf; all the company meets again in Ithilien
*'''V - [[The Steward and the King]]''' - chapter begins in Minas Tirith at the Houses of Healing after the armies departed for the black gate; Eowyn taken to see Faramir, Merry is also in Minas Tirith; later they see the arrival of the armies with Aragorn, Gandalf and the four hobbits; Gandalf crowns Aragorn King of Gondor; Aragorn makes Faramir prince of ithilien and keeps the office of steward; Gandalf takes Aragorn to Mount Mindolluin to survey the lands of his kingdom. On midsummers eve Elrond, Galadriel, Arwen and the elves arrive in the city from the north; wedding of Aragorn and Arwen.
*'''VI - [[Many Partings]]''' - The company rides north to Rohan, then Isengard, where Gimli and Legolas head north through fangorn, Aragorn returns to his kingdom, the rest of the company heads north where they meet Saruman and Wormtongue who were just released from Isengard; Galadriel and the Lorien elves leave over the pass of Caradhras; the hobbits and gandalf then arrive in Rivendell.
*'''VII - [[Homeward Bound]]''' - The hobbits and Gandalf travel to Bree where they stay at the Prancing Pony, and are told by Butterbur that there has been trouble in Bree while they have been away.
*'''VIII - [[The Scouring of the Shire]]''' - The hobbits arrive in the Shire to find it taken over by 'the Chief' or 'Sharkey' at Bag End; Battle of Bywater; the hobbits find Saruman and Wormtongue at Bag End; Wormtongue kills Saruman, and is then killed himself by hobbit archers.
*'''IX - [[The Grey Havens]]''' - cleaning up of the shire; several years pass; Sam and Frodo meet the elves and Bilbo travelling west through the Shire, they travel to the Grey Havens where they meet Gandalf, and Merry and Pippin arrive; Frodo, Bilbo, Gandalf and the elves set sail to the west; Sam returns to Rose and their daughter Elanor at Bag End.

==Title==

Tolkien conceived of ''The Lord of the Rings'' as a single volume comprising six sections he called "books" and extensive appendices. The original publisher made the decision to split the work into three parts, publishing the fifth and sixth books and the appendices under the title ''The Return of the King'', in reference to [[Aragorn]]'s assumption of the throne. Tolkien indicated he would have preferred ''The War of the Ring'' as a title, as it gave away less of the story; but he was overruled by his publishers.

==Structure==

The structure of ''The Return of the King'' mirrors somewhat that of ''The Two Towers'' in that the first section recounts the various adventures of several characters including a massive battle, and the second section resumes the quest of the [[Ring-bearer]]s.

* Book V: The War of the Ring

* Book VI: The End of the Third Age

* Appendices
:A Annals of the Kings and Rulers
::I The [[Númenor|Númenórean]] Kings
::II The House of [[Eorl the Young|Eorl]]
::III [[Durin]]'s Folk
:B The Tale of Years (Chronology of the Westlands)
:C Family Trees (Hobbits)
:D Calendars
:E Writing and Spelling
::I Pronunciation of Words and Names
::II Writing
:F
::I The [[Languages]] and Peoples of the Third Age
::II On Translation
*Indices
:I Songs and Verses
:II Persons, Beasts and Monsters
:III Places
:IV Things

==Adaptations==

* ''[[Rankin/Bass' The Return of the King|The Return of the King]]'', 1980 animated feature made for television, featuring the voices of [[Orson Bean]] and [[John Huston]].
* ''[[Peter Jackson's The Return of the King|The Return of the King]]'', 2003 theatrical film directed by [[Peter Jackson]].

{{lotr}}

[[Category:Books|Return of the King]]
[[Category:Books by J.R.R. Tolkien|Return of the King]]
[[de:Die Rückkehr des Königs]]
[[fi:Kuninkaan paluu]]

Gandalf

2008-11-15T00:49:22Z

68.8.247.240: /* The Treachery of Saruman */

{{Featurednominations}}
{{maiar infobox
| image=[[Image:Donato Giancola - Gandalf- Shadow of the Past.jpeg|250px]]
| name=Gandalf
| othernames=The Grey, The White, [[Olórin]], [[Mithrandir]], [[Incánus]], [[Tharkûn]], The White Rider, Gandalf Greyhame, [[Stormcrow]], [[Gandalf#Wand-elf|Wand-elf]], [[Láthspell]]
| coming=[[Third Age 1000]]
| duty=[[Istari]]
| death=Died/Reborn [[Third Age 3019]], sailed back to [[Aman]] [[Third Age 3021]]
| robes=Grey, later White
| gender=Male
| appearance=Bent old man (approx 5'6") with long beard and eyebrows
| hair=White
|}}
{{quote|Gandalf was shorter in stature than the [[Elrond|other]] [[Glorfindel|two]]; but his long white hair, his sweeping beard, and his broad shoulders, made him look like some wise king of ancient legend. In his aged face under great snowy brows his eyes were set like coals that could suddenly burst into fire.|[[The Fellowship of the Ring]], "[[Many Meetings]]"}}

'''Gandalf''' was one of the five [[Istari]] sent to [[Middle-earth]] by the [[Valar]] in the [[Third Age]]. In [[Valinor]] he was known as Olórin. Gandalf was instrumental in bringing about the demise of [[Sauron]] in [[Third Age 3019|3019]], chiefly by encouraging others and dispensing his wisdom at pivotal times. Gandalf was originally robed in grey, and second to [[Saruman]] in the Order of [[wizards]]. After his fall in Moria, Gandalf returned to Middle-earth as head of the Order, robed in white. He was a primary character in ''[[The Hobbit]]'' and ''[[The Lord of the Rings]].'' Gandalf was noteworthy for his keen interest in [[Hobbits]].

==History==
===Coming to Middle-earth===

Olórin was a [[Maiar|Maia]] who dwelt in the [[Lórien in Valinor|gardens]] of [[Irmo]] in Valinor. As a pupil of [[Nienna]], Olórin was said to be the wisest of the Maiar; he learned pity and patience from his teacher. When the Valar chose five emissaries (“[[Istari]]”) from among the Maiar to go to [[Middle-earth]] during the [[Third Age]], [[Manwë]] selected Olórin. The other four were Saruman, [[Radagast]], [[Pallando]], and [[Alatar]]. These messengers were to assist the free peoples in opposing [[Sauron]], who still existed as a 'dark spirit of malice' despite his body's destruction in the downfall of [[Númenor]]. Furthermore, the [[One Ring]], the location of much of Sauron's power, presumably still existed somewhere in Middle-earth. Olórin submitted to the will of Manwë, and departed Valinor to [[Mithlond]] in the year T.A. 1000. He arrived after the others at about the same time the [[Necromancer]] appeared in [[Mirkwood]].

At Mithlond he was welcomed by [[Glorfindel]], his friend from Valinor, sent earlier on a similar mission, and [[Círdan]] the shipwright, who possessed [[Narya]], one of the [[Three Rings|Three Elven Rings]] of power. Círdan divined in Olórin a sense of strength and power despite his appearance as a bent and aged old man. Círdan gave Narya to Olórin, with a prediction of his future struggles with evil, and a promise that it would support and aid him in his labors. Then Círdan said “''But as for me, my heart is with the [[Belegaer|Sea]], and I will dwell by the grey shores until the last ship sails. I will await you.''”

Olórin then began his sojourn in Middle-earth. He was known by many names during the long years he remained in Middle-earth: Elves named him [[Mithrandir]] (S: "grey pilgrim"), while the men of [[Arnor]] named him Gandalf, which became his most common name. Throughout 'The Hobbit' and 'The Lord of the Rings' his character is referred to as 'Gandalf.' He was also known as 'Gandalf Grayhame,' 'The White Rider,' 'Incánus' (in the south), and 'Tharkún' to the dwarves.

[[Image:John Howe - Gandalf the Grey.jpg|right|250px|thumb|''Gandalf the Grey'' by [[John Howe]]]]Gandalf, like the other Wizards, took the shape of an old man. He was robed in gray and went about as a wanderer and counselor. Unlike Saruman, Gandalf did not go east and did not take up a single permanent residence. Gandalf apparently restricted his activities to the North-west of Middle-earth, where the remnants of the [[Dúnedain]] and the [[Eldar]] remained to oppose Sauron.

===Early Vigilance===

Around [[Third Age 1100|1100]], the Istari and the Eldar discovered that some evil entity resided at [[Dol Guldur]] in Mirkwood. Dark shapes moved in the forest and evil began to multiply in the woods. Some thought a [[Nazgûl]] had returned to torment the world, or some new evil was arising. Gandalf was unsure, and feared that perhaps Sauron himself might have returned.

Over the next two hundred years the evil continued to grow, as well as the source directing it. [[Orcs]] were multiplying in the [[Misty Mountains]] and elsewhere. The [[Witch-king]], the mightiest of the Nazgúl, had built a fortress in [[Angmar]] in the Northern wastelands and waged unending war against the Kingdom of Arnor. Meanwhile [[Moria]] and [[Minas Ithil]] fell under a shadow, while other wars, plagues, and catastrophes occurred across Middle-earth. Gandalf went to Dol Guldur in [[Third Age 2063|2063]] to discover its secret. An entity known only as the '[[Necromancer]]' fled before him and Gandalf could not discover his identity. Afterwards, the evil there seemed to desist, and the era of the [[Watchful Peace]] began.

This peace lasted for almost four hundred years, but the Necromancer again returned to Dol Guldur in [[Third Age 2460|2460]]. In response, the Wise formed the [[White Council]] three years later. Though [[Galadriel]], bearer of one of the Three Elven Rings and mighty among the Eldar, wished Gandalf to be the chief of the Council, it was in the end Saruman who took this place-- because of his vast knowledge, but also because Gandalf refused this position, wishing to set down no roots and to maintain his independence.

[[Image:John Howe - Pass the Doors of Dol Guldur.jpg|thumb|300px|left|''Pass the Doors of Dol Guldur'' by [[John Howe]]]]In [[Third Age 2850|2850]], Gandalf again entered Dol Guldur, this time in secrecy. There he found out many things. First and foremost, the Necromancer was no Nazgûl – it was Sauron himself. Also, Gandalf found [[Thráin]], a dwarf of the royal line of [[Erebor]], in the dungeons. The last of the [[Seven Rings]] of the Dwarves had been taken from him; Sauron was gathering the remaining [[Rings of Power]] and possibly searching for his lost One Ring.

Gandalf escaped Dol Guldur and returned to the White Council. After relating his discoveries, he urged the council to attack Sauron while the One Ring was still lost and Sauron's power immature. But Saruman said that it was better to watch and wait; that the One Ring had long ago rolled from [[Anduin]] to the Sea. The majority of the council agreed with Saruman. [[Elrond]] Half-elven, a powerful member of the council, later privately told Gandalf he had a foreboding that the Ring would be found, and that the war to end the age was coming. Indeed, he added, he feared that it would end in darkness and despair. Gandalf encouraged him, saying there were many “strange chances," and that, “''help oft shall come from the hands of the weak''”. Gandalf did not yet realize that Saruman now wanted the ring for himself and was secretly searching for it along the banks of river Anduin.

===The Hobbit===

In [[Third Age 2941|2941]] Gandalf happened across the dwarf lord [[Thorin Oakenshield]] while staying the night in [[Bree]]. Thorin initiated conversation; he had been having a strange feeling urging him to seek Gandalf. Gandalf was intrigued, for he had thought to seek Thorin as well. They found they were taking the same road for a while (Thorin passing through the Shire on his way to the [[Ered Luin]]), and they agreed to travel together. Thorin wanted advice, and Gandalf wanted to discuss the [[dragon]] [[Smaug]] with Thorin.

Ultimately, Gandalf concocted a plan wherein Thorin could destroy Smaug and recover his family fortune, albeit with a 'burglar' of Gandalf's own choosing. Gandalf had a feeling that a Hobbit should be involved, and he remembered an adventuresome Hobbit named [[Bilbo Baggins]] he had met some years before. By this time, however, Bilbo was far from 'adventuresome.' In the end Gandalf convinced the reluctant Baggins to become a burglar for Thorin. Gandalf then accompanied [[Thorin and Company]] to [[Rivendell]]. During the journey Gandalf obtained a sword known as [[Glamdring]] from a [[troll]]-hoard; Gandalf bore it for the rest of his life.

Gandalf helped Thorin and Company through the [[Misty Mountains]], saving them several times from orcs and other calamities. It was during this time that Bilbo obtained a 'magic ring.' Bilbo initially claimed he 'won' it from the creature '[[Gollum]]' while the company was under the Misty Mountains. The ring conferred invisibility on Bilbo when he wore it, and he kept it secret from Gandalf for some time. Gandalf, for his part, found himself amazed by the hobbit; until then the wise had paid no attention to hobbits and knew little of them. For the rest of his sojourn in Middle-earth, Gandalf took a special interest in hobbits, and particularly in the Baggins family.

Gandalf left the quest prior to its completion, yet the quest was successful: Smaug was killed and the Orcs and [[Wargs]] of the [[Misty Mountains]] were defeated by an alliance of the [[Dwarves of Erebor]], the men of Dale, and the [[Nandor]] Elves of Mirkwood in the [[Battle of Five Armies]]. Gandalf had accomplished his immediate goal, which was to destroy Smaug, who could have been used to disastrous effect by Sauron. A large number of Orcs and Wargs also were killed in the North, removing threats to Rivendell and Lothlorien.

===The War of the Ring===
====The Return of the Shadow====

Gandalf had left Thorin and Company before reaching the edge of [[Mirkwood]] to attend a White Council meeting in the South. The Council was meeting under the gravest of circumstances: Sauron's vast power was returning, even without his ring. Gandalf at last convinced the Council to attack Dol Guldur. Even Saruman was willing by this time, for now he feared Sauron as a rival, and wished to delay Sauron's search for the Ring. The Council put forth its strength and drove Sauron from Mirkwood.

Despite the Council's hopes, Sauron was not weakened by this attack. He had foreseen the move that drove him from Mirkwood, and his retreat was but a feint. Ten years after he was driven out of Mirkwood, Sauron declared himself openly in Mordor in 2951 and rebuilt the [[Barad-dûr]]. Sauron then began reassembling his forces for the final blow against the hated remnants of Númenor and the Eldar still in Middle-earth. Sauron ordered armies of [[Easterlings]] from Khand and beyond the [[Sea of Rhûn]] to reinforce his stronghold in [[Mordor]]; they were further reinforced by armies of men from South Harad. Orcs, trolls, and other foul beasts were multiplying in Mordor; Sauron's minions also were searching the Anduin for any sign of his precious One Ring. Despite the terror they induced, in 3018 Sauron sent the Nazgúl north to search for his ring as well.

[[Image:Darrell Sweet - The Arrival of Gandalf.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''The Arrival of Gandalf'' by [[Darrell Sweet]]]]

During this period Gandalf visited the Shire frequently, especially his friend Bilbo Baggins, and Baggins’s nephew, [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]]. He noted Bilbo’s unusual youthfulness, despite his advancing age; the suspicious 'magic ring' that Bilbo had acquired during his adventure began to weigh on his mind. Gandalf recalled the deceit Bilbo used in originally claiming it for his own-- Bilbo had later admitted to stealing it from Gollum. Gandalf could see that Bilbo was now very preoccupied with the ring. Such un-hobbitlike behaviour aroused his suspicions; he convinced Bilbo to pass the ring on to Frodo. He then emphatically warned Frodo not to use it; Gandalf had begun to suspect that the 'magic ring' was indeed a ring of power.

Gandalf met [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]], the hidden heir of Arnor, in [[Third Age 2956|2956]], and soon became friends with him. From that point on Aragorn and Gandalf often worked together towards a common end-- the defeat of Sauron.
Keen now to find out more about Gollum, he went to Aragorn, and with his help captured Gollum. With Gollum’s tale, and the records in [[Minas Tirith]], he pieced together the missing history of the One Ring in [[Third Age 3017|3017]]. A great fear came over him when he learned that Gollum had been to the Barad-dûr. Sauron had tortured Gollum and learned not only of the 'magic ring,' but also the names 'Shire' and 'Baggins.' Gandalf now returned in haste to the Shire, certain that Frodo's ring was not simply a ring of power: it was the One Ruling Ring of Sauron.

====The Treachery of Saruman====

[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Gandalf Escapes Upon Gwaihir.jpg|thumb|left|250px|''Gandalf escapes upon Gwaihir'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]After Gandalf’s fears were confirmed, he returned to the Shire and advised Frodo to leave as soon as possible, promising to return before a farewell party for Bilbo in autumn of that year ([[Third Age 3018|3018]]), and to escort him to Rivendell. Gandalf also told Frodo in the mines of Moria, about the creature Gollum, to which Frodo exclaimed that he should have been killed. Gandalf speculated that perhaps Gollum would have a part to play before the end, and in any case, it was not for them to decide who should live and who should die. He then set out to seek the advice of Saruman, supposedly still the head of the order.

Hearing disturbing news from [[Radagast]], he gave [[Barliman Butterbur]] a letter for Frodo (which was never delivered) urging him to act without hesitation. Soon thereafter he arrived at Isengard. At their meeting, Saruman at last revealed his desire for the One Ring. He offered to his "''old friend and helper''" that they take the Ring for themselves and seize power from Sauron. Gandalf rejected this with horror, and was imprisoned by Saruman on the pinnacle of [[Orthanc]]. [[Gwaihir]], chief of the Eagles, soon arrived and helped Gandalf escape. Gandalf knew he must return quickly to the Shire, as Frodo (and the ring) were in grave danger from both Sauron's Nazgûl and now Saruman's treacherous desire for the ring.

Gandalf hurriedly went to [[Rohan]], desiring to find a strong steed; there he obtained [[Shadowfax]] from King [[Théoden]], who later resented the gift. This lord of horses and Gandalf forged a special bond, and Gandalf made quick use of Shadowfax's incredible strength and endurance.

Gandalf sped to the Shire. Fortunately, Frodo had already left the Shire without waiting for Gandalf, and was seeking the refuge of [[Rivendell]]. Upon arrival Gandalf learned that the Nazgûl, arrayed as [[Black Riders]], had been searching the area. Dismayed, he set out for Bree, but fortunately found there that Frodo had recently left the town with 'Strider,' the local name for Aragorn: a hope which far exceeded his expectations. Gandalf then made for [[Weathertop]], a high point in the region, to observe the surrounding area. There he was assaulted at night by the Nazgûl, but drove them off after a great battle of light and flame. He then went directly to Rivendell, where he welcomed Glorfindel, Aragorn and the hobbits upon their arrival several days later, Frodo being sorely wounded but still in possession of the ring.

====The Fellowship of the Ring====

Elrond called a [[Council of Elrond|council]] after Frodo was healed to consider the momentous decision regarding the ring. By chance, representatives of most of the free peoples happened to be in Rivendell already for various reasons. Elrond and Gandalf advised that the Ring should be destroyed in the fires of [[Orodruin]], where it was made. Others dissented or objected, but eventually submitted to Gandalf's plan. Ultimately, Elrond appointed the Fellowship of the Ring as nine walkers, numerically set against Sauron's nine Nazgûl. The relatively small number reflected the realization by Elrond and the other council members that the quest of Mount Doom would not rely upon strength of arms, but on stealth and good fortune. Gandalf was chosen to lead the company, which included [[Aragorn]], [[Boromir (son of Denethor II)|Boromir]], [[Legolas of Mirkwood|Legolas]] the Elf, [[Gimli]] the Dwarf, and the hobbits Frodo Baggins, [[Samwise Gamgee]], [[Peregrin Took]], and [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]].

Several obstacles stood in the company's way. The vast [[Misty Mountains]] had to be crossed, for Gandalf was determined not to lead the company near [[Isengard]]. Gandalf decided to take a southern route to the [[Redhorn Pass]] and there to cross the [[Misty Mountains]] near [[Caradhras]], thereby traversing the mountain range and avoiding Isengard. When this attempt failed due to a terrible storm he then decided to take the Fellowship through the ruins of Moria, where the remains of the great Dwarf city of [[Khazad-dûm]] was now a labyrinth of tunnels under the mountains. Others in the company were loathe enter the maze, as it was now the lair of orcs and something known only as 'Durin's Bane.'

[[Image:Ted Nasmith - At the Bridge.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''At the Bridge'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]At the [[Doors of Durin]] on the west side of the mountains, Gandalf, after some delay, spoke the password and led the company into the dark. Having been in Moria on an earlier perilous errand, he was somewhat familiar with the underground passages. Eventually the party came to the [[Chamber of Mazarbul]], where Gandalf read the [[Book of Records]], which revealed the fate of [[Balin]], the leader of an ill-fated attempt to re-colonize Moria. Soon after, the party was attacked by orcs, and forced to flee the chamber. By then Gandalf was well aware of their location, and he led the party quickly towards the eastern exit.

Unfortunately [[Durin's Bane]] caught up to the group at the [[Bridge of Khazad-dûm]]. Gandalf and Legolas immediately realized what it was: a [[Balrog]] of [[Morgoth]], a servant of the first dark lord. In a spectacular display of bravery Gandalf faced the demon and broke the bridge both stood upon, leaving the beast to fall into a seemingly bottomless chasm. But the Balrog's whip lashed out and grasped Gandalf by the ankle, pulling him down. Clinging to the edge of the passageway, Gandalf shouted 'Fly, you fools' and vanished into the abyss.

[[Image:John Howe - Zirak-zigil.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''Zirak-zigil'' by [[John Howe]]]]Yet Gandalf did not die; he and the Balrog fought long in the bowels and deep places of Arda. Gandalf finally pursued the beast up the [[Endless Stair]] to the peak of [[Zirakzigil]], where he [[Battle of the Peak|fought the demon]] for two days and nights. The Balrog had burst into flame anew when it exited the stairs; ice, wind, and smoke swirled about them as they dueled. Gandalf used his last measure of strength to slay the Balrog, throwing him down the mountainside in ruin. Gandalf's spirit then left his body, having sacrificed himself to save the Fellowship.

====Gandalf the White====
But Gandalf's spirit did not depart Middle-earth forever at this time. As the only one of the five Istari to stay true to his errand, Olórin/Gandalf was sent back to mortal lands by [[Eru]], and he became Gandalf once again. Yet, as he was now the sole emissary of the Valar to Middle-earth, he was granted the power to 'reveal' more of his inner [[Maiar]] strength. This naked power that lay within him was seldom used during the remainder of his time in Middle-earth, as his mission was essentially the same: to support and succor those who opposed Sauron. Nevertheless, when Gandalf's wrath was kindled his 'unveiled' strength was such that few of Sauron's servants could withstand him.

As he lay naked on the mountaintop, the great eagle [[Gwaihir]] came up and bore him to [[Lothlórien]], where he was clothed and replenished, and given a new staff by [[Galadriel]]. Gandalf soon learned that Frodo and Sam had left the Fellowship and were attempting the quest of Mount Doom alone. As Frodo was beyond his assistance now, Gandalf promptly went south to [[Fangorn Forest]], where he met the [[Three Hunters]]: [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]], [[Legolas of Mirkwood|Legolas]], and [[Gimli]], and gave them messages from Galadriel. Then he called forth [[Shadowfax]], and rode with them to [[Edoras]]. There he found that Saruman's spy [[Gríma Wormtongue]] had deceived King [[Théoden]] into hopeless impotence. Gandalf quickly deposed Wormtongue and encouraged Théoden to ride west to war against [[Saruman]]. Gandalf by now was keenly aware that the great war to end the age was beginning; if Saruman conquered Rohan then Gondor would be alone with enemies on all sides.

At Gandalf's encouragement King Théoden went west to Helm's Deep where he was quickly besieged; Gandalf then searched for [[Erkenbrand]] and the forces of the [[Westfold]], which he later found and led to the Deep, thus breaking the siege. Meanwhile, the [[Ents]] (along with the hobbits Merry and Pippin) moved against Saruman and sent [[Huorns]] against the orcs, resulting in the utter ruin of the outer walls of [[Isengard]] and the complete annihilation of Saruman's orcs. After the battle, Gandalf went to [[Orthanc]] with Théoden, Aragorn, and a small group. There Saruman rejected Gandalf's offer of forgiveness with contempt. Gandalf then broke Saruman's staff and cast him from the Order and the Council. Gandalf imposed a strict watch on Isengard by the Ents and then advised King Théoden to ride to Gondor's defense as soon as possible. The wizard's mind had already turned to Gondor and the coming climactic battle in the east.

====The Siege of Minas Tirith====
[[Image:Donato Giancola - The White Rider.jpeg|thumb|right|300px|''The White Rider'' by [[Donato Giancola]]]] As a 'reward' for Pippin, who had foolishly gazed into a [[palantír]], Gandalf took the hobbit with him to [[Minas Tirith]], the last bastion of the west. Soon after arriving, Gandalf confronted [[Denethor II]], the [[Ruling Steward]], and learned that he was near despair over the death of his eldest son, [[Boromir (son of Denethor II)|Boromir]]. Ostensibly they were allies, but the Steward treated him with disrespect and suspicion. When [[Faramir (son of Denethor II)|Faramir]], the Steward’s younger son, returned from [[Osgiliath]] and was attacked by Nazgûl, Gandalf upon Shadowfax drove them away by revealing the power within him; later Faramir told him that Frodo and Sam were still alive and headed towards Mordor.

The city was soon besieged by a vast force from Mordor, led by the [[Witch-king]]. An ill-advised counter attack resulted in Faramir receiving a wound from a poisoned dart; he lay near death inside the Tower. Still, Gandalf encouraged the men of Minas Tirith to have hope, and dispelled the fear of the Ringwraiths by his very presence. But Sauron's catapults hurled flaming bolts upon the city; soon the first circle of the city burned unchecked. Denethor now lost all heart as the city burned and his only remaining son hovered near death; he abandoned his leadership of the city. Gandalf then took it upon himself to direct the defense of the city. When the gigantic ram [[Grond]] destroyed the ancient entrance to the city, Gandalf placed himself alone at the ruined gateway. The Witch-king then appeared in the midst of the blasted gate upon a black horse and threatened Gandalf with death; but Gandalf did not move-- seated upon Shadowfax he defied the mightiest of Sauron's minions. However, the standoff ended inconclusively, as the morning arrived along with the host of the Rohirrim. Hearing the horns of the Riders of Rohan, the Witch-king departed.

But Gandalf did not pursue his foe, for Pippin brought him news that Denethor was about to commit suicide in the high tower, burning himself and his son Faramir on a pyre like the heathen Kings of old. Gandalf rushed to stop this madness and was able to save Faramir, but not Denethor, whose despair and grief had overcome his mind. Gandalf also learned how it was that Denethor's will had been broken: Denethor clutched a palantír in his hands as he burned. Clearly Denethor had been using the stone's special properties for some time-- extending his vision far beyond those of human eyes, but also wrestling in thought with Sauron. And even though Sauron could not completely overwhelm Denethor's mind, his courage was daunted by knowledge of the vast might of Mordor. Thus the shadow entered into the capital of Gondor.

Nevertheless, and against all hope, the siege was broken. [[Éowyn]] of Rohan and the hobbit Merry defeated the Witch-king, whose last wail was heard by many as he was reduced to impotence. Soon after, Lord Aragorn arrived with a large valour of men from the southern fiefs upon a captured pirate fleet from Umbar. The forces of the men of the west then utterly defeated Sauron's attack against Minas Tirith, relieving the city and killing virtually all of the invaders. Gandalf's carefully laid plans and words of wisdom, along with acts of heroism not seen since the elder days, had defeated Sauron's first move.

====The Last Battle====
But the attack against Minas Tirith was only a part of Sauron's plan to devastate the west and make himself the ruler of Middle-earth. Other armies moved in the north against [[Erebor]] and the Kingdom of Thranduil, as well as against Lothlórien and other points along the [[Anduin]]. Still commanding vast armies of orcs and men, the Dark Lord soon would move against Gondor again; the remnants of the Edain and their allies had little hope against his almost limitless resources.

In Minas Tirith, Gandalf was selected by Aragorn, Imrahil, and Éomer (the remaining lords of the west) to be their leader in the coming final battles. This would be the culmination of Gandalf's efforts in Middle-earth. Fully aware that the west would stand or fall on the outcome of Frodo's mission, he advised the lords to drive north to the Morannon, thereby drawing Sauron's eye away from Frodo's likely location. This plan surely would result in a catastrophic loss for the outnumbered army, but it gave Frodo a chance to achieve the quest of Mount Doom.

Led by Gandalf and Aragorn, the army of the West crossed the Anduin and marched north, pausing occasionally to announce their coming and to dispatch small numbers of men to lesser tasks. Upon arriving at the Black Gate, the forces halted and prepared for battle. As they ordered their companies, the foul [[Mouth of Sauron]] rode forth to parley with them; he revealed Frodo's [[Mithril]]-coat and Arnor-blade 'Sting' and implied that their owner was captured and tortured. The emissary of Sauron then proposed that the forces of the west surrender; Gandalf however was undaunted, and, seizing his friend's belongings, rejected Sauron's offer. In shock, the Mouth of Sauron turned back towards the Black Gate, which slowly opened to reveal a vast army of orcs and trolls advancing on the lords of the west. Sauron's trap was sprung.

Yet Sauron himself became the victim of Gandalf's trap. Unbeknownst to all, Frodo and Sam had succeeded in scaling Mount Doom and even as the Battle of Morannon began Frodo stood at the Crack of Doom. But the power and lure of the ring finally overcame his will and he placed the ring upon his finger, claiming it as his own. Immediately the Nazgûl were summoned by their lord, as he in terror realized his blunder: his enemies intended to destroy his ring.

[[Image:Ted Nasmith - The Shadow of Sauron.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''The Shadow of Sauron'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]But Gandalf's foresight proved accurate again as the creature Gollum, who had been doggedly following the ringbearer, seized the ring from Frodo, and, while celebrating his reunion with "his precious," unwittingly fell into the fires of Orodruin. The ring was unmade as the fiery mountian erupted. The tower of [[Barad-dûr]] and the [[Towers of the Teeth]] began to collapse, their foundations crumbling, the Ring-wraiths burned out like shooting stars, and Sauron was reduced to a mere shadow of malice, never to torment the world again.

With Sauron gone, his forces scattered like frightened insects; the Men of the West now set upon them with fury. Gandalf announced the success of the [[Ring-bearer]] and the end of Sauron; the quest had been fulfilled. Seeing that victory was achieved, Gandalf then mounted on [[Gwaihir]] the Eagle for a third time, and set out to see if Frodo and Samwise had survived the tumults of [[Mount Doom]]. To his great relief, the two were found on the slopes of Orodruin, clinging to life amid the volcanic eruptions. The great quest was over.

===End of the Order===
In Minas Tirith Gandalf and the remaining members of the Fellowship reunited. At the coronation of King [[Aragorn II|Elessar]], Gandalf (at Aragorn’s request) set the crown upon the King’s head, and declared "''Now come the days of the King, and may they be blessed while the thrones of the [[Valar]] endure!''" Thus Gandalf ushered in the new age of men.

After the coronation and wedding of Aragorn to [[Arwen]], Gandalf left with the rest of the remaining Fellowship on the journey home. For Gandalf it was his last long journey in Middle-earth. His errand to Arda had been fulfilled; Sauron had been defeated. He said farewell to his friends one by one until at last only the four Hobbits remained at his side. At the borders of the Shire he, too, turned away. He left the Hobbits to settle with the Shire, for the shattered pieces of evil still remaining in the world were no longer his concern, and went to talk to [[Tom Bombadil]].

[[Image:Danny Staten - Grey Havens.jpg|thumb|left|250px|''Grey Havens'' by [[Danny Staten]]]]What Gandalf did during the next two years is unknown; it is possible that his "''long talk''" with Bombadil was just that. At any rate, on [[September 29]], [[Third Age 3021|3021]], he met [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] at [[Mithlond]], ready to take the [[White Ship]] over the [[Belegaer|sea]] to [[Aman]]. He wore [[Narya]] openly on his finger, and Shadowfax was beside him (perhaps even to take ship with him). His mission was over, and his homecoming after more than 2000 years was nigh. He bade farewell to [[Samwise Gamgee|Samwise]], [[Merry]], and [[Pippin]] (the latter two of which he had forewarned of the passage), then mounted the Grey Ship beside Frodo, Elrond, and Galadriel. The ship passed west upon the sea, and then took the hidden straight path to [[Valinor]]: Gandalf became Olórin once more. There, presumably, he dwells still in the gardens of [[Irmo]]. Olórin, the wisest of the Maiar and the sole Istar to remain true to his mission, had successfully kindled the hearts of the free people in Middle-earth to overcome the evil of their time. In a large way, it was his victory.

==Personality==
Gandalf is often described in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' as quick to anger, and equally quick to laugh. His deep wisdom clearly derived from the patience he learned in Valinor, just as his care for all creatures of good will must have come from his strong sense of pity for the weak. Both his patience and sense of pity were revealed again and again, extending even to the servants of his enemies.

Keen observers of Gandalf often detected a veiled power, usually revealed in his eyes, which appeared deep and wise. He was alternately affectionate and brusque; he often surprised others with his bluntness when time was of the essence. Gandalf consistently upbraided foolish behavior, but also richly rewarded those who acted with good intentions.

Hobbits appealed to him more than to the other Wizards, and he went often to the Shire for respites from his errands. It may be that he was amused by their nature, as often described in ''[[The Hobbit]]''. It may also be because they were untouched by the great evils of the world, and were more in touch with nature than humans; perhaps their agrarian lifestyle appealed to Gandalf's innate spirit and reminded him of the gardens of Valinor.

==Appearance==
[[Image:John Howe - Gandalf.jpg|thumb|right|300px|''Gandalf'' by [[John Howe]]]]

The first description of Gandalf is preserved in the initial pages of ''The Hobbit'', written in the early 1930s. Gandalf's fame is alluded to even before his physical description ("Tales and adventures sprouted up all over the place wherever he went, in the most extraordinary fashion"), while the protagonist's ("unsuspecting Bilbo") impression is that of:
<blockquote>
''...an old man with a staff. He had a tall pointed blue hat, a long grey cloak, a silver scarf over which a white beard hung down below his waist, and immense black boots.
</blockquote>

Later, [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] wrote:
<blockquote>
''...a figure strongly built and with broad shoulder, though shorter than the average of men and now stooped with age, leaning on a thick rough-cut staff as he trudged along... Gandalf's hat was wide-brimmed [...] with a pointed conical crown, and it was ''blue''; he wore a long ''grey'' cloak, but this would not reach much below his knees. It was of an elven silver-grey hue, though tarnished by wear - as is evident from the general use of grey in [[The Lord of the Rings|the book]]... But his colours were always white, silver-grey, and blue - except for the boots he wore when walking in the wild...Gandalf even bent must have been at least 5 ft. 6... Which would make him a short man even in modern England, especially with the reduction of a bent back.'' ([[The History of The Hobbit]], page 49) </blockquote>

Although some of the Wise know his true nature, his "wizard-like" appearance causes many to mistake him for a simple conjurer. After his return his "signature colour" changes from grey to white, for he has been sent back to replace the corrupt Saruman as the chief of the Wizards. In the book he claims that in some ways he now "was Saruman", or rather Saruman as he should have been.

[[Círdan]] the Shipwright seemed to have foreseen this, for he entrusted the care of [[Narya]], one of the [[Rings of Power|Three Rings]] of the Elves to Gandalf rather than Saruman.

== Powers & Abilities ==
In [[The Hobbit]], Gandalf demonstrated extensive knowledge of the land and an assortment of magical abilities. He could blow glowing smoke rings that moved around a room at his direction, and [[Bilbo]] remembered him for his fantastic fireworks displays. More usefully, he created blinding flashes and other pyrotechnics to distract the [[goblin]]s of the [[Misty Mountains]], aiding the dwarves in their escape from [[Goblin-town]]. On the eastern slopes, he turned pine cones into flaming projectiles that threw hot sparks and started fires that would not easily go out. He was also able come and go from the presence of [[Thorin and Company]] without anyone noticing.

In ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', he again displayed his proficiency with pyrotechnics at [[Bilbo's Farewell Party]]. He was also able to start fires under blizzard conditions, create light of varying intensity for the journey through [[Moria]], magically secure doors, and break the [[Bridge of Khazad-dûm]]. When angered or aroused for battle, he seemed to grow in height and assume a terrifying aspect. He also fought the [[Durin's Bane|Balrog of Moria]] and killed his opponent, although he did not survive the battle himself.

Sent back to [[Middle-earth]] as Gandalf the White, he possessed greater charisma and a limited degree of clairvoyance, although he was unable to peer into the land of [[Mordor]] to see the progress of Frodo and [[Sam]]. His power and authority had increased so that he could break [[Saruman|Saruman's]] staff with a spoken command, showing his authority to throw the treacherous wizard out of the order.

===Special Equipment===

Like all wizards, Gandalf carried a staff. Whether it was required to exercise certain powers was never explained. At times it appeared to focus or extend his powers, such as when it emanated light. Exactly how much it aided him in the use of magic is unknown, but [[Grima Wormtongue]] tried to forbid Gandalf from bringing it into [[Edoras]], clearly under the impression that without it Gandalf's power would be limited. In this perhaps he had been instructed in some way by Saruman.

When he arrived in Middle-earth, Gandalf received the Elven ring [[Narya]] from [[Cirdan the Shipwright]]. It is clear that Gandalf wore this ring from that time to the end of the Third Age.

In [[Third Age 2941|T.A. 2941]], Gandalf acquired the Elven sword [[Glamdring]] from the treasure hoard of a band of trolls. He continued to wield this weapon throughout The Lord of the Rings, in particular during his fight with the [[Durin's Bane|Balrog]] in Moria.

Throughout his time in Middle-earth Gandalf often was seen with a pipe, the use of which clearly brought him immense enjoyment.

== Names and Titles ==
* '''''Olórin''''', his name in [[Valinor]] and in very ancient times. "Olórin was my name in my youth in the West that is forgotten." It is [[Quenya]] and its meaning is associated with dreams (perhaps "dreamer"), from the root ''ÓLOS''-
* '''''Mithrandir''''', his [[Sindarin]] name, used in [[Gondor]] and meaning "Grey Pilgrim"
* '''''Incánus''''', his name in the South, of unclear language and meaning. Tolkien several times changed his mind about it, varying between the Latin word Incanus meaning Grey, a possible [[Westron]] invention meaning Greymantle, or even a [[Quenya]] word ''Ind-cano'' meaning "Mind Ruler"
* '''''Tharkûn''''', his name to the Dwarves, meaning "Grey Man"
* '''The White Rider''', his name while riding the great horse [[Shadowfax]]
* '''Gandalf Greyhame''', given to him by [[Gríma Wormtongue]]
* '''Stormcrow''', a reference to his arrival being associated with times of trouble
* '''Láthspell''', a name given to him by [[Gríma Wormtongue]], meaning "ill news".

===Wand-elf===
Within the legendarium, "Gandalf" translates an unknown name of the meaning "Elf-of-the-wand (or cane/staff)", or more literary "Wand-elf", in old northern Mannish. Most denizens of Middle-earth incorrectly assumed Gandalf was a [[Men|Man]] (human), although he was really a Maia spirit (approximately equivalent to an angel). However, a less common misconception that occurred during the beginning of his career in Middle-earth was that for someone to be [[immortal]] and use as much magic as he did, he must have been an Elf. Although it soon became apparent to all that he couldn't be an Elf, as he was old and Elves don't generally age, the nickname stuck with him. He later gave it as his name to others he met who didn't know its original meaning.

== Inspiration ==
[[Image:Georg von Rosen - Oden som vandringsman, 1886 (Odin, the Wanderer).jpg|thumb|A depiction of god Odin. His similarity to the figure of Gandalf echoes Tolkien's commentary of the Wizard as 'Odinic wanderer']]
[[Image:Der_Berggeist_(Origin_of_Gandalf)_by_J._Madelener.gif|left|thumb|250px|This painting on a postcard is rumored to be how [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] got his inspiration for the character known as "Gandalf"]]

''Gandalfr''
appears in the list of dwarves in the ''[[Völuspá]]'' of the Elder Edda, the name means "Cane-elf". Tolkien took the name along with the other dwarves' names when he wrote ''The Hobbit'' in the 1930s. He came to regret the creation of this "rabble of eddaic-named dwarves [...] invented in an idle hour" ([[The Treason of Isengard|HoME 7]]:452), since it forced him to come up with an explanation of why Old Norse names should be used in [[Third Age]] Middle-earth. He solved the dilemma in 1942 by the explanation that Old Norse was a ''translation'' of the language of [[Dale]]. The figure of Gandalf has other influences from Germanic mythology, particularly Odin in his incarnation as "the Wanderer", an old man with one eye, a long white beard, a wide brimmed hat, and a staff: Tolkien states that he thinks of Gandalf as an ''"Odinic wanderer"'' in a letter of 1946 (''Letters'' no. 107).

Tolkien had a postcard labeled ''[[Der Berggeist]]'' ("the mountain spirit"), and on the paper cover in which he kept it, he wrote "the origin of Gandalf" at some point. The postcard reproduces a painting of a bearded figure, sitting on a rock under a pine tree in a mountainous setting. He wears a wide-brimmed round hat and a long cloak and white fawn is nuzzling his upturned hands.
[[Humphrey Carpenter]] in his 1977 biography said that Tolkien had bought the postcard during his 1911 holiday in Switzerland. However, Manfred Zimmerman (1983) discovered that the painting was by German artist Josef Madlener and dates to the late 1920s. Carpenter concluded that Tolkien was probably mistaken about the origin of the postcard himself. Tolkien must have acquired the card at some time in the early 1930s, at a time when ''The Hobbit'' had already begun to take shape.

The original painting was auctioned at Sotheby's in London on July 12, 2005 for 84,000 GBP. The previous owner had been given the painting by Madlener in the 1940s and recalled that he had stated the mountains in the background of the painting were the Dolomites.

== Portrayals in Adaptations ==
As a main character in every adaptation, Gandalf has been portrayed more than any other character.
[[Image:Gandalf from Rankin-Bass' The Hobbit.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Gandalf as portrayed in ''[[Rankin/Bass' The Hobbit]]'']]
'''1955: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1956 radio series)|BBC Radio's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:The voice of Gandalf was provided by [[Norman Shelley]].

'''1968: ''[[The Hobbit (1968 radio series)|BBC Radio's The Hobbit]]'':'''
:The voice of Gandalf was provided by [[Heron Carvic]].

'''1977: ''[[Rankin/Bass' The Hobbit]]'':'''
:The voice of Gandalf was provided by [[John Huston]].
[[Image:Gandalf from Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Gandalf as he appeared in ''[[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings]]'']]
'''1978: ''[[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:Gandalf was voiced by [[William Squire]]. [[John A. Neris]] played him in the live-action filming used for rotoscoping.

'''1979: ''[[The Hobbit (1979 radio series)|Mind's Eye's The Hobbit]]'':'''
:The voice of Gandalf was provided [[Bernard Mayes]].

'''1979: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1979 radio series)|Mind's Eye's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:[[Bernard Mayes]] reprised his role as Gandalf.

'''1980: ''[[Rankin/Bass' The Return of the King]]'':'''
:[[John Huston]] reprised his role as Gandalf. In this adaptation, the tale is told by a minstrel of [[Gondor]], yet in the story, Gandalf serves as the narrator. Gandalf the White is portrayed without difference from Gandalf the Grey, in ''The Hobbit''.

'''1981: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|BBC Radio's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:[[Michael Hordern]] read the part of Gandalf. He had not read the book, and thought his agent made a mistake in telling him how many episodes he had to do. He did not know Gandalf's early death would prove only temporarily.

'''2001: ''[[Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
[[Image:Peter Jackson's Gandalf.jpg|thumb|left|200px|[[Ian McKellen]] as Gandalf the White in ''[[Peter Jackson's The Two Towers]]'']]

:[[Ian McKellen|Sir Ian McKellen]] was cast as Gandalf. McKellen was nominated for an Academy Award for his portrayal, but did not win. Early on in the casting process [[Sean Connery]] was approached for the role but he turned it down as he did not understand the book. Reportedly at one point Connery was heard to exclaim "what is a hobbit"?

It was the role of Gandalf which [[Christopher Lee]] hoped to win but was chosen for the role of [[Saruman]] instead.

'''2002: ''[[Vivendi's The Fellowship of the Ring (game)|Vivendi's The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:[[Tom Kane]] provided the voice of Gandalf. He is a playable character in several scenes, including the fight with [[Durin's Bane]].

'''2002: ''[[Peter Jackson's The Two Towers]]'':'''
:Perhaps the most striking difference from all other adaptations is the difference between Gandalf the Grey and Gandalf the White. Where earlier no visible or audible difference was made, Gandalf the White is portrayed as much more virile, and with a shorter (and whiter) beard.

'''2003: ''[[Peter Jackson's The Return of the King]]'':'''
:Because [[Imrahil]] had been cut from the film, it was up to Gandalf to lead the troops after the madness and death of [[Denethor II|Denethor]].
[[Image:The Hobbit (2003) Gandalf.JPG|right|200px|thumb|Gandalf as he appeared in ''[[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|Sierra's The Hobbit]]'']]
'''2003: ''[[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|Sierra's The Hobbit]]'':'''
:[[Jim Ward]] provided the voice of Gandalf. He is shown with actual [[magic]]: he can shoot blue bolts of lightning from his staff.

'''2004: ''[[EA's The Third Age]]'':'''
:Gandalf, voiced by [[Ian McKellen]], is a character in [[Electronic Arts|EA's]] "alternative [[Fellowship of the Ring|fellowship]] game. In his battle against Durin's Bane, he is aided by the main characters.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Gandalf is a non-playable character, who gives various quests and narrates cutscenes.

== See Also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Gandalf|Images of Gandalf]]

== References ==
* ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]''
* ''[[The Two Towers]]''
* ''[[The Return of the King]]''
* ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', [[Valaquenta]], "Of the Maiar"
* ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', "The Istari", "The Quest of Erebor"
* ''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'', [[Letter 156]], [[Letter 246]]
* Manfred Zimmerman, ''The Origin of Gandalf and [[Josef Madlener]]'', [[Mythlore 34]] (1983).
* [[John D. Rateliff]], ''[[The History of The Hobbit]] Part One: Mr. Baggins''

== External Links ==
* [http://www.tolkiensociety.org/news/gandalf-painting.html The painting from which Tolkien drew inspiration for Gandalf]

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|next=[[Aragorn II]]
|list=Leader of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] [[December 25]] [[3018]] - [[January 15]] [[3019]]
}}

{{wizards}}
{{fellowship}}
{{maiar}}
{{Thorin and Company}}

[[Category:Maiar]]
[[Category:Wizards]]
[[Category:Ring-bearers]]
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]

[[de:Gandalf]]
[[fi:Gandalf]]

Gandalf

2008-11-15T00:48:11Z

68.8.247.240: /* The Treachery of Saruman */

{{Featurednominations}}
{{maiar infobox
| image=[[Image:Donato Giancola - Gandalf- Shadow of the Past.jpeg|250px]]
| name=Gandalf
| othernames=The Grey, The White, [[Olórin]], [[Mithrandir]], [[Incánus]], [[Tharkûn]], The White Rider, Gandalf Greyhame, [[Stormcrow]], [[Gandalf#Wand-elf|Wand-elf]], [[Láthspell]]
| coming=[[Third Age 1000]]
| duty=[[Istari]]
| death=Died/Reborn [[Third Age 3019]], sailed back to [[Aman]] [[Third Age 3021]]
| robes=Grey, later White
| gender=Male
| appearance=Bent old man (approx 5'6") with long beard and eyebrows
| hair=White
|}}
{{quote|Gandalf was shorter in stature than the [[Elrond|other]] [[Glorfindel|two]]; but his long white hair, his sweeping beard, and his broad shoulders, made him look like some wise king of ancient legend. In his aged face under great snowy brows his eyes were set like coals that could suddenly burst into fire.|[[The Fellowship of the Ring]], "[[Many Meetings]]"}}

'''Gandalf''' was one of the five [[Istari]] sent to [[Middle-earth]] by the [[Valar]] in the [[Third Age]]. In [[Valinor]] he was known as Olórin. Gandalf was instrumental in bringing about the demise of [[Sauron]] in [[Third Age 3019|3019]], chiefly by encouraging others and dispensing his wisdom at pivotal times. Gandalf was originally robed in grey, and second to [[Saruman]] in the Order of [[wizards]]. After his fall in Moria, Gandalf returned to Middle-earth as head of the Order, robed in white. He was a primary character in ''[[The Hobbit]]'' and ''[[The Lord of the Rings]].'' Gandalf was noteworthy for his keen interest in [[Hobbits]].

==History==
===Coming to Middle-earth===

Olórin was a [[Maiar|Maia]] who dwelt in the [[Lórien in Valinor|gardens]] of [[Irmo]] in Valinor. As a pupil of [[Nienna]], Olórin was said to be the wisest of the Maiar; he learned pity and patience from his teacher. When the Valar chose five emissaries (“[[Istari]]”) from among the Maiar to go to [[Middle-earth]] during the [[Third Age]], [[Manwë]] selected Olórin. The other four were Saruman, [[Radagast]], [[Pallando]], and [[Alatar]]. These messengers were to assist the free peoples in opposing [[Sauron]], who still existed as a 'dark spirit of malice' despite his body's destruction in the downfall of [[Númenor]]. Furthermore, the [[One Ring]], the location of much of Sauron's power, presumably still existed somewhere in Middle-earth. Olórin submitted to the will of Manwë, and departed Valinor to [[Mithlond]] in the year T.A. 1000. He arrived after the others at about the same time the [[Necromancer]] appeared in [[Mirkwood]].

At Mithlond he was welcomed by [[Glorfindel]], his friend from Valinor, sent earlier on a similar mission, and [[Círdan]] the shipwright, who possessed [[Narya]], one of the [[Three Rings|Three Elven Rings]] of power. Círdan divined in Olórin a sense of strength and power despite his appearance as a bent and aged old man. Círdan gave Narya to Olórin, with a prediction of his future struggles with evil, and a promise that it would support and aid him in his labors. Then Círdan said “''But as for me, my heart is with the [[Belegaer|Sea]], and I will dwell by the grey shores until the last ship sails. I will await you.''”

Olórin then began his sojourn in Middle-earth. He was known by many names during the long years he remained in Middle-earth: Elves named him [[Mithrandir]] (S: "grey pilgrim"), while the men of [[Arnor]] named him Gandalf, which became his most common name. Throughout 'The Hobbit' and 'The Lord of the Rings' his character is referred to as 'Gandalf.' He was also known as 'Gandalf Grayhame,' 'The White Rider,' 'Incánus' (in the south), and 'Tharkún' to the dwarves.

[[Image:John Howe - Gandalf the Grey.jpg|right|250px|thumb|''Gandalf the Grey'' by [[John Howe]]]]Gandalf, like the other Wizards, took the shape of an old man. He was robed in gray and went about as a wanderer and counselor. Unlike Saruman, Gandalf did not go east and did not take up a single permanent residence. Gandalf apparently restricted his activities to the North-west of Middle-earth, where the remnants of the [[Dúnedain]] and the [[Eldar]] remained to oppose Sauron.

===Early Vigilance===

Around [[Third Age 1100|1100]], the Istari and the Eldar discovered that some evil entity resided at [[Dol Guldur]] in Mirkwood. Dark shapes moved in the forest and evil began to multiply in the woods. Some thought a [[Nazgûl]] had returned to torment the world, or some new evil was arising. Gandalf was unsure, and feared that perhaps Sauron himself might have returned.

Over the next two hundred years the evil continued to grow, as well as the source directing it. [[Orcs]] were multiplying in the [[Misty Mountains]] and elsewhere. The [[Witch-king]], the mightiest of the Nazgúl, had built a fortress in [[Angmar]] in the Northern wastelands and waged unending war against the Kingdom of Arnor. Meanwhile [[Moria]] and [[Minas Ithil]] fell under a shadow, while other wars, plagues, and catastrophes occurred across Middle-earth. Gandalf went to Dol Guldur in [[Third Age 2063|2063]] to discover its secret. An entity known only as the '[[Necromancer]]' fled before him and Gandalf could not discover his identity. Afterwards, the evil there seemed to desist, and the era of the [[Watchful Peace]] began.

This peace lasted for almost four hundred years, but the Necromancer again returned to Dol Guldur in [[Third Age 2460|2460]]. In response, the Wise formed the [[White Council]] three years later. Though [[Galadriel]], bearer of one of the Three Elven Rings and mighty among the Eldar, wished Gandalf to be the chief of the Council, it was in the end Saruman who took this place-- because of his vast knowledge, but also because Gandalf refused this position, wishing to set down no roots and to maintain his independence.

[[Image:John Howe - Pass the Doors of Dol Guldur.jpg|thumb|300px|left|''Pass the Doors of Dol Guldur'' by [[John Howe]]]]In [[Third Age 2850|2850]], Gandalf again entered Dol Guldur, this time in secrecy. There he found out many things. First and foremost, the Necromancer was no Nazgûl – it was Sauron himself. Also, Gandalf found [[Thráin]], a dwarf of the royal line of [[Erebor]], in the dungeons. The last of the [[Seven Rings]] of the Dwarves had been taken from him; Sauron was gathering the remaining [[Rings of Power]] and possibly searching for his lost One Ring.

Gandalf escaped Dol Guldur and returned to the White Council. After relating his discoveries, he urged the council to attack Sauron while the One Ring was still lost and Sauron's power immature. But Saruman said that it was better to watch and wait; that the One Ring had long ago rolled from [[Anduin]] to the Sea. The majority of the council agreed with Saruman. [[Elrond]] Half-elven, a powerful member of the council, later privately told Gandalf he had a foreboding that the Ring would be found, and that the war to end the age was coming. Indeed, he added, he feared that it would end in darkness and despair. Gandalf encouraged him, saying there were many “strange chances," and that, “''help oft shall come from the hands of the weak''”. Gandalf did not yet realize that Saruman now wanted the ring for himself and was secretly searching for it along the banks of river Anduin.

===The Hobbit===

In [[Third Age 2941|2941]] Gandalf happened across the dwarf lord [[Thorin Oakenshield]] while staying the night in [[Bree]]. Thorin initiated conversation; he had been having a strange feeling urging him to seek Gandalf. Gandalf was intrigued, for he had thought to seek Thorin as well. They found they were taking the same road for a while (Thorin passing through the Shire on his way to the [[Ered Luin]]), and they agreed to travel together. Thorin wanted advice, and Gandalf wanted to discuss the [[dragon]] [[Smaug]] with Thorin.

Ultimately, Gandalf concocted a plan wherein Thorin could destroy Smaug and recover his family fortune, albeit with a 'burglar' of Gandalf's own choosing. Gandalf had a feeling that a Hobbit should be involved, and he remembered an adventuresome Hobbit named [[Bilbo Baggins]] he had met some years before. By this time, however, Bilbo was far from 'adventuresome.' In the end Gandalf convinced the reluctant Baggins to become a burglar for Thorin. Gandalf then accompanied [[Thorin and Company]] to [[Rivendell]]. During the journey Gandalf obtained a sword known as [[Glamdring]] from a [[troll]]-hoard; Gandalf bore it for the rest of his life.

Gandalf helped Thorin and Company through the [[Misty Mountains]], saving them several times from orcs and other calamities. It was during this time that Bilbo obtained a 'magic ring.' Bilbo initially claimed he 'won' it from the creature '[[Gollum]]' while the company was under the Misty Mountains. The ring conferred invisibility on Bilbo when he wore it, and he kept it secret from Gandalf for some time. Gandalf, for his part, found himself amazed by the hobbit; until then the wise had paid no attention to hobbits and knew little of them. For the rest of his sojourn in Middle-earth, Gandalf took a special interest in hobbits, and particularly in the Baggins family.

Gandalf left the quest prior to its completion, yet the quest was successful: Smaug was killed and the Orcs and [[Wargs]] of the [[Misty Mountains]] were defeated by an alliance of the [[Dwarves of Erebor]], the men of Dale, and the [[Nandor]] Elves of Mirkwood in the [[Battle of Five Armies]]. Gandalf had accomplished his immediate goal, which was to destroy Smaug, who could have been used to disastrous effect by Sauron. A large number of Orcs and Wargs also were killed in the North, removing threats to Rivendell and Lothlorien.

===The War of the Ring===
====The Return of the Shadow====

Gandalf had left Thorin and Company before reaching the edge of [[Mirkwood]] to attend a White Council meeting in the South. The Council was meeting under the gravest of circumstances: Sauron's vast power was returning, even without his ring. Gandalf at last convinced the Council to attack Dol Guldur. Even Saruman was willing by this time, for now he feared Sauron as a rival, and wished to delay Sauron's search for the Ring. The Council put forth its strength and drove Sauron from Mirkwood.

Despite the Council's hopes, Sauron was not weakened by this attack. He had foreseen the move that drove him from Mirkwood, and his retreat was but a feint. Ten years after he was driven out of Mirkwood, Sauron declared himself openly in Mordor in 2951 and rebuilt the [[Barad-dûr]]. Sauron then began reassembling his forces for the final blow against the hated remnants of Númenor and the Eldar still in Middle-earth. Sauron ordered armies of [[Easterlings]] from Khand and beyond the [[Sea of Rhûn]] to reinforce his stronghold in [[Mordor]]; they were further reinforced by armies of men from South Harad. Orcs, trolls, and other foul beasts were multiplying in Mordor; Sauron's minions also were searching the Anduin for any sign of his precious One Ring. Despite the terror they induced, in 3018 Sauron sent the Nazgúl north to search for his ring as well.

[[Image:Darrell Sweet - The Arrival of Gandalf.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''The Arrival of Gandalf'' by [[Darrell Sweet]]]]

During this period Gandalf visited the Shire frequently, especially his friend Bilbo Baggins, and Baggins’s nephew, [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]]. He noted Bilbo’s unusual youthfulness, despite his advancing age; the suspicious 'magic ring' that Bilbo had acquired during his adventure began to weigh on his mind. Gandalf recalled the deceit Bilbo used in originally claiming it for his own-- Bilbo had later admitted to stealing it from Gollum. Gandalf could see that Bilbo was now very preoccupied with the ring. Such un-hobbitlike behaviour aroused his suspicions; he convinced Bilbo to pass the ring on to Frodo. He then emphatically warned Frodo not to use it; Gandalf had begun to suspect that the 'magic ring' was indeed a ring of power.

Gandalf met [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]], the hidden heir of Arnor, in [[Third Age 2956|2956]], and soon became friends with him. From that point on Aragorn and Gandalf often worked together towards a common end-- the defeat of Sauron.
Keen now to find out more about Gollum, he went to Aragorn, and with his help captured Gollum. With Gollum’s tale, and the records in [[Minas Tirith]], he pieced together the missing history of the One Ring in [[Third Age 3017|3017]]. A great fear came over him when he learned that Gollum had been to the Barad-dûr. Sauron had tortured Gollum and learned not only of the 'magic ring,' but also the names 'Shire' and 'Baggins.' Gandalf now returned in haste to the Shire, certain that Frodo's ring was not simply a ring of power: it was the One Ruling Ring of Sauron.

====The Treachery of Saruman====

[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Gandalf Escapes Upon Gwaihir.jpg|thumb|left|250px|''Gandalf escapes upon Gwaihir'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]After Gandalf’s fears were confirmed, he returned to the Shire and advised Frodo to leave as soon as possible, promising to return before a farewell party for Bilbo in autumn of that year ([[Third Age 3018|3018]]), and to escort him to Rivendell. Gandalf also told Frodo in the mines of Moria about the creature Gollum, to which Frodo exclaimed that he should have been killed. Gandalf speculated that perhaps Gollum would have a part to play before the end, and in any case, it was not for them to decide who should live and who should die. He then set out to seek the advice of Saruman, supposedly still the head of the order.

Hearing disturbing news from [[Radagast]], he gave [[Barliman Butterbur]] a letter for Frodo (which was never delivered) urging him to act without hesitation. Soon thereafter he arrived at Isengard. At their meeting, Saruman at last revealed his desire for the One Ring. He offered to his "''old friend and helper''" that they take the Ring for themselves and seize power from Sauron. Gandalf rejected this with horror, and was imprisoned by Saruman on the pinnacle of [[Orthanc]]. [[Gwaihir]], chief of the Eagles, soon arrived and helped Gandalf escape. Gandalf knew he must return quickly to the Shire, as Frodo (and the ring) were in grave danger from both Sauron's Nazgûl and now Saruman's treacherous desire for the ring.

Gandalf hurriedly went to [[Rohan]], desiring to find a strong steed; there he obtained [[Shadowfax]] from King [[Théoden]], who later resented the gift. This lord of horses and Gandalf forged a special bond, and Gandalf made quick use of Shadowfax's incredible strength and endurance.

Gandalf sped to the Shire. Fortunately, Frodo had already left the Shire without waiting for Gandalf, and was seeking the refuge of [[Rivendell]]. Upon arrival Gandalf learned that the Nazgûl, arrayed as [[Black Riders]], had been searching the area. Dismayed, he set out for Bree, but fortunately found there that Frodo had recently left the town with 'Strider,' the local name for Aragorn: a hope which far exceeded his expectations. Gandalf then made for [[Weathertop]], a high point in the region, to observe the surrounding area. There he was assaulted at night by the Nazgûl, but drove them off after a great battle of light and flame. He then went directly to Rivendell, where he welcomed Glorfindel, Aragorn and the hobbits upon their arrival several days later, Frodo being sorely wounded but still in possession of the ring.

====The Fellowship of the Ring====

Elrond called a [[Council of Elrond|council]] after Frodo was healed to consider the momentous decision regarding the ring. By chance, representatives of most of the free peoples happened to be in Rivendell already for various reasons. Elrond and Gandalf advised that the Ring should be destroyed in the fires of [[Orodruin]], where it was made. Others dissented or objected, but eventually submitted to Gandalf's plan. Ultimately, Elrond appointed the Fellowship of the Ring as nine walkers, numerically set against Sauron's nine Nazgûl. The relatively small number reflected the realization by Elrond and the other council members that the quest of Mount Doom would not rely upon strength of arms, but on stealth and good fortune. Gandalf was chosen to lead the company, which included [[Aragorn]], [[Boromir (son of Denethor II)|Boromir]], [[Legolas of Mirkwood|Legolas]] the Elf, [[Gimli]] the Dwarf, and the hobbits Frodo Baggins, [[Samwise Gamgee]], [[Peregrin Took]], and [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]].

Several obstacles stood in the company's way. The vast [[Misty Mountains]] had to be crossed, for Gandalf was determined not to lead the company near [[Isengard]]. Gandalf decided to take a southern route to the [[Redhorn Pass]] and there to cross the [[Misty Mountains]] near [[Caradhras]], thereby traversing the mountain range and avoiding Isengard. When this attempt failed due to a terrible storm he then decided to take the Fellowship through the ruins of Moria, where the remains of the great Dwarf city of [[Khazad-dûm]] was now a labyrinth of tunnels under the mountains. Others in the company were loathe enter the maze, as it was now the lair of orcs and something known only as 'Durin's Bane.'

[[Image:Ted Nasmith - At the Bridge.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''At the Bridge'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]At the [[Doors of Durin]] on the west side of the mountains, Gandalf, after some delay, spoke the password and led the company into the dark. Having been in Moria on an earlier perilous errand, he was somewhat familiar with the underground passages. Eventually the party came to the [[Chamber of Mazarbul]], where Gandalf read the [[Book of Records]], which revealed the fate of [[Balin]], the leader of an ill-fated attempt to re-colonize Moria. Soon after, the party was attacked by orcs, and forced to flee the chamber. By then Gandalf was well aware of their location, and he led the party quickly towards the eastern exit.

Unfortunately [[Durin's Bane]] caught up to the group at the [[Bridge of Khazad-dûm]]. Gandalf and Legolas immediately realized what it was: a [[Balrog]] of [[Morgoth]], a servant of the first dark lord. In a spectacular display of bravery Gandalf faced the demon and broke the bridge both stood upon, leaving the beast to fall into a seemingly bottomless chasm. But the Balrog's whip lashed out and grasped Gandalf by the ankle, pulling him down. Clinging to the edge of the passageway, Gandalf shouted 'Fly, you fools' and vanished into the abyss.

[[Image:John Howe - Zirak-zigil.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''Zirak-zigil'' by [[John Howe]]]]Yet Gandalf did not die; he and the Balrog fought long in the bowels and deep places of Arda. Gandalf finally pursued the beast up the [[Endless Stair]] to the peak of [[Zirakzigil]], where he [[Battle of the Peak|fought the demon]] for two days and nights. The Balrog had burst into flame anew when it exited the stairs; ice, wind, and smoke swirled about them as they dueled. Gandalf used his last measure of strength to slay the Balrog, throwing him down the mountainside in ruin. Gandalf's spirit then left his body, having sacrificed himself to save the Fellowship.

====Gandalf the White====
But Gandalf's spirit did not depart Middle-earth forever at this time. As the only one of the five Istari to stay true to his errand, Olórin/Gandalf was sent back to mortal lands by [[Eru]], and he became Gandalf once again. Yet, as he was now the sole emissary of the Valar to Middle-earth, he was granted the power to 'reveal' more of his inner [[Maiar]] strength. This naked power that lay within him was seldom used during the remainder of his time in Middle-earth, as his mission was essentially the same: to support and succor those who opposed Sauron. Nevertheless, when Gandalf's wrath was kindled his 'unveiled' strength was such that few of Sauron's servants could withstand him.

As he lay naked on the mountaintop, the great eagle [[Gwaihir]] came up and bore him to [[Lothlórien]], where he was clothed and replenished, and given a new staff by [[Galadriel]]. Gandalf soon learned that Frodo and Sam had left the Fellowship and were attempting the quest of Mount Doom alone. As Frodo was beyond his assistance now, Gandalf promptly went south to [[Fangorn Forest]], where he met the [[Three Hunters]]: [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]], [[Legolas of Mirkwood|Legolas]], and [[Gimli]], and gave them messages from Galadriel. Then he called forth [[Shadowfax]], and rode with them to [[Edoras]]. There he found that Saruman's spy [[Gríma Wormtongue]] had deceived King [[Théoden]] into hopeless impotence. Gandalf quickly deposed Wormtongue and encouraged Théoden to ride west to war against [[Saruman]]. Gandalf by now was keenly aware that the great war to end the age was beginning; if Saruman conquered Rohan then Gondor would be alone with enemies on all sides.

At Gandalf's encouragement King Théoden went west to Helm's Deep where he was quickly besieged; Gandalf then searched for [[Erkenbrand]] and the forces of the [[Westfold]], which he later found and led to the Deep, thus breaking the siege. Meanwhile, the [[Ents]] (along with the hobbits Merry and Pippin) moved against Saruman and sent [[Huorns]] against the orcs, resulting in the utter ruin of the outer walls of [[Isengard]] and the complete annihilation of Saruman's orcs. After the battle, Gandalf went to [[Orthanc]] with Théoden, Aragorn, and a small group. There Saruman rejected Gandalf's offer of forgiveness with contempt. Gandalf then broke Saruman's staff and cast him from the Order and the Council. Gandalf imposed a strict watch on Isengard by the Ents and then advised King Théoden to ride to Gondor's defense as soon as possible. The wizard's mind had already turned to Gondor and the coming climactic battle in the east.

====The Siege of Minas Tirith====
[[Image:Donato Giancola - The White Rider.jpeg|thumb|right|300px|''The White Rider'' by [[Donato Giancola]]]] As a 'reward' for Pippin, who had foolishly gazed into a [[palantír]], Gandalf took the hobbit with him to [[Minas Tirith]], the last bastion of the west. Soon after arriving, Gandalf confronted [[Denethor II]], the [[Ruling Steward]], and learned that he was near despair over the death of his eldest son, [[Boromir (son of Denethor II)|Boromir]]. Ostensibly they were allies, but the Steward treated him with disrespect and suspicion. When [[Faramir (son of Denethor II)|Faramir]], the Steward’s younger son, returned from [[Osgiliath]] and was attacked by Nazgûl, Gandalf upon Shadowfax drove them away by revealing the power within him; later Faramir told him that Frodo and Sam were still alive and headed towards Mordor.

The city was soon besieged by a vast force from Mordor, led by the [[Witch-king]]. An ill-advised counter attack resulted in Faramir receiving a wound from a poisoned dart; he lay near death inside the Tower. Still, Gandalf encouraged the men of Minas Tirith to have hope, and dispelled the fear of the Ringwraiths by his very presence. But Sauron's catapults hurled flaming bolts upon the city; soon the first circle of the city burned unchecked. Denethor now lost all heart as the city burned and his only remaining son hovered near death; he abandoned his leadership of the city. Gandalf then took it upon himself to direct the defense of the city. When the gigantic ram [[Grond]] destroyed the ancient entrance to the city, Gandalf placed himself alone at the ruined gateway. The Witch-king then appeared in the midst of the blasted gate upon a black horse and threatened Gandalf with death; but Gandalf did not move-- seated upon Shadowfax he defied the mightiest of Sauron's minions. However, the standoff ended inconclusively, as the morning arrived along with the host of the Rohirrim. Hearing the horns of the Riders of Rohan, the Witch-king departed.

But Gandalf did not pursue his foe, for Pippin brought him news that Denethor was about to commit suicide in the high tower, burning himself and his son Faramir on a pyre like the heathen Kings of old. Gandalf rushed to stop this madness and was able to save Faramir, but not Denethor, whose despair and grief had overcome his mind. Gandalf also learned how it was that Denethor's will had been broken: Denethor clutched a palantír in his hands as he burned. Clearly Denethor had been using the stone's special properties for some time-- extending his vision far beyond those of human eyes, but also wrestling in thought with Sauron. And even though Sauron could not completely overwhelm Denethor's mind, his courage was daunted by knowledge of the vast might of Mordor. Thus the shadow entered into the capital of Gondor.

Nevertheless, and against all hope, the siege was broken. [[Éowyn]] of Rohan and the hobbit Merry defeated the Witch-king, whose last wail was heard by many as he was reduced to impotence. Soon after, Lord Aragorn arrived with a large valour of men from the southern fiefs upon a captured pirate fleet from Umbar. The forces of the men of the west then utterly defeated Sauron's attack against Minas Tirith, relieving the city and killing virtually all of the invaders. Gandalf's carefully laid plans and words of wisdom, along with acts of heroism not seen since the elder days, had defeated Sauron's first move.

====The Last Battle====
But the attack against Minas Tirith was only a part of Sauron's plan to devastate the west and make himself the ruler of Middle-earth. Other armies moved in the north against [[Erebor]] and the Kingdom of Thranduil, as well as against Lothlórien and other points along the [[Anduin]]. Still commanding vast armies of orcs and men, the Dark Lord soon would move against Gondor again; the remnants of the Edain and their allies had little hope against his almost limitless resources.

In Minas Tirith, Gandalf was selected by Aragorn, Imrahil, and Éomer (the remaining lords of the west) to be their leader in the coming final battles. This would be the culmination of Gandalf's efforts in Middle-earth. Fully aware that the west would stand or fall on the outcome of Frodo's mission, he advised the lords to drive north to the Morannon, thereby drawing Sauron's eye away from Frodo's likely location. This plan surely would result in a catastrophic loss for the outnumbered army, but it gave Frodo a chance to achieve the quest of Mount Doom.

Led by Gandalf and Aragorn, the army of the West crossed the Anduin and marched north, pausing occasionally to announce their coming and to dispatch small numbers of men to lesser tasks. Upon arriving at the Black Gate, the forces halted and prepared for battle. As they ordered their companies, the foul [[Mouth of Sauron]] rode forth to parley with them; he revealed Frodo's [[Mithril]]-coat and Arnor-blade 'Sting' and implied that their owner was captured and tortured. The emissary of Sauron then proposed that the forces of the west surrender; Gandalf however was undaunted, and, seizing his friend's belongings, rejected Sauron's offer. In shock, the Mouth of Sauron turned back towards the Black Gate, which slowly opened to reveal a vast army of orcs and trolls advancing on the lords of the west. Sauron's trap was sprung.

Yet Sauron himself became the victim of Gandalf's trap. Unbeknownst to all, Frodo and Sam had succeeded in scaling Mount Doom and even as the Battle of Morannon began Frodo stood at the Crack of Doom. But the power and lure of the ring finally overcame his will and he placed the ring upon his finger, claiming it as his own. Immediately the Nazgûl were summoned by their lord, as he in terror realized his blunder: his enemies intended to destroy his ring.

[[Image:Ted Nasmith - The Shadow of Sauron.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''The Shadow of Sauron'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]But Gandalf's foresight proved accurate again as the creature Gollum, who had been doggedly following the ringbearer, seized the ring from Frodo, and, while celebrating his reunion with "his precious," unwittingly fell into the fires of Orodruin. The ring was unmade as the fiery mountian erupted. The tower of [[Barad-dûr]] and the [[Towers of the Teeth]] began to collapse, their foundations crumbling, the Ring-wraiths burned out like shooting stars, and Sauron was reduced to a mere shadow of malice, never to torment the world again.

With Sauron gone, his forces scattered like frightened insects; the Men of the West now set upon them with fury. Gandalf announced the success of the [[Ring-bearer]] and the end of Sauron; the quest had been fulfilled. Seeing that victory was achieved, Gandalf then mounted on [[Gwaihir]] the Eagle for a third time, and set out to see if Frodo and Samwise had survived the tumults of [[Mount Doom]]. To his great relief, the two were found on the slopes of Orodruin, clinging to life amid the volcanic eruptions. The great quest was over.

===End of the Order===
In Minas Tirith Gandalf and the remaining members of the Fellowship reunited. At the coronation of King [[Aragorn II|Elessar]], Gandalf (at Aragorn’s request) set the crown upon the King’s head, and declared "''Now come the days of the King, and may they be blessed while the thrones of the [[Valar]] endure!''" Thus Gandalf ushered in the new age of men.

After the coronation and wedding of Aragorn to [[Arwen]], Gandalf left with the rest of the remaining Fellowship on the journey home. For Gandalf it was his last long journey in Middle-earth. His errand to Arda had been fulfilled; Sauron had been defeated. He said farewell to his friends one by one until at last only the four Hobbits remained at his side. At the borders of the Shire he, too, turned away. He left the Hobbits to settle with the Shire, for the shattered pieces of evil still remaining in the world were no longer his concern, and went to talk to [[Tom Bombadil]].

[[Image:Danny Staten - Grey Havens.jpg|thumb|left|250px|''Grey Havens'' by [[Danny Staten]]]]What Gandalf did during the next two years is unknown; it is possible that his "''long talk''" with Bombadil was just that. At any rate, on [[September 29]], [[Third Age 3021|3021]], he met [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] at [[Mithlond]], ready to take the [[White Ship]] over the [[Belegaer|sea]] to [[Aman]]. He wore [[Narya]] openly on his finger, and Shadowfax was beside him (perhaps even to take ship with him). His mission was over, and his homecoming after more than 2000 years was nigh. He bade farewell to [[Samwise Gamgee|Samwise]], [[Merry]], and [[Pippin]] (the latter two of which he had forewarned of the passage), then mounted the Grey Ship beside Frodo, Elrond, and Galadriel. The ship passed west upon the sea, and then took the hidden straight path to [[Valinor]]: Gandalf became Olórin once more. There, presumably, he dwells still in the gardens of [[Irmo]]. Olórin, the wisest of the Maiar and the sole Istar to remain true to his mission, had successfully kindled the hearts of the free people in Middle-earth to overcome the evil of their time. In a large way, it was his victory.

==Personality==
Gandalf is often described in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' as quick to anger, and equally quick to laugh. His deep wisdom clearly derived from the patience he learned in Valinor, just as his care for all creatures of good will must have come from his strong sense of pity for the weak. Both his patience and sense of pity were revealed again and again, extending even to the servants of his enemies.

Keen observers of Gandalf often detected a veiled power, usually revealed in his eyes, which appeared deep and wise. He was alternately affectionate and brusque; he often surprised others with his bluntness when time was of the essence. Gandalf consistently upbraided foolish behavior, but also richly rewarded those who acted with good intentions.

Hobbits appealed to him more than to the other Wizards, and he went often to the Shire for respites from his errands. It may be that he was amused by their nature, as often described in ''[[The Hobbit]]''. It may also be because they were untouched by the great evils of the world, and were more in touch with nature than humans; perhaps their agrarian lifestyle appealed to Gandalf's innate spirit and reminded him of the gardens of Valinor.

==Appearance==
[[Image:John Howe - Gandalf.jpg|thumb|right|300px|''Gandalf'' by [[John Howe]]]]

The first description of Gandalf is preserved in the initial pages of ''The Hobbit'', written in the early 1930s. Gandalf's fame is alluded to even before his physical description ("Tales and adventures sprouted up all over the place wherever he went, in the most extraordinary fashion"), while the protagonist's ("unsuspecting Bilbo") impression is that of:
<blockquote>
''...an old man with a staff. He had a tall pointed blue hat, a long grey cloak, a silver scarf over which a white beard hung down below his waist, and immense black boots.
</blockquote>

Later, [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] wrote:
<blockquote>
''...a figure strongly built and with broad shoulder, though shorter than the average of men and now stooped with age, leaning on a thick rough-cut staff as he trudged along... Gandalf's hat was wide-brimmed [...] with a pointed conical crown, and it was ''blue''; he wore a long ''grey'' cloak, but this would not reach much below his knees. It was of an elven silver-grey hue, though tarnished by wear - as is evident from the general use of grey in [[The Lord of the Rings|the book]]... But his colours were always white, silver-grey, and blue - except for the boots he wore when walking in the wild...Gandalf even bent must have been at least 5 ft. 6... Which would make him a short man even in modern England, especially with the reduction of a bent back.'' ([[The History of The Hobbit]], page 49) </blockquote>

Although some of the Wise know his true nature, his "wizard-like" appearance causes many to mistake him for a simple conjurer. After his return his "signature colour" changes from grey to white, for he has been sent back to replace the corrupt Saruman as the chief of the Wizards. In the book he claims that in some ways he now "was Saruman", or rather Saruman as he should have been.

[[Círdan]] the Shipwright seemed to have foreseen this, for he entrusted the care of [[Narya]], one of the [[Rings of Power|Three Rings]] of the Elves to Gandalf rather than Saruman.

== Powers & Abilities ==
In [[The Hobbit]], Gandalf demonstrated extensive knowledge of the land and an assortment of magical abilities. He could blow glowing smoke rings that moved around a room at his direction, and [[Bilbo]] remembered him for his fantastic fireworks displays. More usefully, he created blinding flashes and other pyrotechnics to distract the [[goblin]]s of the [[Misty Mountains]], aiding the dwarves in their escape from [[Goblin-town]]. On the eastern slopes, he turned pine cones into flaming projectiles that threw hot sparks and started fires that would not easily go out. He was also able come and go from the presence of [[Thorin and Company]] without anyone noticing.

In ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', he again displayed his proficiency with pyrotechnics at [[Bilbo's Farewell Party]]. He was also able to start fires under blizzard conditions, create light of varying intensity for the journey through [[Moria]], magically secure doors, and break the [[Bridge of Khazad-dûm]]. When angered or aroused for battle, he seemed to grow in height and assume a terrifying aspect. He also fought the [[Durin's Bane|Balrog of Moria]] and killed his opponent, although he did not survive the battle himself.

Sent back to [[Middle-earth]] as Gandalf the White, he possessed greater charisma and a limited degree of clairvoyance, although he was unable to peer into the land of [[Mordor]] to see the progress of Frodo and [[Sam]]. His power and authority had increased so that he could break [[Saruman|Saruman's]] staff with a spoken command, showing his authority to throw the treacherous wizard out of the order.

===Special Equipment===

Like all wizards, Gandalf carried a staff. Whether it was required to exercise certain powers was never explained. At times it appeared to focus or extend his powers, such as when it emanated light. Exactly how much it aided him in the use of magic is unknown, but [[Grima Wormtongue]] tried to forbid Gandalf from bringing it into [[Edoras]], clearly under the impression that without it Gandalf's power would be limited. In this perhaps he had been instructed in some way by Saruman.

When he arrived in Middle-earth, Gandalf received the Elven ring [[Narya]] from [[Cirdan the Shipwright]]. It is clear that Gandalf wore this ring from that time to the end of the Third Age.

In [[Third Age 2941|T.A. 2941]], Gandalf acquired the Elven sword [[Glamdring]] from the treasure hoard of a band of trolls. He continued to wield this weapon throughout The Lord of the Rings, in particular during his fight with the [[Durin's Bane|Balrog]] in Moria.

Throughout his time in Middle-earth Gandalf often was seen with a pipe, the use of which clearly brought him immense enjoyment.

== Names and Titles ==
* '''''Olórin''''', his name in [[Valinor]] and in very ancient times. "Olórin was my name in my youth in the West that is forgotten." It is [[Quenya]] and its meaning is associated with dreams (perhaps "dreamer"), from the root ''ÓLOS''-
* '''''Mithrandir''''', his [[Sindarin]] name, used in [[Gondor]] and meaning "Grey Pilgrim"
* '''''Incánus''''', his name in the South, of unclear language and meaning. Tolkien several times changed his mind about it, varying between the Latin word Incanus meaning Grey, a possible [[Westron]] invention meaning Greymantle, or even a [[Quenya]] word ''Ind-cano'' meaning "Mind Ruler"
* '''''Tharkûn''''', his name to the Dwarves, meaning "Grey Man"
* '''The White Rider''', his name while riding the great horse [[Shadowfax]]
* '''Gandalf Greyhame''', given to him by [[Gríma Wormtongue]]
* '''Stormcrow''', a reference to his arrival being associated with times of trouble
* '''Láthspell''', a name given to him by [[Gríma Wormtongue]], meaning "ill news".

===Wand-elf===
Within the legendarium, "Gandalf" translates an unknown name of the meaning "Elf-of-the-wand (or cane/staff)", or more literary "Wand-elf", in old northern Mannish. Most denizens of Middle-earth incorrectly assumed Gandalf was a [[Men|Man]] (human), although he was really a Maia spirit (approximately equivalent to an angel). However, a less common misconception that occurred during the beginning of his career in Middle-earth was that for someone to be [[immortal]] and use as much magic as he did, he must have been an Elf. Although it soon became apparent to all that he couldn't be an Elf, as he was old and Elves don't generally age, the nickname stuck with him. He later gave it as his name to others he met who didn't know its original meaning.

== Inspiration ==
[[Image:Georg von Rosen - Oden som vandringsman, 1886 (Odin, the Wanderer).jpg|thumb|A depiction of god Odin. His similarity to the figure of Gandalf echoes Tolkien's commentary of the Wizard as 'Odinic wanderer']]
[[Image:Der_Berggeist_(Origin_of_Gandalf)_by_J._Madelener.gif|left|thumb|250px|This painting on a postcard is rumored to be how [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] got his inspiration for the character known as "Gandalf"]]

''Gandalfr''
appears in the list of dwarves in the ''[[Völuspá]]'' of the Elder Edda, the name means "Cane-elf". Tolkien took the name along with the other dwarves' names when he wrote ''The Hobbit'' in the 1930s. He came to regret the creation of this "rabble of eddaic-named dwarves [...] invented in an idle hour" ([[The Treason of Isengard|HoME 7]]:452), since it forced him to come up with an explanation of why Old Norse names should be used in [[Third Age]] Middle-earth. He solved the dilemma in 1942 by the explanation that Old Norse was a ''translation'' of the language of [[Dale]]. The figure of Gandalf has other influences from Germanic mythology, particularly Odin in his incarnation as "the Wanderer", an old man with one eye, a long white beard, a wide brimmed hat, and a staff: Tolkien states that he thinks of Gandalf as an ''"Odinic wanderer"'' in a letter of 1946 (''Letters'' no. 107).

Tolkien had a postcard labeled ''[[Der Berggeist]]'' ("the mountain spirit"), and on the paper cover in which he kept it, he wrote "the origin of Gandalf" at some point. The postcard reproduces a painting of a bearded figure, sitting on a rock under a pine tree in a mountainous setting. He wears a wide-brimmed round hat and a long cloak and white fawn is nuzzling his upturned hands.
[[Humphrey Carpenter]] in his 1977 biography said that Tolkien had bought the postcard during his 1911 holiday in Switzerland. However, Manfred Zimmerman (1983) discovered that the painting was by German artist Josef Madlener and dates to the late 1920s. Carpenter concluded that Tolkien was probably mistaken about the origin of the postcard himself. Tolkien must have acquired the card at some time in the early 1930s, at a time when ''The Hobbit'' had already begun to take shape.

The original painting was auctioned at Sotheby's in London on July 12, 2005 for 84,000 GBP. The previous owner had been given the painting by Madlener in the 1940s and recalled that he had stated the mountains in the background of the painting were the Dolomites.

== Portrayals in Adaptations ==
As a main character in every adaptation, Gandalf has been portrayed more than any other character.
[[Image:Gandalf from Rankin-Bass' The Hobbit.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Gandalf as portrayed in ''[[Rankin/Bass' The Hobbit]]'']]
'''1955: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1956 radio series)|BBC Radio's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:The voice of Gandalf was provided by [[Norman Shelley]].

'''1968: ''[[The Hobbit (1968 radio series)|BBC Radio's The Hobbit]]'':'''
:The voice of Gandalf was provided by [[Heron Carvic]].

'''1977: ''[[Rankin/Bass' The Hobbit]]'':'''
:The voice of Gandalf was provided by [[John Huston]].
[[Image:Gandalf from Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Gandalf as he appeared in ''[[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings]]'']]
'''1978: ''[[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:Gandalf was voiced by [[William Squire]]. [[John A. Neris]] played him in the live-action filming used for rotoscoping.

'''1979: ''[[The Hobbit (1979 radio series)|Mind's Eye's The Hobbit]]'':'''
:The voice of Gandalf was provided [[Bernard Mayes]].

'''1979: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1979 radio series)|Mind's Eye's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:[[Bernard Mayes]] reprised his role as Gandalf.

'''1980: ''[[Rankin/Bass' The Return of the King]]'':'''
:[[John Huston]] reprised his role as Gandalf. In this adaptation, the tale is told by a minstrel of [[Gondor]], yet in the story, Gandalf serves as the narrator. Gandalf the White is portrayed without difference from Gandalf the Grey, in ''The Hobbit''.

'''1981: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|BBC Radio's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:[[Michael Hordern]] read the part of Gandalf. He had not read the book, and thought his agent made a mistake in telling him how many episodes he had to do. He did not know Gandalf's early death would prove only temporarily.

'''2001: ''[[Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
[[Image:Peter Jackson's Gandalf.jpg|thumb|left|200px|[[Ian McKellen]] as Gandalf the White in ''[[Peter Jackson's The Two Towers]]'']]

:[[Ian McKellen|Sir Ian McKellen]] was cast as Gandalf. McKellen was nominated for an Academy Award for his portrayal, but did not win. Early on in the casting process [[Sean Connery]] was approached for the role but he turned it down as he did not understand the book. Reportedly at one point Connery was heard to exclaim "what is a hobbit"?

It was the role of Gandalf which [[Christopher Lee]] hoped to win but was chosen for the role of [[Saruman]] instead.

'''2002: ''[[Vivendi's The Fellowship of the Ring (game)|Vivendi's The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:[[Tom Kane]] provided the voice of Gandalf. He is a playable character in several scenes, including the fight with [[Durin's Bane]].

'''2002: ''[[Peter Jackson's The Two Towers]]'':'''
:Perhaps the most striking difference from all other adaptations is the difference between Gandalf the Grey and Gandalf the White. Where earlier no visible or audible difference was made, Gandalf the White is portrayed as much more virile, and with a shorter (and whiter) beard.

'''2003: ''[[Peter Jackson's The Return of the King]]'':'''
:Because [[Imrahil]] had been cut from the film, it was up to Gandalf to lead the troops after the madness and death of [[Denethor II|Denethor]].
[[Image:The Hobbit (2003) Gandalf.JPG|right|200px|thumb|Gandalf as he appeared in ''[[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|Sierra's The Hobbit]]'']]
'''2003: ''[[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|Sierra's The Hobbit]]'':'''
:[[Jim Ward]] provided the voice of Gandalf. He is shown with actual [[magic]]: he can shoot blue bolts of lightning from his staff.

'''2004: ''[[EA's The Third Age]]'':'''
:Gandalf, voiced by [[Ian McKellen]], is a character in [[Electronic Arts|EA's]] "alternative [[Fellowship of the Ring|fellowship]] game. In his battle against Durin's Bane, he is aided by the main characters.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Gandalf is a non-playable character, who gives various quests and narrates cutscenes.

== See Also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Gandalf|Images of Gandalf]]

== References ==
* ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]''
* ''[[The Two Towers]]''
* ''[[The Return of the King]]''
* ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', [[Valaquenta]], "Of the Maiar"
* ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', "The Istari", "The Quest of Erebor"
* ''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'', [[Letter 156]], [[Letter 246]]
* Manfred Zimmerman, ''The Origin of Gandalf and [[Josef Madlener]]'', [[Mythlore 34]] (1983).
* [[John D. Rateliff]], ''[[The History of The Hobbit]] Part One: Mr. Baggins''

== External Links ==
* [http://www.tolkiensociety.org/news/gandalf-painting.html The painting from which Tolkien drew inspiration for Gandalf]

{{sequence
|prev=none
|next=[[Aragorn II]]
|list=Leader of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] [[December 25]] [[3018]] - [[January 15]] [[3019]]
}}

{{wizards}}
{{fellowship}}
{{maiar}}
{{Thorin and Company}}

[[Category:Maiar]]
[[Category:Wizards]]
[[Category:Ring-bearers]]
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]

[[de:Gandalf]]
[[fi:Gandalf]]

The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II: The Rise of the Witch-king

2008-11-15T00:42:50Z

68.8.247.240: /* Differences from The Battle for Middle-earth II */

{{expansion}}
{{merge|EA's The Battle for Middle-earth II}}

'''The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II - The Rise of the Witch-king''' is a real-time strategy computer game published by Electronic Arts. It is the expansion pack to [[EA's The Battle for Middle-earth II|The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]], from the same company. It was announced during The San Diego Comic-Con of 2006.

==Differences from The Battle for Middle-earth II==
There are several improvements. The main improvement is the new faction, [[Angmar]]. Other improvements to the game include the new [[Trolls|Olog-Hai]], class of custom hero, improvements to the existing factions, and new hero units. The three sub-classes of Olog-Hai are the Great Troll, the Troll in the previous game, the Snow Troll, and the Hill Troll. The Good and Evil campaigns have been replaced with the single Angmar campaign. There have also been numerous improvements to the War of the Ring and Skirmish battles.
The hero units belong to all of the previous factions only. The hero units are listed as such: Zeolots ([[Dwarves]]), Knights of Dol Amaroth ([[Men]]), Noldor Warriors ([[Elves]]), [[Black Riders]] ([[Mordor]]), ([[Uruk Death Bringers]] ([[Isengard]]), and Fire Drake Broods ([[Goblins]]). The hero units have a limit of only one to three allowed, depending on which type. Like the heroes, the hero units learn skills at certain levels, although not as many. They can heal like heroes, but if a single member dies, it will not respawn unless you either produce a new one or use the Heal power.

==Additional voice cast==
{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
! Role !! Actor
|-
| [[Arveleg I|Arveleg]] || [[Cam Clarke]]
|-
| Carthedan/Karsh || [[Jason Connery]]
|-
| [[Azog]] || [[Rob Dean]]
|-
| [[Dáin Ironfoot]] || [[Bob Joles]]
|-
| [[Morgomir]] || [[Keith Ferguson]]
|-
| Hwaldar, Chieftain of Rhudaur || [[Lloyd Sherr]]
|}

[[Category:EA Games]]
[[de:Die Schlacht um Mittelerde]]

The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II: The Rise of the Witch-king

2008-11-15T00:40:06Z

68.8.247.240: /* Differences from The Battle for Middle-earth II */

{{expansion}}
{{merge|EA's The Battle for Middle-earth II}}

'''The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II - The Rise of the Witch-king''' is a real-time strategy computer game published by Electronic Arts. It is the expansion pack to [[EA's The Battle for Middle-earth II|The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]], from the same company. It was announced during The San Diego Comic-Con of 2006.

==Differences from The Battle for Middle-earth II==
There are several improvements. The main improvement is the new faction, [[Angmar]]. Other improvements to the game include the new [[Trolls|Olog-Hai]], class of custom hero, improvements to the existing factions, and new hero units. The three sub-classes of Olog-Hai are the Great Troll, the Troll in the previous game, the Snow Troll, and the Hill Troll. The Good and Evil campaigns have been replaced with the single Angmar campaign. There have also been numerous improvements to the War of the Ring and Skirmish battles.
The hero units belong to all of the previous factions only. The hero units are listed as such: Berserkers ([[Dwarves]]), Knights of Dol Amaroth ([[Men]]), Noldor Warriors ([[Elves]]), [[Black Riders]] ([[Mordor]]), [[Uruk-hai|Uruk Death Bringers]] ([[Isengard]]), and Fire Drake Broods ([[Goblins]]). The hero units have a limit of only one to three allowed, depending on which type. Like the heroes, the hero units learn skills at certain levels, although not as many. They can heal like heroes, but if a single member dies, it will not respawn unless you either produce a new one or use the Heal power.

==Additional voice cast==
{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
! Role !! Actor
|-
| [[Arveleg I|Arveleg]] || [[Cam Clarke]]
|-
| Carthedan/Karsh || [[Jason Connery]]
|-
| [[Azog]] || [[Rob Dean]]
|-
| [[Dáin Ironfoot]] || [[Bob Joles]]
|-
| [[Morgomir]] || [[Keith Ferguson]]
|-
| Hwaldar, Chieftain of Rhudaur || [[Lloyd Sherr]]
|}

[[Category:EA Games]]
[[de:Die Schlacht um Mittelerde]]

The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II: The Rise of the Witch-king

2008-11-15T00:34:27Z

68.8.247.240: /* Differences from The Battle for Middle-earth II */

{{expansion}}
{{merge|EA's The Battle for Middle-earth II}}

'''The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II - The Rise of the Witch-king''' is a real-time strategy computer game published by Electronic Arts. It is the expansion pack to [[EA's The Battle for Middle-earth II|The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]], from the same company. It was announced during The San Diego Comic-Con of 2006.

==Differences from The Battle for Middle-earth II==
There are several improvements. The main improvement is the new faction, [[Angmar]]. Other improvements to the game include the new [[Trolls|Olog-Hai]], class of custom hero, improvements to the existing factions, and new hero units. The three sub-classes of Olog-Hai are the Great Troll, the Troll in the previous game, the Snow Troll, and the Hill Troll. The Good and Evil campaigns have been replaced with the single Angmar campaign. There have also been numerous improvements to the War of the Ring and Skirmish battles.
The hero units belong to all of the previous factions only. The hero units are listed as such: Berserkers ([[Dwarves]]), Knights of Dol Amaroth ([[Men]]), Noldor Warriors ([[Elves]]), [[Black Riders]] ([[Mordor]]), [[Uruk-hai|Uruk Death Bringers]] ([[Isengard]]), and Fire Drake Broods ([[Goblins]]). The sub-heroes have a limit of only one to three allowed, depending on which type. Like the heroes, the sub-heroes learn skills at certain levels, although not as many. They can heal like heroes, but if a single member dies, it will not respawn unless you either revive it or use the Heal power.

==Additional voice cast==
{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
! Role !! Actor
|-
| [[Arveleg I|Arveleg]] || [[Cam Clarke]]
|-
| Carthedan/Karsh || [[Jason Connery]]
|-
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[[Category:EA Games]]
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Witch-king

2008-11-15T00:30:28Z

68.8.247.240: /* History */

{{evil infobox
| image= [[Image:Melissa Hitchcock - The Black Captain.jpg|300px]]
| name= Witch-king of Angmar
| othernames= [[Black Captain]], [[Lord of the Nazgûl]], [[Chief of the Nine]], [[Lord of Minas Morgul]]
| created= [[Second Age|S.A.]] 1800-2200, probably [[Númenor]]
| years= [[Second Age 2251|S.A. 2251]]-[[Third Age 3019|T.A. 3019]]
| age= 4200+
| destroyed= [[Third Age 3019|T.A. 3019]], [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]]
| realm= [[Angmar]], [[Minas Morgul]]
| gender= Male
| race= [[Men]]/[[Nazgûl]]
| appearance= (Later) Cruel, pale king with gleaming hair and a crown, invisible to most eyes
| accomplishments= [[Arnor#The Fall of Arthedain|Fall of Arnor]], fall of [[Minas Ithil]] and [[Osgiliath]], deaths of [[Eärnur]] and [[Théoden]]
|}}
The '''Witch-king of Angmar''' was the chief of the [[Nazgûl]], King of [[Angmar]], and [[Sauron]]’s great captain in his wars. A [[wraith]], the Witch-king of Angmar was nearly indestructible, a terrible warrior, and a cunning strategist.

==History==
Some time after Sauron seized the [[Nine Rings]] in the [[Fall of Eregion]], [[Second Age 1697|S.A. 1697]] he gave them to mortal kings, sorcerers, and orcs or other warriors.[[#References|1]] With these rings the Nine achieved glory and grew wealthy, with the ability to turn invisible at will, not aging, but hating life as they were slowly drawn under Sauron’s dominion.[[#References|1]] Eventually all became [[Ringwraiths]], the dreaded Nazgûl.

The one later known as the Witch-king was one of these, likely one of the unnamed three lords of [[Númenor]] to take the rings.[[#References|2]] [[#References|3]] He first appeared in the histories as a Ringwraith in [[Second Age 2251|S.A. 2251]]. Being the most powerful of the Nazgûl, he became their chief, the most dreaded servant of his master Sauron.

When [[Mordor]] fell in [[Second Age 3441|S.A. 3441]], the Nazgûl vanished into the shadows, and were not heard of again for a long time.[[#References|4]]

===Early Power in Angmar===
More than a thousand years later, in c. [[Third Age 1050|T.A. 1050]] of the [[Third Age]], [[Sauron]] began to rebuild his power in [[Dol Guldur]]. In c. [[Third Age 1300|T.A. 1300]] his Nazgûl also reappeared, and the Witch-king established his realm, [[Angmar]], in the north.[[#References|4]] His capital was [[Carn Dum]], on the northernmost peak of the [[Misty Mountains]]. He summoned men, [[orcs]], and other creatures of evil inclination to his banner. No one knew that he was actually a servant of the long-dormant [[Sauron]], and few that he was a wraith.[[#References|5]]

[[Image:The Lord of the Rings online Shadows of Angmar - Witch-king 1.jpg|thumb|left|300px|The Witch-king in [[The Lord of the Rings Online]].]]In the north, disunity plagued the [[Dúnedain]] of [[Arnor]]. They had divided into three kingdoms, [[Cardolan]], [[Rhudaur]], and [[Arthedain]], and were constantly at war with one another.[[#References|5]] The Witch-king saw the North-kingdom of Arnor as more vulnerable than the South-kingdom of Gondor.[[#References|6]] He played upon their opposition, sending in infiltrators and taking over the hearts of the men of that land. By [[Third Age 1349|T.A. 1349]] the government of Rhudaur was controlled by men secretly in his service,[[#References|6]] and he secretly aided them in their wars against the other kingdoms.[[#References|7]] He then struck at a time of great hostility among the three, in [[Third Age 1409|T.A. 1409]]. Rhudaur in the east fell first, and most of the Dúnedain there were hunted down and slaughtered by sorcerers.[[#References|8]] Cardolan was ravaged, and the [[Tower of Amon Sûl]], held by the men of Arthedain, was placed under siege. King [[Arveleg I]] was slain, and the tower was destroyed, but the coveted ''[[Amon Sûl-stone|palantír]]'' escaped in the hands of the surviving men of Arthedain and was brought to [[Fornost]].[[#References|9]]

The Witch-king continued to press the men of Arthedain, laying siege to Fornost, and he might have taken over all of Arnor in that one offensive. But [[Araphor]], the 18-year-old son of Arveleg, came to leadership and, with the help of the ancient elf [[Círdan]] of [[Lindon]], repelled the Witch-king’s forces at Fornost and the [[North Downs]].[[#References|10]] [[Elrond]] brought an army of [[Elves]] from [[Rivendell]] and [[Lothlórien]], and the Witch-king was pushed back and subdued.

===Twilight of Angmar===
The Witch-king sat silent in Carn Dum, rebuilding his armies and preparing for a final assault on [[Arthedain]], last of the Arnorian kingdoms. The [[Dark Plague]] came and went in [[Third Age 1636]], taking with it the last of the Dúnedain of [[Cardolan]]. The Witch-king sent [[barrow-wights]] to inhabit the barrows in [[Tyrn Gorthad]].[[#References|10]] In [[Third Age 1974|1974]], he felt that his power was sufficiently restored to begin the advance.

His attack was sudden, but not unexpected. King [[Arvedui]] sent a message to King [[Eärnil]] of [[Gondor]] the year before, but help did not arrive in time. [[Fornost]] fell, and the Witch-king took up residence there in the palace.[[#References|11]] Arvedui held out as best as he might on the [[North Downs]], but at last fled north with the treasured ''[[palantíri]]'' of [[Amon Sûl-stone|Amon Sûl]] and [[Annúminas-stone|Annúminas]]. He would not return, for he perished in a shipwreck in [[Third Age 1975|1975]]. With him the ''palantíri'' were lost forever in the icy seas of [[Forod]]. The already-diminished North-kingdom ended, and [[Arnor]] fell.[[#References|10]]

Meanwhile, a coalition in the south had formed. Eärnil sent his son, [[Eärnur]], north with a great fleet, all that Gondor could spare. They arrived at [[Lindon]], and joined with the folk of Círdan. Círdan summoned all that would come: surviving Dúnedain of Arnor and elves of Lindon.[[#References|11]] Even a company of [[hobbit]] archers went to their aide.[[#References|10]] The Witch-king had grown overconfident, and instead of staying behind his fortifications initiated the attack. The [[Battle of Fornost]] was fought on the plain between [[Nenuial]] and the North Downs. The Witch-king may not have anticipated the strength brought against him, but for whatever reason the alliance gained the upper hand. His army began to fall back toward Fornost, but Eärnur’s magnificent horsemen struck from the north, and the Witch-king was routed.[[#References|11]]

He decided to flee to Angmar and the safety of Carn Dum, but the cavalry, with Eärnur himself in the lead, overtook him. Moreover, the ranks of the allies swelled, as an army of elves from [[Rivendell]] came led by the mighty hero of old, [[Glorfindel]]. Angmar was purged of men and orcs, and all seemed lost for the Witch-king in the face of such numbers. But the Witch-king himself came at the last, robed and masked in black and riding a black horse, and attempted to kill Eärnur with his own hands. But Eärnur’s horse shied away and fled, and the Witch-king laughed. But Glorfindel came on his white horse, and faced with such power the Witch-king fled. He vanished into the shadows, and no-one marked where he had gone.[[#References|11]]

Eärnur wanted to pursue, but Glorfindel held him back, and made his famous prophecy.

{{quote|He will not return to this land. Far off yet is his doom, and not by the hand of man will he fall.|Glorfindel, ''[[The Return of the King]]'', [[Appendix A]] (iv)}}

===Lord of Minas Morgul===
The Witch-king escaped to [[Mordor]], and gathered the other Ringwraiths about him in [[Third Age 1980|1980]].[[#References|4]] Angmar and Carn Dum were lost, and so in [[Third Age 2000|2000]] the Witch-king began a two-year siege of [[Minas Ithil]], eventually capturing the place and turning it into his residence. It was renamed [[Minas Morgul]], and the ''[[Ithil-stone|palantír]]'' was sent to Sauron. The Witch-king sent an aura of fear in [[Gondor]], and much of [[Ithilien]] was deserted.[[#References|11]]

Eärnur succeeded his father as King of Gondor, and still held the Witch-king in especial hostility due to his humiliation at the Battle of Fornost. The year of his coronation the Witch-king sent him a taunting challenge, but [[Mardil]] the steward restrained Eärnur from rash action. Seven years later the challenge was repeated, and Eärnur rode with a small escort to Minas Morgul. None that rode thither ever returned, and there was no longer a King in Gondor.[[#References|11]]

After this the Witch-king bided his time. He and the Nazgûl built up their armies, including the terrible new orc-race of [[uruks]]. In [[Third Age 2475|2475]] he sent them out to capture [[Osgiliath]], which they did successfully. They were driven out by [[Boromir I]], but Osgiliath now lay completely in ruins. Boromir went on to retake Ithilien, so that even the Witch-king feared him. But he was killed by a Morgul-wound, and so his rule was but twelve years.[[#References|12]]

===Hunt for the Ring===
Sauron declared himself openly in [[Third Age 2951|2951]], and sent three of his Ringwraiths to [[Dol Guldur]] (though the Witch-king was left in Minas Morgul). Then, by lucky chance, the creature [[Gollum]] was captured and interrogated. Under torture, the wretched creature revealed the tale of the [[One Ring]] and how it came to be in his possession. But he had the daring to trick Sauron into thinking that the land of the hobbits who stole the Ring was on the banks of the [[Gladden River]].[[#References|13]] Under the leadership of the Witch-king, Sauron sent the Nine unclothed and invisible to search for the Ring after the assault of Osgiliath.

[[Image:Marc Holmes - Nazgul.jpg|thumb|left|350px|''Nazgûl'' by [[Marc Holmes]].]][[Khamûl]], the Witch-king’s lieutenant, reported that he was unable to find the “[[Shire]]” in the vales of [[Anduin]]. The Witch-king was determined to search north and west until Gollum was found, or the Shire. But plans were halted when Sauron received word of the prophecy in Gondor and the doings of the turncoat [[Saruman]], and concluded that the Wise did not yet have possession of the Ring. He sent the Ringwraiths to [[Isengard]] in the form of [[Black Riders]], too late to prevent the escape of the captured wizard [[Gandalf]], but had words with Saruman. Saruman, already a traitor to both sides due to his transparent lust for the Ring, fortified himself in Isengard. The Witch-king did not have enough power with him to assault Saruman in his great fortress, but had words with him. Saruman convinced the Witch-king that Gandalf alone knew where the Shire and the Ring was, and so the Nine passed into [[Rohan]] in search of him.[[#References|13]]

They came upon the traitor called [[Wormtongue]] and questioned him. The terrified man told them everything he knew; that Gandalf had passed through Rohan, where the Shire was, and even that Saruman had lied to them. The Witch-king spared Wormtongue’s life, foreseeing that Wormtongue would bring ruin to Saruman. He divided his wraiths into four pairs, and went with the swiftest to [[Minhiriath]]. Along the way they captured several spies of Saruman, and found to their delight charts and maps of the Shire. They sent along the spy to [[Bree]], warning them that they now belonged to Mordor, not Saruman.[[#References|13]]

They came to [[Sarn Ford]], but the [[Dúnedain]] [[Rangers of the North|Rangers]] prevented them from crossing. They sent for their great captain, the chieftain [[Aragorn II]], who alone could well resist the wraiths, but he was away, and the Ringwraiths captured the ford and killed many of the Rangers.[[#References|13]] The Witch-king sent three Ringwraiths under Khamûl into the Shire while he went east with the others.[[#References|4]] But they had come too late: the Ring had moved on in the hands of a hobbit, [[Frodo Baggins]].

===Pursuit of the Ring===
[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Fire on Weathertop.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''Fire on Weathertop'' by [[Ted Nasmith]].]]Khamûl was unsuccessful, but brought word from the spy they had spared in Bree. The man had witnessed a vanishing act on Frodo's part, and had organized an attack on the inn. The Witch-king guessed that Frodo would head east, and sent four wraiths to [[Weathertop]], the ruins of the tower he had destroyed long ago. He went south along the [[Greenway]] and discovered nothing. Gandalf followed them, but the Witch-king let him slip ahead, and attacked him on Weathertop. Gandalf escaped at dawn, and again the Witch-king divided his force and sent four after the wizard.

The Ring walked almost right into his hands. The captain of the Dúnedain, Aragorn II, had become the guide of the hobbits, and led them to Weathertop, where they were spotted and attacked. The Witch-king advanced on Frodo, and the terrified hobbit put on the Ring, seeing them as they truly were. The Witch-king stabbed Frodo in the shoulder when he resisted and invoked the name of [[Elbereth]]. The tip of his blade broke off and sent poison through the hobbit’s veins. Then Aragorn counterattacked with flaming brands. The Witch-king fled at his mighty presence, confident that the poison of the blade would do its work and bend Frodo's will to his purpose. But he was shaken by the encounter; Gandalf and Aragorn were people of immense power, and even the Ring-bearer, who was not an especially strong person, had dared to resist him. He feared that Frodo might have some elvish power. Moreover, he knew that Frodo’s weapon, a [[blade of Westernesse]], was wrought for his undoing and if it had struck him would have done him damage. He was thus distressed, and Aragorn, Frodo, and their little company eluded him.[[Image:Ted Nasmith - The Attack of the Wraiths.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''Attack of the Wraiths'' by [[Ted Nasmith]].]]

He resumed the pursuit quickly, though, and found the Khamûl had been driven from the [[Last Bridge]] by his old enemy [[Glorfindel]]. The Witch-king, who only had one companion with him, was likewise unable to confront him openly. They regrouped and went south, rejoining with the other four. They managed to pick up the trail of the company of the Ring, and despite hindrance from Glorfindel and Aragorn managed to pursue Frodo alone on [[Asfaloth]]. The pursuit came to the [[Ford of Bruinen]], and there Frodo compelled the horse to stop. The Witch-king saw his defiance and laughed, breaking his sword with a movement of his hand. But the waters of the [[Bruinen]] rose at [[Elrond]]'s command, sweeping the Nine downstream.[[#References|14]]

===War of the Ring===
The Witch-king took the only surviving horse back to [[Mordor]], arriving there in December. He then sent aid to the other eight Nazgûl, and they returned in secret. In [[Minas Morgul]] they prepared for a grand invasion of [[Gondor]] at the order of their master. The Witch-king was given by Sauron added "demonic" force.[[#References|15]] On March 10, [[Third Age 3019|3019]], the signal was given and Minas Morgul was emptied. The Witch-king rode at the head of the army in black, upon a black horse, as he had in the time of the wars of Angmar. As the Witch-king passed out of the gates of the dead city, he sensed the presence of Frodo. He was disturbed, but continued on through Ithilien.

With the Witch-king in command, [[Osgiliath]] soon fell.[[#References|16]] The defeat was attributed to his superior numbers, and his terrible presence which made all hearts to quail. The [[Rammas Echor]] was breached, and the [[Pelennor Fields]] were overrun. Other wraiths he sent out mounted on [[Fell Beasts]]. [[Faramir]], [[Ruling Steward|Steward]] [[Denethor II]]'s son, was wounded by a dart and the [[black breath]], but his company was saved by a sortie. Then the Witch-king laid siege to [[Minas Tirith]] itself, sending fire and the heads of the dead Gondorians into the city via catapults. Then he launched the assault.

[[Image:Angus McBride - Gandalf facing Witch-king.gif|thumb|right|250px|''Gandalf facing the Witch-king'' by [[Angus McBride]].]]He sent [[Grond]] out first, accompanying it in person so as to be the first to enter the city. Three times Grond struck the gate, empowered by the sorcery of the Witch-king. The third time the Gate shattered in a flash of fire. The Witch-king passed into Minas Tirith, but was confronted by Gandalf on [[Shadowfax]]. Gandalf forbade him entry, but the Witch-king laughed and put on a show of power.

{{quote|The Black Rider flung back his hood, and behold! he had a kingly crown; and yet upon no head visible was it set. The red fires shone between it and the mantled shoulders vast and dark. From a mouth unseen there cam a deadly laughter. 'Old fool!' he said. 'Old fool! This is my hour. Do you not know Death when you see it? Die now and curse in vain!' And with that he lifted high his sword and flames ran down the blade.|''[[The Return of the King]]'', [[The Siege of Gondor]]}}

But as Gandalf stood resolute, the [[Rohirrim]] came. The Witch-king departed, mounting a fell beast and descending upon King [[Théoden]] who led the attack. [[Snowmane]], the King's horse, collapsed with a dart in the side, and Théoden was crushed beneath him. But the rider [[Dernhelm]] defied the Witch-king. The Witch-king threatened Dernhelm with a terrible death, but the rider revealed that she was a woman, [[Éowyn]], and the Witch-king remembered the words of Glorfindel. The Witch-king hesitated, but then moved forward. Éowyn decapitated the fell beast, but the Witch-king rose and struck her down with his mace, breaking her shield-arm. Then the hobbit [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]] stabbed him in the sinew of his leg with the [[blade of Westernesse]], as he drew back to kill the woman. Then Éowyn rose and drove her sword through where his invisible head was, and the sword broke as his crown toppled. The Witch-king gave a great and horrible wail, and perished at last.[[#References|17]][[Image:Michael Kaluta - Eowyn and the Witch-King of Angmar.jpg|left|300px|thumb|''Éowyn and the Witch-king'' by [[Michael Kaluta]].]]

So the prophecy of Glorfindel was fulfilled, for the Witch-king did not fall at the hands of a man, but at the hands of a woman and a hobbit. With his death, and the coming of Aragorn II in the black ships, the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]] was lost.

==Early Life==

The Witch-king's true name is never given, and therefore among [[Tolkien fandom|Tolkien fans]], the Witch-king is often simply called ''Angmar'', after the name of the realm he founded and led. Many fans also identify him as one of the three [[Black Númenóreans]] Tolkien stated had become Nazgûl, or possibly [[Isilmo]], a Númenórean prince and father of Tar-Minastir. In the now defunct [[Middle-earth Role Playing]] game, he was named ''Er-Murazor'', a Númenórean prince, though this is strictly [[Canon|non-canonical]] and does not appear outside of the role playing material. It is also a popular belief among some fans, that the Witch-king was not dead as Éowyn had not an enchanted sword, and cite the passage that says that his wail was not heard again ''In this age of the earth''. But other Tolkien scholars say that although the Witch-king's return at an unspecified time in the future is possible, another possible solution is that Merry's stroke destroyed the Witch-king's invulnerability allowing Éowyn's non-magic blade to end his existence forever. Also, because of the perishing of the [[One Ring]], the nine other rings which kept the Nazgûl would probably have lost their power.

==Names==
* Witch-king of Angmar - "Witch" most likely coming from his background in sorcery, and "king" after his establishment of the realm of Angmar in 1300.
* Witch-lord of Angmar - A variant of the above title.
* Lord of the Nazgûl
* Lord of the Ringwraiths
* Chieftain of the Ringwraiths
* Lord of the Nine Riders
* King of the Nine Riders
* Wraith-lord
* Wraith-king
* High Nazgûl
* Lord of Morgul
* Morgul-lord
* King of Minas Morgul
* Black Captain
* Captain of Despair
* [[Dwimmerlaik]]
* Lord of Carrion

==Inspirations==
An undead witch-king named Þráinn appears in ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hrómundar_saga_Gripssonar Hrómundar saga Gripssonar]''. It is possible that this was Tolkien's source of inspiration.

The prophecy that the Witch-king would fall "not by the hand of man" and the fulfillment of the prophecy occurring as a technicality (being slain by a woman) bears a striking resemblance to the prophecy regarding the title character's death in Shakespeare's Macbeth, where it was foretold that Macbeth will be slain "not by man born of woman" and is then killed by Mcduff, born by caesarian section. Tolkien it seems was familiar with the play having reputedly taken inspiration for the Last March of the Ents from the same source (See article ''[[Ents]]'' for details).

==Portrayal in Adaptations ==
[[Image:Witch-king from PJ's LotR - Armored.jpeg|thumb|right|150px|The Witch-king in [[Peter Jackson's The Return of the King]]]]
'''1978: ''[[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:The Witch-king is shown with no distinction from the other Ringwraiths; all are robed in brown and black, and none seem to be able to talk clearly.

'''1980: ''[[Rankin/Bass' The Return of the King]]'':'''
:The Witch-king is portrayed as a humanoid figure with no head. Red eyes glare under a golden crown. His dialogue is more or less as in the books, albeit in a strange and somewhat unfitting electronic voice. After a stab from behind by Merry, Éowyn beheads him. It is worthy of note that the Witch-king is seen with the [[Red Eye]] of [[Barad-dûr]] as his emblem and faction, rather than the grim moon of [[Minas Morgul]].

'''1981: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|BBC Radio's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:The role of the Witch-king is expanded with material from ''[[The Hunt for the Ring]]''. He is the second speaking character in the series: he is the one who captures [[Gollum]], though he is not identified as such until the credits. [[Philip Voss]] provided the voice for the Witch-king.

'''2001: ''[[Vivendi's The Fellowship of the Ring (game)|Vivendi's The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:The Witch-king is shown without distinction of the other Nazgûl.

'''2001-3: ''[[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:The Lord of the Nazgûl is only named the "Witch-king of Angmar" in ''[[Peter Jackson's The Return of the King|The Return of the King]]''. In that film, there is no mention of [[Glorfindel]]'s prophecy; there is only a claim among the enemy that "no man can kill" the Witch-king. Like the other Nazgûl, he is depicted as a humanoid figure shrouded in a hooded black robe; his only distinguishing feature is a mask-like spiked helmet with a huge mouth. His first mention is when [[Gandalf]] tells [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]] while in Minas Tirith that the Dark Lord has not yet revealed his greatest servant: the Witch-king, the one that "stabbed Frodo on Weathertop". This is a curious statement, as Weathertop was not named in the first movie, and confusion would probably have resulted had there not been a flashback.

:During the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]], the Witch-king's army uses the ram [[Grond (battering-ram)|Grond]] to break through the city gates early in the battle (after the failure of a lesser ram), and the Witch-king is not present to confront Gandalf as he is in the book. The confrontation takes place later, as Pippin and Gandalf race to the tombs to save [[Faramir (son of Denethor II)|Faramir]], and the Witch-king intercepts them. Unlike in the book, this meeting decisively favors the Witch-king, who breaks Gandalf's staff and throws the wizard to the ground before leaving to deal with the arrival of the [[Rohirrim]]. Gandalf's face shows obvious fear in this scene, in comparison to the resolution (for "victory or death") in the books.

:The Witch-king's destruction on the battlefield occurs with less dialogue than in the book, and the weapons used to destroy him are both mundane: Merry's sword is not a [[Daggers of Westernesse|dagger]] from the [[Barrow-downs]], but rather the Rohirric sword that Théoden had as a child.

:Seven actors are known to have played some part of the Witch-king.
# An unidentified extra portrayed the "King of Men" in the prologue. He was chosen to be the Witch-king simply because he was the smallest of the nine.
# [[Shane Rangi]] did the horse chase.
# [[Fran Walsh]] provided the "Ringwraith scream".
# Effects technician Ben Price played the Witch-king in "many scenes"[http://www.decipher.com/content/2004/07/072904lotrwetaprops.html]
# [[Brent McIntyre]] is officially credited as the Witch-king in ''[[Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring|The Fellowship of the Ring]]''. He stabbed Frodo.
# [[Lawrence Makoare]] filled the robe of the Witch-king in ''[[Peter Jackson's The Return of the King|The Return of the King]]''.
# [[Andy Serkis]] provided the voice of the Witch-king. It was layered thrice to give it a ghastly effect.
[[Image:Witchking ea rotk.jpg|200px|right|thumb|In ''[[EA's The Return of the King]]'', with different helmet.]]

'''2003: ''[[EA's The Return of the King]]'':'''
:The Witch-king's role and voice are similar to that of the film, but his appearance is different. An early helmet design, that had been removed from the film because it resembled [[Sauron]]'s helm too much, was used here, presumably because there was no time to make a new character model.

==See Also==
* '''[[:Category:Images of the Witch-king|Images of the Witch-king]]'''
* [[Ringwraiths]]

==References==
# ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', [[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]], p. 289
# ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', [[Akallabêth]], p. 267, [[Ballantine Books]] p. 320
# ''[[The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion]]'', p. 20
# ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix B]]
# ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]] (iii), [[Houghton Mifflin]] p. 320
# ''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]'', [[The Heirs of Elendil]], entry for [[Malvegil]], [[HarperCollins]] p. 193-194
# ''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]'', [[The Heirs of Elendil]], entry for [[Argeleb I]], [[HarperCollins]] p. 194
# ''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]'', [[The Heirs of Elendil]], entry for [[Arveleg I]], [[HarperCollins]] p. 194
# ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', [[The Palantíri]], note 16, [[Houghton Mifflin]] p. 413
# ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]] (iii), [[Houghton Mifflin]] p. 321-322
# ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]] (iv), [[Houghton Mifflin]] p. 331-332
# ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]] (iv), [[Houghton Mifflin]] p. 333
# ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', [[The Hunt for the Ring]], [[Houghton Mifflin]] p. 338-341
# ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', [[Flight to the Ford]]
# ''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'', [[Letter 210]], p. 272
# ''[[The Return of the King]]'', [[The Siege of Gondor]]
# ''[[The Return of the King]]'', [[The Battle of the Pelennor Fields]]

[[Category:Nazgûl]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Featured Articles]]
[[de:Der Hexenkönig von Angmar]]
[[fi:Noitakuningas]]

Witch-king

2008-11-15T00:28:45Z

68.8.247.240: /* History */

{{evil infobox
| image= [[Image:Melissa Hitchcock - The Black Captain.jpg|300px]]
| name= Witch-king of Angmar
| othernames= [[Black Captain]], [[Lord of the Nazgûl]], [[Chief of the Nine]], [[Lord of Minas Morgul]]
| created= [[Second Age|S.A.]] 1800-2200, probably [[Númenor]]
| years= [[Second Age 2251|S.A. 2251]]-[[Third Age 3019|T.A. 3019]]
| age= 4200+
| destroyed= [[Third Age 3019|T.A. 3019]], [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]]
| realm= [[Angmar]], [[Minas Morgul]]
| gender= Male
| race= [[Men]]/[[Nazgûl]]
| appearance= (Later) Cruel, pale king with gleaming hair and a crown, invisible to most eyes
| accomplishments= [[Arnor#The Fall of Arthedain|Fall of Arnor]], fall of [[Minas Ithil]] and [[Osgiliath]], deaths of [[Eärnur]] and [[Théoden]]
|}}
The '''Witch-king of Angmar''' was the chief of the [[Nazgûl]], King of [[Angmar]], and [[Sauron]]’s great captain in his wars. A [[wraith]], the Witch-king of Angmar was nearly indestructible, a terrible warrior, and a cunning strategist.

==History==
Some time after Sauron seized the [[Nine Rings]] in the [[Fall of Eregion]], [[Second Age 1697|S.A. 1697]] he gave them to mortal kings, sorcerers, and orc and other warriors.[[#References|1]] With these rings the Nine achieved glory and grew wealthy, with the ability to turn invisible at will, not aging, but hating life as they were slowly drawn under Sauron’s dominion.[[#References|1]] Eventually all became [[Ringwraiths]], the dreaded Nazgûl.

The one later known as the Witch-king was one of these, likely one of the unnamed three lords of [[Númenor]] to take the rings.[[#References|2]] [[#References|3]] He first appeared in the histories as a Ringwraith in [[Second Age 2251|S.A. 2251]]. Being the most powerful of the Nazgûl, he became their chief, the most dreaded servant of his master Sauron.

When [[Mordor]] fell in [[Second Age 3441|S.A. 3441]], the Nazgûl vanished into the shadows, and were not heard of again for a long time.[[#References|4]]

===Early Power in Angmar===
More than a thousand years later, in c. [[Third Age 1050|T.A. 1050]] of the [[Third Age]], [[Sauron]] began to rebuild his power in [[Dol Guldur]]. In c. [[Third Age 1300|T.A. 1300]] his Nazgûl also reappeared, and the Witch-king established his realm, [[Angmar]], in the north.[[#References|4]] His capital was [[Carn Dum]], on the northernmost peak of the [[Misty Mountains]]. He summoned men, [[orcs]], and other creatures of evil inclination to his banner. No one knew that he was actually a servant of the long-dormant [[Sauron]], and few that he was a wraith.[[#References|5]]

[[Image:The Lord of the Rings online Shadows of Angmar - Witch-king 1.jpg|thumb|left|300px|The Witch-king in [[The Lord of the Rings Online]].]]In the north, disunity plagued the [[Dúnedain]] of [[Arnor]]. They had divided into three kingdoms, [[Cardolan]], [[Rhudaur]], and [[Arthedain]], and were constantly at war with one another.[[#References|5]] The Witch-king saw the North-kingdom of Arnor as more vulnerable than the South-kingdom of Gondor.[[#References|6]] He played upon their opposition, sending in infiltrators and taking over the hearts of the men of that land. By [[Third Age 1349|T.A. 1349]] the government of Rhudaur was controlled by men secretly in his service,[[#References|6]] and he secretly aided them in their wars against the other kingdoms.[[#References|7]] He then struck at a time of great hostility among the three, in [[Third Age 1409|T.A. 1409]]. Rhudaur in the east fell first, and most of the Dúnedain there were hunted down and slaughtered by sorcerers.[[#References|8]] Cardolan was ravaged, and the [[Tower of Amon Sûl]], held by the men of Arthedain, was placed under siege. King [[Arveleg I]] was slain, and the tower was destroyed, but the coveted ''[[Amon Sûl-stone|palantír]]'' escaped in the hands of the surviving men of Arthedain and was brought to [[Fornost]].[[#References|9]]

The Witch-king continued to press the men of Arthedain, laying siege to Fornost, and he might have taken over all of Arnor in that one offensive. But [[Araphor]], the 18-year-old son of Arveleg, came to leadership and, with the help of the ancient elf [[Círdan]] of [[Lindon]], repelled the Witch-king’s forces at Fornost and the [[North Downs]].[[#References|10]] [[Elrond]] brought an army of [[Elves]] from [[Rivendell]] and [[Lothlórien]], and the Witch-king was pushed back and subdued.

===Twilight of Angmar===
The Witch-king sat silent in Carn Dum, rebuilding his armies and preparing for a final assault on [[Arthedain]], last of the Arnorian kingdoms. The [[Dark Plague]] came and went in [[Third Age 1636]], taking with it the last of the Dúnedain of [[Cardolan]]. The Witch-king sent [[barrow-wights]] to inhabit the barrows in [[Tyrn Gorthad]].[[#References|10]] In [[Third Age 1974|1974]], he felt that his power was sufficiently restored to begin the advance.

His attack was sudden, but not unexpected. King [[Arvedui]] sent a message to King [[Eärnil]] of [[Gondor]] the year before, but help did not arrive in time. [[Fornost]] fell, and the Witch-king took up residence there in the palace.[[#References|11]] Arvedui held out as best as he might on the [[North Downs]], but at last fled north with the treasured ''[[palantíri]]'' of [[Amon Sûl-stone|Amon Sûl]] and [[Annúminas-stone|Annúminas]]. He would not return, for he perished in a shipwreck in [[Third Age 1975|1975]]. With him the ''palantíri'' were lost forever in the icy seas of [[Forod]]. The already-diminished North-kingdom ended, and [[Arnor]] fell.[[#References|10]]

Meanwhile, a coalition in the south had formed. Eärnil sent his son, [[Eärnur]], north with a great fleet, all that Gondor could spare. They arrived at [[Lindon]], and joined with the folk of Círdan. Círdan summoned all that would come: surviving Dúnedain of Arnor and elves of Lindon.[[#References|11]] Even a company of [[hobbit]] archers went to their aide.[[#References|10]] The Witch-king had grown overconfident, and instead of staying behind his fortifications initiated the attack. The [[Battle of Fornost]] was fought on the plain between [[Nenuial]] and the North Downs. The Witch-king may not have anticipated the strength brought against him, but for whatever reason the alliance gained the upper hand. His army began to fall back toward Fornost, but Eärnur’s magnificent horsemen struck from the north, and the Witch-king was routed.[[#References|11]]

He decided to flee to Angmar and the safety of Carn Dum, but the cavalry, with Eärnur himself in the lead, overtook him. Moreover, the ranks of the allies swelled, as an army of elves from [[Rivendell]] came led by the mighty hero of old, [[Glorfindel]]. Angmar was purged of men and orcs, and all seemed lost for the Witch-king in the face of such numbers. But the Witch-king himself came at the last, robed and masked in black and riding a black horse, and attempted to kill Eärnur with his own hands. But Eärnur’s horse shied away and fled, and the Witch-king laughed. But Glorfindel came on his white horse, and faced with such power the Witch-king fled. He vanished into the shadows, and no-one marked where he had gone.[[#References|11]]

Eärnur wanted to pursue, but Glorfindel held him back, and made his famous prophecy.

{{quote|He will not return to this land. Far off yet is his doom, and not by the hand of man will he fall.|Glorfindel, ''[[The Return of the King]]'', [[Appendix A]] (iv)}}

===Lord of Minas Morgul===
The Witch-king escaped to [[Mordor]], and gathered the other Ringwraiths about him in [[Third Age 1980|1980]].[[#References|4]] Angmar and Carn Dum were lost, and so in [[Third Age 2000|2000]] the Witch-king began a two-year siege of [[Minas Ithil]], eventually capturing the place and turning it into his residence. It was renamed [[Minas Morgul]], and the ''[[Ithil-stone|palantír]]'' was sent to Sauron. The Witch-king sent an aura of fear in [[Gondor]], and much of [[Ithilien]] was deserted.[[#References|11]]

Eärnur succeeded his father as King of Gondor, and still held the Witch-king in especial hostility due to his humiliation at the Battle of Fornost. The year of his coronation the Witch-king sent him a taunting challenge, but [[Mardil]] the steward restrained Eärnur from rash action. Seven years later the challenge was repeated, and Eärnur rode with a small escort to Minas Morgul. None that rode thither ever returned, and there was no longer a King in Gondor.[[#References|11]]

After this the Witch-king bided his time. He and the Nazgûl built up their armies, including the terrible new orc-race of [[uruks]]. In [[Third Age 2475|2475]] he sent them out to capture [[Osgiliath]], which they did successfully. They were driven out by [[Boromir I]], but Osgiliath now lay completely in ruins. Boromir went on to retake Ithilien, so that even the Witch-king feared him. But he was killed by a Morgul-wound, and so his rule was but twelve years.[[#References|12]]

===Hunt for the Ring===
Sauron declared himself openly in [[Third Age 2951|2951]], and sent three of his Ringwraiths to [[Dol Guldur]] (though the Witch-king was left in Minas Morgul). Then, by lucky chance, the creature [[Gollum]] was captured and interrogated. Under torture, the wretched creature revealed the tale of the [[One Ring]] and how it came to be in his possession. But he had the daring to trick Sauron into thinking that the land of the hobbits who stole the Ring was on the banks of the [[Gladden River]].[[#References|13]] Under the leadership of the Witch-king, Sauron sent the Nine unclothed and invisible to search for the Ring after the assault of Osgiliath.

[[Image:Marc Holmes - Nazgul.jpg|thumb|left|350px|''Nazgûl'' by [[Marc Holmes]].]][[Khamûl]], the Witch-king’s lieutenant, reported that he was unable to find the “[[Shire]]” in the vales of [[Anduin]]. The Witch-king was determined to search north and west until Gollum was found, or the Shire. But plans were halted when Sauron received word of the prophecy in Gondor and the doings of the turncoat [[Saruman]], and concluded that the Wise did not yet have possession of the Ring. He sent the Ringwraiths to [[Isengard]] in the form of [[Black Riders]], too late to prevent the escape of the captured wizard [[Gandalf]], but had words with Saruman. Saruman, already a traitor to both sides due to his transparent lust for the Ring, fortified himself in Isengard. The Witch-king did not have enough power with him to assault Saruman in his great fortress, but had words with him. Saruman convinced the Witch-king that Gandalf alone knew where the Shire and the Ring was, and so the Nine passed into [[Rohan]] in search of him.[[#References|13]]

They came upon the traitor called [[Wormtongue]] and questioned him. The terrified man told them everything he knew; that Gandalf had passed through Rohan, where the Shire was, and even that Saruman had lied to them. The Witch-king spared Wormtongue’s life, foreseeing that Wormtongue would bring ruin to Saruman. He divided his wraiths into four pairs, and went with the swiftest to [[Minhiriath]]. Along the way they captured several spies of Saruman, and found to their delight charts and maps of the Shire. They sent along the spy to [[Bree]], warning them that they now belonged to Mordor, not Saruman.[[#References|13]]

They came to [[Sarn Ford]], but the [[Dúnedain]] [[Rangers of the North|Rangers]] prevented them from crossing. They sent for their great captain, the chieftain [[Aragorn II]], who alone could well resist the wraiths, but he was away, and the Ringwraiths captured the ford and killed many of the Rangers.[[#References|13]] The Witch-king sent three Ringwraiths under Khamûl into the Shire while he went east with the others.[[#References|4]] But they had come too late: the Ring had moved on in the hands of a hobbit, [[Frodo Baggins]].

===Pursuit of the Ring===
[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Fire on Weathertop.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''Fire on Weathertop'' by [[Ted Nasmith]].]]Khamûl was unsuccessful, but brought word from the spy they had spared in Bree. The man had witnessed a vanishing act on Frodo's part, and had organized an attack on the inn. The Witch-king guessed that Frodo would head east, and sent four wraiths to [[Weathertop]], the ruins of the tower he had destroyed long ago. He went south along the [[Greenway]] and discovered nothing. Gandalf followed them, but the Witch-king let him slip ahead, and attacked him on Weathertop. Gandalf escaped at dawn, and again the Witch-king divided his force and sent four after the wizard.

The Ring walked almost right into his hands. The captain of the Dúnedain, Aragorn II, had become the guide of the hobbits, and led them to Weathertop, where they were spotted and attacked. The Witch-king advanced on Frodo, and the terrified hobbit put on the Ring, seeing them as they truly were. The Witch-king stabbed Frodo in the shoulder when he resisted and invoked the name of [[Elbereth]]. The tip of his blade broke off and sent poison through the hobbit’s veins. Then Aragorn counterattacked with flaming brands. The Witch-king fled at his mighty presence, confident that the poison of the blade would do its work and bend Frodo's will to his purpose. But he was shaken by the encounter; Gandalf and Aragorn were people of immense power, and even the Ring-bearer, who was not an especially strong person, had dared to resist him. He feared that Frodo might have some elvish power. Moreover, he knew that Frodo’s weapon, a [[blade of Westernesse]], was wrought for his undoing and if it had struck him would have done him damage. He was thus distressed, and Aragorn, Frodo, and their little company eluded him.[[Image:Ted Nasmith - The Attack of the Wraiths.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''Attack of the Wraiths'' by [[Ted Nasmith]].]]

He resumed the pursuit quickly, though, and found the Khamûl had been driven from the [[Last Bridge]] by his old enemy [[Glorfindel]]. The Witch-king, who only had one companion with him, was likewise unable to confront him openly. They regrouped and went south, rejoining with the other four. They managed to pick up the trail of the company of the Ring, and despite hindrance from Glorfindel and Aragorn managed to pursue Frodo alone on [[Asfaloth]]. The pursuit came to the [[Ford of Bruinen]], and there Frodo compelled the horse to stop. The Witch-king saw his defiance and laughed, breaking his sword with a movement of his hand. But the waters of the [[Bruinen]] rose at [[Elrond]]'s command, sweeping the Nine downstream.[[#References|14]]

===War of the Ring===
The Witch-king took the only surviving horse back to [[Mordor]], arriving there in December. He then sent aid to the other eight Nazgûl, and they returned in secret. In [[Minas Morgul]] they prepared for a grand invasion of [[Gondor]] at the order of their master. The Witch-king was given by Sauron added "demonic" force.[[#References|15]] On March 10, [[Third Age 3019|3019]], the signal was given and Minas Morgul was emptied. The Witch-king rode at the head of the army in black, upon a black horse, as he had in the time of the wars of Angmar. As the Witch-king passed out of the gates of the dead city, he sensed the presence of Frodo. He was disturbed, but continued on through Ithilien.

With the Witch-king in command, [[Osgiliath]] soon fell.[[#References|16]] The defeat was attributed to his superior numbers, and his terrible presence which made all hearts to quail. The [[Rammas Echor]] was breached, and the [[Pelennor Fields]] were overrun. Other wraiths he sent out mounted on [[Fell Beasts]]. [[Faramir]], [[Ruling Steward|Steward]] [[Denethor II]]'s son, was wounded by a dart and the [[black breath]], but his company was saved by a sortie. Then the Witch-king laid siege to [[Minas Tirith]] itself, sending fire and the heads of the dead Gondorians into the city via catapults. Then he launched the assault.

[[Image:Angus McBride - Gandalf facing Witch-king.gif|thumb|right|250px|''Gandalf facing the Witch-king'' by [[Angus McBride]].]]He sent [[Grond]] out first, accompanying it in person so as to be the first to enter the city. Three times Grond struck the gate, empowered by the sorcery of the Witch-king. The third time the Gate shattered in a flash of fire. The Witch-king passed into Minas Tirith, but was confronted by Gandalf on [[Shadowfax]]. Gandalf forbade him entry, but the Witch-king laughed and put on a show of power.

{{quote|The Black Rider flung back his hood, and behold! he had a kingly crown; and yet upon no head visible was it set. The red fires shone between it and the mantled shoulders vast and dark. From a mouth unseen there cam a deadly laughter. 'Old fool!' he said. 'Old fool! This is my hour. Do you not know Death when you see it? Die now and curse in vain!' And with that he lifted high his sword and flames ran down the blade.|''[[The Return of the King]]'', [[The Siege of Gondor]]}}

But as Gandalf stood resolute, the [[Rohirrim]] came. The Witch-king departed, mounting a fell beast and descending upon King [[Théoden]] who led the attack. [[Snowmane]], the King's horse, collapsed with a dart in the side, and Théoden was crushed beneath him. But the rider [[Dernhelm]] defied the Witch-king. The Witch-king threatened Dernhelm with a terrible death, but the rider revealed that she was a woman, [[Éowyn]], and the Witch-king remembered the words of Glorfindel. The Witch-king hesitated, but then moved forward. Éowyn decapitated the fell beast, but the Witch-king rose and struck her down with his mace, breaking her shield-arm. Then the hobbit [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]] stabbed him in the sinew of his leg with the [[blade of Westernesse]], as he drew back to kill the woman. Then Éowyn rose and drove her sword through where his invisible head was, and the sword broke as his crown toppled. The Witch-king gave a great and horrible wail, and perished at last.[[#References|17]][[Image:Michael Kaluta - Eowyn and the Witch-King of Angmar.jpg|left|300px|thumb|''Éowyn and the Witch-king'' by [[Michael Kaluta]].]]

So the prophecy of Glorfindel was fulfilled, for the Witch-king did not fall at the hands of a man, but at the hands of a woman and a hobbit. With his death, and the coming of Aragorn II in the black ships, the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]] was lost.

==Early Life==

The Witch-king's true name is never given, and therefore among [[Tolkien fandom|Tolkien fans]], the Witch-king is often simply called ''Angmar'', after the name of the realm he founded and led. Many fans also identify him as one of the three [[Black Númenóreans]] Tolkien stated had become Nazgûl, or possibly [[Isilmo]], a Númenórean prince and father of Tar-Minastir. In the now defunct [[Middle-earth Role Playing]] game, he was named ''Er-Murazor'', a Númenórean prince, though this is strictly [[Canon|non-canonical]] and does not appear outside of the role playing material. It is also a popular belief among some fans, that the Witch-king was not dead as Éowyn had not an enchanted sword, and cite the passage that says that his wail was not heard again ''In this age of the earth''. But other Tolkien scholars say that although the Witch-king's return at an unspecified time in the future is possible, another possible solution is that Merry's stroke destroyed the Witch-king's invulnerability allowing Éowyn's non-magic blade to end his existence forever. Also, because of the perishing of the [[One Ring]], the nine other rings which kept the Nazgûl would probably have lost their power.

==Names==
* Witch-king of Angmar - "Witch" most likely coming from his background in sorcery, and "king" after his establishment of the realm of Angmar in 1300.
* Witch-lord of Angmar - A variant of the above title.
* Lord of the Nazgûl
* Lord of the Ringwraiths
* Chieftain of the Ringwraiths
* Lord of the Nine Riders
* King of the Nine Riders
* Wraith-lord
* Wraith-king
* High Nazgûl
* Lord of Morgul
* Morgul-lord
* King of Minas Morgul
* Black Captain
* Captain of Despair
* [[Dwimmerlaik]]
* Lord of Carrion

==Inspirations==
An undead witch-king named Þráinn appears in ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hrómundar_saga_Gripssonar Hrómundar saga Gripssonar]''. It is possible that this was Tolkien's source of inspiration.

The prophecy that the Witch-king would fall "not by the hand of man" and the fulfillment of the prophecy occurring as a technicality (being slain by a woman) bears a striking resemblance to the prophecy regarding the title character's death in Shakespeare's Macbeth, where it was foretold that Macbeth will be slain "not by man born of woman" and is then killed by Mcduff, born by caesarian section. Tolkien it seems was familiar with the play having reputedly taken inspiration for the Last March of the Ents from the same source (See article ''[[Ents]]'' for details).

==Portrayal in Adaptations ==
[[Image:Witch-king from PJ's LotR - Armored.jpeg|thumb|right|150px|The Witch-king in [[Peter Jackson's The Return of the King]]]]
'''1978: ''[[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:The Witch-king is shown with no distinction from the other Ringwraiths; all are robed in brown and black, and none seem to be able to talk clearly.

'''1980: ''[[Rankin/Bass' The Return of the King]]'':'''
:The Witch-king is portrayed as a humanoid figure with no head. Red eyes glare under a golden crown. His dialogue is more or less as in the books, albeit in a strange and somewhat unfitting electronic voice. After a stab from behind by Merry, Éowyn beheads him. It is worthy of note that the Witch-king is seen with the [[Red Eye]] of [[Barad-dûr]] as his emblem and faction, rather than the grim moon of [[Minas Morgul]].

'''1981: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|BBC Radio's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:The role of the Witch-king is expanded with material from ''[[The Hunt for the Ring]]''. He is the second speaking character in the series: he is the one who captures [[Gollum]], though he is not identified as such until the credits. [[Philip Voss]] provided the voice for the Witch-king.

'''2001: ''[[Vivendi's The Fellowship of the Ring (game)|Vivendi's The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:The Witch-king is shown without distinction of the other Nazgûl.

'''2001-3: ''[[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:The Lord of the Nazgûl is only named the "Witch-king of Angmar" in ''[[Peter Jackson's The Return of the King|The Return of the King]]''. In that film, there is no mention of [[Glorfindel]]'s prophecy; there is only a claim among the enemy that "no man can kill" the Witch-king. Like the other Nazgûl, he is depicted as a humanoid figure shrouded in a hooded black robe; his only distinguishing feature is a mask-like spiked helmet with a huge mouth. His first mention is when [[Gandalf]] tells [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]] while in Minas Tirith that the Dark Lord has not yet revealed his greatest servant: the Witch-king, the one that "stabbed Frodo on Weathertop". This is a curious statement, as Weathertop was not named in the first movie, and confusion would probably have resulted had there not been a flashback.

:During the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]], the Witch-king's army uses the ram [[Grond (battering-ram)|Grond]] to break through the city gates early in the battle (after the failure of a lesser ram), and the Witch-king is not present to confront Gandalf as he is in the book. The confrontation takes place later, as Pippin and Gandalf race to the tombs to save [[Faramir (son of Denethor II)|Faramir]], and the Witch-king intercepts them. Unlike in the book, this meeting decisively favors the Witch-king, who breaks Gandalf's staff and throws the wizard to the ground before leaving to deal with the arrival of the [[Rohirrim]]. Gandalf's face shows obvious fear in this scene, in comparison to the resolution (for "victory or death") in the books.

:The Witch-king's destruction on the battlefield occurs with less dialogue than in the book, and the weapons used to destroy him are both mundane: Merry's sword is not a [[Daggers of Westernesse|dagger]] from the [[Barrow-downs]], but rather the Rohirric sword that Théoden had as a child.

:Seven actors are known to have played some part of the Witch-king.
# An unidentified extra portrayed the "King of Men" in the prologue. He was chosen to be the Witch-king simply because he was the smallest of the nine.
# [[Shane Rangi]] did the horse chase.
# [[Fran Walsh]] provided the "Ringwraith scream".
# Effects technician Ben Price played the Witch-king in "many scenes"[http://www.decipher.com/content/2004/07/072904lotrwetaprops.html]
# [[Brent McIntyre]] is officially credited as the Witch-king in ''[[Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring|The Fellowship of the Ring]]''. He stabbed Frodo.
# [[Lawrence Makoare]] filled the robe of the Witch-king in ''[[Peter Jackson's The Return of the King|The Return of the King]]''.
# [[Andy Serkis]] provided the voice of the Witch-king. It was layered thrice to give it a ghastly effect.
[[Image:Witchking ea rotk.jpg|200px|right|thumb|In ''[[EA's The Return of the King]]'', with different helmet.]]

'''2003: ''[[EA's The Return of the King]]'':'''
:The Witch-king's role and voice are similar to that of the film, but his appearance is different. An early helmet design, that had been removed from the film because it resembled [[Sauron]]'s helm too much, was used here, presumably because there was no time to make a new character model.

==See Also==
* '''[[:Category:Images of the Witch-king|Images of the Witch-king]]'''
* [[Ringwraiths]]

==References==
# ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', [[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]], p. 289
# ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', [[Akallabêth]], p. 267, [[Ballantine Books]] p. 320
# ''[[The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion]]'', p. 20
# ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix B]]
# ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]] (iii), [[Houghton Mifflin]] p. 320
# ''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]'', [[The Heirs of Elendil]], entry for [[Malvegil]], [[HarperCollins]] p. 193-194
# ''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]'', [[The Heirs of Elendil]], entry for [[Argeleb I]], [[HarperCollins]] p. 194
# ''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]'', [[The Heirs of Elendil]], entry for [[Arveleg I]], [[HarperCollins]] p. 194
# ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', [[The Palantíri]], note 16, [[Houghton Mifflin]] p. 413
# ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]] (iii), [[Houghton Mifflin]] p. 321-322
# ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]] (iv), [[Houghton Mifflin]] p. 331-332
# ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]] (iv), [[Houghton Mifflin]] p. 333
# ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', [[The Hunt for the Ring]], [[Houghton Mifflin]] p. 338-341
# ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', [[Flight to the Ford]]
# ''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'', [[Letter 210]], p. 272
# ''[[The Return of the King]]'', [[The Siege of Gondor]]
# ''[[The Return of the King]]'', [[The Battle of the Pelennor Fields]]

[[Category:Nazgûl]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Featured Articles]]
[[de:Der Hexenkönig von Angmar]]
[[fi:Noitakuningas]]

Viggo Mortensen

2008-11-15T00:09:13Z

68.8.247.240: /* Quotes */

{{actor
| image=[[Image:Viggo Mortensen2.jpg|250px]]
| name=Viggo Mortensen
| lifetime=[[October 20]], [[1958]]
| played=[[Aragorn II]]
| film=[[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]]
| played2=
| film2=
| imdb=[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001557/ Profile]
|}}
American actor '''Viggo Peter Mortensen, Jr.''' (born 1958) played [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]] in [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]] film trilogy. He was a last-minute replacement for [[Stuart Townsend]], as director [[Peter Jackson]] did not believe Townsend looked old enough to play the part convincingly. Mortensen was considering turning down the part, but his son, who loved the books, encouraged him to take the role. His son, Henry Mortenson, also appears as a child of Rohan in [[Peter Jackson's The Two Towers|The Two Towers]] and as a soldier extra in [[Peter Jackson's The Return of the King|The Return of the King]].

==Quotes==
{{quote|There were plenty of reasons not to go. I didn't feel I could do a good job and I didn't want to be away from my son for that length of time. But my son was familiar with the books, he talked about them with his school friends and he knew about the character of Aragorn. He said, 'Oh, that's pretty cool. You should try that.|Viggo Mortensen, Empire Magazine Australia}}

==Awards==
* [[2002]] - '''[http://www.cinemaclips.com/PFCS.htm PFCS Award]''', Best Acting Ensemble, ''[[Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring]]''
* [[2003]] - '''[http://ofcs.rottentomatoes.com/ OFCS Award]''', Best Ensemble, ''[[Peter Jackson's The Two Towers]]''
* 2003 - '''PFCS Award''', Best Acting Ensemble, ''Peter Jackson's The Two Towers''
* [[2004]] - '''[http://www.bfca.org/ Critics' Choice Award]''', Best Acting Ensemble, ''[[Peter Jackson's The Return of the King]]''
* 2004 - '''[http://www.nbrmp.org/ NBR Award]''', Best Acting by an Ensemble, ''Peter Jackson's The Return of the King''
* 2004 - '''[http://www.sagawards.org/ SAG Award]''', Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, ''Peter Jackson's The Return of the King''

== External Links ==
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viggo_Mortensen Wikipedia Profile]
* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001557/ IMDb Profile]
[[Category:Actors and actresses|Mortensen, Viggo]]