{{Featurednominations}}{{sources}}
{{Istari infobox
| image=[[Image:Roger Thomasson - Gandalf.jpg|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|T.A. 1000]]<ref name="Istari">{{UT|Istari}}</ref>
| duty=[[Istari]]
| death=Died/Reborn [[Third Age 3019|T.A. 3019]], sailed back to [[Aman]] [[Third Age 3021|T.A. 3021]]
| gender=Male
| robes=Grey, later White
| hair=Grey
| appearance=Bent old man (approx 5'6")<ref name="MB">{{HM|MB}}, page 49</ref> with long beard and eyebrows<ref name="Meetings">{{FR|Meetings}}</ref>|}}{{Pronounce|Gandalf.mp3|Ardamir}}
{{Pronounce|Quenya - Olórin.mp3|Gilgamesh}}
{{quote|Gandalf was shorter in stature than the [[Elrond|other]] [[Glorfindel|two]]; but his long white hair, his sweeping silver 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.|"[[Many Meetings]]"<ref name="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. 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.<ref>{{S|Vala}}</ref> 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, the [[Istari]], from among the Maiar to go to [[Middle-earth]] during the [[Third Age]], [[Manwë]] selected Olórin.<ref name="Istari"/> 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.<ref name="Istari"/> 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.''”<ref name="ThirdAge">{{HM|AB}}, "[[The Third Age]]"</ref>

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]], the Grey Pilgrim, while the men of [[Arnor]] named him Gandalf, which became his most common name. He was also known as ''[[Incánus]]'' (in the south), and 'Tharkûn]]'' to the [[Dwarves]].<ref name="Istari"/>

[[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]]<ref name="ThirdAge"/>, 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.<ref name="Rings">{{S|Rings}}</ref>

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.<ref name="ThirdAge"/> An entity known only as the '[[Necromancer]]' fled before him and Gandalf could not discover his identity<ref name="Rings"/>. 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]]<ref name="ThirdAge"/>. 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<ref name="Rings"/>.

[[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<ref name="ThirdAge"/>. There he found out many things. First and foremost, the Necromancer was no Nazgûl – it was Sauron himself. Also, Gandalf found [[Thráin II|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<ref name="Rings"/>. 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 Quest for Erebor===

In [[Third Age 2941|2941]]<ref name="ThirdAge"/> Gandalf happened across the dwarf lord [[Thorin Oakenshield]] while staying the night in [[Bree]]<ref name="Erebor">{{UT|Erebor}}</ref>. 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.'<ref name="Party">{{H|Party}}</ref> 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<ref name="Mutton">{{H|Mutton}}</ref>.

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.'<ref name="Riddles">{{H|Riddles}}</ref> Bilbo initially claimed he 'won' it from the creature '[[Gollum]]' while the company was under the Misty Mountains<ref name="Pan">{{H|Pan}}</ref>. 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<ref name="Fire">{{H|Fire}}</ref> 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]]<ref name="Burst">{{H|Burst}}</ref>. 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<ref name="Erebor"/>.

===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 (battering 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.<ref name="Lorien">{{FR|Lorien}}</ref>
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.''<ref name="Party"/></blockquote>

Later, [[J.R.R. Tolkien|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.''<ref name="MB"/></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 and 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.<ref name="Mutton"/> 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.

== Etymology==
* '''''Olórin''''' (pron. {{IPA|[oˈloːrin]}}) or '''''Olózin''''' ([[Vanyarin]], {{IPA|[oˈloːzin]}}), 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''''' ({{IPA|[miˈθrandir]}}), 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''''' ([[Khuzdul]], {{IPA|[tʰarkuːn]}}), his name to the Dwarves, said to mean either "Staff Man"<ref name="Istari"/> or "Grey Man".<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Christopher Gilson]] (ed.), "Words, Phrases & Passages in ''The Lord of the Rings''", published in ''[[Parma Eldalamberon]]'' #17, page 88</ref>
* '''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|''Oden som vandringsman'' (''Odin the Wanderer'') by Georg von Rosen]]
[[Image:Der_Berggeist_(Origin_of_Gandalf)_by_J._Madelener.gif|left|thumb|250px|''[[Der Berggeist]]'' by [[Joseph Madlener]].]]

''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",<ref>{{HM|TI}}, "[[Appendix on Runes]]", page 452</ref> 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.<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Humphrey Carpenter]], [[Christopher Tolkien]] (eds.), ''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'', [[Letter 107]] (dated [[December 7]], [[1946]]</ref>

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 discovered that the painting was by German artist Josef Madlener and dates to the late 1920s.<ref>[[Manfred Zimmerman]], ''The Origin of Gandalf and Josef Madlener'', published in ''[[Mythlore 34]]'' (Winter [[1983]])</ref> 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.

== Portrayals in Adaptations ==
<center><gallery>
Image:Gandalf from Rankin-Bass' The Hobbit.jpg|<center>''[[Rankin/Bass' The Hobbit]]</center>
Image:Gandalf from Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings.jpg|<center>''[[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings]]''</center>
Image:Peter Jackson's Gandalf.jpg|<center>''[[Peter Jackson's The Two Towers]]''</center>
Image:Gandalf viv lotr.JPG|<center>''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|Vivendi's The Fellowship of the Ring]]''</center>
Image:The Hobbit (2003) Gandalf.JPG|<center>''[[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|Sierra's The Hobbit]]''</center>
Image:Gandalf in LOTRO.png|<center>''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''</center>
</gallery></center>

'''1955: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1955 radio series)]]'':'''
:The voice of Gandalf was provided by [[Norman Shelley]].<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Humphrey Carpenter]], [[Christopher Tolkien]] (eds.), ''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'', [[Letter 175]] (dated [[November 30]], [[1955]])</ref>

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

'''1977: ''[[The Hobbit (1977 film)]]'':'''
:The voice of Gandalf was provided by [[John Huston]].

'''1978: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)]]'':'''
:Gandalf was voiced by [[William Squire]]. [[John A. Neris]] played him in the live-action filming used for rotoscoping.<ref>Jerry Beck, ''The Animated Movie Guide'', page 154 (at [http://books.google.com/books?id=fTI1yeZd-tkC&pg=PA154&dq=%22John+A.+Neris%22&hl=nl#PPA154,M1 GoogleBooks])</ref>

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

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

'''1980: ''[[The Return of the King (1980 film)]]'':'''
:[[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)]]'':'''
:[[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.<ref>[[Brian Sibley]], "[http://briansibleytheworks.blogspot.com/2008/01/this-page-is-still-under-construction_23.html The Ring Goes Ever On: The Making of BBC Radio's ''The Lord of the Rings'']", at ''[http://briansibleytheworks.blogspot.com/ Brian Sibley:The Works]''</ref>

'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:[[Ian McKellen|Sir Ian McKellen]] was cast as Gandalf. McKellen was nominated for an Academy Award for his portrayal, but did not win.

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

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: 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: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: 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]].

'''2003: ''[[The Hobbit (2003 video game)]]'':'''
:[[Jim Ward]] provided the voice of Gandalf. He is shown with actual [[magic]]: he can shoot blue bolts of lightning from his staff.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: 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.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring]]'':'''
:Gandalf is voiced by [[Steven M. Kramer]], renowned for playing older mentor types.

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

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:Gandalf is a hero for the "Men of the West" faction. At first, he is "the Gray", and becomes "Gandalf the White" after reching level 5. He plays no part in the scenarios.

'''2009: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Conquest]]'':'''
:[[Martin Jarvis]] provides the voice of Gandalf.

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

{{References}}
* {{HM|FR}}
* {{HM|TT}}
* {{HM|RK}}
* {{HM|S}}, "[[Valaquenta]]"
* {{HM|UT}}, "[[The Quest of Erebor]]"
* {{L|156}}
* {{L|246}}

{{sequence
|prev=none
|next=[[Aragorn II]]
|list=Leader of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] [[December 25]] [[Third Age 3018|3018]] - [[January 15]] [[Third Age 3019|3019]]
}}
{{ainur}}
{{fellowship}}
{{Thorin and Company}}
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Maiar]]
[[Category:Wizards]]
[[Category:Norse names]]
[[Category:Masculine names]]
[[de:Gandalf]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:ainur:maiar:istari:gandalf]]
[[fi:Gandalf]]

Forums:Character top portraits

2010-03-12T02:11:46Z

Gilgamesh:

<div style="background: #eee; border: 1px solid #aaa; padding: 5px">'''[[Main Page|Tolkien Gateway]] > [[Forum:Council|Council]] > {{PAGENAME}}'''</div> [[Category:Council]]


I was told that, at least for certain prominent characters (like [[Gandalf]]), there needs to be a discussion before changing the top pictures of characters.

Well, I want to discuss the top pictures for [[Gandalf]] and for [[Lúthien Tinúviel]].

The current top picture of Gandalf is: 
[[Image:Donato Giancola - Gandalf- Shadow of the Past.jpeg|300px]] 
To be honest, considering that Gandalf is a developed character for both [[The Hobbit]] and for [[The Lord of the Rings]], this has never struck me as archetypal portrayal of Gandalf, his appearance and his personality. But I did find an image in [[:Category:Images of Gandalf]] that seemed to capture these things like a hammer on a nail, so to say: 
[[Image:James Rhinehelder - Gandalf.jpg|300px]] 
This seems to capture everything—his appearance description, his usual demeanor, and it seems the most common denominator for his portrayal in the two stories he's featured so prominently in, even down to the weed he likes to smoke. Shall we use this one?

As for Lúthien, her current top picture is: 
[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Lúthien at Tol Galen.jpg]] 
To be honest, I never thought this picture captured her in an adequate portrait style. I mean, it ''is'' a portrait (she's centered and all), and it's at her later home in [[Tol Galen]]. But if there's one thing that comes to mind about Lúthien more than anything else, it is that she is described as being the most beautiful child of [[Eru Ilúvatar]] who ever lived. This picture doesn't seem to capture the beauty of her face at all—it only vaguely barely hints at what her face might look like. In addition, if this picture portrays her specifically in the latter part of her life, it misses an important detail—after a certain point during the [[Quest of the Silmaril]] (after she magically grew her hair long to make rope à la Rapunzel), Lúthien's hair started to grow exceptionally dark in color, while the hair in this picture still has brownish highlights. But there's another most recently drawn picture by [[Anya Valle]] that struck me immediately as the perfect portrait of Lúthien to put all others instantly to shame: 
[[Image:Anya Valle - Luthien.png|300px]] 
In this, you can see just how her description matches her portrayed appearance. She is described as beautiful, and her face is absolutely flawless. Shall we use this one?

- [[User:Gilgamesh|Gilgamesh]] 05:54, 4 March 2010 (UTC)

:I agree 100% that the current Gandalf picture is not right. However, I don't think you've found the best match either; it needs to be somewhere in between. As for Lúthien, I prefer the one you've found. --{{User:Breragor/sig}} 02:05, 5 March 2010 (UTC)

:: I concur with Breragor on both counts: your Lúthien picture is much better. I've never liked the current Gandalf one (thought it looks too much like Father Christmas/Santa Claus to be taken seriously!), but I'm also not sure the one you've picked out is much better. (I'm not keen on portraying any Tolkien character in a cartoony fashion, really, as I think it sort of demeans the characters, but that's just my quirky view!) I'd be tempted by any John Howe picture, or one of these two:
<gallery>
Image:John Alvin - Untitled (Gandalf).jpg|<center>by John Alvin</center>
Image:Roger Thomasson - Gandalf.jpg|<center>by Roger Thomasson</center>
</gallery>
::What do you guys think?--{{User:Mith/sig}} 11:15, 5 March 2010 (UTC)

:::I agree on that both images could be changed. I like the suggestion for Luthien.
:::As for Gandalf, maybe we can crop [[:Image:John Howe - Gandalf.jpg|this image]]? -- {{User:Ederchil/sig}} 12:06, 5 March 2010 (UTC)

I like both the [[:Image:Roger Thomasson - Gandalf.jpg|Roger Thomasson]] and Ederchil's idea to crop [[:Image:John Howe - Gandalf.jpg|John Howe's Gandalf]] as well. Can we narrow it down to those two? --{{User:Breragor/sig}} 19:33, 5 March 2010 (UTC)

While I generally disagree that it is somehow fundamentally disrespectful to show Tolkien characters in an animated style (I think it really depends on the kind of style), I will go along with consensus. I have thought of Ederchil's suggestion of cropping John Howe's Gandalf picture, and have done so: 
[[Image:John Howe - Gandalf (cropped).jpg|300px]] 
Appropriate? Between this and Roger Thomasson's portrait, I could go either way, even though I still prefer the one I suggested. And as for Lúthien, practically everyone seems to be resoundingly in favor of Anya Valle's new portrait of her. Mind if I swap Lúthien's picture (if someone else hasn't already done so by now)? - [[User:Gilgamesh|Gilgamesh]] 23:53, 6 March 2010 (UTC)

I thnik the cropped version is great (it's much better than the current picture, showing [[Gandalf]] in a way I believe we all imagined), so I would say go ahead and change it, but we should wait for more of a group consensus on "Yes" first. --{{User:Breragor/sig}} 04:18, 7 March 2010 (UTC)

:Well, I will add to the consensus then; I’m all with Beragor on this - yes to the Anya Valle Lúthien (even though Ted is my friend, his strength is not really in portraiture - "drawing puppets" as he puts it) and yes to the cropped Howe Gandalf. But I’m not saying no to Roger Thomasson’s Gandalf, and the Howe one may have the problem that it’s not just in copyright, it has virtually become a trade-mark of Harper Collins for its (and its licencees’) Tolkien account, to the extent that John does not dare to give anyone permission to use it without obtaining HC’s OK (so he told the Dutch TS).
:For what it’s worth, I concur with Mith’s ‘Santa Claus’ remark, and also with his opinion on the ‘cartoony’ (which is not quite the same as ‘animated’) Gandalf - I find that purple, smoke-curdling Gandalf very attractive, but to me he says Pratchett, not Tolkien. — [[User:Mithrennaith|Mithrennaith]] 05:53, 8 March 2010 (UTC)

Well, I actually do like the Thomasson Gandalf better than the Howe Gandalf. If I had to choose, it would be the Thomasson one. (I gave it some thought.) - [[User:Gilgamesh|Gilgamesh]] 07:07, 8 March 2010 (UTC)

:If I may chime in, I would go with the Howe Gandalf rather than the Thomasson one. To me it seems the latter portrait is based on the Ian McKellen Gandalf. IMHO, I would prefer having a more neutral portrait. --[[User:Morgan|Morgan]] 09:40, 8 March 2010 (UTC)

::The Roger Thomasson one does say Ian McKellen but it's not a bad thing. We make a conscious effort to avoid the TLOTR Trilogy all the time (indeed, I can't think, off the top of my head, of a major article which features the a TLOTR Trilogy picture as the main article image). Peter Jackson's interpretations are just as valid as anyone else's and I happen to think not only is that a good portrait but that Ian McKellen's Gandalf was - with the exception of the eyebrows - a very accurate portrayal of the Gandalf in my head.

::I was going to type "I'm indifferent between the two", but I've persuaded myself that, perhaps, the TLOTR Trilogy could do with a bit more exposure (remembering also that many people have come to Tolkien as a result of the films, with Gandalf as one of the most popular) so I would like the Roger Thomasson (and perhaps in a few months' time we can then change to the John Howe: there's no reason as to why the images have to be etched into the article for ever). And, aside from that, that portrait is great! --{{User:Mith/sig}} 11:32, 8 March 2010 (UTC)

:::I agree, no reason to stigmatize the films. (BTW, [[Eldarion]]'s top picture is from cut film scenes.) I think the only reason to consider excluding a film scene is for accuracy reasons. But I have no problem with pictures of, for instance, [[Arwen]] (except when she's being movie-badass in ways she wasn't in the book). - [[User:Gilgamesh|Gilgamesh]] 12:35, 9 March 2010 (UTC)

So, do we have consensus on Gandalf? - [[User:Gilgamesh|Gilgamesh]] 02:11, 12 March 2010 (UTC)

Forums:Character top portraits

2010-03-09T12:35:04Z

Gilgamesh:

2010-03-07T00:00:15Z

Gilgamesh:

Lúthien

2010-03-06T23:55:29Z

Gilgamesh: Everyone seems to favor Anya Valle's new portrait of Lúthien.

{{sindar infobox
| image=[[Image:Anya Valle - Luthien.png|250px]]
| name=Lúthien Tinúviel
| othernames=
| titles=Princess of [[Doriath]].
| birth=c. [[Years of the Trees]] 1200, [[Beleriand]].
| realm=[[Doriath]], [[Dor Firn-i-Guinar|Tol Galen]].
| death= c. [[First Age]] 505.
| age=3,400 [[Years of the Sun|years]].
| gender=Female.
| hair=Black.
| eyes=Grey.
| parentage=[[Thingol]] + [[Melian]].
| spouse=[[Beren Erchamion|Beren]].
| children=[[Dior Eluchíl|Dior]].
|}}
'''Lúthien Tinúviel''' ([[Sindarin|S]], pron. {{IPA|[ˈluːθjen tiˈnuːvjel]}}) was the only daughter of King [[Thingol]] of [[Doriath]] and [[Melian]] the [[Maia]]. She was said to be the fairest maiden to have ever lived.

== History ==
Lúthien would often dance in the woods, while her friend Daeron would play his flute. Daeron came to love her, and while she enjoyed his company, she did not return his love.

===Quest for the Silmaril===

[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Lúthien.jpg|thumb|200px|left|''Lúthien'' by [[Ted Nasmith]].]]During such an occasion she was discovered by [[Beren Erchamion|Beren]] as he wandered the woods of her father's kingdom, and instantly fell in love with her. Daeron chirped out a warning, and she hid. While he searched for her, he accidentally laid his hand on her arm. He caught her alone some months later, and they grew to love one another. When Lúthien took Beren before her father, he was appalled that his royal daughter should wish to wed a mortal, and as is recounted in the ''[[Lay of Leithian]]'' so set Beren what he thought was an unachievable task, to recover a [[Silmaril]] from the [[Iron Crown]] of [[Morgoth]] himself. So Beren left Doriath in pursuit of his hopeless quest.

After a time, a darkness fell on Lúthien's heart, and she learned from her mother Melian what this meant; Beren had been captured by [[Sauron]], and was held in the dungeons of [[Tol-in-Gaurhoth]]. Though Thingol sought to stop her, Lúthien set out from Doriath to rescue Beren, if she could. Passing through many adventures, she gained the help of [[Huan the Hound]], and together they came to [[Tol-in-Gaurhoth|Sauron's Isle]]. Through Lúthien's magic and Huan's strength they defeated Sauron and rescued Beren. Eventually Beren set out for [[Angband]] once again, but this time Lúthien accompanied him.

Through Lúthien's powers, they passed the gates of Angband, and the great wolf [[Carcharoth]] that guarded them. Coming before the [[Dark Throne]] itself, she wove a spell that put Morgoth and his court into a deep sleep, and Beren cut a Silmaril from the Iron Crown. Returning to the gates, they found that Carcharoth barred their escape. Beren held up the hallowed jewel to protect them, but the monstrous wolf bit off his hand, and with it consumed the Silmaril. But the Silmarils were blessed by [[Varda]] herself, so that any unclean flesh that touched them would be withered and burnt. The wolf's innards were consumed with that burning, and it ran howling into the south.

Lúthien healed Beren, and they came at last back to her father's halls at [[Menegroth]]. There they heard tidings that the maddened wolf had entered Thingol's realm, and Beren set out with the King to the [[Hunting of the Wolf]]. After nightfall they returned; the wolf was slain and the Silmaril recovered, but Beren was wounded mortally. So he passed away, and soon after Lúthien too wasted of grief.

===Aftermath===

[[Image:Luca Michelucci - 1999 - May.jpg|right|200px|thumb|''Lúthien Dances Before Morgoth'' by [[Luca Michelucci]].]]Their spirits were gathered in the [[Halls of Mandos]] in the [[Uttermost West]], and there Lúthien sang a song of such extraordinary power and beauty that it moved even the implacable heart of [[Mandos]] himself. So she was granted a unique fate, to become mortal and return to [[Middle-earth]] with Beren, where they dwelt for a time in happiness on the green island of [[Tol Galen]] in the River [[Adurant]].

== Etymology ==

According to ''[[The Etymologies]]'', ''Lúthien'' means ''Enchantress''. However, in a later note, published in [[Parma Eldalamberon]] 17, Tolkien chose ''Daughter of Flowers'' instead. ''Tinúviel'' means "Nightingale", or, more literally, "Dusk-Singer". Both are Sindarin.

== Genealogy ==
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree| | ELU |~|y|~| MEL | | | | | | | |ELU=[[Elu Thingol]]|MEL=[[Melian]]}}
{{familytree| | | | | |!| | | | | | BEO | | | |BEO=[[House of Bëor]]}}
{{familytree| | | | | |!| | | | | |F|J| | | | |}}
{{familytree| | | | | LUT |~|y|~| BER | | | | |LUT='''LÚTHIEN'''|BER=[[Beren Erchamion|Beren]]}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | |!| | | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | DIO |~|y|~| NIM | |DIO=[[Dior Eluchíl|Dior]]|NIM=[[Nimloth of Doriath|Nimloth]]}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | |,|-|-|-|+|-|-|-|.| |}}
{{familytree| EAR |~|y|~| ELW | | ELD | | ELU |EAR=[[Eärendil the Mariner|Eärendil]]|ELW=[[Elwing]]|ELD=[[Eluréd]]|ELU=[[Elurín]]}}
{{familytree| | |,|-|^|-|.| | | | | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree| | ELR | | ELS | | | | | | | | | |ELR=[[Elrond]]|ELS=[[Elros]]}}
{{familytree/end}}

==Other versions of the legendarium==
The name Luthien appears since the earliest conceptions. The name was connected with "[[Luthany]]", the Elfin name for England. In several drafts, Luthien would be the Elfin name of [[Ælfwine]], which would be translated as "traveler" and later as "friend".

== See Also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Lúthien Tinúviel|Images of Lúthien Tinúviel]].

{{DEFAULTSORT:Luthien Tinuviel}}
[[Category:House of Thingol]]
[[Category:Quest for the Silmaril]]

Forums:Character top portraits

2010-03-06T23:53:13Z

Gilgamesh:

File:John Howe - Gandalf (cropped).jpg

2010-03-06T23:47:52Z

Gilgamesh: Cropped version of :Image:John Howe - Gandalf.jpg. Saved to JPEG again—care was taken to reduce the effects of any further JPEG compression artifacts. Category:Images by John Howe Category:Images of Gandalf

Cropped version of [[:Image:John Howe - Gandalf.jpg]]. Saved to JPEG again—care was taken to reduce the effects of any further JPEG compression artifacts.
[[Category:Images by John Howe]]
[[Category:Images of Gandalf]]

Teleri

2010-03-04T10:00:46Z

Gilgamesh: It's never said whether Enel or Enelyë joined the Great March and became Teleri - they were certainly Nelyar though. Also fixed a lot of sloppy and unlinked text.

{{disambig-two|the Third Clan in general|the Teleri of Aman|[[Falmari]]}}
{{race
|image=[[Image:Anya Valle - Telerin Elf maiden.jpg|250px]]
|name=Teleri
|dominions=[[Alqualondë]], [[Isle of Balar]], [[Ossiriand]], [[Doriath]], [[Tol Eressëa]], [[Edhellond]], [[Mithlond]], [[Lothlórien]], [[Mirkwood]]
|languages=[[Sindarin]], [[Common Telerin]], [[Nandorin]]
|height=Tall
|length=
|skincolor=White
|haircolor=Dark, silver
|feathers=
|distinctions=Adoration for the sea/forest
|lifespan=Immortal
|members=[[Elwë]], [[Olwë]], [[Celeborn, Lord of Lórien|Celeborn]], [[Círdan]], [[Lenwë]]
}}
The '''Teleri''' ([[Quenya|Q]], pron. {{IPA|[ˈteleri]}}) were the third of the [[Elves|Elf]] clans who took the [[Great Journey]]. They were the ancestors of the [[Valinor]]ean Teleri (became known as the [[Falmari]]), and the [[Sindar]], [[Laiquendi]], and [[Nandor]] of [[Middle-earth]].

The '''[[Nelyar]]''' ("The Third") was the largest of the three houses of the Elves. According to legend, the Teleri were descended from [[Enel]], the third Elf to [[Awakening of the Elves|awake]] in [[Cuiviénen]], his spouse [[Enelyë]] and their seventy-two companions; most of the [[Avari]] originally belonged to this clan. But it was [[Elwë]], the first of the Teleri to come to Valinor, who became their king.

In ancient times they named themselves '''[[Lindar]]''', or "Singers", because they were known for their fair voice.

==History==
=== During the Great Journey ===

When the [[Valar]] decided to bring the [[Quendi]] to [[Aman]], they choose three ambassadors. [[Ingwë]], [[Finwë]] and [[Elwë]] traveled there and tried to convice their people to make the journey. Many of them, particularly of the Nelyar clan, refused, and were named [[Avari]], "The Unwilling".

The Teleri clan, led by Elwë and his brother [[Olwë]] was the last clan to depart, and they were the only ones who were unwilling to leave the wild lands of [[Middle-Earth]]. After traveling for many years, the Teleri stopped near river [[Anduin]] being frightened by the [[Hithaeglir]] ([[Misty Mountains]]). Then a group led by [[Lenwë]] departed from the journey and headed south. They were called the [[Nandor]]. Eventually, the other Teleri passed the Misty Mountains and dwelt in eastern [[Beleriand]] near river [[Gelion]].

That was the time when Elwë fell in love with [[Melian]] the [[Maiar|Maia]] and disunited from Teleri, standing in the forest of [[Nan Elmoth]] for a long time only staring at her. Some Teleri, especially his friends and relatives were searching him for a long time.

When Vanyar and Noldor tavelled into the West, the Teleri were living in Gelion and did not hear [[Ulmo]]'s call. When they learned that the others had traveled, they headed to the shores of Beleriand near the mouth of river [[Sirion]] waiting for [[Ulmo]]. The Maia [[Ossë]] kept them company while they waited, and became their friend. After seeing that Elwë disappeared, they made Olwë their only [[High King]].

Later, when Ulmo arrived again with the island ferry, most of the Teleri agreed to travel. Again, there were some who wanted to stay with Ossë, and they were known as [[Falathrim]], led by [[Círdan]]. The folk who remained with Elwë and Círdan became collectively known as the [[Sindar]].

=== After the Great Journey ===

The island was stabilized by Ulmo near the [[Bay of Eldamar]], and it was named [[Tol Eressëa]], ''The Lonely Island''. Teleri lived there for many years until they felt that they should see other [[Eldar]] who lived in Aman proper. With the help of Ossë they built ships and traveled to the coasts of Aman, where they dwelt. There Olwë built [[Alqualondë]], the greatest city of Teleri, and its people were united with the people of [[Tirion]] and [[Finwë]].

Later, when [[Melkor]] stole the [[Silmarils]], The [[Noldor]] led by [[Fëanor]] demanded that the Teleri let them use their ships. When the Teleri refused, they took the ships by force, committing the [[First Kinslaying]]. For this reason few or none of the Teleri joined the host of the [[Valar]] which set out to capture [[Morgoth]] for good. It is recounted that the Teleri eventually forgave the Noldor for the Kinslayings, and the two kindreds were at peace again.

==Sundering of Teleri==
* '''[[Falmari]]'''. Led by Olwë, they were the only [[Calaquendi]] of the Teleri clan. They lived in Tol Eressëa and in along the east shores of Aman.

*'''[[Nandor]]''' Teleri who abandoned the Great Journey near river Anduin.
**'''[[Laiquendi]]''' The Elves of [[Ossiriand]], who were themselves Nandor.

*'''[[Sindar]]''' All Teleri who remained in Beleriand. The Sindar of [[Beleriand]] called themselves simply ''[[Sindar|Edhil]]'', which means ''Elves'', and is related to the Quenya word ''Eldar'' of the same meaning.

==Language==
The Teleri spoke the [[Common Telerin]] language during the Journey, from which [[Sindarin]] and [[Nandorin]] were derived, as well as the [[Telerin]] of Aman, often considered a dialect of [[Quenya]] (if only by virtue that it preserved the more archaic Common Eldarin features than any other language and remained intelligible with Quenya).

==Etymology==
Teleri is the plural of Teler which means "last", root [[TEL]].

Equivalent names were ''[[Nelyar]], [[Lindar]]'' or ''[[Glinnel|Glinnil]]''

In ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' the word Teleri refers both to the Third Clan in general, and that branch that made it to Aman, taken from the Vanyar and Noldor point of view; particularly the Teleri of Aman were called [[Falmari]].

==Other versions of the legendarium==
In the early versions of Tolkien's mythology (see: ''[[The History of Middle-earth]]''), they were known as '''''Solosimpi''''' ("Pipers of the Shores"), while the name ''Teleri'' was given to the clan of Elves known in the published version of ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' as [[Vanyar]].

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Anya Valle - Telerin Elf maiden.jpg | A typical Telerin Elf maiden.
Image:Ted Nasmith - The Ships of the Teleri Drawn by Swans.jpg | [[Falmari]]
Image:Rob Alexander - Elven Cloak.jpg | [[Nandor]]
Image:Grant Gould - LotR Elf.jpg | [[Sindar]]
Image:PJ's LotR - Celeborn1.jpg | [[Celeborn]]
Image:Hope Hoover - Cirdan sketch.jpg | [[Círdan]]
Image:Marya Filatova - Earwen.jpg | [[Eärwen]]
Image:Felix Sotomayor - Elu Thingol.jpg | [[Elwë]]
Image:Grant Gould - Legolas.jpg | [[Legolas]]
Image:Sirielle OlweBeleriand.jpg | [[Olwë]]
Image:Thranduil from Rankin-Bass' The Hobbit.jpg | [[Thranduil]] (just kidding)
Image:Anna Lee - Thranduil and Legolas.jpg | [[Thranduil]]
Image:Anya Valle - Celebrian.jpg | [[Celebrían]] (3/4)
Image:Anya Valle - Elwing.jpg | [[Elwing]] (5/8)
Image:Finduilas by lilie morhiril.jpg | [[Finduilas of Nargothrond|Finduilas]] (5/8)
Image:Soni - Gil-galad at the Last Alliance.jpg | [[Gil-galad]] (5/8)
Image:Peter Jackson's Arwen.jpg | [[Arwen]] (17/32)
Image:Elladan - Farien Narquelie.jpg | [[Elladan]] (17/32)
Image:Hope Hoover - Elrohir.jpg | [[Elrohir]] (17/32)
Image:Marya Filatova - Aikanaro.jpg | [[Aegnor]] (1/2)
Image:Marya Filatova - Angrod son of Finarfin.jpg | [[Angrod]] (1/2)
Image:Anna Lee - Finrod.jpg | [[Finrod]] (1/2)
Image:Sylvia Polster - Galadriel.jpg | [[Galadriel]] (1/2)
Image:Anya Valle - Luthien.png | [[Lúthien]] (1/2)
Image:Elrond.jpg | [[Elrond]] (5/16)
Image:Hope Hoover - Elros sketch.jpg | [[Elros]] (5/16)
Image:Eldarion from Peter Jackson's The Return of the King.jpg | [[Eldarion]] (>17/64)
Image:Unknown Artist - Dior.jpg | [[Dior]] (1/4)
Image:Marya Filatova - Orodreth.jpg | [[Orodreth]] (1/4)
</gallery>

{{references}}
* {{HM|S}}, "[[Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor]]"
* {{HM|S}}, "[[Of Thingol and Melian]]"
* {{HM|S}}, "[[Of Eldamar and the Princes of the Eldalië]]"


[[Category:Elves]]
[[category:Quenya nouns]]
[[de:Teleri]]
[[fr:encyclo:peuples:elfes:teleri:teleri]]
[[fi:Teleri (kansa)]]

Forums:Character top portraits

2010-03-04T06:03:56Z

Gilgamesh:

Forums:Character top portraits

2010-03-04T05:56:37Z

Gilgamesh:

2010-03-04T02:32:46Z

Gilgamesh:

[[Image:Canon Scale - 2.jpg|center]]

'''Olórë Mallë''' also known as the ''Path of Dreams'' was a path made by [[Lórien (Valinor)|Lórien]] from the [[Great Lands]] to [[Valinor]]. Lórien created the path at the bidding of [[Manwë]] who looked with sorrow upon the hiding of Valinor. It was a road by which the children of [[Men]] would at times come to Valinor in their sleep. It was a lane of deep banks and great overhanging hedges, beyond which stood many tall trees wherein a perpetual whisper seemed to live. Great glow-worms crept about its grassy borders. At the end of the lane stood a high gate of lattice-work that shone golden in the dusk. The gate opened up to winding paths leading into the fairest of all the gardens, and amidmost of the garden stood a white cottage, ''The Cottage of the Children''.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Olore Malle}}
[[Category:Roads]]
[[Category:Concepts]]
[[Category:Arda]]
[[Category:Quenya locations]]
[[de:Olóre Malle]]

Category:Images of Eldamar

2010-03-04T02:29:11Z

Gilgamesh: New page: Images of Eldamar. Eldamar Images

Images of [[Eldamar]].
[[Category:Images of Aman| Eldamar]]
[[Category:Eldamar| Images]]

Tolkien Gateway:IPA

2010-02-28T01:08:31Z

Gilgamesh: /* Khuzdul */

These are charts for pronouncing some of the principal [[languages]] of [[Arda]] using the [[Wikipedia:International Phonetic Alphabet|International Phonetic Alphabet]]. Many of these IPA articulations are going to be 100% ''exact'' (there are no laboratory recordings of the speech of real-life [[Eldar]], considering they are fictional), but they are phonemic.

==Charts==

===[[Adûnaic]]===
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Spelling
!IPA
!Notes
|-
| '''A, a''' || {{IPA|[a]}} || Short vowel.
|-
| '''Â, â''' || {{IPA|[aː]}} || Long vowel.
|-
| '''B, b''' || {{IPA|[b]}}
|-
| '''bb''' || {{IPA|[bː]}} || Geminate consonant.
|-
| '''D, d''' || {{IPA|[d]}}
|-
| '''dd''' || {{IPA|[dː]}} || Geminate consonant.
|-
| '''Ê, ê''' || {{IPA|[eː]}} || '''ê''' is how '''ai''' are pronounced together. There is (properly) no short '''e'''. The name ''[[Zimraphel]]'' may be an exception, though it may also actually be ''Zimraphêl''.
|-
| '''G, g''' || {{IPA|[ɡ]}}
|-
| '''gg''' || {{IPA|[ɡː]}} || Geminate consonant.
|-
| '''H, h''' || {{IPA|[h]}}
|-
| '''I, i''' || {{IPA|[i]}} || Short vowel.
|-
| '''Î, î''' || {{IPA|[iː]}} || Long vowel.
|-
| '''K, k''' || {{IPA|[k]}}
|-
| '''Kh, kh''' || {{IPA|[x]}}
|-
| '''kk''' || {{IPA|[kː]}} || Geminate consonant.
|-
| '''kkh''' || {{IPA|[kx]}} || Geminate consonant of '''kh'''.
|-
| '''L, l''' || {{IPA|[l]}}
|-
| '''ll''' || {{IPA|[lː]}} || Geminate consonant.
|-
| '''M, m''' || {{IPA|[m]}}
|-
| '''mm''' || {{IPA|[mː]}} || Geminate consonant.
|-
| '''N, n''' || {{IPA|[n]}}
|-
| '''nn''' || {{IPA|[nː]}} || Geminate consonant.
|-
| '''Ô, ô''' || {{IPA|[oː]}} || '''ô''' is how '''au''' are pronounced together. There is no short '''o'''.
|-
| '''P, p''' || {{IPA|[p]}}
|-
| '''Ph, ph''' || {{IPA|[f]}}
|-
| '''pp''' || {{IPA|[pː]}} || Geminate consonant.
|-
| '''pph''' || {{IPA|[pf]}} || Geminate consonant of '''ph'''.
|-
| '''R, r''' || {{IPA|[r]}}
|-
| '''rr''' || {{IPA|[rː]}} || Geminate consonant.
|-
| '''S, s''' || {{IPA|[s]}}
|-
| '''Sh, sh''' || {{IPA|[ʃ]}}
|-
| '''ss''' || {{IPA|[sː]}} || Geminate consonant.
|-
| '''T, t''' || {{IPA|[t]}}
|-
| '''Th, th''' || {{IPA|[θ]}}
|-
| '''tt''' || {{IPA|[tː]}} || Geminate consonant.
|-
| '''tth''' || {{IPA|[tθ]}} || Geminate consonant of '''th'''.
|-
| '''U, u''' || {{IPA|[u]}} || Short vowel.
|-
| '''Û, û''' || {{IPA|[uː]}} || Long vowel.
|-
| '''V, v''' || {{IPA|[v]}}
|-
| '''W, w''' || {{IPA|[w]}}
|-
| '''Y, y''' || {{IPA|[j]}}
|-
| '''Z, z''' || {{IPA|[z]}}
|}

===[[Khuzdul]]===
Note that there is no '''p''' or '''ph''' in Khuzdul.
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Spelling
!IPA
!Notes
|-
| '''A, a''' || {{IPA|[a]}} || Short vowel.
|-
| '''Â, â''' || {{IPA|[aː]}} || Long vowel.
|-
| '''B, b''' || {{IPA|[b]}}
|-
| '''D, d''' || {{IPA|[d]}}
|-
| '''dd''' || {{IPA|[dː]}} || Geminate consonant.
|-
| '''E, e''' || {{IPA|[e]}} || Short vowel.
|-
| '''Ê, ê''' || {{IPA|[eː]}} || Long vowel.
|-
| '''F, f''' || {{IPA|[f]}}
|-
| '''G, g''' || {{IPA|[ɡ]}}
|-
| '''gg''' || {{IPA|[ɡː]}} || Geminate consonant.
|-
| '''Gh, gh''' || {{IPA|[ɣ]}}
|-
| '''H, h''' || {{IPA|[h]}}
|-
| '''I, i''' || {{IPA|[i]}} || Short vowel.
|-
| '''Î, î''' || {{IPA|[iː]}} || Long vowel.
|-
| '''K, k''' || {{IPA|[k]}}
|-
| '''Kh, kh''' || {{IPA|[kʰ]}}
|-
| '''kk''' || {{IPA|[kː]}} || Geminate consonant.
|-
| '''kkh''' || {{IPA|[kʰː]}} || Geminate consonant.
|-
| '''L, l''' || {{IPA|[l]}}
|-
| '''ll''' || {{IPA|[lː]}} || Geminate consonant.
|-
| '''M, m''' || {{IPA|[m]}}
|-
| '''mm''' || {{IPA|[mː]}} || Geminate consonant.
|-
| '''N, n''' || {{IPA|[n]}}
|-
| '''nn''' || {{IPA|[nː]}} || Geminate consonant.
|-
| '''O, o''' || {{IPA|[o]}} || Short vowel.
|-
| '''Ô, ô''' || {{IPA|[oː]}} || Long vowel.
|-
| '''R, r''' || {{IPA|[r]}}
|-
| '''rr''' || {{IPA|[rː]}} || Geminate consonant.
|-
| '''S, s''' || {{IPA|[s]}}
|-
| '''Sh, sh''' || {{IPA|[ʃ]}}
|-
| '''ss''' || {{IPA|[sː]}} || Geminate consonant.
|-
| '''T, t''' || {{IPA|[t]}}
|-
| '''Th, th''' || {{IPA|[tʰ]}}
|-
| '''tt''' || {{IPA|[tː]}} || Geminate consonant.
|-
| '''tth''' || {{IPA|[tʰː]}} || Geminate consonant.
|-
| '''U, u''' || {{IPA|[u]}} || Short vowel.
|-
| '''Û, û''' || {{IPA|[uː]}} || Long vowel.
|-
| '''Y, y''' || {{IPA|[j]}}
|-
| '''Z, z''' || {{IPA|[z]}}
|}

===[[Quenya]]===
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Spelling
!IPA
!Notes
|-
| '''A, a, ä''' || {{IPA|[a]}} || Short vowel.
|-
| '''Á, á''' || {{IPA|[aː]}} || Long vowel.
|-
| '''Ai, ai''' || {{IPA|[a͡ɪ]}} || Diphthong.
|-
| '''Au, au''' || {{IPA|[a͡ʊ]}} || Diphthong.
|-
| '''b''' || {{IPA|[b]}}
|-
| '''C, c''' || {{IPA|[k]}}
|-
| '''cc''' || {{IPA|[kː]}} || Geminate consonant.
|-
| '''d''' || {{IPA|[d]}}
|-
| '''E, e, ë''' || {{IPA|[e]}} || Short vowel.
|-
| '''É, é''' || {{IPA|[eː]}} || Long vowel.
|-
| '''Eu, eu''' || {{IPA|[e͡ʊ]}} || Diphthong.
|-
| '''F, f''' || {{IPA|[ɸ~f]}} || The [[Vanyar]] pronounce this {{IPA|[ɸ]}}. The [[Ñoldor]] and [[Middle-earth]] pronounce this {{IPA|[f]}}.
|-
| '''Ȝ, ȝ''' || {{IPA|[ɣ]}} || Extinct phoneme which still existed in the written Quenya of [[Rúmil (Elf of Tirion)|Rúmil]]'s [[sarati]].
|-
| '''H, h''' || {{IPA|[x~h]}} || There are two pronunciations of this—{{IPA|[x]}} and {{IPA|[h]}}—but they are actually allophones of the same phoneme. The [[Vanyar]] use {{IPA|[x]}} in all places. The [[Ñoldor]] also use {{IPA|[x]}} for '''h''', but pronounce it {{IPA|[h]}} at the beginnings of words. By the [[Third Age]] in [[Middle-earth]], '''h''' is {{IPA|[h]}} in every position before a vowel.
|-
| '''Hl, hl''' || {{IPA|[ɬ~l]}} || Traditionally {{IPA|[ɬ]}}. By the [[Third Age]] in [[Middle-earth]], it is pronounced {{IPA|[l]}}.
|-
| '''Hr, hr''' || {{IPA|[r̥]}}
|-
| '''ht''' || {{IPA|[xt, çt~ʃt]}} || Pronounced {{IPA|[xt]}} after one of '''a o u''', but {{IPA|[çt~ʃt]}} after one of '''e i'''. For the latter, {{IPA|[çt]}} is traditional, but [[Gondor]] pronounces it {{IPA|[ʃt]}}.
|-
| '''Hw, hw''' || {{IPA|[ʍ]}} || Labiovelar consonant, not a cluster.
|-
| '''I, i''' || {{IPA|[i]}} || Short vowel.
|-
| '''Í, í''' || {{IPA|[iː]}} || Long vowel.
|-
| '''Iu, iu''' || {{IPA|[i͡ʊ]}} || Diphthong.
|-
| '''K, k''' || {{IPA|[k]}} || Alternate spelling of '''c'''.
|-
| '''kk''' || {{IPA|[kː]}} || Alternate spelling of '''cc'''.
|-
| '''L, l''' || {{IPA|[l]}}
|-
| '''ll''' || {{IPA|[lː]}} || Geminate consonant.
|-
| '''M, m''' || {{IPA|[m]}}
|-
| '''mm''' || {{IPA|[mː]}} || Geminate consonant.
|-
| '''N, n''' || {{IPA|[n]}}
|-
| '''Ñ, ñ''' || {{IPA|[ŋ]}}
|-
| '''nc''' || {{IPA|[ŋk]}}
|-
| '''Ng, ng''' || {{IPA|[ŋɡ, ŋ]}} || Normally {{IPA|[ŋɡ]}}. If this occurs at the beginning of a word, it is an alternate spelling of '''ñ''' and is pronounced {{IPA|[ŋ]}}.
|-
| '''Ngw, ngw''' || {{IPA|[ŋʷɡʷ, ŋʷ]}} || Normally {{IPA|[ŋʷɡʷ]}}. If this occurs at the beginning of a word, it is an alternate spelling of '''ñw''' and is pronounced {{IPA|[ŋʷ]}}.
|-
| '''nk''' || {{IPA|[ŋk]}} || Alternate spelling of '''nc'''.
|-
| '''nn''' || {{IPA|[nː]}} || Geminate consonant.
|-
| '''nqu''' || {{IPA|[ŋʷkʷ]}}
|-
| '''Nw, nw''' || {{IPA|[nˠʷ, nw]}} || This is {{IPA|[nˠʷ]}} at the beginnings of words, and {{IPA|[nw]}} elsewhere.
|-
| '''Ñw, ñw''' || {{IPA|[ŋʷ]}}
|-
| '''O, o, ö''' || {{IPA|[o]}} || Short vowel.
|-
| '''Ó, ó''' || {{IPA|[oː]}} || Long vowel.
|-
| '''Oi, oi''' || {{IPA|[o͡ɪ]}} || Diphthong.
|-
| '''P, p''' || {{IPA|[p]}}
|-
| '''pp''' || {{IPA|[pː]}} || Geminate consonant.
|-
| '''Qu, qu''' || {{IPA|[kʷ]}} || Labiovelar consonant, not a cluster.
|-
| '''R, r''' || {{IPA|[r]}}
|-
| '''rr''' || {{IPA|[rː]}} || Geminate consonant.
|-
| '''S, s''' || {{IPA|[s]}}
|-
| '''ss''' || {{IPA|[sː]}} || Geminate consonant.
|-
| '''T, t''' || {{IPA|[t]}}
|-
| '''Th, th''' || {{IPA|[θ]}} || Alternate spelling of '''þ'''.
|-
| '''tt''' || {{IPA|[tː]}} || Geminate consonant.
|-
| '''U, u''' || {{IPA|[u]}} || Short vowel.
|-
| '''Ú, ú''' || {{IPA|[uː]}} || Long vowel.
|-
| '''Ui, ui''' || {{IPA|[u͡ɪ]}} || Diphthong.
|-
| '''V, v''' || {{IPA|[β~v]}} || The [[Vanyar]] pronounce this {{IPA|[β]}}. The [[Ñoldor]] and [[Middle-earth]] pronounce this {{IPA|[v]}}.
|-
| '''W, w''' || {{IPA|[w]}}
|-
| '''x''' || {{IPA|[ks]}} || This is actually shorthand for '''cs''' or '''ks'''. It is a consonant cluster.
|-
| '''Y, y''' || {{IPA|[j, ʲ]}} || As a consonant in its own right, '''y''' is {{IPA|[j]}}. But immediately after another consonant, '''y''' is not a consonant of its own, and palatalizes the preceding consonant or consonant cluster—see the relevant entries in this chart.
|-
| '''z''' || {{IPA|[z]}}
|-
| '''Þ, þ''' || {{IPA|[θ]}}
|-
| '''þþ''' || {{IPA|[θː]}} || Geminate consonant.
|}
====palatalized consonants====
When a consonant or consonant cluster is followed by '''y''', then the '''y''' is not a consonant in its own right and the consonant or cluster preceding it is instead palatalized.
*Not all palatalized consonants are attested in official sources, but many are possible in original texts because of Quenya grammar. When a consonant cluster is palatalized, every consonant in the cluster is palatalized.
*Note the absence of '''cy gy'''—they are forbidden, instead becoming '''ty dy'''. Likewise, the clusters '''ncy ngy''' become '''nty ndy''' among the [[Vanyar]], or '''nty ny''' among the [[Ñoldor]].
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Spelling
!IPA
!Notes
|-
| '''by''' || {{IPA|[bʲ]}}
|-
| '''dy''' || {{IPA|[ɟ~dʒ]}} || '''gy''' becomes this. {{IPA|[ɟ]}} is traditional.
|-
| '''fy''' || {{IPA|[ɸʲ~fʲ]}}
|-
| '''Hy, hy''' || {{IPA|[ç~ʃ]}} || [[Gondor]] pronounces this {{IPA|[ʃ]}}.
|-
| '''ky''' || || An extremely anomalous example found only in a single morpheme, ''[[kyermë]]'', attested only in [[Númenor]] where Quenya is ceremonial and not spoken as an everyday language. Considering the noted errors encountered in Númenórean Quenya (''[[Elendil]]'' was intended to mean "elf-friend" but actually means "star-friend") and the suspicion that this particular ''ky'' is actually a mistaken ''hy'', it is highly unlikely that ''ky'' exists in polished Quenya. A substitution of ''ty'' is recommended for ''k+y'' synthesis.
|-
| '''ly''' || {{IPA|[ʎ]}}
|-
| '''my''' || {{IPA|[mʲ]}}
|-
| '''Ny, ny''' || {{IPA|[ɲ]}}
|-
| '''py''' || {{IPA|[pʲ]}}
|-
| '''ry''' || {{IPA|[rʲ]}}
|-
| '''sy''' || {{IPA|[ɕ]}}
|-
| '''Ty, ty''' || {{IPA|[c~tʃ]}} || '''cy''' or '''ky''' become this. {{IPA|[c]}} is traditional. [[Gondor]] pronounces this {{IPA|[tʃ]}}.
|-
| '''vy''' || {{IPA|[βʲ~vʲ]}}
|-
| '''zy''' || {{IPA|[ʑ]}}
|}

====additional notes====
* Syllable stress is not phonemic in Quenya, but the language does have a well-defined syllable stress which is fairly predictable.
** In words with two syllables, the first syllable is stressed.
** In words with three or more syllables, the antepenultimate (third-to-last) syllable is ''usually'' stressed. However:
** If the penultimate (second-to-last) syllable is either a long vowel, a diphthong, or ends with a consonant cluster (including '''x''', but not '''hw''' or '''qu''' or a single palatalized consonant), then this syllable is stressed.

===[[Sindarin]]===
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Spelling
!IPA
!Notes
|-
| '''A, a, ä''' || {{IPA|[a]}} || Short vowel.
|-
| '''Á, á''' || {{IPA|[aː]}} || Long vowel.
|-
| '''Â, â''' || {{IPA|[aːː]}} || Extra-long vowel.
|-
| '''Ae, ae''' || {{IPA|[a͡ɛ]}} || Diphthong. This is similar in sound to '''ai''', but is distinguished by ending with a more open vowel.
|-
| '''Ai, ai''' || {{IPA|[a͡ɪ]}} || Diphthong.
|-
| '''Au, au, Aw, aw''' || {{IPA|[a͡ʊ]}} || Diphthong.
|-
| '''B, b''' || {{IPA|[b]}}
|-
| '''C, c''' || {{IPA|[k]}}
|-
| '''Ch, ch''' || {{IPA|[x~h]}} || {{IPA|[x]}} is traditional. [[Gondor]] pronounces this {{IPA|[h]}}.
|-
| '''D, d''' || {{IPA|[d]}}
|-
| '''Dh, dh''' || {{IPA|[ð]}} || In some circumstances, '''dh''' is actually the consonant cluster '''d-h''', pronounced as two separate letters.
|-
| '''E, e, ë''' || {{IPA|[e]}} || Short vowel.
|-
| '''É, é''' || {{IPA|[eː]}} || Long vowel.
|-
| '''Ê, ê''' || {{IPA|[eːː]}} || Extra-long vowel.
|-
| '''Ei, ei''' || {{IPA|[e͡ɪ]}} || Diphthong.
|-
| '''F, f''' || {{IPA|[f, v]}} || Pronounced {{IPA|[f]}} normally, but is {{IPA|[v]}} before '''n''' and at the ends of words.
|-
| '''G, g''' || {{IPA|[ɡ]}}
|-
| '''H, h''' || {{IPA|[h]}}
|-
| '''Hw, hw''' || {{IPA|[ʍ]}}
|-
| '''I, i''' || {{IPA|[i, j]}} || Short vowel. Pronounced {{IPA|[j]}} when unstressed neighboring another vowel (where practical—in names like ''[[Galadriel]]'' it might not be). Pronounced {{IPA|[i]}} elsewhere.
|-
| '''Í, í''' || {{IPA|[iː]}} || Long vowel.
|-
| '''Î, î''' || {{IPA|[iːː]}} || Extra-long vowel.
|-
| '''L, l''' || {{IPA|[l]}}
|-
| '''Lh, lh''' || {{IPA|[ɬ]}} || In some circumstances, '''lh''' is actually the consonant cluster '''l-h''', pronounced as two separate letters.
|-
| '''ll''' || {{IPA|[lː]}} || Geminate consonant.
|-
| '''M, m''' || {{IPA|[m]}}
|-
| '''Mh, mh''' || {{IPA|[ṽ]}} || An older Sindarin consonant that soon becomes '''v'''. Also, in some circumstances, '''mh''' is actually the consonant cluster '''m-h''', pronounced as two separate letters.
|-
| '''mm''' || {{IPA|[mː]}} || Geminate consonant.
|-
| '''N, n''' || {{IPA|[n]}}
|-
| '''nc''' || {{IPA|[ŋk]}}
|-
| '''Ng, ng''' || {{IPA|[ŋɡ, ŋ]}} || Normally pronounced {{IPA|[ŋ]}}, but is {{IPA|[ŋɡ]}} between two vowels.
|-
| '''nn''' || {{IPA|[nː]}} || Geminate consonant.
|-
| '''O, o, ö''' || {{IPA|[o]}} || Short vowel.
|-
| '''Ó, ó''' || {{IPA|[oː]}} || Long vowel.
|-
| '''Ô, ô''' || {{IPA|[oːː]}} || Extra-long vowel.
|-
| '''Oe, oe''' || {{IPA|[o͡e, ø~e]}} || Confusingly, this represents two sounds in [[First Age]] Sindarin. {{IPA|[oe]}} is a diphthong, and {{IPA|[ø]}} is a single vowel. The latter later becomes pronounced and written like '''e'''. Perhaps the most famous word known to be spelled with '''oe''' as {{IPA|[ø]}} is ''[[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]]''.
|-
| '''P, p''' || {{IPA|[p]}}
|-
| '''Ph, ph''' || {{IPA|[fː, f]}} || Normally pronounced {{IPA|[fː]}}, but is {{IPA|[f]}} at the end of a word. In some circumstances, ''ph'' is actually the consonant cluster ''p-h'', pronounced as two separate letters.
|-
| '''R, r''' || {{IPA|[r]}}
|-
| '''Rh, rh''' || {{IPA|[r̥]}} || In some circumstances, '''rh''' is actually the consonant cluster '''r-h''', pronounced as two separate letters.
|-
| '''rr''' || {{IPA|[rː]}} || Geminate consonant.
|-
| '''S, s''' || {{IPA|[s]}}
|-
| '''ss''' || {{IPA|[sː]}} || Geminate consonant.
|-
| '''T, t''' || {{IPA|[t]}}
|-
| '''Th, th''' || {{IPA|[θ]}}
|-
| '''U, u''' || {{IPA|[u]}} || Short vowel.
|-
| '''Ú, ú''' || {{IPA|[uː]}} || Long vowel.
|-
| '''Û, û''' || {{IPA|[uːː]}} || Extra-long vowel.
|-
| '''Ui, ui''' || {{IPA|[u͡ɪ]}} || Diphthong.
|-
| '''V, v''' || {{IPA|[v]}}
|-
| '''W, w''' || {{IPA|[w]}}
|-
| '''Y, y''' || {{IPA|[y~i]}} || Short vowel. The traditional pronunciation is {{IPA|[y]}}. By the [[Third Age]], all varieties of {{IPA|[y]}} become pronounced {{IPA|[i]}} instead.
|-
| '''Ý, ý''' || {{IPA|[yː~iː]}} || Long vowel.
|-
| '''Ŷ, ŷ''' || {{IPA|[yːː~iːː]}} || Extra-long vowel.
|}
====additional notes====
*Sindarin has a very predictable syllable stress pattern, which is virtually identical to [[#Quenya|Quenya]]'s.

==References==
* [http://folk.uib.no/hnohf/ Ardalambion]

[[Category:Linguistics|IPA]]