Gandalf the Grey

Once a powerful spirit of Valinor, Gandalf the Grey, played a pivotal role in Middle-earth’s fate. He quietly guided both the great and wise leaders of Middle-earth and the ordinary people, showing his ability to find strength in the humble. As Gandalf transformed from Grey to White, he became the symbol of resilience against evil and a beacon of hope in the face of darkness.

Gandalf the Grey was one of the five great spirits that were sent to Middle-earth to contend against the might of Sauron as he began to gather his power once more.

Origins of Gandalf the Grey

Gandalf the Grey was a great spirit of the order of the Maiar who served the Valar in Arda. He was one of the spirits of the Ainur who were created by Ilúvatar before the Music of the Ainur. Wisest among the spirits of the Maiar, he was one of the Ainur who entered Eä, the physical realm and descended into Arda to shape it.

In the early history of Arda, Gandalf existed in Valinor as the spirit Olórin and served the Vala Manwë, though he lived in the gardens of Lórien where the Valar Irmo and Nienna had their home. In Lórien he was tutored by Nienna, the patron of mercy and pity, whose lessons served him well ages later during his mission in Middle-earth. He is also associated with Varda, the Lady of the Stars.

After the the Valar Orome discovered the first Elves who rose around the shores of Lake Cuiviénen, Olórin was one of the Five Guardians sent there to guard the Elves from the forces of Melkor. When the Valar invited the Elves to go settle in Valinor, the five guardians on the Great Journey to the Undying Lands.

Along the journey, he fell in love with the Elves, and throughout his early life, he walked among them as a spirit, unseen by their eyes, sending them fair visions in their hearts that made them wiser. Sometimes, he went among them wearing a physical form, a fana, that appeared like an Elf. Throughout his existence and his mission in Middle-earth, he followed the example of Nienna, taking pity on the sorrows of the free peoples and drawing those who listened to him out of despair.

Gandalf Arrives in Middle-Earth

As the malicious power and dark influence of the fallen Maia Sauron began to grow again in Middle-earth during the Third Age, the Vala Manwë convened a council of the Valar where they created the order of the Istari, made up of Maia spirits who were to act as missionaries to, and guardians of, the free peoples of Middle-earth to aid them in their fight against Sauron and his influence. Though selected by Manwë himself, he did not wish to go because he feared Sauron. Manwë saw his fear as the best reason for him to be included in the mission.

Submitting to the will of Manwë, Olórin departed Valinor to Mithlond in the year 1000 of the Third Age. He arrived shortly after two other Istari, Curumo and Aiwendil, at about the same time the Necromancer appeared in Mirkwood. Like the other Wizards, he took the shape of an elderly man, and he was dressed in a grey robe.

Arriving at Mithlond, Gandalf was welcomed by the mighty Elf Glorfindel, whom he had befriended in Valinor, who was sent to Middle-earth earlier on a similar mission, and Círdan the shipwright, who possessed Narya, one of the Three Elven Rings of Power. Due to his affinity to the Vala Ulmo, Lord of the Seas, and of prophecy, Círdan the Shipwright, a wise, far-seeing Elf, sensed divine strength, power, and wisdom within Gandalf.

Círdan also foresaw the future struggles Gandalf would face in his mission to oppose Sauron, so he gifted Gandalf with Narya, the Ring of Fire, which he had wielded till that point Círdan, promising that it would support him in his labors. Then Círdan said, “But as for me, my heart is with the Sea, and I will dwell by the grey shores until the last ship sails. I will await you.“

Gandalf traveled through Middle-earth, going about as a wanderer and counselor to the free folk. Unlike Saruman, he did not take up a single permanent residence. Gandalf never traveled to the east of Middle-earth, restricting his activities to the lands in the west of Middle-earth where the remnants of the Dúnedain, descendants of the Numenorean exiles, and the Eldar remained to oppose Sauron.

He was known by many names during the long years he remained in Middle-earth: the Elves knew him as Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgrim, while the Men of Arnor named him Gandalf, which became his most common name. He was also called Incánus by the Southrons and Tharkûn to the Dwarves.

Gandalf Opposes Sauron

In the year 1100 of the Third Age, a great evil took over Amon Lanc, an abandoned fortress of the Silvan Elves under King Oropher, and it was thereafter known as Dol Guldur, the Hill of Sorcery. The entity was soon known as the Necromancer, and he corrupted the massive Greenwood the Great and filled it with evil creatures and shadows. Though he was unsure, Gandalf suspected that Sauron might have returned to torment the world again.

The evil in Mirkwood continued to grow over the next 200 years, as well as the power of the one controlling it. Orcs multiplied in the Misty Mountains and in other deep places where they hid. The Witch-king of Angmar, the lord of the Nazgûl and the mightiest of Sauron’s servants, had built a fortress in Angmar in the Northern wastelands and waged unending war against the Numenorean Kingdom of Arnor. Around this time, the Dwarves of Moria awakened Durin’s Bane, leading to its fall.

Sauron also sent a large army of Orcs from Gorgoroth to attack Minas Ithil, and the fair city fell under the shadow. Sauron and his servants also spread plagues and waged war across Middle-earth. In the year 2063 of the Third Age, Gandalf infiltrated Dol Guldur to discover its secret, but the Necromancer fled, preventing Gandalf from discovering his identity. Peace returned for some centuries.

Known as the Watchful Peace, the peaceful period lasted for almost four hundred years, but the forces of evil were not idle. The Nazgûl had been preparing for Sauron’s return, which occurred in 2460. Realizing that evil had returned once again, the wisest of the Elf-lords and the leaders of the Istari formed the White Council. Galadriel, one of the mightiest Elves and bearer of Nenya, one of the Three Elven Rings, wished Gandalf to be the chief of the Council, but he refused the position so Saruman took this place because of his vast knowledge.

When King Thráin II, son of  Thrór, a Dwarf of Durin’s Folk from the Lonely Mountain, disappeared during a journey to Erebor, Gandalf went in search of him. He had suspected that Thráin was captured because of the Dwarven Ring of Power she bore. Around 2845, he entered the abandoned city of Khazad-dûm, but his search was in vain. Five years later, his search led him once more to Dol Guldur; this time, he infiltrated the fortress in secrecy. 

There in the dungeons he found Thráin, who gave him his last possessions, the map, and the key to Erebor, but the Ring of Power had been taken from him. Gandalf also discovered that the Necromancer was no other than Sauron himself, and he had taken the last of the Seven Dwarven Rings from Thráin. Sauron was gathering the remaining Rings of Power as he searched for his lost One Ring. Gandalf left Dol Guldur and returned to the White Council with his discoveries.

He urged the council to attack Sauron while the One Ring was still lost and Sauron’s power immature. But Saruman argued against him and said that it was better to watch and wait and that the One Ring had long ago been washed into the Sea. They were not aware that Saruman now wanted the Ring for himself and was secretly searching for it along the banks of the river Anduin.

The majority of the council agreed with Saruman. Elrond Half-elven, a powerful member of the council, privately told Gandalf he had a foreboding that the Ring would be found and that a great war to end the Age was coming. He feared that it would end in darkness and despair.

The Right Place at the Right Time

Gandalf had first met the shy and secretive Hobbits of the Shire during his wanderings in Eriador and had befriended them. He would occasionally return to participate in the parties thrown by the Old Took, where he thrilled young Hobbits with his fireworks and his stories about adventures and dragons. He was known as a troublemaker for putting the desire for adventure into the hearts of little Hobbits. It was there he met a relatively adventurous young Hobbit named Bilbo Baggins. 

With Sauron growing in power, Gandalf feared for the North in its weakened state. With the Dwarven kingdom of Erebor destroyed by the Dragon Smaug and the town of Dale cowed and defenseless, Gandalf feared that Sauron would take advantage of the desolation of the region around Erebor to try to regain the northern passes in the mountains and the old lands of Angmar. Gandalf knew that exiled Dwarven King-Under-The-Mountain, Thorin Oakenshield, planned to assail the mountain city and attempt to kill Smaug, but he knew that more needed to be done.

While heading to the Shire, Gandalf decided to spend the night in Bree, where he chanced across the Dwarven King. Thorin had been having a strange and strong urge to seek out Gandalf. Intrigued, Gandalf told Thorin that he had also been having the same urge to seek him. They decided to travel together since they were going in the same direction, each seeking to discuss their problems with the other.

Along their journey, Gandalf came up with a plan that involved Thorin killing the Dragon and reclaiming his throne and his family’s treasure, although the plan called for a burglar, one chosen by Gandalf himself. Gandalf felt that a Hobbit should be involved, and he remembered Bilbo Baggins and decided to pay him a visit with Thorin. Though he missed Bilbo, who had traveled to Rivendell to visit the Elves for the Elven New Year, he became confident that Bilbo was fit for the job. Returning later with the Dwarf Balin, Gandalf successfully convinced Bilbo to join them on the quest as a burglar.

Thorin and his company, along with Gandalf, first made for Rivendell. Along the way, Gandalf saved the Company from a group of stone trolls. From their treasure hoard, the Company retrieved the swords Orcrist and Glamdrig, and the dagger Sting, legendary Elven weapons forged in the Eldar days in Gondolin for use against the evil creatures of the Vala Morgoth.

Gandalf once again saved the Company when they were captured by Goblins when they unwittingly camped at the secret entrance to Goblin-town. Gandalf, who had evaded capture, launched a surprise attack on the Goblins, killing the Great Goblin and then leading the Dwarves to the exit. During the mayhem surrounding their capture, Bilbo lost his way and secretly acquired a magic ring that he claimed to have won from a creature named Gollum, though he had initially kept it secret from Gandalf.

They were aided in their escape by the Eagles who roosted on the peaks of the Misty Mountains, whose leader had befriended after he healed the Eagle lord of a poisoned wound. They rested in the Eagles’ eyrie, and the next day, they were dropped on the other side of the Mountains.

Gandalf left the Company on the outskirts of the Forest Gate, for he had urgent matters to attend to. He warned them to always stay on the road till they were clear of the dark forest and to never eat fruit or wild game from the forest, nor drink from its streams. The White Council had grown afraid of Sauron’s rising power, even though the One Ring was still lost to him.

Gandalf had at last been able to convince them to attack Dol Guldur. Gandalf and the other members of the White Council attacked Dol Guldur, but Sauron had anticipated the attack and fled to Mordor. The White Council destroyed the fortress, ridding the forest of Sauron’s evil. Gandalf soon received news of all that befell the Company in Mirkwood and their escape from the Wood-Elves’ custody.

Gandalf arrived at Erebor too late to help the quest; Thorin and his company had slain the dragon Smaug and reclaimed Erebor. But he had arrived just in time to prevent a battle between the Dwarves, the Men of Dale, and the Elves of Mirkwood. He warned them of an approaching army of Orcs and Wargs and called for a truce between the armies, and the Dwarves, Elves, and Men formed an alliance. The Orcs of the Misty Mountains were destroyed in the ensuing battle.

King Thorin sustained grievous wounds during the battle and died. After the funeral, his cousin Dáin Ironfoot was crowned in his place and became King-under-the-Mountain. Soon, Bilbo and Gandalf left Erebor for the Shire. Gandalf had accomplished two of his greatest goals: denying Sauron an important ally by causing the death of Smaug, and the destruction of Dol Guldur. But Gandalf and Galadriel agreed that it would have been better if Sauron had been destroyed before he had gathered his power.

The Return of the Dark Lord

The White Council had hoped that the attack on Dol Guldor would weaken Sauron and delay his return to power, but despite the Council’s hopes, Sauron was not weakened by this attack. He had foreseen he had anticipated the attack and prepared Mordor beforehand and had fled there when Dol Guldor was destroyed. Ten years later, the Dark lord Sauron declared himself openly in Mordor and rebuilt his old fortresses, including Barad-dûr.

Seeing the increasing danger, the White Council met again in 2953 to discuss the Rings of Power. Still deceitful, Saruman sought to allay their fears by claiming he had reliable information that the One Ring was lost in the Belegaer Sea. After their meeting, Saruman, jealous and afraid of Gandalf, set spies to watch all his movements. This had the unintended consequence of disrupting peace in the Shire and its surrounding areas, and Saruman discovered Gandalf’s interest in the Shire. As a result, he started sending agents to Bree and the Southfarthing.

Meanwhile, Gollum had left his cave in the Misty Mountains in search of Bilbo and his stolen Ring. As he traveled through Mirkwood, the Woodland Elves marked his passing and sent a message to Gandalf about his movements. But Gollum turned towards Mordor, and all news of him ceased, and soon Galdalf’s mind was overtaken by other matters.

Sauron soon began gathering his forces for the final assault against the armies of the West. Easterlings from Khand and beyond the Sea of Rhûn, joined by the Haradhrim reinforced his stronghold in Mordor; Orcs, trolls, and other foul beasts were multiplying while his minions were searching the Anduin for any sign of his precious One Ring.

A few years later during one of his visits to the Shire, Gandalf noticed that despite his advancing age, Bilbo remained youthful. He also began to worry about the magic ring Bilbo had obtained during their capture under the Misty Mountains, and he had begun to suspect that it was a Ring of Power. He recalled that Bilbo had lied to him at first that he had won the ring from Gollum before admitting that he had stolen it. He also saw how obsessed Bilbo was with the ring and the strange effects it was having on the Hobbit and he became suspicious.

Gandalf could see that Bilbo was very preoccupied with the ring. Such un-Hobbitlike behavior aroused his suspicions. After Bilbo’s Farewell Party, Gandalf convinced him to bequeath Frodo, his younger cousin, with the ring before leaving the Shire. He then warned Frodo to never use the ring.

Gandalf soon left the Shire to search for information about Bilbo’s Ring, and he resumed his search for Gollum. He sought the help of Aragorn, the hidden Heir of Isildur and a Ranger of the North, whom he had become friends with several years ago. The Rangers of the North were put to guard the Shire more closely. 

Gandalf showed up only three years later to check on Frodo and the Shire and continued for the next four years always turning up unexpectedly and disappearing before dawn. In 3009 he once again began hunting for Gollum with Aragorn, searching in the vales of Anduin, Mirkwood, Rhovanion, and even to the edges of Mordor. The search lasted eight years, for Gandalf did not know that Gollum had been captured by Sauron. Gandalf regretted ignoring Gollum for so many years, as his trail had become cold, causing Gandalf to endure many dark and dangerous days.

Gandalf’s search for lore about the ring led him to Minas Tirith, where, in 3017, he found the Scroll of Isildur, and from the scroll, he pieced together the missing history of the One Ring. On his way back to the Shire, he got word from the Galadhrim that Aragorn had finally captured Gollum and so he went to Mirkwood to meet him. For days he interrogated him to confirm what he already knew.

When he learned that Gollum had been held prisoner and tortured in the tower of Barad-dûr, Gandalf was overcome with fear. During Gollum’s torture, he had told Sauron about the magic ring, mentioning the Shire and the name Baggins. From the effects Gandalf saw in Gollum and Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf confirmed that Bilbo’s ring was not an ordinary Ring of Power, but Sauron’s Ruling Ring itself. Gandalf hastily returned to the Shire.

The Fellowship of the Ring

Upon his return to the Shire, Gandalf proves to Frodo that Bilbo’s ring is Sauron’s One Ring, which the Dark Lord of Mordor has been searching for. He told Frodo that he gathered much of this information by interrogating the creature Gollum. Dismayed, Frodo exclaimed that Bilbo should have killed Gollum in the caves under the Misty Mountains when he had the chance, but delivering a lesson on mercy, Gandalf speculated that perhaps Gollum still had a huge role to play before the end. He also told Frodo that it was not for him to decide who should live and who should die.

Fearing that the Shire was not safe anymore and that Frodo’s continued stay there would not only endanger him and his hometown but would also put the One Ring within Sauron’s easy reach, Gandalf suggested that Frodo should leave the Shire and take the Ring to Lord Elrond in Rivendell. Frodo decided he was going to leave after his next birthday under the guise of moving in with his mother’s kin in Buckland.

Gandalf then left for Sarn Ford where he once again met with Aragorn to inform him of Frodo’s plans. When he heard news of the wars of war in Gondor and a Black Shadow that struck fear into people’s minds, he decided to leave the Shire and head South. He promised to return in time for Frodo’s birthday so they could travel to Rivendell together.

As Gandalf wandered through Eriador gathering news from refugees of the war in Gondor, he met Radagast the Brown, who brought an urgent summons from Saruman. Radagast also warned him that the Ringwraiths were searching for the location of the Shire. He asked Radagast to send him news of Sauron’s actions at Orthanc.

Gandalf traveled to the Prancing Pony at Bree, where he left a letter with Barliman Butterbur urging Frodo to leave for Rivendell with haste and to seek out a man named Strider. Gandalf believed he would be able to catch up with them on the road to Rivendell. He also instructed Frodo to travel under the name “Mr. Underhill”. Sadly, Barliman forgot to send the letter to Frodo.

During Gandallf’s meeting with Saruman, the White Wizard revealed his desire for the One Ring to Gandalf. He made an offer of allyship with Gandalf and proposed that they take the Ring for themselves and seize power from Sauron. Horrified at Saruman’s words, Gandalf rejected the offer, so Saruman attacked him and imprisoned him at the pinnacle of Orthanc. 

Gwaihir, the Windlord, came to deliver news from Radagast, and, seeing Gandalf imprisoned at the pinnacle, rescued him. Gandalf hastily made for the Shire, because he knew that Frodo and the One Ring were in grave danger of being discovered by Sauron’s Nazgûl or the treacherous Saruman’s servants.

Gandalf traveled to Edoras, the home of the horse-lords in Rohan, hoping to find a strong steed that could carry him swiftly to the Shire. Seeing his need, King Théoden gifted him with Shadowfax, who was lord of the Mearas; a race of horses descended from the horses of the Valar. King Théoden would later regret this gift. Shadowfax bore Gandalf for the rest of his stay in Middle-earth.

Arriving at the Shire, Gandalf found that Frodo had left for Rivendell without him. He also learned that the Nazgûl, dressed as Black Riders, had been searching the area. Disturbed by the news, he set out for Bree where Barliman apologized for forgetting to send the letter.

He was worried about Frodo and his Hobbit companions who had left with Strider, the suspicious Ranger, but Gandalf was overjoyed by the news. After congratulating a puzzled Barliman, Gandalf slept the night at the inn, and, in the morning, he left for Weathertop, a high point in the region, to observe the surrounding area.

The Nazgûl also had the same idea and were also surveilling the area when Gandalf arrived. A great battle of light and flames ensued, but Gandalf overwhelmed them and drove them off. Aragorn and the Hobbits spied the battle from afar, but they did not know that Gandalf was involved. The next morning he marked some stones with the rune for G, leaving them for Aragorn and the Hobbits to find. He then left Weathertop, pursued by four Riders.

Several days later, Aragorn and the Hobbits were camping in Weathertop when they were attacked by the remaining five Nazgûl. Although they escaped, Frodo was stabbed by the Witch King with a Morgul blade. Gandalf evaded the four Nazgûl and safely reached Rivendell and was welcomed by Glorfindel, whom he sent to help bring Frodo safely to Rivendell. Several days later, an injured and dying Frodo arrived at the Ford of Bruinen, with the Nazgûl in hot pursuit. With Gandalf’s help, Elrond saves Frodo by awakening the enchanted river and sweeping them away.

As the fellowship left Rivendell, Gandalf contemplated the obstacles facing them. They had to cross the vast Misty Mountains because Gandalf was wary of leading the company through the Gaps of Rohan, which would take them too close to Isengard. He decided they would cross the Misty Mountain at the Redhorn Pass near the mountain peak Caradhras.

This plan failed when a massive storm began as they approached the peak, forcing them to turn back. Gimli convinced Gandalf to take the fellowship through the ruins of the ancient Dwarven kingdom, now called Moria. Gimli had the desire to investigate the whereabouts of his cousin Balin who had traveled to the ruins to refound the ancient kingdom. Gandalf and some other members of the fellowship were not so keen on the plan because they feared the dark, labyrinthine tunnels of Moria, and the dark creatures that live there. 

Gandalf had been to Moria centuries before in his search for Thrain and his Ring of Power, but he had entered through a different route. So as the fellowship got to the Doors of Durin, Gandalf had issues at first deciphering the password to open them. but after some delay, he spoke the password and then led the group into the darkness of Moria. Their exploration led them to the Chamber of Mazarbul, where Gandalf read the Book of Records, which revealed the fate of Balin, Gimli’s cousin who had led the ill-fated attempt to re-settle Moria. They were soon attacked by Orcs and they fled the chamber, heading to the eastern exit.

Gandalf felt a terrible power chasing after them, the dreaded Durin’s Bane. It caught up with the group at the Bridge of Khazad-dûm, which spanned a deep chasm. Gandalf and Legolas immediately recognized it as a Balrog; an immensely powerful, demon-like spirit of darkness created ages ago by the first Dark Lord, Morgoth. Facing the creature, Gandalf was forced to break the bridge upon which they both stood, leaving the beast to fall into a seemingly bottomless chasm. But the Balrog’s whip lashed out, and grasped Gandalf by the knees, causing him to fall into the pit.

Gandalf survived the fall and battled the Balrog in the deep bowels of the earth under the mountains. He tirelessly pursued the creature for eight days through the tunnels created by unknown burrowing things, and up the Endless Stair, the unbroken spiral that climbed from the roots of the mountains to the peak of Zirakzigil.

The Balrog spread out his dark wings once again and burst into flames as soon as it exited the stairs, and Gandalf battled it for two days and nights in Durin’s Tower, with ice, wind, and smoke swirling about them as they fought. Using the last burst of power within him, Gandalf defeated the Balrog, throwing it down the mountainside where its body broke. Gandalf’s spirit then left his exhausted and battered body, having sacrificed himself to save the Fellowship.

Gandalf the White

The mission of the Istari was failing. Saruman, the leader of the order, had been corrupted by his desire for the One Ring, Radagast had abandoned the mission, and the two Blue Wizards were lost. Being the only Istari who had tirelessly stayed true to the mission, Eru expanded Olórin’s wisdom and power, then sent him back to Middle-earth as Gandalf the White. As he was now the only active Istari in Middle-earth, he was granted the power to “reveal” more of his inner Maiar strength, although he seldom unveiled the naked power within him for the remainder of his time in Middle-earth, since his mission was still the same: to support and encourage those who opposed Sauron.

Gandalf was reincarnated where his body had died on the peaks of the Misty Mountains, where he lay shivering in the dreadful cold till the Windlord, Gwaihir, came to rescue him. The great Eagle flew him to Lothlórien, where he rested and was clothed. He was also gifted a new staff by the Lady Galadriel. Gandalf soon received news that Frodo had left the Fellowship and was traveling to Mount Doom.

As Frodo was beyond his assistance now, Gandalf left immediately and went south to Fangorn Forest, where he ran into the Three Hunters: Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli, and gave them messages from Galadriel. He learned from them that Samwise Gamgee left for Mordor with Frodo. Hearing this news pleased Gandalf.

The next day Gandalf called to Shadowfax, and the group rode for King Théoden’s halls in Edoras. There, they discovered that Gríma Wormtongue, Saruman’s spy, had manipulated the king’s mind, making him ineffective with fear and hopelessness. After deposing Wormtongue, Gandalf encouraged Théoden to declare war against Saruman. Gandalf knew now that a great war to end the age was beginning and that if Rohan fell to Saruman, there would be no hope for Gondor.

After Gandalf and King Théoden made a plan, the king took his forces and went west to the fortress of Helm’s Deep where he was quickly besieged by Saruman’s force. Gandalf then went in search of Erkenbrand, the lord of Westfold; together with Erkenbrand’s soldiers, they attacked Saruman’s forces from the rear and broke the siege of Helm’s Deep.

Treebeard, the tree shepherd, had gathered the Ents and Huorns against Isengard. Along with the Hobbits Merry and Pippin, the Ents moved against Saruman, shattering the outer walls of Isengard while the Huorns were sent against the orcs. The battle resulted in the complete annihilation of Saruman’s orcs.

After the battle, Gandalf took a small group, including Théoden and Aragorn, and went to Orthanc. He offered Saruman forgiveness, but Saruman contemptuously rejected it. Gandalf then broke his staff and cast him from the Order and the Council. Gandalf set the Ents to keep watch over Isengard, 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 onslaught from Mordor.

Siege of Minas Tirith

After Pippen had looked into the palantír of Orthanc and exposed himself to Sauron, Gandalf took the Hobbit with him as he traveled to Minas Tirith, the last stronghold of the Numenoreans. Soon after arriving, Gandalf spoke with the Steward of Gondor, Denethor II, learning of his deep sorrow and despondence over the death of his eldest son, Boromir. Seeing Denethor’s sorrow, Pippin begged to enter into the Steward’s service in payment for the death of Boromir. While the Steward accepted his fealty, he treated Pippin with disrespect and suspicion.

Gandalf unveiled his divine power for the first time when Faramir, the Steward Denethor’s younger son, was attacked by the Nazgûl as he and his soldiers retreated from Osgiliath after it had been captured by Orcs from Mordor. Gandalf rode out upon Shadowfax, shining like the rising sun, and drove the Nazgûl away. From Faramir, Gandalf learned that Frodo and Sam were still alive and were headed towards Mordor.

Led by the Witch-king, the forces of Mordor soon arrived at the city of Minas Tirith and the city was soon besieged by a vast force from Mordor, led by the Witch-king. Faramir was sent out again to defend the crossing over the Anduin at Osgiliath, but this ended up with the prince grievously wounded by a Morgul arrow, but a sortie led by Prince Imrahil saved him from certain death. As the siege progressed, Gandalf went about encouraging the defenders and giving them hope, his presence taking away the fear of the Nazgûl from the soldiers wherever he went.

Seeing multitudes of Sauron’s catapult raining flaming bolts on the city, which burned unchecked, and seeing his only son dying, Denethor became dismayed and lost all heart. Denethor then abandoned the defense of the city and its leadership, but Gandalf stepped in to rally the faltering defenders. When the forces of Mordor finally broke through the gates of Gondor with the enchanted battering ram Grond, Gandalf stood alone at the gateway, challenging the Witch-king. But before either of them could attack, the horns of Rohan sounded, signaling the arrival of the Rohirrim. Hearing this, the Witch-king departed from the gateway.

Before Gandalf could pursue, Pippin brought him news of Denethor’s intention to burn himself and Faramir on a funerary pyre like the heathen kings of old Numenor deceived by Sauron into worshipping Morgoth. Hearing this, Gandalf went with haste to the tombs, arriving on time to save Faramir, but he was unable to save Denethor, who died on the pyre clutching a palantír in his hands as he burned.

The Rohirrim carved into Sauron’s forces, and Éowyn and Merry defeated the Witch King, throwing their enemies into disarray. Aragorn arrived with a large force of relief soldiers, including Dunedain from the North, in a fleet of ships captured from pirates from Umbar. Aragorn’s forces completely defeated Sauron’s assault against Minas Tirith, relieving the city and breaking the siege. Sauron’s forces were routed and completely killed.

The Battle of the Morannon

The attack on Minas Tirith was but only a small part of Sauron’s grand plan to break the power of the men of the West and take dominion over all of Middle-earth. The Dark Lord had sent other armies north against the Dwarven kingdom of Erebor and the woodland realm of Thranduil in Mirkwood. He also sent Orcs against Lothlórien and other points along the Anduin. Even in his defeat, the Dark Lord still commanded vast armies of Orcs and Men and would move against Gondor again.

The lords of the West, Aragorn, Imrahil, and Éomer, chose Gandalf to be their leader in the coming final battles. This would be the of Gandalf’s action in fulfilling his mission in Middle-earth. Knowing that the fate of Middle-earth depended on the outcome of Frodo’s mission, Gandalf advised the lords to strike north to the gates of Mordor and draw Sauron’s attention away from Frodo’s movements in Mordor. He knew that the plan would likely lead to the defeat of the armies of the West, but it would buy time for Frodo to complete his mission and destroy the Ring.

Gandalf and Aragorn led the army of the West across the Anduin and marched on Mordor, occasionally announcing their coming. As they set up their armies, the Mouth of Sauron rode out to parley with them. Intending to frighten Gandalf and Aragorn, the Mouth revealed Frodo’s mithril coat and sword.

He implied that their owner was captured and tortured. He then proposed that the forces of the West surrender to Sauron and pay homage to him, but Gandalf was uncowed by his threats, Gandalf flung open his cloak and revealed his divine light. Seizing the opportunity, Gandalf reached forward and grabbed the belongings from the dazed Mouth, who returned to the fortress of Cirith Gorgor in fear. Sauron’s vast army of Orcs and Trolls soon attacked.

Sauron had fallen for Gandalf’s trap, for as Gandalf and the Mouth talked, Frodo and Sam were climbing up the slopes of Mount Doom. As the battle raged before the gates of Mordor, Frodo stood at the Crack of Doom. There, at the very spot where the One Ring was made, it finally overcame Frodo’s will with its lure, and he placed the Ring upon his finger, claiming it as his own. Immediately the Nazgûl were summoned from the battlefield by their lord, as he realized his terrible blunder: never calculating that his enemies intended to destroy his Ring.

Gandalf proved to be a being of great foresight. The creature Gollum had been trailing Frodo and Sam, and as Frodo claimed the One Ring for himself, Gollum attacked him, bit off his ring finger, and reclaimed the Ring. But while Gollum was celebrating his reunion with his, Precious slipped off the ledge and fell into the fires of Orodruin. As the One Ring was unmade, the fiery mountain erupted. The foundations of the tower of Barad-dûr and the Towers of the Teeth crumbled, and the towers collapsed. The Ring-wraiths burned out like shooting stars, and with Sauron’s power destroyed, he was reduced to a mere shadow of malice, never to torment the world again.

With Sauron’s power gone, his armies were scattered, and the forces of the Men of the West now set upon them with fury. Seeing that victory was achieved, Gandalf then mounted Gwaihir the Eagle for the third time and set out for Mount Doom in search of Frodo and Sam. To his great relief, the two were found on the slopes of Orodruin, clinging to life amid the volcanic eruptions. Gandalf’s mission on Middle-earth was complete.

End of the Order

Gandalf reunited with the rest of the Fellowship as they got back to Minas Tirith. Aragorn was crowned the ruler of the united kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor and was given the new name 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 ushering in the new Age of Men.

Soon after Aragorn’s coronation and wedding to Arwen, Gandalf and the rest of the remaining members of the Fellowship left Minas Tirith on the journey home. This was Gandalf’s last long journey in Middle-earth. His errand to Arda had been fulfilled; Sauron had been defeated.

One by one, he said farewell to his friends on the long journey as they each went their way until, at last, only the four Hobbits remained at his side. At the borders of the Shire, he went his way, too. He left the Hobbits to settle the affairs of the Shire themselves, for the scattered pieces of evil remaining in the world were no longer his concern, and then he went to the house of Tom Bombadil.

Gandalf met with Frodo in Mithlond two years later, and they journeyed together to the Grey Havens, where they would board the White Ship and sail to the Undying Lands. Now that Sauron was destroyed, Gandalf openly wore the Ring Narya upon his finger, and Shadowfax walked beside him.

He was finally going home after steadfastly carrying out his mission of enflaming the hearts of the free peoples of Middle-earth against Sauron’s evil. He said goodbye to Samwise, Merry, and Pippin then boarded the ship beside Frodo, Bilbo, Lord Elrond, and the Lady Galadriel. The ship passed west upon the Sea, taking the hidden straight path to Valinor.

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