The Secret Life of the Wizard

The Secret Life of the Wizard

Hello, Lord of the Rings Fans, and welcome to the life story of a wizard. But this isn’t any ordinary wizard. This wizard has defeated powerful enemies, he has powers that he didn’t even know he had and is extremely brave and wise. “Who is this powerful and brave wizard?” is what you might be asking, or “Hey, I know this guy!”. That’s right, it’s Gandalf! I’m going to tell you all about Gandalf’s life, from before the first age existed to the end of the third age. It’s also going to tell you about the wisdom & power Gandalf possesses.

Gandalf was a young man from outside Middle Earth. He was a Maiar, known as Olórin. His teachers (or mentors) Nienna, Varda and Manwë taught him wisdom and pity. When the Valar sent the order of the Istari (wizards) to Middle Earth, Manwë and Varda included Gandalf in the group of five wizards. When Gandalf arrived he was given Narya, the ring of fire. He spent many centuries walking among the elves, learning from them and teaching them at the same time. Later he revealed that he was one of the Istari, ultimately being known as the most powerful of the order. He later joined the White Council. Galadriel, a member of the council, wanted Gandalf to become the leader, but Saruman joined the council and became the leader. Although Saruman was more powerful and well informed than Gandalf, he grew envious of Gandalf, which was the reason of his betrayal.

Gandalf is a wizard, so he uses magic. All his magic comes from his trusty staff (and walking stick). Gandalf’s staff can illuminate, push foes back, call Shadowfax and Gwaihir and counter magical spells. These are the powers that he had on the Quest of Erebor. Gandalf travelled with Bilbo Baggins and thirteen Dwarves, to regain the Dwarfish treasure of the Lonely Mountain, which was stolen many years ago by the dragon Smaug. On this quest they found a sword called Glamdring, a sword called Sting and the One Ring, but at the time it is mistaken for a lesser ring. In the third age, Gandalf encountered Thráin II, father of Thorin Oakenshield, dying in Dol Guldur. Thráin then gave a map of Erebor to Gandalf.

Gandalf returned to the shire in Hobbiton for Bilbo Baggins’ Eleventy-First (111st) birthday, bringing many fireworks. There were many people, including Bilbo’s nephew, Frodo Baggins. After the party, Bilbo was saying his goodbyes to Gandalf, for he was planning to leave, and Bilbo began to change his mind about leaving his ring to Frodo. Gandalf tried to talk Bilbo out of it, but Bilbo became adverse, accusing Gandalf of planning to steal the ring for himself. Disgusted by Bilbo’s outburst, Gandalf rose to his full height and appeared frightening to Bilbo. Bilbo was stunned and came back to his senses, apologised and left without the ring. For seventeen years Gandalf travelled broadly, looking for answers. Hunting for Gollum from near Mordor, he met Aragorn, who captured the creature in Mirkwood. Gandalf interrogated Gollum, forcing him to tell Gandalf what Gollum knew about the ring. Gandalf left Mirkwood, leaving Gollum in North Mirkwood.

Gandalf returned to the Shire, confirming his suspicions by throwing the ring into Frodo’s fireplace fire. It revealed words in Black Speech (the language of Mordor) encrypted upon the ring. Gandalf told Frodo the One Ring’s history and advised Frodo to travel to Rivendell with the ring. Gandalf travelled to Isengard to speak to Saruman, but he got captured. Saruman had made his own ring of power and announced himself as Saruman of Many Colours. He offered Gandalf to join him in service to Sauron, or help him find the One Ring to take power from Sauron. Gandalf refused and was kept as a prisoner in Isengard. After a while Gandalf was rescued by Gwaihir the Eagle. Gandalf was sent to Rohan, where he appealed to King Théoden for a horse. Gandalf was allowed to choose a horse, and Gandalf chose Shadowfax. Gandalf rode to the Shire, but Frodo was not there, so Gandalf headed for Rivendell. While Gandalf was in Bree, he learned that Frodo, Sam, Aragorn and Frodo’s cousins Merry and Pippin were already en route to Rivendell. Subsequently, Gandalf fought nine of Sauron’s Nazgûl at Weathertop. Gandalf escaped, but four Nazgûl pursued him. Certain days later, Frodo and Company stayed at Weathertop and confronted the remaining five Nazgûl. Despite their escape, Frodo was stabbed by the leader Nazgûl. Gandalf managed to circumvent the four Nazgûl, successfully making it to Rivendell. An injured Frodo and the others arrived at the Ford of Bruinen, but unfortunately the Nazgûl followed them. Back in Rivendell, Gandalf and Elrond (see article Gandalf is a better character than Elrond) enchanted the Rivendell water and flooded the Nazgûl, sweeping them away.

Gandalf, Frodo, Bilbo and many others have attended the council of Elrond. They argued about the One Ring, and Frodo volunteered to be the ring bearer and to take it to Mount Doom to destroy it, and Gandalf offered to assist Frodo on his journey, along with Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and Boromir. Sam snuck in and was allowed to go because of this. The Fellowship of the Ring was now formed, with Gandalf as their leader. Gandalf asked if he could bring Merry and Pippin. Soon the Fellowship left on their journey. Gandalf and the Fellowship of the Ring walked through the Mines of Moria. As they were crossing the Bridge of Khazad-dûm, Gandalf confronted the Balrog of Morgoth, also known as Durin’s Bane. "You cannot pass," he said. The orcs stood still, and a dead silence fell. "I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. You cannot pass. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udûn. Go back to the Shadow! You cannot pass." Gandalf bravely risked his life for his friends and fought the Balrog. In the end, Gandalf delivered a blow with his sword Glamdring, defeating the Balrog. But unfortunately Gandalf passed away. Twenty days later Gandalf returned to life and stared up to the sky for three days, until he was rescued by Gwaihir the Eagle, healed, dressed in white and given his second staff, which is much more powerful than his first staff.

With Gandalf’s second staff, Gandalf can do what he previously could do with is first staff and he can attack with a Lightning Strike, Blinding Light, Fire, Destructive Blast and summon the Shield of the Istari. Gandalf returned, finding Legolas, Aragorn and Gimli in Fangorn Forest. He explained to them how he returned and strongly recommended Aragorn to go to Rohan with him. Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli arrived at Rohan and observed King Théoden, weakened by Saruman’s agent Grima Wormtongue. Gandalf immediately used his magic to break Grima and Saruman’s hold over King Théoden. After Théoden was restored to his lively form, he and the Rohirrim rode to Helm’s deep to battle the Hordes of Isengard. Meanwhile, Gandalf rode to Orthanc and asked Treebeard to encourage the Huorns to help him defeat Saruman and his Uruk-hai. Gandalf also rode to find Erkenbrand and asked him to join him to battle. After abolishing Saruman, Gandalf broke Saruman’s staff and ostracized him from the Order of the Wizards.

The Morgul arrived at the White City and began invading it. Gandalf assisted the Rohirrim by allowing them time to save the city during the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. When the Morgul breached the city, numerous trolls broke in. Gandalf managed to kill a few, which helped a lot. Gandalf stood in confrontation with the Witch-King, however Gandalf did not use his true power because the people of Rohan have arrived, leaving the Witch-King with a new threat. But Gandalf had more problems. Denethor was planning on killing his son Faramir and himself, but Gandalf came just in time and rescued Faramir. Gandalf tried to convince Denethor not to kill himself, but Denethor was “driven mad by his grief” and commit suicide. Gandalf and Aragorn fought the forces of evil while Frodo and Sam were destroying the One Ring on Mount Doom. The ring was destroyed when Gollum bit Frodo’s finger with the ring on it, and Gollum, with the Ring fell into the volcano. Without Gandalf, Sauron would’ve known where the two were and killed them before their task was completed.

Well, that just about wraps things up about Gandalf. He has been a formidable, fearless, all powerful and wise wizard. It had been over 2000 years that Gandalf had been in Middle Earth, and he did so much through the years. Going on quests, discovering amazing power, defeating enemies such as Durin’s Bane & Saruman, making friends and risking his life for others. Gandalf is as some people say, a BEAST!