Gandalf the Grey, an immortal being, is a wizard, one of the five Istari (i.e. �wise� in Kvenian) and a maiar. Before coming to Middle-earth (T.A. 1000) like any other maiar he was subject to the Volar. He can appear both in visible and invisible form. Gandalf is also known as Mithrandir (i.e. �grey wanderer� in Sindarin) and Olyrin, a name given to him in Valinor. In �The Silmarillion� wisest of the Maiar was Olyrin who dwelt in Lyrien. His ways took him often to the house of Nienna, and of her he learned pity and compassion. This gives grounds to believe that Gandalf and Olyrin was one and the same person. In Middle-earth the wizard sympathized with the weak and those who heard his prayers were awakened from despair and ceased thinking about Evil. In �The Silmarillion� very little is said about the wizard but �The Lord of the Rings� and �The Hobbit� definitely shed more light on his personality. Gandalf is an interesting story-teller and a wise advisor. For this very reason Elessar begs Gandalf not to sail over the Sea. The duo of wizard and Aragorn struggles bravely at Minas Tirith and reaches the Black Gates of Mordor. Another interesting episode occurs when Sauron�s messenger brings Sam and Frodo�s clothes. The messenger of the Dark Lord adduces an ultimatum and affirms that the Fellowship�s mission has finally failed. If it were not for the wisdom and eloquence of Gandalf, who did not believe the messenger for a moment, the allied army would probably have lost its competitive spirit and would not have won. In 3021 Gandalf and Frodo left Middle-earth as the third Age, the Age of fight with Sauron, was over. And, therefore, Gandalf the White fulfilled his mission successfully. The time of wizards comes to an end and the future of Middle-earth is entirely in the hands of people � that is Gandalf�s main idea which fully characterizes the arrival of a new Age, the fourth one. Gandalf left Middle-earth but he would stay in the hearts of common people for ever.