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Gandalf

Gandalf -Ainur/Maiar, Istari, Wizard in Middle-Earth.

Gandalf the Grey is one of the lesser Ainur in orgin, who are named Maiar, and his true name is Olorin. In the Blessed Lands, he lived in the gardens of Lorien. In the Third Age of the Sun, the Valar chose five from among the Maiar to travel into Middle Earth and aid it's inhabitants against Sauron. Gandalf was among these five Maiar spirits, and they are called the Istari. One of the conditions placed on the Istari was that they would not reveal their true orgins, nor use the full extent of their powers.

"Many are my names in many countries. Mithrandir among the Elves, Tharkun to the Dwarves; Olorin I was in my youth in the West that is forgotten, in the South Icanus, in the North Gandalf; to the East I go not."

In the guise of an old man donned in a grey cloak, pointed hat, and carrying a staff, Gandalf departed Valinor for Middle Earth. Upon his arrival on it's shores, Cirdan, lord of the Havens, gave to him the Elven Ring, Narya.

Cirdan to Gandalf: "Take now this Ring, he said; for thy labours and thy cares will be heavy, but in all it will support thee and defend thee from weariness. For this is the Ring of Fire, and herewith, maybe, thous shalt rekindle hearts to the valour of old in a world that grows chill."

Gandalf studied and worked against Sauron for over two thousand years. In 2941, It was he who placed Bilbo in charge of the quest to slay Smaug at the Lonely Mountain ... a quest that resulted in Bilbo finding the Sauron's ring. It was also Gandalf who finally verified that this ring was indeed the One Ring.

In 3018, when the Fellowship of the Ring was formed, Gandalf was slain battling a balrog in Moria. Because his quest was not finished and the 'plan of the Valar had failed', Illuvatar himself empowered Gandalf and returned him to life ... and back to Middle Earth. He returned as Gandalf the White.

"During the War of the Ring, Gandalf the White on his horse, Shadowfax, was everwhere: inspiring King Théoden in Rohan, vanquishing Saruman in Isengard, holding back the Witch-King at the gates of Minas Tirith, and fighting with the captains of the Army of the West before the Black Gates of Mordor.

After the War, Gandalf oversaw the reuniting of Gondor and Arnor, then in 3021 embarked on the Last Sailing of the Keepers of the Rings to the Undying Lands.

Ian McKellen plays Gandalf in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings.