Gandalf (Middle-earth)/Synopsis

The story of Gandalf from the Middle-earth franchise.
==Sent to Middle-earth==
Gandalf was originally created by Eru Ilúvatar, who created the universe, as a Maia named Olórin and was accounted as the wisest of them. He served under four of the Valar, named Manwë, Varda, Irmo, and Nienna. When the Valar decided that the Istari, an order of five Maiar in the form of old men) were to be sent to Middle-earth to help the free peoples defeat Sauron, Olórin was included as one of the five Istari. Olórin was associated with light and fire similarly with Varda.
When the Valar discovered Elves at Cuiviénen, Olórin went there with other Maiar to guard them from Melkor, better known as Morgoth. Olórin learned to appreciate Elves and made them wiser with visions.
However, at first, Olórin was too afraid of the mission because he was too weak to fight Sauron, but Manwë convinced him to overcome that fear, which was one of the reasons why Olórin had to go. Manwë insisted that he become the 3rd Wizard, but Varda convinced him to make Olórin the second. Olórin agreed with this, departed to Middle-earth with the 4 other Istari (which they will be known as Wizards in Middle-earth), and went under the name, "Gandalf".
==First actions in Middle-earth==
Gandalf went to Middle-earth in the year 1100 of the Third Age after Curumo and Aiwendil. Like the other Istari, he took the form of a wizard, with himself in grey. Meeting Glorfindel, a friend from Valinor sent to Middle-earth on a mission like Gandalf, in Mithlond, and Círdan the shipwright, who had the Elven Ring of Power Narya. Círdan gave Gandalf Narya and told him "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."
He wandered Middle-earth in the west where the remaining Dúnedain and West-Elves named Eldar. Elves called him Mithrandir, Grey Pilgrim, the people of Arnor called him Gandalf, southern races called him Incánus and Dwarves called him Tharkûn. A myth sprouted stating Yavanna gave Gandalf Eärendil's Elfstone which Gandalf gave to Galadriel claiming a man named Elessar would obtain it from her.
==Investigating Dol Guldur==
During 2 centuries, evil was stirring, with Orcs rising in the Misty Mountains and a Witch-king that was the strongest Nazgûl, was building a fort in Angmar, a place in the north. The Witch-king of Angmar. Gandalf discovered the source was in Dol Guldur from a being known as the Necromancer, who escaped before Gandalf could discover his identity. There was a 400 year peace thereafter. However realizing Sauron could potentially return, Gandalf forms the White Council with Galadriel and SAruman, with Gandalf refusing to be its leader and Saruman becoming such with his vast knowledge.
Gandalf wandered in Eriador where he met the Hobbits in the Shire. In the year 2758 of the Third Age, a strong winter struck which the Hobbits survived, leading to Gandalf admiring them.
After the year 2845 of the Third Age, Gandalf searches for King Thráin II of the Lonely Mountain, who disappeared on a quest to Erebor. Gandalf searched Khazad-dûm to find nothing.
==Return to Dol Guldur==
However, Sauron returned to Dol Guldur in the year TA 2850 and has rebuilt his forces. In the same year, Gandalf found Thráin II, the father of Thorin Oakenshield, who was dying after having been seriously tortured. Before he died, Thráin gave Gandalf a map and a key to the Lonely Mountain. Eventually, Gandalf would discover that his worst suspicions (that the Necromancer is Sauron) are true. Gandalf told the White Council to make a move against Sauron while he didn't have the One Ring. Gandalf would have parties with Old Took of the Shire, in those parties, he impressed young Hobbits with his stories of monsters and princesses. He was famous for getting Hobbits into adventures. He met Bilbo Baggins during this time.
In TA 2941, Gandalf already knew that the Necromancer of Dol Guldur is, in fact, Sauron returned and that when Sauron was strong enough, he would attack Rivendell. Unfortunately, the only other power to resist Sauron's forces from Mirkwood to reclaim the kingdom of Angmar was the Dwarves of the Iron Hills. Worse, Gandalf knew that the evil dragon Smaug was still in the Lonely Mountain and that Sauron would attempt to get him to his side and use Smaug to conquer Middle-earth, and Gandalf knew that Smaug had to be killed before the events of the War of the Ring. However, Saruman seemed reluctant to fight Sauron's armies, though none of the White Council knew that he had already become a traitor.
One night, Gandalf visited the town of Bree and found Thorin Oakenshield, son of Thráin, son of Thrór, who was also trying to defeat Smaug. It is revealed that Thorin is trying to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from Smaug, and afterward, Gandalf and Thorin made a plan to draw Smaug out of the Mountain to reclaim it. Gandalf stated to Thorin that he would find a suitable thief as a member of the company they were building. Gandalf originally considered Holman Cotton with Bilbo Baggins gone for Elven new year. 
==Journey to Erebor==
Gandalf visited the Shire and met Bilbo Baggins, and tried to convince him to join Thorin's company on the quest to reclaim Erebor, but Bilbo still didn't want to go. He went into his home, and Gandalf sketched a mark on his door. Soon, the company of Thorin Oakenshield arrives, and Thorin himself tells the story of what happened when Smaug took over Erebor. Gandalf then hands over the map of the Lonely Mountain and the key to Thorin Oakenshield.
The next day, Gandalf shows Bilbo a sheet that the Dwarves wrote, which shows that they hope Bilbo will join the company. Bilbo tries to ask a question, but Gandalf tells him that there's no time and that he has to go now. After Bilbo caught up with the 13 Dwarves, Gandalf rode on a white horse, who brought a lot of handkerchiefs, and also Bilbo's pipe and tobacco as well. Sometime after this, Gandalf mysteriously left but came back the next morning to turn the hill trolls Tom, Bert, & William (who were already cooking the Dwarves) into stone with sunlight, as hill trolls turn to stone once the sunlight hits them. In the trolls' cave, Gandalf finds the sword Glamdring. Bilbo and Gandalf leave a good chunk of the Troll hoard there for later.
Eventually, the Company reaches Rivendell. It is here where Lord Elrond revealed the moon runes on Thorin's map, which were vital to their quest to reclaim Erebor; they said, "Stand by the grey stone when the thrush knocks and the setting sun with the last light of Durin's Day will shine upon the keyhole."
Thorin's company then reaches the Misty Mountains, and sees two stone-giants clashing with each other; Gandalf is able to witness this as well. During the thunder battle, they are able to escape and hide in a cave. However, a crack opened at the back of the cave, and Bilbo yelled. Unfortunately, they fell in and were captured by goblins. By this point, the company doesn't even know where Gandalf is. Gandalf kills the Great Goblin and they escape. With Gandalf and the Dwarves reuniting with Bilbo, who secretly acquired Gollum's One Ring and kept it a secret from the rest.
Ambushed by Goblins, Gandalf sets the forest they are in ablaze while escaping thanks to the help of Eagles. Gandalf previously heled the Great Eagle from a wound that was poisoned. Gandalf and the Company of Thorin Oakenshield stay with Beorn for a while and leads them to the borders of Mirkwood. Gandalf met the White Council to prevent Sauron's power from rising by destroying Dol Guldur, leading Sauron to go to Mordor. Gandalf discovers that Thorin and his company had been imprisoned by the Wood-elves and escaped said imprisonment.
After Smaug was killed by Bard the Bowman, Gandalf arrives in Erebor to find both Thorin's company and the Dwarves of the Iron Hills readying to assault the people of Laketown and the Wood-elves. Showing himself to Bard and Thranduil, he tells them he will try to make peace with Thorin. When the Dwarves, Men and Elves were to attack, Gandalf warned them Orcs and Wargs were coming. Gandalf managed to convince Thorin, Dáin Ironfoot, Bard and Thranduil to instead attack the Orcs, defeating them. However, Thorin died in the battle.
Dáin Ironfoot took over Erebor and Gandalf and Bilbo left to go back to the Shire. On the way back they celebrated with Beorn, they met with Elrond where Gandalf told of Dol Guldur to Elrond and reached an agreement that Sauron had to fall for good. Gandalf and Bilbo recovered the gold they buried in the troll hoard kept by Tom, Bert, & William. Gandalf left Bilbo in the shire, telling him how he was a fine person in a very wide world. Balin and Gandalf visited Bilbo years later to tell him news about Dale and Erebor.
==War against Sauron==
Ten years after the final attack on Dol Guldur, Sauron rebuilt his fortress in Mordor and declared war on Middle-earth. Meeting the White Council for a final time, Saruman claimed to know the One Ring was lost in the Belegaer. Saruman grew envious and feared Gandalf, and sent people to watch over him. Saruman learned of Hobbits as a result and made people watch the tidings of the Southfarthing and Bree.
The Wood-elves told Gandalf Gollum left the Mountains in search of Bilbo and went to Mordor. Having trusted Saruman and having other things to think about and do at the time, he let Gollum go. Meeting Aragorn Elessar, descendant of Isildur in 2956 of the Third Age, he became allies with him and agreed to join forces to defeat Sauron once and for all. Gandalf visited Bilbo and his nephew Frodo Baggins frequently.
During his visits, Gandalf noticed Bilbo was rigorous and energetic despite getting older. Gandalf figured that the ring Bilbo stole from Gollum and claimed to be his own was corrupting his mind. In the year 3001 of the Third Age, Gandalf worked with Bilbo in setting up the latter's 111th birthday. After Bilbo disappeared in front of his guests, Gandalf convinced Bilbo to part with his ring and give it to Frodo. Gandalf eventually came to the possibility that Bilbo's ring was one of the 20 Rings of Power forged in the Second Age. He also told Frodo to never use the ring. Gandalf was accused of plotting with Frodo to acquire Bilbo's immense wealth.
Gandalf worked with Aragorn to capture Gollum. He met Frodo again in 3 years and showed up unexpectedly for the next 4 years. Aragorn and Gandalf looked in the Anduin, Mirkwoood, Rhovanion and the borders of Morder. Little did they know they would take 8 years to capture Gollum due to him being captured by Sauron. In the year 3017 of the Third Age, Gandalf read Isildur's scroll, figuring out the history of the One Ring. Going back to the Shire, Gandalf was given word from Galadhrim: Aragorn captured Gollum. Gandalf met with Aragorn in Mirkwood, where Gollum was questioned and Gandalf learned Gollum had been ensnared by Sauron in Barad-dûr where Gollum told Sauron of Bilbo, the Shire and the ring.
Gandalf in a hurry goes back to the Shire to meet Frodo on the 12th day of April in the Third Age of the year 3018 where Gandalf tells Frodo the ring he has was the One Ring of power and explains how he found out through Gollum with the help of Aragorn. Frodo, disgusted by Gollum, claims Bilbo should have killed Gollum before Gandalf tells him otherwise. Gandalf and Frodo agree to go to Rivendell with the ring, with Gandalf promising that they will journey to Riverdale together before Gandalf leaves off. Gandalf meets Aragon again in Sarn Ford and tells Aragorn of his plans with Frodo. Radagast the Brown tells Gandalf that Saruman the white has sent him a message. Gandalf goes to the Prancing Pony later due to the fact that he would not be with Frodo in time. Gandalf writes a letter saying that frozen must go to the Prancing Pony as fast as possible and seek Strider AKA Aragorn. Gandalf told Barliman Butterbur to send out the letter while Gandalf himself went to Saruman where Saruman told Gandalf that he wanted Sauron's power himself. Gandalf refused to align himself with Saruman leading to Saruman trapping Gandalf atop Isengard. Gandalf escapes Isengard with the help of Gwaihir. Gandalf went to Rohan and received Shadowfax from Theoden’s stables Shadowfax and Gandalf became good friends and went to the shire together only to find Frodo was gone.
Gandalf went to Bree where he found Barliman forgot to send the letter Gandalf then slept in the inn and went in the morning to Weathertop on the way he was attacked by Ringwraiths. Gandalf was chased by 4 Ringwraiths and regrouped with Elrond to cause a flood in Brunnen which drowned the Ringwraiths giving Frodo time.
After Frodo is healed, Elrond summons a council which leads to everyone agreeing that the One Ring of Power must be thrown into Mount Doom to defeat Sauron. Elrond assigns nine people to be the fellowship of the rain reflecting Sauron’s 9 Ringwraiths: Gandalf the leader, Aragorn, Legolas Greenleaf, Gimli, Boromir, Samwise Gamgee, Frodo Baggins, Peregrin Took and Meriadoc Brandybuck.
The company tried to cross the Misty Mountains but could not. Therefore they went through the Mines of Moria, Gandalf eventually spoke the password and the company of the ring went into the dark Mines. The Fellowship enter the Chamber of my Mazabul where Gandalf read the records book revealing Balin died. The company was ambushed by Orcs and the Fellowship of the Ring turned East due to their encounter with the Balrog of Morgoth known as Durin’s Bane. Gandalf destroyed a thin ridge causing the Balrog to fall, the Balrog used its whip to drag Gandalf down with it. Leaving Gandalf saying "Fly you fools!" to the fellowship.
Still Gandalf acted not wither; he and the Balrog resisted long in the bowels and deep places of Arda. Gandalf and the Balrog made progress toward the top of the Endless Stair level of stairs on Celebdil's peak over the period of eight days. Skilled, he resisted the Balrog for two days and nights. The Balrog had burst into flame when it exited the stairway; cold, wind, and smoke boiled about ruling as they fought. Gandalf eventually threw the Balrog off the mountain. Dying after the fight, Gandalf's spirit left his body.
But Gandalf's spirit didn't abandon Middle-earth. Eru restored Gandalf, who was the only one of the five Istari to complete their mission, and occasionally improved him. Still, as he was now the sole deputy of the Valar to Middle-earth, he was accepted the capacity to "reveal" more of his central Maiar substance. This evident capacity that lay inside him was infrequently used all along the residue of time in Middle-earth, as his mission didn't change: support those who opposed Sauron.
As he was on the mountaintop, the great eagle Gwaihir arrived and carried him to Lothlórien, he was clad and stocked, and Galadriel donated a staff. Gandalf shortly well-informed that Frodo had abandoned the Fellowship and was going to Mount Doom without them. Gandalf immediately proceeded south to Fangorn Forest, where he reunited with the Three Hunters: Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli, and received messages from Galadriel. He rode on Shadowfax to Theoden's city with the three as Gríma Wormtongue, Saruman's spy, had duped King Théoden into pessimistic weakness.
Wormtongue was swiftly removed by Gandalf, who also pushed Théoden to ride west and engage Saruman in battle. The great war that would end the age was just getting started, and Gandalf was well aware of it. If Saruman had succeeded in conquering Rohan, Gondor would be isolated and beset by enemies on all sides.
King Théoden traveled to Helm's Deep in the west on the advice of Gandalf, where he was swiftly besieged. Gandalf then proceeded in search of Erkenbrand and the Westfold's warriors, which he subsequently discovered and guided to the Deep, breaking the siege. The outer walls of Isengard were completely destroyed, and Saruman's orcs were completely destroyed as a result of the Ents' actions against Saruman and the orcs, along with the hobbits Merry and Pippin. 
Following the battle, Théoden, Aragorn, and a small troop traveled to Orthanc with Gandalf. There, Saruman scornfully rejected Gandalf's request for pardon. Saruman was then expelled from the Order and the Council after Gandalf broke his staff. Gandalf instructed King Théoden to ride to Gondor's defense as quickly as possible after the Ents maintained a vigilant watch on Isengard. The upcoming decisive war in the east and Gondor were already on the wizard's mind.
The last stronghold of the west, Minas Tirith, was where Gandalf took the Hobbit as "reward" for Pippin, who had foolishly looked into a palantír. When Denethor II, the Ruling Steward, was faced shortly after his arrival, Gandalf discovered that he was almost in despair over the loss of his firstborn son, Boromir. Pippin joined the Steward's staff in order to make good on the obligation that he and Merry owed for Boromir's passing. Although they were ostensibly allies, the Steward treated him poorly and with distrust. When the youngest son of the Steward, Faramir, was beset by Nazgûl upon his return from Osgiliath, Gandalf on Shadowfax drove them off by revealing the power within him. Faramir later informed him that Sam and Frodo were still alive and on their way to Mordor. 
The Witch-king led a sizable Mordorian force that quickly assaulted the city. Faramir was wounded by a poisoned dart during a foolish counterattack and lay close to death inside the Tower. However, Gandalf gave the men of Minas Tirith reason to believe in themselves and, simply by being there, allayed their fears of the Ringwraiths. However, Sauron's catapults launched fiery projectiles towards the city, and before long the first circle of the city was burning unchecked. When his lone son was left and the city was on fire, Denethor eventually lost all heart. Gandalf then assumed control of the city's defense once he abdicated his position as mayor.
The city's historic entrance was damaged by the enormous battering ram Grond, and Gandalf positioned himself there. The Witch-king then rode into the middle of the destroyed gate and threatened to kill Gandalf. However, Gandalf remained sat on Shadowfax and defied the mightiest of Sauron's servants. But as dawn and the host of the Rohirrim arrived, the standoff came to an unresolved end. The Witch-king left after hearing the Riders of Rohan's trumpets.
Gandalf, however, refrained from going after his adversary because Pippin had informed him that Denethor intended to burn himself and his son Faramir to death on a bonfire in the manner of ancient heathen kings. In his haste to halt it, Gandalf was able to save Faramir but not Denethor, whose mind had been taken over by despair and anguish. The Steward was holding a palantír as he burnt, and Gandalf later discovered how Denethor's will had been subverted. 
But despite all odds, the siege was finally lifted. The Witch-king was defeated by Éowyn of Rohan and Merry, and many people heard his final scream as he was rendered helpless. Soon after, Aragorn and a sizable group of troops from the southern fiefs landed upon a captured Umbari pirate fleet. The attack on Minas Tirith was then completely thwarted by the soldiers of the west, liberating the city and killing nearly all of the invaders. Gandalf's well-thought-out strategies, wise counsel, and unseen acts of bravery had stopped Sauron's opening attack.
But Sauron's strategy to destroy the west and seize control of Middle-earth included more than just the attack on Minas Tirith. Other armies proceeded northward in opposition to Lothlórien, Erebor, the Kingdom of Thranduil, and other locations along the Anduin. The remaining Edain and their allies had little chance against the Dark Lord's nearly infinite resources because he still controlled enormous armies of orcs and men. Soon, the Dark Lord would move against Gondor again.
The remaining lords of the west, Aragorn, Imrahil, and Éomer, chose Gandalf to lead them in the upcoming decisive battles at Minas Tirith. The result of Gandalf's efforts in Middle-earth would be this. He gave the lords the advice to travel to the Morannon in order to divert Sauron's attention from Frodo's likely location, as he was fully aware that the success of Frodo's journey would determine whether the west survived or perished. The outnumbered army would almost certainly suffer a terrible defeat as a result of this plot, but Frodo would have a chance to complete his mission to Mount Doom.
The army of the West, led by Gandalf and Aragorn, crossed the Anduin and marched to the north, stopping sometimes to make their approach known and send a few men to smaller jobs. The soldiers stopped at the Black Gate and readied for war. The evil Mouth of Sauron rode out to negotiate with them as they ordered their companies; he displayed Frodo's mithril coat and Arnor blade and suggested that its owner had been kidnapped and tortured. Then, Sauron's emissary suggested that the troops of the west submit; however, Gandalf was unfazed and, seizing his friend's possessions, refused Sauron's proposal.
The Black Gate slowly opened, revealing a massive army of orcs and trolls advancing on the lords of the west as the Mouth of Sauron turned back towards it in horror. The ruse of Sauron was exposed. However, Sauron fell into Gandalf's trap, becoming a victim himself. Unbeknownst to everyone, Frodo and Sam had conquered Mount Doom. Frodo was at the Crack of Doom when the Battle of Morannon kicked up. But eventually, the Ring's allure and power overpowered him, and he put the ring on his finger and claimed it as his own. As soon as their master realized his error—that his adversaries wanted to destroy his Ring—he immediately called the Nazgûl.
However, Gollum, who had been relentlessly pursuing the Ring-bearer, stole the Ring from Frodo and, while joyously reuniting with "his precious," unintentionally fell into the flames of Orodruin, demonstrating once more how true Gandalf's predictions had been. The flaming mountain erupted as the ring fell apart. The foundations of the Towers of the Teeth and the Tower of Barad-dur started to fall apart. When Sauron was reduced to a mere shadow of evil and the Ring-wraiths vanished like shooting stars, the world was spared from his further agony.
After Sauron was defeated, his forces dispersed, and the Men of the West now attacked them ferociously. The quest had been completed, Gandalf declared, and the Ring-bearer had defeated Sauron. Once he saw that battle had been won, Gandalf ascended Gwaihir the Eagle for a third time and headed toward Mount Doom in quest of Sam and Frodo. To his immense relief, the two survivors of the volcanic outbursts were discovered on the slopes of Orodruin.
==After Sauron's fall==
Gandalf and the surviving Fellowship members met up in Minas Tirith. At King Elessar's coronation, Gandalf placed the crown on his head at Aragorn's request and proclaimed, "Now come the days of the King, and may they be blessed while the thrones of the Valar endure!" Thus, Gandalf brought about a new era of men.
Gandalf set out on their return trip with the rest of the Fellowship after Aragorn was crowned and married to Arwen. It was Gandalf's final lengthy expedition through Middle-earth. Sauron had been vanquished, and his mission to Arda had been accomplished. One by one, he bade his pals farewell until finally only the four Hobbits remained by his side. He also turned aside at the Shire's edge. He went to talk to Tom Bombadil after leaving the Hobbits to handle Shire affairs on their own because he no longer cared about the scattered remnants of evil that were still present in the world.
It is uncertain what Gandalf did during the course of the following two years; it's likely that his "long talk" with Bombadil was just that. In any case, on September 29, 3021, he encountered Frodo at Mithlond as the two were getting ready to board the White Ship and travel to Aman. Shadowfax stood by his side (maybe even ready to board the ship with him), and he was wearing Narya openly on his finger. After more than 2000 years, his mission was complete, and he was about to return home. Samwise, Merry, and Pippin, whom he had advised of the journey, bid farewell before he boarded the ship with Frodo, Bilbo, Elrond, and Galadriel.
The ship traveled westward along the sea until turning onto a secret straight path that led to Valinor. Gandalf became Olórin again. He most likely still resides there, in Irmo's gardens. Olórin, the most knowledgeable of the Maiar and the only Istar to uphold his goal, had been successful in inspiring Middle-earth's free peoples to triumph over the evil of their day.
Category:Synopsis