Editing Gandalf (section)

=== ''The Hobbit'' ===

Gandalf meets with [[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo]] in the opening of ''The Hobbit''. He arranges for a tea party, to which he invites the thirteen dwarves, and thus arranges the travelling group central to the narrative. Gandalf contributes the map and key to Erebor to assist the quest.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1937|loc=ch. 1, "An Unexpected Party"}}</ref> On this quest Gandalf acquires the sword, ''[[List of Middle-earth weapons and armour#Glamdring|Glamdring]]'', from the [[Troll (Middle-earth)|trolls']] treasure hoard.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1937|loc=ch. 2, "Roast Mutton"}}</ref> [[Elrond]] informs them that the sword was made in [[Gondolin]], a city long ago destroyed, where Elrond's father lived as a child.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1937|loc=ch. 3, "A Short Rest"}}</ref>

After escaping from the [[Misty Mountains]] pursued by goblins and [[Warg (Middle-earth)|warg]]s, the party is carried to safety by the [[Eagle (Middle-earth)|Great Eagles]].<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1937|loc="Out of the Frying-Pan into the Fire"}}</ref> Gandalf then persuades [[Beorn]] to house and provision the company for the trip through [[Mirkwood]]. Gandalf leaves the company before they enter Mirkwood, saying that he had pressing business to attend to.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1937|loc= ch. 7, "Queer Lodgings"}}</ref>

He turns up again before the walls of Erebor disguised as an old man, revealing himself when it seems the Men of [[Esgaroth]] and the [[Mirkwood Elves]] will fight Thorin and the dwarves over Smaug's treasure. The Battle of Five Armies ensues when hosts of goblins and wargs attack all three parties.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1937|loc=ch. 17, "The Clouds Burst"}}</ref> After the battle, Gandalf accompanies Bilbo back to [[the Shire]], revealing at Rivendell what his pressing business had been: Gandalf had once again urged the council to evict Sauron, since quite evidently Sauron did not require the [[One Ring]] to continue to attract evil to Mirkwood.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1937|loc="The Last Stage"}}</ref> Then the Council "put[s] forth its power" and drives Sauron from [[Dol Guldur]]. Sauron had anticipated this, and had feigned a withdrawal, only to reappear in [[Mordor]].<ref name="The Council of Elrond" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954a|loc=book 2, ch. 2, "[[The Council of Elrond]]"}}</ref>