Editing Gandalf (section)

==== Gandalf the Grey ====

[[File:Gwaihir the Eagle rescues Gandalf from Orthanc by Alexander Korotich.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Gwaihir]] the Eagle rescues Gandalf from [[Orthanc]]. [[Scraperboard]] illustration by [[Alexander Korotich]], 1981]]

Gandalf spent the years between ''The Hobbit'' and ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' travelling [[Middle-earth]] in search of information on [[Sauron]]'s resurgence and [[Bilbo Baggins]]'s mysterious [[One Ring|ring]], spurred particularly by Bilbo's initial misleading story of how he had obtained it as a "present" from [[Gollum]]. During this period, he befriended [[Aragorn]] and became suspicious of [[Saruman]]. He spent as much time as he could in [[the Shire]], strengthening his friendship with Bilbo and [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]], Bilbo's orphaned cousin and adopted heir.<ref name="The Council of Elrond" group=T/>

Gandalf returns to the Shire for Bilbo's "eleventy-first" (111th) birthday party, bringing many [[fireworks]] for the occasion. After Bilbo, as a prank on his guests, puts on the ring and disappears, Gandalf urges his old friend to leave the ring to Frodo, as they had planned. Bilbo becomes hostile, accusing Gandalf of trying to steal the ring. Alarmed, Gandalf tells Bilbo that is foolish. Coming to his senses, Bilbo admits that the ring has been troubling him, and leaves it behind for Frodo as he departs for [[Rivendell]].<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954a|loc=book 1, ch. 1, "A Long-Expected Party"}}</ref>

Over the next 17 years, Gandalf travels extensively, searching for the truth about the ring. He finds the answer in Isildur's scroll, in the archives of [[Minas Tirith]]. Gandalf searches long and hard for Gollum, often assisted by Aragorn, who eventually captures Gollum. Gandalf questions Gollum, threatening him with fire when he proves unwilling to speak. Gandalf learns that Sauron had imprisoned Gollum in his fortress of [[Barad-dûr]], and tortured him to reveal what he knew of the [[One Ring|Ring]].<ref name="The Council of Elrond" group=T/>

Returning to [[the Shire]], Gandalf confirms his suspicion by throwing the Ring into Frodo's hearth-fire and reading the writing that appears on its surface. He tells Frodo the history of the ring, and urges him to take it to [[Rivendell]], warning of grave danger if he stays in the Shire. Gandalf says he will attempt to return for Frodo's 50th birthday party, to accompany him on the road; and that meanwhile Frodo should arrange to leave quietly, as the servants of Sauron will be searching for him.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954a|loc=book 1, ch. 2, "[[The Shadow of the Past]]"}}</ref>

Outside the Shire, Gandalf encounters the wizard [[Radagast the Brown]], who brings the news that the [[Nazgûl]] have ridden out of Mordor—and a request from [[Saruman]] that Gandalf come to [[Isengard]]. Gandalf asks him to send out animals to observe the Nazgûl, and to report to him at Isengard. Gandalf leaves a letter to Frodo (urging his immediate departure) with Barliman Butterbur at the [[Prancing Pony]], and heads towards Isengard. There, Saruman horrifies Gandalf by asking him to help him to obtain and use the Ring. Gandalf refuses, and Saruman imprisons him at the top of [[Orthanc|his tower]]. Gandalf is rescued by [[Gwaihir|Gwaihir the Eagle]], who comes to him as requested via Radagast.<ref name="The Council of Elrond" group=T/>

In [[Rohan (Middle-earth)|Rohan]], Gandalf appeals to King [[Théoden]] for a horse. Théoden, under the influence of Saruman's spy [[Gríma Wormtongue]], tells Gandalf to take any horse he pleases, but to leave quickly. Gandalf meets the great horse [[Middle-earth#Sapient animals|Shadowfax]], who will be his mount and companion. Gandalf reaches the Shire after Frodo has set out. Knowing that Frodo will be heading for Rivendell, Gandalf makes his way there. He learns at Bree that the Hobbits have fallen in with Aragorn. He faces the Nazgûl at [[Weathertop]], escaping after an all-night battle, drawing four of them northwards.<ref name="The Council of Elrond" group=T/> Frodo, Aragorn and company face the remaining five on Weathertop a few nights later.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954a|loc=book 1, ch. 11, "A Knife in the Dark"}}</ref> Gandalf reaches Rivendell just before Frodo.<ref name="The Council of Elrond" group=T/>

At Rivendell, Gandalf helps [[Elrond]] drive off the Nazgûl pursuing Frodo, and plays a leading role in the [[Council of Elrond]] as the only person who knows the full history of the Ring. He reveals that Saruman has betrayed them and is in league with Sauron. When it is decided that the Ring has to be destroyed, Gandalf volunteers to accompany Frodo—now the Ring-bearer—in his quest. He persuades Elrond to let Frodo's cousins [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]] join the [[Company of the Ring]].<ref name="The Council of Elrond" group=T/>

{{Quote box|
 |quote  = The Balrog reached the bridge. Gandalf stood in the middle of the span, leaning on the staff in his left hand, but in his other hand [[Glamdring]] gleamed, cold and white. His enemy halted again, facing him, and the shadow about it reached out like two vast wings. It raised the whip, and the thongs whined and cracked. Fire came from its nostrils. But Gandalf stood firm. "You cannot pass," he said. The [[Orc (Middle-earth)|orc]]s 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 [[Utumno|Udûn]]. Go back to the Shadow! You cannot pass."
 |author = [[J. R. R. Tolkien]]
 |source = ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]''
 |width  = 40%
 |align  = right
}}

Taking charge of the Company, Gandalf and Aragorn lead the Hobbits and their companions south.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954a|loc=book 2, ch.3, "The Ring Goes South"}}</ref> After failing to cross Mount [[Caradhras]] in winter, they cross under the Misty Mountains through the Mines of [[Moria (Middle-earth)|Moria]]. There, they discover that the dwarf colony established by [[Balin (Middle-earth)|Balin]] has been annihilated by [[Orc (Middle-earth)|orcs]]. The Company fights with the orcs and trolls of Moria and escapes them.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954a|loc=book 2, ch. 4, "A Journey in the Dark"}}</ref>

At the [[Bridge of Khazad-dûm]], they encounter "Durin's Bane," a fearsome [[Balrog]]. Gandalf faces the Balrog to enable the others to escape. After a brief exchange of blows, Gandalf breaks the bridge beneath the Balrog with his [[Magic (Middle-earth)#Magic items|staff]]. As the Balrog falls, it wraps its whip around Gandalf's legs, dragging him over the edge. Gandalf falls into the abyss, crying "Fly, you fools!".<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954a|loc=book 2, ch. 5, "The Bridge of Khazad-Dum"}}</ref>

Gandalf and the Balrog fall into a deep lake in Moria's underworld. Gandalf pursues the Balrog through the tunnels for eight days until they climb to the peak of Zirakzigil. Here they fight for two days and nights. The Balrog is defeated and cast down onto the mountainside. Gandalf also dies, and his body lies on the peak while his spirit travels "out of thought and time".<ref name="The White Rider" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954|loc=book 3, ch. 5, "The White Rider"}}</ref>

{{anchor|Gandalf the White}}