Editing Gandalf (section)

==== Gandalf the White ====

He is "sent back"{{efn|In ''Letters'', #156, Tolkien clearly implies that the "Authority" that sent Gandalf back was above the [[Vala (Middle-earth)|Valar]] (who are bound by [[Arda (Middle-earth)|Arda]]'s space and time, while Gandalf went beyond time). He clearly intends this as an example of [[Eru Ilúvatar|Eru]] intervening to change the course of the world.}} as Gandalf the White, and returns to life on the mountain top. Gwaihir carries him to [[Lothlórien]], where he is healed and re-clothed in white by [[Galadriel]]. He travels to [[Fangorn]] Forest, where he encounters [[Aragorn]], [[Gimli (Middle-earth)|Gimli]], and [[Legolas]]. They mistake him for [[Saruman]]; he stops their attacks and reveals himself.<ref name="The White Rider" group=T/>

They travel to [[Rohan (Middle-earth)|Rohan]], where Gandalf finds that Théoden has been weakened by Wormtongue's influence. He breaks Wormtongue's hold over Théoden, and convinces the king to join the fight against Sauron.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954|loc=book 3, ch. 6, "The King of the Golden Hall"}}</ref> Gandalf sets off to gather warriors of the Westfold for the coming battle with Saruman. He arrives just in time to defeat Saruman's army in the [[battle of Helm's Deep]].<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954|loc=book 3, ch. 7, "Helm's Deep"}}</ref> Gandalf and the King ride to [[Isengard]], which has just been destroyed by [[Treebeard]] and his [[Ent]]s, accompanied by Merry and Pippin.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954|loc=book 3, ch. 8, "The Road to Isengard"}}</ref> Gandalf breaks Saruman's staff and expels him from the White Council and the Order of [[Wizard (Middle-earth)|Wizards]]; he takes Saruman's place as head of both. Wormtongue tries to kill Gandalf or Saruman with the ''[[palantír]]'' of Orthanc, but misses both. Pippin retrieves the ''palantír''; Gandalf quickly takes it.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954|loc=book 3, ch. 10, "The Voice of Saruman"}}</ref> After leaving Isengard, Pippin takes the ''palantír'' from a sleeping Gandalf, looks into it, and comes face to face with Sauron. Gandalf gives the ''palantír'' to Aragorn and takes the chastened Pippin with him to [[Minas Tirith]] to keep him out of further trouble.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954|loc=book 3, ch. 11, "The Palantír"}}</ref>

Gandalf arrives in time to help to arrange the defences of Minas Tirith. His presence is resented by [[Denethor]], the [[Steward of Gondor]]; but when his son [[Faramir]] is gravely wounded in battle, Denethor sinks into despair and madness. Together with Prince Imrahil, Gandalf leads the defenders during the siege of the city. When the forces of [[Mordor]] break the main gate, Gandalf, alone on Shadowfax, confronts the Lord of the Nazgûl. At that moment the Rohirrim arrive, causing the Nazgûl to withdraw. Gandalf is about to pursue, but is stopped by Pippin, who requests his intervention to save Faramir – Denethor in desperation was seeking to burn himself and his son on a funeral pyre. Gandalf saves Faramir (but not Denethor, who immolates himself), and plays no further part in the unfolding [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]].<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1955|loc=book 5, ch. 1, "Minas Tirith"}}</ref>

{{Quote box|
 |quote  = "This, then, is my counsel," [said Gandalf.] "We have not the Ring. In wisdom or great folly it has been sent away to be destroyed, lest it destroy us. Without it we cannot by force defeat [Sauron's] force. But we must at all costs keep his Eye from his true peril... We must call out his hidden strength, so that he shall empty his land... We must make ourselves the bait, though his jaws should close on us... We must walk open-eyed into that trap, with courage, but small hope for ourselves. For, my lords, it may well prove that we ourselves shall perish utterly in a black battle far from the living lands; so that even if [[Barad-dûr]] be thrown down, we shall not live to see a new age. But this, I deem, is our duty."
 |author = [[J. R. R. Tolkien]]
 |source = ''[[The Return of the King]]''
 |width  = 40%
 |align  = right
}}

After the battle, Gandalf counsels an attack against Sauron's forces at the [[Black Gate (Middle-earth)|Black Gate]], to distract Sauron's attention from Frodo and Sam; they are at that moment scaling [[Mount Doom]] to destroy the Ring. Gandalf and Aragorn lead an army to the Black Gate, meeting the [[Mouth of Sauron|nameless lieutenant of Mordor]], who shows them Frodo's ''[[mithril]]'' shirt and other items from the Hobbits' equipment. Gandalf rejects Mordor's terms of surrender, starting the [[Battle of the Morannon]]. The forces of the West face the full might of Sauron's armies, until the Ring is destroyed in Mount Doom.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1955|loc=book 5, ch. 10, "The Black Gate Opens"}}</ref> Gandalf leads the Eagles to rescue Frodo and Sam from the erupting mountain.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1955|loc=book 6, ch. 4, "The Field of Cormallen"}}</ref>

After the war, Gandalf crowns Aragorn as King Elessar, and helps him find a sapling of the [[White Tree of Gondor]].<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1955|loc=book 6, ch. 5, "The Steward and the King"}}</ref> He accompanies the Hobbits back to the borders of [[the Shire]], before leaving to visit [[Tom Bombadil]].<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1955|loc=book 6, ch. 7, "Homeward Bound"}}</ref>

Two years later, Gandalf departs [[Middle-earth]] forever. He boards the Ringbearers' ship in the Grey Havens and sets sail to return across [[Belegaer|the sea]] to the [[Undying Lands]]; with him are his horse Shadowfax and his friends Frodo, [[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo]], [[Galadriel]], and [[Elrond]].<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1955|loc=book 6, ch. 9, "The Grey Havens"}}</ref>