In one of the several essays he wrote about the Istari, J.R.R. Tolkien said, “Among Men they were supposed (at first) by those that had dealings with them to be Men who had acquired lore and arts by long and secret study.” This is an interesting observation, as many people often cite a rejected portion of a letter Tolkien wrote in which he felt Men could not gain magic through lore and study (he realized The Lord of the Rings invalidated this point of view and wrote, “But Numenoreans used ‘spells’ in making swords?” in the margin and he decided against sending that portion of the letter).
Tolkien had probably written the essay on the Istari only a little earlier than the letter to Naomi Mitchison (Letters 154 and 155). He abandoned the essay, which was to be part of an extensive index to The Lord of the Rings never published, when he realized the project was too cumbersome for the initial publication of the story (he had already greatly truncated the proposed appendices to accomodate space requirements). The lettter to Mitchison represents a tangential point which rose quickly and perished upon the rocks of published canon — a not uncommon occurrence in Tolkien’s philosophical meanderings through Middle-earth. But the abandonment of the discourse on magic is probably the best justification Tolkienologists have for arguing the validity of the Istari essay (which is contradicted by later writings). It is, at least, consistent in theme and context with the original version of The Lord of the Rings.
Continuing on in the essay, Tolkien said, “[the Istari] first appeaed in Middle-earth about the year 1000 of the Third Age, but for long they went about in simple guise, as it were of Men already old in years but hale in body, travellers and wanderers, gaining knowledge of Middle-earth and all that dwelt therein, but revealing to none their powers and purposes.”
The Istari were thus first ignored by Men until as the Shadow lengthened and Middle-earth grew more imperilled they began to “meddle” in the affairs of Elves and Men. Men eventually perceived that the Istari didn’t die, and decided they must have been Elves. This conclusion could probably only have been reached sometime after the War of 1409. By then the Istari who were involved with the Dunedain and Elves of Eriador (probably Gandalf and Saruman) should have made themselves known at least to the leaders of Elves and Men, and it seems reasonable that it would require several centuries for Men to perceive that these two guys weren’t just long-lived Numenoreans, they were something else.
When Faramir questioned Ganadlf about himself in Gondor, the Wizard said, “Many are my names in many countries. Mithrandir among the Elves. Tharkûn to the Dwarves. Olorin I was in my youth in the West that is forgotten, in the South Incánus, in the North Gandalf….” Gandalf would be the name that Men of the North gave him, and Tolkien took it from Old Norse, from the Elder Edda, where “Gandalfr” is the name of a dwarf. The name means “Elf of the Wand”.
Another name among northern Men was Orald, the name they gave Tom Bombadil, and this is an Anglo-Saxon name, meaning “Very Old”. Anglo-Saxon and Old Norse were once closely related languages, before a phonetic shift sundered the speeches of the northern world. It is interesting to note, therefore, that Tolkien gives to the Istar most closely associated with Eriador a name in Old Norse (the language he used to represent the language of Dale and Laketown) and to Bombadil a name in Anglo-Saxon (the language he used to represent the language of the Rohirrim).
We may infer that perhaps either the Westron of Eriador in the middle of the Third Age was mingled with more northman words than the Westron of Gondor or else Gandalf and Bombadil spent a fair amount of time in Wilderland. Either way, Gandalf’s name implies he didn’t have casual dealings with Men when he began to earn significant notice among them. They decided he was an Elf.
So I sometimes wonder what Gandalf was up to before he is mentioned in the Tale of Years. He probably met with the Kings of Arthedain and Arnor in times of peril — that would be most likely during the War of 1409, the Great Plague of 1636, Araval’s war with Angmar in 1851, and probably the last century of Arthedain’s existence, when Araphant and Ostoher of Gondor re-established relations between their two kingdoms.
One can only wonder if Gandalf spent any time among the Eotheod of other Men of the Vales of Anduin. Did he perhaps inspire Fram to undertake whatever quest resulted in his slaying of Scatha the Worm? Perhaps not. It’s difficult to imagine Gandalf letting even a proud and valiant warrior like Fram send an insulting message to the Dwarves as Fram did, unless the exchange of discourtesies occurred after Gandalf moved on.
His opinions, nonetheless, would have been highly respected among Elf and Mortal lords alike, and one can easily form the impression that Gandalf wandered about from kingdom to kingdom during the middle of the Third Age doling out advice like a sort of roving Dear Abby. His biting wit and sarcasm would spare no king or prince who foolishly sought him out for mundane advice.
Dear Gandalf,
Rumor has it the Witch-king of Angmar is moving armies through the hills. What should we Arthedainians do? Argeleb.
Dear Argeleb,
Have you considered leaving a few barrels of hard cider out for the Orcs? You could ambush them all once they are roaring drunk. If that fails, then I suggest you send a speedy messenger to Cirdan at the Havens to see if he can spare any mariners for a land-side expedition. There’s nothing an Orc loves more than a barrel of Elven hard cider. Gandalf.
Dear Gandalf,
We’re having a terrible time here. A messenger arrived from Minas Anor and he had a frightful cold. Seems the whole countryside has come down with the dickens of a plague. Do you by any chance have any magic powders to aid us? Argeleb II.
Dear Argeleb,
Knew your great-grandfather, briefly. Nasty business that with the Angmarians but it turned out well in the end. As for the powders — afraid I cannot help you. I’m fresh out having just sprinkled the last on the Men of the Southern Vales of Anduin. However, you might consider sending everyone out to the hillsides to swap stories until the whole thing blows over. Whatever you do, don’t accept any more messengers from Gondor for a while! Good luck, and stay warm. Drink plenty of Miruvor! I’ll be in Bree next Yuletide if there’s any Bree left to be in. Gandalf.
Dear Gandalf,
We were about to attempt the recolonization of Cardolan, but now it appears evil wights have infested the ancient downs and there’s no one able to stand up to them. Would you be available to lend a hand? Araval.
Dear Araval,
Sorry to hear about the new neighbors. Wights can be a pesky and troublesome lot. Unfortunately, I’m currently getting a long overdue manicure in Lothlorien and won’t be available for the next hundred years or so. However, I’ve sent along a chap who won’t mind keeping the Wights for neighbors and will do his best to see to it that the evil doesn’t spread. Do you think, though, you could fix him up with a nice young maiden who doesn’t mind water lillies and silly songs?
Dear Gandalf,
I’m not sure we can hold out against Angmar much longer. I’ve heard Gondor has been having trouble but they don’t seem to be doing too badly. Do you think we could call on them for help? BTW — We’re still looking for a fair maiden. Sadly, they all seem to be spoken for when we introduce them to Old Bombadil. Araphant.
Dear Araphant,
Don’t worry about Bombadil. He’s the patient sort and will know just when he meets the right girl. As for your relations with Gondor, well, seems to me you could make it a little less one-sided. I hear they have a rather strong-willed lass who has refused every suitor. Pack up young Arvedui and send him down there to sue for her hand in marriage. Gandalf.
Dear Gandalf,
Just wanted to drop you a line to say, “Thank you!” Firiel is the best thing that ever happened to me, and I’m not saying that just because her dad has a couple of really large armies. I can foresee great things for Arnor. Arvedui, future king of Arnor and Gondor.
Dear Arvedui,
Glad to hear the marriage is working out fine. But leave the foresight to Malbeth and the Elves, if you will. They’ve been at this a little longer than you and have a better feel for it. Gandalf.
Dear Gandalf,
This is to inform you that Arnor will no longer require your services. Nothing personal, old chap, but we’ve been run out of town and have no immediate prospects for returning. Thanks for centuries of good advice, and best wishes in all your future endeavors. Win one for the Dunedain! Arvedui.
P.S. I think I now understand what you were trying to say. Must go. Have to see a man about a horse.
Dear Arvedui,
As you can expect, your letter came late due to the fortunes of war. I wish you hadn’t sent it by way of Bree! Checked out Fornost Erain but didn’t find anyone save a few thousand Orcs and Trolls. Will try to see if you’re in Lindon. Whatever you do, don’t head north. I hear there’s a frightful winter in store. Gandalf.
Dear Gandalf,
Word has it you’re no longer working in Eriador. I was wondering if you could stop by Lothlorien next century. I have a little job I’d like you to do which might be a real career booster for you. Say hello to Elrond and Cirdan, and I look forward to seeing you. BTW — how’s the manicure holding up? Galadriel.
This article was originally published on October 1, 1999.
