Before The Lord of the Rings was an epic tale on the silver screen, it had a long history as a stellar example of the power of English literature and one of the foundations of nerd culture. Once upon a time, nerds lived in the shadows, playing D&D and role-playing The Fellowship of the Ring in the safety of the basement.
Today, the beloved franchise written by J.R.R. Tolkien has gone mainstream, but the characters that are presented in the live-action and animated adaptations aren't the same as the ones in the books. Gandalf, one of the main characters and the reason the whole story happens in the first place, is a lot different. Here are a few things that movie fans don't know about the Gray Pilgrim.
6 The Bearer Of Narya
There are several Rings of Power in everyone's favorite story about the ultimate MacGuffin, and Gandalf is the bearer of one that also enhances some of his powers. Narya is the name of the ring entrusted to Gandalf, and it's set with a distinctive red stone which makes it easier to see when the movie character is wearing it.
Gandalf was given the ring in the First Age, shortly after he arrived in Middle-earth. It was given to him by Círdan the Shipwright, and only he, Elrond, and Galadriel know Narya was in Gandalf's keeping. Its exact powers are unknown, but legends say that it helped improve the morale and initiative of anyone who came in contact with the Wizard and that it helped him resist the effects of time.
5 A Member Of The Istari
The Istari were an Order of Wizards who were sent to Middle-earth by the Valar to help in the fight against Sauron. This wasn't just about the War of the Ring either but goes all the way back to the First Age.
At this time, Gandalf resisted the call to travel to Middle-earth because he feared he was too weak. However, King Manwë commanded him to go. Other members of the Istari were Aiwendil, also known as Radagast, and Curumo, who would later become Saruman.
4 One Of The Maiar, And Sorrow's Greatest Student
The Valar, who are essentially the Gods of Middle-earth, created several primordial spirits to help them build the world they were making. These were the Maiar, and there were a lot of them, but only a few had names. By the time the Third Age began, five of the Maiar manifested as Wizards and became the Istari.
During this time, the Maiar were governed by their ruling spirits and the elements or powers they used. Aiwedel, for example, followed a Valar of plant life named Yavanna, so it makes sense he would manifest as a Wizard of the woodland. Curumo was under the care of Aulë, a blacksmithing Valar, which explains his affinity for machines.
Gandalf had the name of Olórin when he was Maiar, and his gods were the leaders of the Valar, Manwë and Varda. His most important training, however, seems to have come from the Valar Nienna, also known as the Lady of Pity and Mourning. It was here that Gandalf learned to empathize with the people of Middle-earth, and this knowledge might have been his most valuable weapon in the fight against Sauron.
3 King Theoden Gave Him Shadowfax
This is never explained in the movies, not even with a scene that was cut later or in a flashback. Gandalf just walks into a field and whistles, and this white horse runs up to him. It's not explained that Shadowfax isn't just a majestic beast but also a creature of myth and legend.
King Theoden of Rohan wanted Gandalf to go away, and he bribed him with a gift that he didn't think the Gray Pilgrim would want. Shadowfax was a coveted horse among the best horse-breakers of Rohan, and not one of them could tame the wild Shadowfax. He was given to Gandalf as a sarcastic gift, and it turned out to be a perfect match.
2 Healed By Galadriel After The Balrog Fight
Between returning from death after slaying a Balrog and appearing in Fangorn Forest, the movies have some missing time here. From the scenes the audience sees, and from his own very truncated story, it seems like he appeared in the forest after the fight and didn't go anywhere in the meantime. One does get a hint that he was with Treebeard but nothing more.
Gandalf may be Maiar, a supernatural being, but he was close to death and only the power of the Elves could heal him. During this period Gandalf was in Lothlorien, being healed by none other than the Lady Galadriel herself.
1 Where He Stayed Before He Left For The Grey Havens
With Sauron defeated and the One Ring destroyed, there was no reason for Gandalf to stay in Middle-earth any longer. However, he stayed for two more years before leaving for the Grey Havens. He wasn't counseling the new King of Gondor, nor was he taking Council with the Elves or helping the Dwarves rebuild.
If a Maiar could choose how to spend his last two years in Middle-earth, where would they go? The truth is that Gandalf spent most of his time convalescing at one of the best party lodges in all of Middle-earth, the home of Tom Bombadil. The Old Forest and the majestic River Withywindle would be a fine place to spend some time before sailing to the West.