Middle-earth Legends: The Tale of the Blue Wizards
The Emissaries
The Creator, Eru Ilúvatar created divine and immortal spirits called the Valar. They are the powers of the world and live in the Blessed Realm also called the Undying Lands. Their purpose is to serve as elders and guides to the world; though one of the Vala named Melkor defied the will of Ilúvatar, causing great evil with corruption and domination.
The Dark Lord Melkor renamed Morgoth, brought great battles to the Free Peoples of Middle-earth. Morgoth's reign of darkness ended in the War of Wrath with his capture and was cast into the void by the Valar. Although the Valar were victorious, the War of Wrath brought the complete destruction of Beleriand; the westernmost lands in the First Age of Middle-earth.
The Maiar are also immortal spirits but less powerful than the Valar; created by Ilúvatar to help and aid the Valar in their purpose. Each of the Maia is associated with one or more of the Valar. Many Maia fell to Morgoth's corruption; his greatest and most trusted servant was the most powerful of the Maiar called Mairon, renamed Sauron.
In the Blessed Realm a Council is called by Manwë, King of the Valar "I have called you all here as a new darkness is rising; Sauron has come forth from hiding and is striving to conquer Middle-earth as its new Dark Lord."
The rest of the Valar became roused at the news. Talks among them started until Tulkas the Champion of Valinor laughed out loudly bringing silence to the Council "What are you all debating for; I see no reason to haste, let us go and capture this fallen Maiar."
Nienna the Weeper and Lady of Mercy stood "Have you already forgotten what happened to Beleriand? The great cost it took to bring Melkor, one of our own to Justice."
Ulmo, the Lord of Water swiftly interjected as he hit the floor with the end of his trident "Morgoth is that traitor's name; he is no longer one of us."
Mandos, the Judge of the Dead then spoke "That War caused multitudes of fallen to pass thru my Halls and I have no desire to see such again."
Manwë listened to all have their say on the matter. Finally the King gave his thoughts "There shall be no repeat of Beleriand; a rare and terrible occasion that was, as it took the powers of the Valar to defeat one of our own." The King then looked at Ulmo "Even though Melkor fell to darkness and became Morgoth; we must never forget he is still one of us." The King takes a pause, then says while gazing at his scepter "Sauron is just beginning to gain strength; he is swaying those to his banner in the Easter Lands that still worship Morgoth. What is needed now is an encouragement of uprising; a rebellion against Sauron."
Varda, the Queen of the Valar suggests "Sauron is one of the Maiar. Would it then be justified to send a Maia as our Emissary to circumvent a Maia."
"I agree with Queen Varda. Sauron was once one of my Maia and the most powerful among the Maiar. Let me send another of my Maia; I know Curumo would gladly volunteer for this task" spoke Aulë, the Smith of the Valar.
The Council then one by one started to agreed that the task should be carried out by one of the Maiar. Although a good number of the Council agreed that Curumo was a powerful Maiar and would serve well as the Emissary; more names kept being suggested and more deliberations continued.
"A consensus is needed now; the longer we delay the longer Sauron grows in strength. Who should we send?" asked Tulkas, again bringing silence to the Council.
Lórien, the Master of Visions and Dreams asked King Manwë "My King, who would you suggest as the Emissary?"
The King was still looking upon his scepter as everyone waited for his words. Manwë then brings a detail to light "Sauron's influence is starting in the far Eastern Lands of Middle-earth; it has not yet reached the West. There is one among you who has not yet spoken. King Manwë then turns to Oromë asking "Lord Oromë, none here knows the Eastern lands better than you; long before the Elves awakened at Cuiviénen you traveled those lands hunting monsters and fell creatures. Your counsel is most welcomed as your experience will greatly aid in a decision."
Oromë, the Huntsman of the Valar stood to address the Council "I have not spoken because I know this journey will be long and it will have its burdens; nothing about it will be easy. We must not forget that Sauron was trained by Morgoth, the Master of Dark Arts. If Sauron is not already more powerful than he once was; then he is without a doubt working to such an end. The Eastern Lands are vast and dangerous; I am concerned that this task would be impossible for just one Maia. I suggest that two be sent; and my counsel would be to send Alatar and Pallando. I know those lands and therefore they will know them; what is more important is there are no two Maia that have a stronger friendship and that is what will see this task thru to success."
The Council of the Valar agreed and called for Alatar and Pallando. The Valar gave the two Maia the appearance of older men with beards, though Alatar had more gray in his hair than Pallando. Alatar is tall, charismatic and a skilled orator: master at weather manipulation, bold and quick to act. Pallando is shorter, a star charter and skilled strategist: master of insight, very mystical and reserved. As Maia of Oromë, they both were masters at tracking and travelling great distances.
After being informed of their task by the Council, Alatar replied "It is our duty to serve and we shall stoke the fires of rebellion against Sauron." Pallando agreed with a nod to his friend and simply said to the Council "We will see it thru to the end."
The Council drapes them in robes of Blue and calls Alatar and Pallando the Blue Istari; Manwë then gives them their wooden staffs. The King then asks the council to consider an addition "I believe we should also send back an elven emissary; one to lend counsel concerning the threat of Sauron to those in the West." Manwë then looks to Mandos asking "Lord Mandos, who within your halls would you propose?"
Mandos replies "I would send Glorfindel my King; a great Elven hero of the First Age whose deeds are many. He fought bravely and sacrificed himself to save numerous lives at Gondolin. Gil-galad, the Elven King would remember him and welcome his counsel."
The Council of the Valar agreed and Glorfindel was brought forth and given powers almost equal to that of a Maia.
