Chapter 3

Elrond looked concerned, as you can imagine, and provided words of praise and comfort to Gandalf, for his braving such powerful evil twice and still remaining levelheaded throughout the ongoing affair. Then Elrond said, "Though I am aware you do not speak the whole truth of the matter," Gandalf chuckled and raised his bushy brows, "I realize you have your reasons, my friend, which I respect. But, know this, as close of friends as we have been, if I am needed I will attempt to assist how I may, but I have my people to think of and must think to assist them above all others should the darkest days come. That being said, I am, otherwise, yours, Mithrandir." With that, Gandalf and his old friend parted to go rest, and not too many days later, the wizard, Bilbo, and the dwarves struck out once more.

Now, from here you remember what happens, as you, I again assume, followed Bilbo for this portion of the journey. There were stone giants, storms, goblins; a spell contrived to rescue the band not a moment too soon, caves and tunnels; a battle of riddles betwixt Bilbo and a sad, hungry creature named Gollum; a magic ring of invisibility that saved Bilbo's life and seemed a blessing; there was even an epic escape for both Bilbo and Gandalf with the dwarves. Then, of course, there were wargs, more goblins, tree climbing, pinecone fireballs, giant Eagles, who saved the group, and honorably carried the group as close as they might to their destination. Oh, dear me, but I do rant! Finally, they reached the abode of one of Gandalf's acquaintances, who was known as Beorn, and who was, so it seemed, a mighty woodsman that had the power to assume the form of a bear. However, there is much speculation as to whether or not Beorn was a man who was sometimes a bear or a bear who was sometimes a man. At any rate, Gandalf cleverly introduced Bilbo and all 13 dwarves, using the very story that brought them there to somewhat trick Beorn into accepting the presence of so many strangers, of whom he was not generally fond, at a single sitting.

It was, indirectly, Beorn, who led Gandalf to an important discovery, though few know it, which kept the great evil of Sauron from winning a war, a war not even begun, that very year. The night Gandalf followed Beorn and his clan of bears to keep an eye on them, he met unintentionally with a being, which very much needed Gandalf and by great luck happened to find him, and, mind you, this meeting was after Gandalf had gone as far as he could follow the bears. This being was indeed a fish, albeit, a large and colorful one, looking very much like a salmon. After returning to where he had been able to cross the Great River before, he was beseeched by this stunning, monstrosity of a fish. From the surface of the water, its fishy mouth opened saying, "Gandalf the Grey? Olorin, is that you?"

Gandalf was taken quite by surprise, but retained wits enough to reply, "Yes, indeed, it is I. May I ask who addresses me with such a despairing and desperate tone?"

"I am the Salmon of Wisdom, hailing from the waters that lie beyond the turbulent Rauros falls. I lead my children over those falls to lay their eggs in Nen Hithoel, where my lady lives and watches them fondly; my lady who gave me language to speak the wisdom beholden in my form. It is my lady, whose plight brings me to beseech you so desperately, Olorin of the Maiar. She lies in torture within the dungeons of Dol Guldur; Sauron, whose evil is known in all parts of the world, hopes to make her his servant. Her name is Mneme; she is the Keeper and Shaper of Memory and Patroness of Persuasion. It is by her will, in accordance with that of the One, the Creator, who made the Ainur, that her memory be erased from the minds of almost all living beings, but I, who embody wisdom and know the wisdom of silence, know of her and am tasked and blessed to be her companion. I do not know, however, how Sauron discovered her then, but I do know that if my lady falls, Sauron's corruption will be night unstoppable in all, except the purest of beings, who will surely turn once Sauron finds his one ring he so anxiously seeks, as he most certainly will with my lady's powers to aid him, or those left will perish under the power of Sauron's forces! I beg you then, Olorin, save my lady, Mneme, Lady of Nen Hithoel and the Great River!" the Salmon of Wisdom cried mournfully.

Gandalf had already planned to visit Radagast the Brown in the South, hoping to gain reconnaissance from the uncanny wizard, who lived closest to Sauron's fortress, and ascertain if Aiwendil, as Radagast was called by some, would petition the Order to waste no more time in planning a strike before Sauron regained full power or power enough to reclaim Mordor (his hellish domain). The tale the great fish told rung true, and the wizard was generally very good at detecting lies, though not as good as he later wished he had been, when the highest of the Istari, Saruman's, true allegiances became known, and his corruption was too far along to reverse. "And you know of me so well, as to trust me with the secret existence of your lady?" asked Gandalf, as a precaution, watching the creature's reaction. The Salmon of Wisdom sighed in resignation.

"I have very little choice, Olorin. I have heard much in Mneme's accounts from the collective memory of all beings, which she holds, about you, the grey wanderer and the kindest of all the Maiar. My own power senses there is great wisdom in you, Olorin. I am too wise for pride, and I implore and beg of you to save the Lady of Nen Hithoel and the Great River," the Salmon of Wisdom finished speaking and waited. Gandalf was plucking his beard with great fervor and solemnly looked at this magnificent fish.