Chapter 6: The Third Age of Middle-earth

Time passed and in the Third Age of Middle-earth the Council of the Valar once more was convened. King Manwë felt the need to send Emissaries once more to aid against a growing darkness that was rising fast across all of Middle-earth. This time it was decided to send five Maia as the Istari to investigate. They would be charged by the Valar to assist, advise and unite the free peoples of Middle-earth.

Curumo the Maia of Aulë, Smith of the Valar volunteered for the task. King Manwë and Queen Varda choose Olórin to be one of the Istari. The Valië Yavanna, Giver of Fruits and Protector of Plants choose Aiwendil to go. Oromë, the Huntsman of the Valar asked that Alatar and Pallando be sent back as the Istari as well; since they had already begun relations in the Far East.

King Manwë and Queen Varda wanted Olórin to be the Head of the Istari but the majority of the Council went with Curumo instead. The majority believed that Curumo would better serve this role as he possessed a great power of knowledge. After the Valar made their final decisions, the selected Maia was brought before the council to be made the Istari. Curumo is robed in White, Olórin in Grey and Aiwendil in Brown. Alatar and Pallando both were robed again in Blue.

King Manwë gives each of the Istari their wooden staffs with the exception of Alatar and Pallando. The King looked steadily upon his own scepter, then turns to the Blue Istari telling them "I see you two still have your staffs among other items of importance." King Manwë's eyes then darted to Pallando's Dwarven satchel then back at the two again, giving a quick small smile that the other Council members did not see. Curumo however took notice at the Kings interest in Pallando's satchel.

The Five Istari immediately departed for Middle-earth arriving at the Grey Havens around the year 1000 of the Third Age. They arrived at night as to not arouse any questions. Alatar concealed their ships approach with a thick fog as Aiwendil guided them safely with the aid of Sea Gulls to the dock. Pallando peered thru the fog for any witnesses of their arrival; only one Elf stood waiting upon the dock.

The Istari's arrival was met only by Círdan the Shipwright; Lord of the Grey Havens and one of the most foresighted of the Elves. Lord Círdan was ready to hold council with the Istari; for he knew their true purpose. As the Istari were prepping to leave their ship; Olórin inscribed a Rune upon the deck.

Curumo disembarked first and approached the Elf Lord; with his enchanting voice the White Wizard spoke "Lord Círdan, We are aware of your gift of foresight. Do you know who we are?"

Lord Círdan gave a nod as he replied "I am aware my Lords, you are the Istari; sent by the Valar. Please this way; I have food and wine ready." Lord Círdan then gestures to the Istari to follow him to his meeting hall.

Before they follow the Elf Lord; Olórin speaks an enchantment causing the Rune upon their ships deck to glow guiding it out of the Grey Havens and back to the Undying Lands.

After all the Istari had seated in Lord Círdan's meeting hall; Curumo then speaks an enchantment that creates an invisible bearer around the meeting hall; where no sound from within can be heard outside. Then the White Istari gave their introductions "I am Curumo the White, and Head of our Order. This is Olórin the Grey, Aiwendil the Brown, Alatar the Blue and Pallando the Blue."

The Elf Lord greeted the Istari "Welcome all of you to my home here in the Grey Havens." Círdan then looked sharply at each one telling them "Your true names should not be spoken by me. In time each of you will bear many names and I will use one of those names to address you here." Círdan looks at Curumo and says "Saruman." With Aiwendil the Elf Lord tells him "Radagast." When Lord Círdan gets to Alatar and Pallando he ponders for a moment as if seeing something of their future "Your names are already known to you by those in the far east; for this night only will I use your true names." The Elf Lord looks lastly upon Olórin, something in the eyes of the Grey Istari captures his attention. What was only mere moments seemed longer when Círdan gazed deep into Olórin's future; perceiving the Grey Istari's wisdom as he says "You shall come to be called Gandalf."

Saruman commented "The names will suffice Lord Círdan. We are aware that Sauron had disguised himself on numerous occasions as an Elven Emissary of the Valar; deceiving on one such occasion the Master Elven Craftsman Lord Celebrimbor and bringing about the creations of the Rings of Power. Please tell us in detail of what had transpired over the final years of the Second Age leading into the Third."

Lord Círdan began recalling the story "During the war with the Elves, Sauron captured Lord Celebrimbor for the location on all the Rings of Power that answered to his One Ring. Through torture, Celebrimbor disclosed where sixteen rings were. After Sauron reclaimed these rings, Celebrimbor was killed by the Dark Lord."

Saruman waited for a moment as if he was waiting for more of the story, then said "The nine Rings of Power that Sauron gave to men; what became of them?"

Lord Círdan explained "Their pasts are lost to history; what we do know is they were chosen because they had authority over others and greed in their hearts. These men saw their abilities increase and they became powerful sorcerers, rulers and kings among the people. The nine gained longevity but faded away one by one to become the Nazgûl, dominated under Sauron's will. They served Sauron far and wide in Middle-earth until his defeat during the War of the Last Alliance. What was left of their wasted bodies was buried in the High Fells of Rhudaur."

Alatar then spoke to Lord Círdan "We also heard that Sauron gave each of the seven Dwarf Lords a Ring of Power."

The Elf Lord nods at Alatar saying "The rings of the Dwarf Lords allowed them to establish great wealth but the bearers also suffered great lust for their treasure; making them quarrel even among themselves. Their great treasure hoards unfortunately also brought upon them mighty dragons with a fierce greed of their own for treasure." Alatar and Pallando became troubled by what they just heard. Lord Círdan continued "Because of their natural hardiness, the Dwarf Kings were resistant to Sauron's control. Not gaining domination over them with the Seven Rings angered him. The Dark Lord worked to gather the Seven Rings back to him; four were destroyed by Dragons, two were reclaimed and the last is still held by the King of Durin's folk."

Saruman still not hearing what he had been waiting for; then spoke with forwardness at the Elf Lord "What can you tell of the three Elven Rings of Power. Twenty rings in total there were, including Sauron's One Ring. The Men received nine and seven went to the Dwarves; that leaves three for the Elves."

Lord Círdan recognizing Saruman's cunning replies "Three Rings were created by Lord Celebrimbor himself without Sauron's knowledge but the Dark Lord sensed them when he put on his One Ring. Even in his last moments, Lord Celebrimbor never revealed the whereabouts of the three Elven Rings."

The White Wizard again spoke forwardly "These three Rings of the Elves, where are they now?"

"They are safe and hidden from any that would wish to use them for ill will" replied Lord Círdan. The Elf Lord could tell Saruman was not content with his answer but continued on with his recount "As you know, before the end of the Second Age; Sauron helped bring the Fall of the island of Númenor. The Realms of Gondor and Arnor are founded in Middle-earth by the Faithful Númenórean survivors lead by King Elendil and his sons. Sauron's army attacked Gondor; beginning the War of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men. King Gil-galad and King Elendil are killed. The One Ring of Power was cut from Sauron's hand by Elendil's son Isildur; defeating Sauron and ending the War. But the One Ring was not destroyed, letting Sauron's will endure. During the early years of the Third Age; King Isildur is killed and the One Ring was lost in the Anduin River. Some believed the One Ring was swept out into the open sea. No one knows for sure; even I cannot see all things."

Saruman addresses the group "Without the One Ring Sauron is no longer a threat, as he can never regain his full strength. These recent troubles being stirred up across the lands are merely that of men dabbling in Dark Magic; orcs and other maddened foul creatures running about unchecked."

Lord Círdan comments "True, there has been no evidence of organized threats here in the West; although rumors speak differently of the East." The Elf Lord turns his attention to Alatar and Pallando "Something more methodical may be taking place there." Lord Círdan then looks around at all the Istari "Wisdom can be interpreted in many different ways. The Elves recognize it as being able to see, hear and be aware of the moment. Be mindful in the pursuit of truth; knowledge can either aid you or betray you. I do not know if Sauron's spirit is a concern or not but after walking this world for as long as I have; you learn that given enough time, evil will find a way to come forth."

Saruman then speaks directly to the other Istari "If Sauron has returned in some small way, send word to me and I shall deal with him."

The meeting was declared over and it was time for the Istari to begin their tasks. Saruman had a desire for knowledge; especially concerning powerful kingdoms and ancient lore. Saruman believed that only great power can overcome evil. Círdan seeing that Saruman's mind was set; put the White Wizard on the path to the descendants of Númenor living in the City of Fornost within the Northern Realm of Arnor.

Radagast the Brown was the next to depart. Lord Círdan saw that Radagast had a strong affinity for animals and nature; he advised the Brown Wizard to begin his journey with the Old Forest and speak with Tom Bombadil. Afterwards, Círdan advised him to seek out the Great Greenwood Forest and meet with the Elf King Thranduil. Radagast said his farewells and left the Grey Havens following an owl that was leading him to the Old Forest.

Alatar and Pallando were saying their farewell to the Elf Lord when Círdan told them that he regretted not greeting the Blue Wizards when they arrived the first time during the Second Age. That he was away at a meeting at Ost-in-Edhil. Lord Círdan said his farewell knowing Alatar and Pallando needed to make haste. The Blue Wizards couldn't help but notice that Círdan used their names quite often. Although their curiosity was peaked; they had to begin their long journey to find out what has happened to the Dwarven Houses of the Red Mountains and to see if any of the resistance they started in the Second Age had lasted into the Third. Pallando also desired to see Nemirel again; as the thought of her had never left him.

Gandalf the Grey was the last to depart. Gandalf commented to Lord Círdan "I couldn't help but hear you tell them that you were away at Ost-in-Edhil." Gandalf paused for a moment then continued "Didn't Ost-in-Edhil at that time belong to Lord Celebrimbor?"

The Elf Lord responds while studying intently at the Grey Istari "Others may not recognize your wisdom but I have."

Gandalf chuckled "Lord Círdan, you give me far too much credit. My curiosity sometimes gets away from me."

Círdan goes on to say "Time will tell, but to answer your question; It was indeed his home. I was there with King Gil-galad for a secret council meeting along with the Lady Galadriel and Lord Celebrimbor. It was during that meeting Lord Celebrimbor gave the three Elven Rings of Power away for safekeeping; two called Vilya and Narya he gave to King Gil-galad; the one called Nenya, he gave to the Lady Galadriel. King Gil-galad entrusted Narya to me and he kept Vilya for a time before giving it to Lord Elrond."

Círdan then revealed Narya, his Elven Ring of Power and gave it to the Grey Istari to aid him in his labors. After giving further counsel to Gandalf; Círdan then advised Gandalf to travel to Imladris and speak with Lord Elrond; then to Lothlórien to meet with the Lady Galadriel.