CHAPTER I

The Council of the Istari


It was morning a cold day in the first month of 1409 when Gandalf the Grey passed the Great Gate of Minas Anor, with ill tidings from the north.

The figure who passed on a brown horse through the tall gate of the great western fortress of Gondor on that day resembled well the meaning of the many names he was known by; the Elves called him Mithrandir, the Grey Wanderer, and Men the same in lesser tounges, for the grey cloak and large steepled hat he bore and his appearance as an old man with a long grey beard; his most remarkable quality was that he was quite tall, and bore himself with a stature uncommon among Men of his apparent age. This belied his true nature; as he was not only far older than any but the most learned Men could imagine, but indeed he was no man at all; nor was he Elf or any other creature well-known to Middle-Earth. The whole number of his kind in these lands could be numbered with all the fingers on one hand, as he was known as a Wizard, one of the Istari from the Western Lands.

Up he rode through the seven tiers of the city, astride his brown horse the whole of the way, until he came to its highest point, built from one of the very peaks of the White Mountains against which it rested. This was the Court of the Fountain where stood the Citadel of Anarion; and from this high point could be seen the whole of the Pelennor Fields which stood between Minas Anor and Gondor's capital at Osgiliath, and beyond this the fields of Ithilien and finally the mountains of Ethel Dúath at the border of the ancient land of Mordor, the realm of Sauron ere his fall.

Here Gandalf dismounted from his horse, and with a command the horse turned about and made his way to the stables. Observing all this was one other of his kind, the leader of the Istari and the man Gandalf had rode from the north to meet. The Elves called him Cirunir, the Man of Skill, devoted much of his attention and travel in the eastern lands of Middle-Earth, but he would from time to time return to Gondor and avail himself of the great library in Minas Anor to aid his research. While as much a mystery to the Men of the West as Gandalf was, he was known as an enemy to evil, and they called him Saruman the White.

So,' he declared by way of greeting. A shadow grows once more of an elder threat, and the blissful days of this age may be numbered. This much I have seen for myself. Yet some ill news brings Gandalf the Grey out of the North. Quite a difficult task to perform this is, as I have had cause to learn.'

Gandalf laughed. Great are the lands of Middle-Earth,' he said, and much is the work to be done. I go where I feel I am most needed and useful, and keep my appointments as best I am able. And I find that I am often best able when I make very few.'

And this you have certainly done,' answered Saruman. Yet on this occasion, you would seek me out with haste. What is it in the North that has you so alarmed?'

A fear,' said Gandalf. The lands of the North are falling slowly into a darkness so deep that has not been known since the days of Morgoth himself. Orcs multiply, and tainted Men, who hold greater sway over even the Free Kingdoms; and I fear they shall not remain free for very long. The Witch-King of Angmar is gathering his strength.'

So he has been for a century,' replied Saruman.

It is changed now.' Gandalf spoke softly, but with a finality that belied the certainty of his thought. He feels the time is ripe for conquest, and he is not wrong. The Three Kingdoms are ill-prepared; Cardolan is weak, Rhudaur possessed by darkness, and Arthedain cannot defend them both. The attack will come soon.'

This is grave news,' said Saruman. He looked thoughtfully out to the horizon, first to the North, and then to the East where clouds obscured the rising sun. But the threat of the Witch-King is not our greatest peril. A greater shadow is taking form, and while I know not its origin, I deem it stronger and of greater danger to these lands than any that shall come from the North.'

The threat of Angmar is imminent,' insisted Gandalf. I too have felt the shadow of the East, but its time is not yet come. I deem we should concern ourselves with the peril that has.'

For a time, Saruman did not answer; still he was looking out across the fields, at something beyond the horizon. I am thought wise by many,' he said at length. And learned I am, in the lore of this world and others. Yet this shadow, I do not understand, though as I think upon it I feel that I see my doom within it.' Here he turned back to Gandalf and spoke less earnestly, with greater conviction. The fate of the Northern Kingdom was decided at the passing of Eärendur. The greed of his sons and the short-sightedness of men sealed its doom even ere we came to Middle-Earth. Divided they will fall.'

Here Gandalf knew that Saruman would not be swayed from his own quest; and he too thought he saw the White Wizard's doom in the shadow of the East. Instead he said only, I shall not tarry here long. I must ride to Imladris, as these matters concern the House of Elrond. I suspect we shall not meet again for some time.' And he whistled for his horse, and prepared to depart; but Saruman caught his arm.

Do not hurry yourself to Imladris,' he said. You fear rightly the peril from the North, and if you must seek a means to stay it, then pass once more through the Three Kingdoms and be watchful; hope may arise where you would seek it not.'

Gandalf smiled, nodding in gratitude. Always of value has your council been, old friend,' he said. It is a shame that we now only meet when times are ill.'

Such is the nature of our task,' replied Saruman. When evil has been stricken from these lands, it will be different. Until that time, go with the will of the Valar to guide you.'

Now Gandalf's horse returned to him, and he mounted without delay. Having said his parting words with Saruman, he turned and rode from the Court, down through the seven tiers of the city and again out through the Great Gate; and so ended the last meeting of the two Wizards in the city of the Tower of the Setting Sun.

North and West Gandalf rode, along the White Mountains through the plains of Anórien to Dunland, then across the River Isen past the Misty Mountains into the Enedhwaith, Gondor's sparsely populated frontier. Here his path turned more to the North as he made for the southern borders of Rhudaur and the former lands of Arnor, to pay his small part in the doom of that land.