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If we look at The Hobbit we see Gandalf playing the same kind of role when he turns up at the start & tricks Bilbo into joining the Quest of Erebor.-davem
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I was immediately struck by this, before Bombadil or Gollum came to mind. Gandalf's character in the hobbit is much more whimsical and in character with the idea of the Trickster than in LOTR. While he is in some cases the deus-ex-machina that allows the company to make it out of some desperate situation (the encounter with the Trolls), he is nearly as likely to just disappear and leave the dwarves and Bilbo more or less defenseless. He comes and goes seemingly without rhyme or reason (although this is filled out a little bit in other writings when the larger history becomes clear) and he is clearly mischievous and a little devious. Although you know that he is interested in seeing the mission to Erebor succeed, he vanishes before the crucial moment and isn't seen again until after the dragon is dead.
Anyway, very interesting topic.
Sophia
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The seasons fall like silver swords, the years rush ever onward; and soon I sail, to leave this world, these lands where I have wander'd. O Elbereth! O Queen who dwells beyond the Western Seas, spare me yet a little time 'ere white ships come for me!
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