[Yavanna Kementari]

Ummm,to start: Actually Mithrandir is Olórin's name in Elvish(Sindarin)

On Gandalf He seems to be the least because he is not boastful of himself and serves others. As was his instructions of the Valar. Tolkien was a Christian, remember that in the Bible Jesus said those that are exhaulted shall be abased and the humble shall be exhaulted.

IMHO if you wanna be at the top you gotta start at the bottom [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

The Silmarillion: The Valaquenta~ Of the Maiar pg.22~ Wisest of the Maiar was Olórin. He too dwelt in Lorien,but his ways took him often to the house of Nienna, and of her he learned pity and patience. Olórin though he loved the Elves, he walked among them unseen, or in form as one of them, and they did not know whence came the fair visions or the promptings of wisdom that he put into their hearts. In later days he was a friend to all the Children of Ilúvatar, and took pity on their sorrows; and those who listened to him awoke from despair and put away the imaginations of darkness.

This is also a very interesting statement made by the Professor himself in the Silmarillion as well.

The Silmarillion: Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age pg.361 In the likeness of Men they appeared, old but vigorous, and they changed little with the years, and aged but slowly, though great cares lay on them; great wisdom they had, and many powers of mind and hand. Long they had journeyed far and wide among Elves and Men, and held converse also with beasts and with birds; and the people of Middle-earth gave to them many names, for their true names they did not reveal. Chief among them were those whom the Elves call Mithrandir and Curunír, but the Men in the North named them Gandalf and Saruman. Of these Curunír was the eldest and came first, and after him came Mithrandir and Radagast, and the other Istari who went into the east of Middle-earth, and do not come into these tales. ...
Mithrandir was closest in counsel with Elrond and the Elves. He wandered far in the North and West and made never in any land lasting abode; but Curunír journeyed into the East, and when he returned he dwelt at Orthanc in the Ring of Isengard, which the Númenóreans made in the days of their power.
Ever most vigilant was Mithrandir, and he it was that most doubted the darkness of Mirkwood, for though many deemed that it was wrought by the Ringwraiths, he feared that it was indeed the first shadow of Sauron returning; and he went to Dol Goldur, and the Sorcerer fled from him, and there was a watchful peace for a long while. But at length the Shadow returned and it's power increased; and in that time was first made the Council of the Wise that is called the White Council, and therein were Elrond and Galadriel and Círdan, and other lords of the Eldar, and with them were Mithrandir and Curunír. And Curunír(that was Saruman the White) was chosen to be their chief, for he had most studied the devices of Sauron of old. Galadriel indeed had wished that Mithrandir should be the head of the Council, and Saruman begrudged them that, for his pride and desire of mastery was grown great; but Mithrandir refused the office, since he would have no ties and no allegiance, save those who sent him, and he would abide in no place nor be subject to any summons.

Also there is proof that Curunír is not the wisest, he was sort of foolish here; actually, he knew what he was doing ( in that way he was wise, for evil and selfish purposes only) but it was not the righteous kind of wisdom.

The Silmarillion: Of the Rings of Power and The Third Age pg. 361 'Yet the One was lost,' said Mithrandir, 'and while it still lies hid, we can master the Enemy, if we gather our strenght and tarry not too long.' Then the White Council was summoned; and Mithrandir urged them to swift deeds, but Curunír spoke against him, and counselled them to wait yet and to watch. 'For I believe not,' said he, 'that the one will ever be found again in Middle-earth. Into Aunduin it fell, and long ago, I deem, it was rolled to the Sea. There it shall lie until the end, when all this world is broken and the deeps are removed.' Therefore naught was done at that time, htough Elronds heart misgave him, and he said to Mithrandir: 'Nonetheless I forebode that the One will yet be found, and then war will rise again, and in that war this Age will be ended. Indeed in a second darkness it will wnd, unless some strange chance deliver us that my eyes cannot see.'

The only reason Saruman was the Head of the Council is because he knew the most about Sauron. And they wanted to use his knowledge to defeat him. Sadly all this knowledge was much to his demise and his will bent to evil. The only reason Gandalf wasn't the head is because he wanted to be loyal to his first duty and that was to lead the Children of Ilúvatar in the righteous direction. He could have been Gandalf the White first, but refused it. And being wise he didn't bite off more than he could chew, so to speak.

In actuality Gandalf is not the least of the Istari. He is the highest of the Istari.

I hope this helps!!! ~(~<~> Yavanna

[ April 27, 2003: Message edited by: Yavanna Kementari ]