[alatar]

Some interesting points:

• And I thought that *I* was cynical...We never read about Mandalf, Gandalf's brother, as he never amounted to much, and was a typical person, unlike his more noble brother, who by being exceptional, became worthy of a story or two. (Name the thirtieth best soccer player...)

• Like who 'wrote' or prophesied the 'poem?' Or was it a simple statement of fact at a particular moment of time? Or, specifically, in regards to Gandalf not being a King, was rhyming placed before dry facts (which would explain Galadriel as well...but also may have been a ruse to confuse the enemy. "Galadriel," Sauron pondered, "Nah...she's a Queen, and so it must be Celeborn, but I'm getting no vibes from him...most confusing.")?

• Gandalf was able to create fire on Caradhras, which even a Dwarf could not do. He states, at that time, that he'd just given himself away, as anyone seeing a fire in such conditions, and having access to Who's Who in Middle Earth would know that only Gandalf could have done such a miraculous deed.

• Gandalf escapes the Balrog. The Balrog is never seen again. We could assume that the Balrog died, even if Lord Gravity were its slayer, and so we can place that on Gandalf's resume, as even if he simply tricked the Balrog, he did something few others could or did not. And how did the Bridge and Doorway (of Balin's Room) in Moria fall?

• After all is said and done, doesn't Gandalf dress Frodo and Sam just before they meet "King Aragorn?" That gets me, and maybe there're other examples, but we have this Fellow or Fraud, great and wise (or at least considered so) stooping to serve others. He rejects Saruman, who would not serve. Gandalf even pities those caught by Sauron. That's cool stuff.

• And lastly, I, being genetically predisposed to being suspicious, always get out my microscope when someone writes..."I am actually a fan of LotR." Just drink the Kool-Aid, and all paradoxes, discrepancies and other apparent oddities will disappear.