Gandalf's staff - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Beruthiel · 11-21-2002, 08:41 PM

I was just wondering, does any one know how Gandalg got his staff back after he defeats the Balrog?? Or does he make a new one?? I've always wondered but it didn't say how he did it in the books.

Túroch · 11-21-2002, 08:44 PM

I've always assumed that he was given a new staff after he came back to middle earth. After all Gandalf the White should rightly have a different staff then Gandalf the Grey.

Knight of Gondor · 11-21-2002, 09:15 PM

I would guess he got a new staff...unless he spent some time carving his old one into his new one while falling after the Balrog...

I always wondered if, you know, maybe Gandalf's soul went back to Illuvatar, and Illuvatar sent Gandalf back to Middle-Earth or something. That could only explain the change from Grey to White, right? I'm not too UP on how that whole thing happened.

Kalimac · 11-21-2002, 09:35 PM

My guess would be that Galadriel made a new staff for him, but to be honest I don't have any real reason for it; it just seems to be part of her whole approach to caring for him - sending the Eagles to fetch Gandalf, giving him his new white clothing, getting him back into shape for the outside world, etc [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]. And somehow I don't think that making a Wizard's staff would be beyond her talents (she would make it personally, of course, the way she wove the cloaks for the fellowship herself along with her ladies).

Legolas · 11-21-2002, 09:44 PM

The Encyclopedia of Arda speculates that after Gandalf passed, Gwaihir recovered Glamdring, and at that same time, I would assume he retrieved Gandalf's staff too. Pure speculation, but since Gandalf had Glamdring when he came back, it must've been retrieved somehow, and it would seem strange for his sword to be retrieved while his staff was left.

Estelyn Telcontar · 11-22-2002, 03:13 AM

Assuming that Gandalf's staff is wooden, wouldn't it possibly have burned during the fight with the Balrog?

***Sharkû*** · 11-22-2002, 03:52 AM

Probably not on the basis that they came from Aman and were more than just a prop for old age.

See here for some thoughts on that matter (and Mhoram's first post... coming to the board with a post agreeing with me, way to go).

[ November 22, 2002: Message edited by: Sharkû ]

Amarinth · 11-22-2002, 04:53 AM

just on a tangent---

My guess would be that Galadriel made a new staff for him, but to be honest I don't have any real reason for it; it just seems to be part of her whole approach to caring for him - sending the Eagles to fetch Gandalf, giving him his new white clothing, getting him back into shape for the outside world, etc

off the top of my head kalimac, wasn't it radagast the brown who sent the eagles to gandalf? gandalf told radagast to send him word at orthanc when they met in the forest and radagast relayed saruman's summons. so i thought radagast sent the eagles to bring gandalf tidings, thereby acquitting himself of any treachery wrt saruman's.

not really related to the thread, of course [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]...

Legolas · 11-22-2002, 03:02 PM

Speaking of Gandalf's body being fetched from Moria, not Orthanc.

Galorme · 11-23-2002, 04:39 AM

I think that he made his own one, with a nice white jewel on the top, like a mock-up Silmiril. I don’t know why I think this, but question: Gandalf the white is always shinning, where does the shine come from?

Actually no that’s probably completely wrong. The glow could well have come from his cloths (if Galadriel can make cloths that are totally unnoticeable then I am sure she can make some very obvious one too). I agree Galadriel might have made it, but I don’t think that there is really much importance in the staff, the power came from Gandalf not his props.

11-21-2002, 08:41 PM	#1
Beruthiel Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Set adrift on the Great Sea Posts: 373	Gandalf's staff I was just wondering, does any one know how Gandalg got his staff back after he defeats the Balrog?? Or does he make a new one?? I've always wondered but it didn't say how he did it in the books. __________________ ~I am not young enough to know everything~ Oscar Wilde

11-21-2002, 08:44 PM	#2
Túroch Wight Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Oklahoma State University Posts: 102	I've always assumed that he was given a new staff after he came back to middle earth. After all Gandalf the White should rightly have a different staff then Gandalf the Grey. __________________ For the valour of the Edain the Elves shall ever remember as the ages lengthen, marvelling that they gave life so freely of which thay had on earth so little. But it is not for thy valour only that I send thee, but to bring into the world a hope beyond thy sight, and a light that shall pierce the darkness." Ulmo - Lord of waters

11-21-2002, 09:15 PM	#3
Knight of Gondor Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Kentucky Posts: 744	I would guess he got a new staff...unless he spent some time carving his old one into his new one while falling after the Balrog... I always wondered if, you know, maybe Gandalf's soul went back to Illuvatar, and Illuvatar sent Gandalf back to Middle-Earth or something. That could only explain the change from Grey to White, right? I'm not too UP on how that whole thing happened. __________________ Eagerly awaiting the REAL Return of the King - Jesus Christ! Revelation 19:11-16

11-21-2002, 09:35 PM	#4
Kalimac Candle of the Marshes Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Flyover Country Posts: 780	My guess would be that Galadriel made a new staff for him, but to be honest I don't have any real reason for it; it just seems to be part of her whole approach to caring for him - sending the Eagles to fetch Gandalf, giving him his new white clothing, getting him back into shape for the outside world, etc [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]. And somehow I don't think that making a Wizard's staff would be beyond her talents (she would make it personally, of course, the way she wove the cloaks for the fellowship herself along with her ladies). __________________ Father, dear Father, if you see fit, We'll send my love to college for one year yet Tie blue ribbons all about his head, To let the ladies know that he's married.

11-21-2002, 09:44 PM	#5
Legolas A Northern Soul Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Valinor Posts: 1,847	The Encyclopedia of Arda speculates that after Gandalf passed, Gwaihir recovered Glamdring, and at that same time, I would assume he retrieved Gandalf's staff too. Pure speculation, but since Gandalf had Glamdring when he came back, it must've been retrieved somehow, and it would seem strange for his sword to be retrieved while his staff was left. __________________ ...take counsel with thyself, and remember who and what thou art.

11-22-2002, 03:13 AM	#6
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Assuming that Gandalf's staff is wooden, wouldn't it possibly have burned during the fight with the Balrog? __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

11-22-2002, 03:52 AM	#7
*Sharkû* Hungry Ghoul Join Date: Jun 2000 Posts: 1,719	Probably not on the basis that they came from Aman and were more than just a prop for old age. See here for some thoughts on that matter (and Mhoram's first post... coming to the board with a post agreeing with me, way to go). [ November 22, 2002: Message edited by: Sharkû ]

11-22-2002, 04:53 AM	#8
Amarinth Wight Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: realm of agonized volcanoes Posts: 113	just on a tangent--- My guess would be that Galadriel made a new staff for him, but to be honest I don't have any real reason for it; it just seems to be part of her whole approach to caring for him - sending the Eagles to fetch Gandalf, giving him his new white clothing, getting him back into shape for the outside world, etc off the top of my head kalimac, wasn't it radagast the brown who sent the eagles to gandalf? gandalf told radagast to send him word at orthanc when they met in the forest and radagast relayed saruman's summons. so i thought radagast sent the eagles to bring gandalf tidings, thereby acquitting himself of any treachery wrt saruman's. not really related to the thread, of course [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]... __________________ pity this busy monster,manunkind, not / -progress is a comfortable disease;/ your victim (death and life safely beyond) / plays with the bigness of his littleness ---ee cummings

11-22-2002, 03:02 PM	#9
Legolas A Northern Soul Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Valinor Posts: 1,847	Speaking of Gandalf's body being fetched from Moria, not Orthanc. __________________ ...take counsel with thyself, and remember who and what thou art.

11-23-2002, 04:39 AM	#10
Galorme Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: London Posts: 337	I think that he made his own one, with a nice white jewel on the top, like a mock-up Silmiril. I don’t know why I think this, but question: Gandalf the white is always shinning, where does the shine come from? Actually no that’s probably completely wrong. The glow could well have come from his cloths (if Galadriel can make cloths that are totally unnoticeable then I am sure she can make some very obvious one too). I agree Galadriel might have made it, but I don’t think that there is really much importance in the staff, the power came from Gandalf not his props. __________________ Utúlie'n aurë! Aiya Eldalië ar Atanatári, utúlie'n aurë! The day has come! Behold people of the Eldar and Fathers of Men, the day has come!