Gandalf before the War of the Ring

[Potatothan]

Originally Posted by symestreem

It seems that Gandalf was just watching out for all of Middle-earth.

Very true. Gandalf called himself a stuart before he left Denethor the first time he got to Minas Tirith with Pippin. But to be more precise of Gandalf's job, Gandalf was send to help Middle-Earth to fight of Sauron. After Sauron was defeated, Gandalf soon left. His job was done. He helped the kings and Thain's. Although it only known that he helped the humans, but it was only the humans that needed help. The elf lords were wize enough and the Hobbit's didn't get in trouble. When they did, he aided them ofcourse, but it was only necsesary once. (the long winter) When Sauron was defeated and the shire was infaded, Gandalf didn't intervere because it wasn't his job and he was not allowed to. The enemy was not Sauron, but Saruman. Of course Gandalf knew that the four Hobbits could manage Saruman, else I think he helped out a bit. But Saruman had no power anymore, left his voice.

He pointed the rulers to the dangers they had not seen, thus warning them before they would be destroyed. That is why some called him a bringer of bad news, but he only brought the news if it was really nescesary in his opinion.

Before the war of the ring he did exactly the same as during: giving adivse. He was chosen for his wisedom, not his strength. Well ofcourse they wouldn't have sended a smart weakling, but none of the Maiar were. As stated in the Silmarillion Gandalf was the smartest of the Maiar, so it was obvious that he was chosen.

Hope that helps

~Potatothan