Where did Gandalf live? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Boromir88 · 09-15-2006, 09:32 AM

Gandalf was thought of (for those who didn't know any better) as an Elf, and it was said that he (as Olorin) would walk amongst them clothed in Elven fashion:

Quote:

But of Olorin that tale does not speak; for though he loved the Elves, he walked amon them unseen, or in form as one of them, and they did not know whence he came the fair visions or the promtings of his wisdom that he put into their hearts.~The Valaquenta

I can see Gandalf travelling around to a lot of places, I doubt there was much time for him to sit and rest if he was to complete his task. As we see with Radagast and Saruman, who stray from their task and take up dwellings. Gandalf stays true to his mission and is all around Middle-earth directing resistance against Sauron, so I doubt there was much time for him to stay and dwell in one particular place. But, he took a liking to Hobbits and Elves, and so the Shire and Elf havens would be the most likely places, on Middle-earth that is.

Edit:

And eventhough if at first Olorin rather liked the Elves, he comes to love all the races of Middle-earth as he aids and interacts with all of those against Sauron.

The Squatter of Amon Rûdh · 09-15-2006, 09:53 AM

Although that's true, and Gandalf's Sindarin name Mithrandir even means 'Grey Wanderer' or 'Grey Pilgrim', he did have a permanent home: Valinor. He just didn't go there for most of the Third Age.

During his time in the Hither Lands he lived everywhere and nowhere, dividing his time between the various places to which his mission took him. He even says of Tom Bombadil in LotR: "He has been a moss gatherer ; and I have been a stone doomed to rolling".

In HoME XVI, the Valinórean land of Dun Rómin is named as the place of Olórin's retirement after his return from the War of the Ring. *

* Not really

Mithalwen · 09-15-2006, 10:24 AM

The only thing that I wonder (and I am suprised Boro hasn't thought about this

) is where did he make his fireworks .... that isn't really something you can do on the road ....

Essex · 09-15-2006, 11:00 AM

Gandalf has been VERY busy if he hasn't had a home in the 2000 odd years he was in Middle-earth.......

That's a LONG time!!!!

Maybe 'wherever I lay my hat, that's my home' is his moto.....

Mithalwen · 09-15-2006, 11:13 AM

Don't you get the feeling that he may hbave outstayed his welcome at Rivendell though .... Elrond is pretty keen to get him on any quest going ...

The Squatter of Amon Rûdh · 09-15-2006, 12:32 PM

Perhaps Elrond was receiving complaints about the smell of sulphur from an impromptu fireworks factory. After all, Rivendell is as good a place as any.

Returning to your point, Essex: the fact that Gandalf didn't really settle anywhere doesn't mean that he didn't live somewhere on a temporary basis, although I don't remember any mention of that. To my mind he had his work cut out for him inspiring and guiding the enemies of Sauron throughout North-Western Middle-earth, travelling thousands of miles on horseback or on foot and still managing to attend meetings of the White Council. No wonder he tried to get out of it by claiming to be afraid of Sauron.

A_Brandybuck · 09-15-2006, 01:00 PM

I agree with you, that Gandalf hadn't really a 'home' in his time in Middle-Earth. He was wandering and helping and wandering and helping all the time, so it is understandable, that there was no need to build, buy or whatever a house to live in.

But I've ever thought, that the Shire was the home of Gandalf in a far sense. The Shire is a place, where Gandalf can find diversion from the sorrows of Middle-Earth. The Shire with its merry folk is a place Gandalf loves. There exists a special binding between Gandalf and the Shire.

There is a quote from UT, The Quest of Erebor, which seems to underline my theory:
"Those were my dark thoughts as I jogged along the road. I was tired, and I was going to the Shire for a short rest, after being away from it for more than twenty years. I thought that if I put them out of my mind for a while I might perhaps find some way of dealing with these troubles. And so I did indeed, though I was not allowed to put them out of my mind.

It sounds like coming home after a long time being absent.

Sardy · 09-18-2006, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

The only thing that I wonder (and I am suprised Boro hasn't thought about this

) is where did he make his fireworks ....

I was always under the impression (though I can't back it up with any passages) that the Dwarves, specifically those of the lonely mountain, created the fireworks and other trinkets, which Gandalf eagerly collected in his travel. I would assume that his fireworks were often augmented with elven magic and charms of his own

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

that isn't really something you can do on the road ....

Why not? I can easily see Gandalf, resting by his campfire while on the long road, sitting back and meditating on the "bigger picture" while tinkering with his fireworks...

Eomer of the Rohirrim · 09-18-2006, 01:24 PM

Being in Middle-earth for that length of time would be like going out for an afternoon's hike to an Ainu.

Boromir88 · 09-18-2006, 02:18 PM

Quote:

The only thing that I wonder (and I am suprised Boro hasn't thought about this ) is where did he make his fireworks

I guess I can comment now, though Gandalf's fireworks is always something I took a special interest in...you know me and my pyrotechnic connections.

Gandalf's fireworks I've always assumed had to of been in some way magically enhanced, as there is no way we have the chemical capability or knowledge to make a huge stinkin' mountain or a flying dragon. I mean heck, my company is struggling trying to make such a simple design as a Walmart smiley face. Think about making a huge mountain and a dragon would be like?

Therefor Gandalf's fireworks probably was gunpowder as Gandalf says 'I can't melt snow,' he has to have an object to work with, it can't just be some energy mass of magic. But his magic enhances in this case the entertainment purposes to make really styling and complex fireworks.

Morsul the Dark · 09-18-2006, 07:53 PM

well i would Say...(very little knowldge of such things) he would have made fre works in the mountains wth sulfur(thats mined right?) as for a home it's in mirkwood(why else would he want the ncromancer out?)

Ghazi · 09-17-2006, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Squatter of Amon Rûdh

In HoME XVI, the Valinórean land of Dun Rómin is named as the place of Olórin's retirement after his return from the War of the Ring. *

* Not really

Alcarin · 09-17-2006, 07:44 AM

Forget the house...did he ever had a girlfriend?

Raynor · 09-17-2006, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alcarin

Forget the house...did he ever had a girlfriend?

Well... he was a follower of Nienna, who "dwells" alone, so that might have influenced him. It should be noted , moreover, that the spouses of the valar "means only association", according to the Annals of Aman, HoME X. I guess that Melian was the one time exception among the gods...

09-15-2006, 09:53 AM	#2
The Squatter of Amon Rûdh Spectre of Decay Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bar-en-Danwedh Posts: 2,178	Like a rolling stone Although that's true, and Gandalf's Sindarin name Mithrandir even means 'Grey Wanderer' or 'Grey Pilgrim', he did have a permanent home: Valinor. He just didn't go there for most of the Third Age. During his time in the Hither Lands he lived everywhere and nowhere, dividing his time between the various places to which his mission took him. He even says of Tom Bombadil in LotR: "He has been a moss gatherer ; and I have been a stone doomed to rolling". In HoME XVI, the Valinórean land of Dun Rómin is named as the place of Olórin's retirement after his return from the War of the Ring. * * Not really __________________ Man kenuva métim' andúne?

09-15-2006, 10:24 AM	#3
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	The only thing that I wonder (and I am suprised Boro hasn't thought about this ) is where did he make his fireworks .... that isn't really something you can do on the road .... __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

09-15-2006, 11:13 AM	#5
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	Don't you get the feeling that he may hbave outstayed his welcome at Rivendell though .... Elrond is pretty keen to get him on any quest going ... __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

09-15-2006, 12:32 PM	#6
The Squatter of Amon Rûdh Spectre of Decay Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bar-en-Danwedh Posts: 2,178	Offensive chemistry Perhaps Elrond was receiving complaints about the smell of sulphur from an impromptu fireworks factory. After all, Rivendell is as good a place as any. Returning to your point, Essex: the fact that Gandalf didn't really settle anywhere doesn't mean that he didn't live somewhere on a temporary basis, although I don't remember any mention of that. To my mind he had his work cut out for him inspiring and guiding the enemies of Sauron throughout North-Western Middle-earth, travelling thousands of miles on horseback or on foot and still managing to attend meetings of the White Council. No wonder he tried to get out of it by claiming to be afraid of Sauron. __________________ Man kenuva métim' andúne?

09-15-2006, 01:00 PM	#7
A_Brandybuck Haunting Spirit Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 95	I agree with you, that Gandalf hadn't really a 'home' in his time in Middle-Earth. He was wandering and helping and wandering and helping all the time, so it is understandable, that there was no need to build, buy or whatever a house to live in. But I've ever thought, that the Shire was the home of Gandalf in a far sense. The Shire is a place, where Gandalf can find diversion from the sorrows of Middle-Earth. The Shire with its merry folk is a place Gandalf loves. There exists a special binding between Gandalf and the Shire. There is a quote from UT, The Quest of Erebor, which seems to underline my theory: "Those were my dark thoughts as I jogged along the road. I was tired, and I was going to the Shire for a short rest, after being away from it for more than twenty years. I thought that if I put them out of my mind for a while I might perhaps find some way of dealing with these troubles. And so I did indeed, though I was not allowed to put them out of my mind. It sounds like coming home after a long time being absent. __________________ „I don't know half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve."

09-15-2006, 11:00 AM	#4
Essex Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Essex, England Posts: 886	Gandalf has been VERY busy if he hasn't had a home in the 2000 odd years he was in Middle-earth....... That's a LONG time!!!! Maybe 'wherever I lay my hat, that's my home' is his moto.....

09-18-2006, 01:24 PM	#9
Eomer of the Rohirrim Auspicious Wraith Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,859	Being in Middle-earth for that length of time would be like going out for an afternoon's hike to an Ainu. __________________ Los Ingobernables de Harlond

09-18-2006, 07:53 PM	#11
Morsul the Dark Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 3,448	well i would Say...(very little knowldge of such things) he would have made fre works in the mountains wth sulfur(thats mined right?) as for a home it's in mirkwood(why else would he want the ncromancer out?) __________________ Morsul the Resurrected

09-17-2006, 07:44 AM	#13
Alcarin Pile O'Bones Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: In your House Posts: 18	Forget the house...did he ever had a girlfriend? __________________ “By the Way of the warrior is meant death. The Way of the warrior is death. This means choosing death whenever there is a choice between life and death. It means nothing more than this. It means to see things through, being resolved.”