And so indeed it has since befallen: the One and the Seven and the Nine are dest

royed; and the Three have passed away, and with them the Third Age is ended, and the Tales of the Eldar in Middle-earth draw to then-close. Those were the Fading Years, and in them the last flowering of the Elves east of the Sea came to its winter. In that time the Noldor walked still in the Hither Lands, mightiest and fairest of the childr en of the world, and their tongues were still heard by mortal ears. Many things of beauty and wonder remained on earth i n that time, and many things also of evil and dread: Orcs there were and trolls and dragons and fell beasts, and stra nge creatures old and wise in the woods whose names are forgotten; Dwarves still laboured in the hills and wrought with patient craft works of metal and stone that none now can rival. But the Dominion of Men was preparing and all things we re changing, until at last the Dark Lord arose in Mirkwood again. Now of old the name of that forest was Greenwood the Great, and its wide halls a nd aisles were the haunt of many beasts and of birds of bright song; and there was the realm of King Thrandu il under the oak and the beech. But after many years, when well nigh a third of that age of the world had passed, a darkness crept slowly through the wood from the southward, and fear walked there in shadowy glades; fell beasts came hu nting, and cruel and evil creatures laid there their snares. Then the name of the forest was changed and Mirkwood it was called, for the nigh tshade lay deep there, and few dared to pass through, save only in the north where Thranduil s people still held the evil at bay. Whence it came few could tell, and it was long ere even the Wise could discover it. It was the Shad ow of Sauron and the sign of his return. For coming out of the wastes of the East he took up his abode in the south of th e forest, and slowly he grew and took shape there again; in a dark hill he made his dwelling and wrought there his sor cery, and all folk feared the Sorcerer of Dol Guldur, and yet they knew not at first how great was their peril. Even as the first shadows were felt in Mirkwood there appeared in the west of Mi ddle-earth the Istari, whom Men called the Wizards. None knew at that time whence they were, save Crdan of th e Havens, and only to Elrond and to Galadriel did he reveal that they came over the Sea. But afterwards it was sa id among the Elves that they were messengers sent by the Lords of the West to contest the power of Sauron, if he s hould arise again, and to move Elves and Men and all living things of good will to valiant deeds. 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 journeyed far and wide among Elves and M en, and held converse also with beasts and with birds; and the peoples of Middle-earth gave to them many names, for their true names they did not reveal. Chief among them were those whom the Elves called Mithrandir and Curunr, but Men in the North named Gandalf and Saruman. Of these Curunr was the eldest and came first, and after him came Mithrandir and Radagast, and others of the Istari who went into the east of Middle-earth, and do not come int o these tales. Radagast was the friend of all beasts and birds; but Curunr went most among Men, and he was subtle in speech

and skilled in all the devices of smith-craft. Mithrandir was closest in counsel with Elrond and the Elves. He wan dered far in the North and West and made never in any land any lasting abode; but Curunr journeyed into the East, and when he returned he dwelt at Orthanc in the Ring of Isengard, which the Nmenreans made in the days of their pow er. Ever most vigilant was Mithrandir, and he it was that most doubted the darkness in 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 Guldur, and the Sorcerer fled from him, and there was a watchful peace for a long while. But at length the Shadow returned and its 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 Crdan, and other lords o f the Eldar, and with them were Mithrandir and Curunr. And Curunr (that was Saruman the White) was chosen to be th eir chief, for he had most studied the devices of Sauron of old. Galadriel indeed had wished that Mithrandi r should be the Lead of the Council, and Saruman begrudged them that, for his pride and desire of mastery was grown g reat; but Mithrandir refused the office, since he would have no ties and no allegiance, save to those who sent hi m, and he would abide in no place nor be subject to any summons. But Saruman now began to study the lore of the Rings of Power, their making and their history. Now the Shadow grew ever greater, and the hearts of Elrond and Mithrandir darke ned. Therefore on a time Mithrandir at great peril went again to Dol Guldur and the pits of the Sorcerer, and he discovered the truth of his fears, and escaped. And returning to Elrond he said: True, alas, is our guess. This is not one of the lairi, as many have long supposed . It is Sauron himself who has taken shape again and now grows apace; and he is gathering again all the Rings t o his hand; and he seeks ever for news of the One, and of the Heirs of Isildur, if they live still on earth. And Elrond answered: In the hour that Isildur took the Ring and would not surrend er it, this doom was wrought, that Sauron should return. Yet the One was lost,' said Mithrandir, and while it still lies hid, we can master the Enemy, if we gather our strength and tarry not too long.' Then the White Council was summoned; and Mithrandir urged them to swift deeds, b ut Curunr spoke against him, and counselled them to wait yet and to watch.