How Sauron Returned: The Secret History of Gandalf and the Third Age
How Sauron Resurrected? The Secret Birth and Backstory of Wizard Gandalf
Have you ever re-watched The Lord of the Rings and wondered, "Why was the One Ring just lying in a river for thousands of years?" or "Where exactly did Gandalf and Saruman come from?" 🧙♂️
Many fans know the main story, but the real intrigue lies in the Third Age—a period of quiet terror, political maneuvering, and the slow, creeping return of the Dark Lord. Today, we aren't just summarizing lore; we are diving deep into J.R.R. Tolkien’s grand history to understand the mechanics of Sauron's survival and the divine intervention that sent the Wizards to stop him.
If you want to understand the true depth of Middle-earth's history, you're in the right place. Let's peel back the layers of history! 😊
📑 Table of Contents
1. The Tragedy of Isildur and the Lost Ring 🤔
The story of Sauron's return begins with a failure to destroy him completely. After the War of the Last Alliance, Isildur, the High King of Gondor and Arnor, claimed the One Ring as weregild (blood payment) for his father's death, rather than casting it into Mount Doom.
Isildur believed he could control the Ring or use it as an heirloom. This hubris allowed Sauron's spirit to remain anchored to Middle-earth. As long as the Ring existed, Sauron could never truly die.
While marching north to his kingdom of Arnor, Isildur's company was ambushed by Orcs at the Gladden Fields. In a desperate attempt to escape, Isildur put on the Ring, turning invisible. He dove into the Anduin River, hoping to swim to safety. However, the Ring—possessing a malicious will of its own—betrayed him. It slipped from his finger, making him visible to the Orc archers.
Isildur fell, and the Ring sank into the riverbed, lost to history for over 2,500 years. This event is crucial: the loss of the Ring meant Sauron was crippled, but its survival meant his resurrection was inevitable.
2. The 'Istari' Revealed: Divine Messengers 🧙♂️
As the shadow of Sauron began to stir again around the year 1000 of the Third Age, the Valar (the god-like powers of the West) decided to intervene. However, they vowed not to match Sauron's power with force, which had previously destroyed continents. Instead, they sent emissaries to guide the Free Peoples.
These emissaries were the Istari, known to men as Wizards. They were Maiar spirits (the same order of being as Sauron) clad in the bodies of old men. This limited their power and made them susceptible to hunger, fear, and doubt.
The Five Wizards of Middle-earth
| Name (Color) | Role & Characteristics | Origin Name |
|---|---|---|
| Saruman (White) | The leader. Skilled in speech, craft, and machinery. Tasked with studying Sauron's arts to defeat him. | Curumo |
| Gandalf (Grey) | The humble pilgrim. Friend to all free folk. His greatest power was kindling hope in hearts. | Olórin |
| Radagast (Brown) | Concerned with flora and fauna. Often underestimated, but a master of shapes and hues. | Aiwendil |
| Blue Wizards | Two mysterious figures sent into the East. Their fates are largely unknown in the main texts. | Alatar / Pallando |
When they arrived at the Grey Havens, Círdan the Shipwright saw deep wisdom in Gandalf (despite Saruman being the leader) and secretly gave him Narya, the Ring of Fire, to help him ignite courage in a darkening world.
3. The Necromancer of Dol Guldur 🏰
Sauron did not return to Mordor immediately. He knew he was too weak. Instead, he established a stronghold in southern Mirkwood called Dol Guldur. For centuries, the wise believed this dark presence was merely a "Necromancer" (a sorcerer dealing with the dead), perhaps one of the Nazgûl.
This was Sauron's masterstroke. By hiding his identity, he slowly gathered his strength and searched the Gladden Fields for the Ring without drawing the full wrath of the West.
The Failure of the White Council
Gandalf eventually infiltrated Dol Guldur and confirmed the Necromancer was indeed Sauron. He urged the White Council (Saruman, Galadriel, Elrond, etc.) to attack immediately.
However, Saruman overruled him. Why?
- Corruption: Saruman had secretly begun searching for the One Ring himself.
- Strategy: He believed the Ring would reveal itself if Sauron was allowed to build power, hoping to snatch it first.
This delay allowed Sauron to complete his resurrection plans and eventually retreat to Mordor, ready for war.
4. The Fall of Arnor and the Rise of Rangers ⚔️
While Sauron hid in the south, his chief servant, the Witch-king of Angmar, was busy in the north. His mission was to destroy the Northern Kingdom of Arnor, whose Numenorean bloodline posed a threat to Sauron.
Over centuries of war, Arnor was fractured and finally destroyed. Its cities burned, and its people were scattered. However, the royal line did not die out. The heirs of Isildur went into hiding, becoming the Dunedain Rangers.
This historical context explains why Aragorn, a rightful King, appears as a rough, mud-stained wanderer in The Fellowship of the Ring. They protected the simple folk (like Hobbits) from the shadows, keeping the memory of the Kings alive until the time was right.
Core Takeaways
Frequently Asked Questions ❓
In the end, Sauron's defeat didn't come from the mighty Saruman or the armies of Gondor, but from the very people he overlooked—the Hobbits. Gandalf's wisdom lay in recognizing that even the smallest person can change the course of the future.
Do you think Saruman could have defeated Sauron if he stayed loyal? Or was his fall inevitable? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below! 😊
