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Putting The Awe Back In Magic
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<blockquote data-quote="Doug McCrae" data-source="post: 7997545" data-attributes="member: 21169"><p>This post is supplemental to #47 upthread. It details additional examples of Gandalf’s magic from JRR Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.</p><p></p><p>The Fellowship of the Ring</p><p></p><p>Book I</p><p></p><p>Chapter 1 A Long-Expected Party</p><p></p><p style="margin-left: 20px">There were rockets like a flight of scintillating birds singing with sweet voices. There were green trees with trunks of dark smoke: their leaves opened like a whole spring unfolding in a moment, and their shining branches dropped glowing flowers down upon the astonished hobbits, disappearing with a sweet scent just before they touched their upturned faces. There were fountains of butterflies that flew glittering into the trees; there were pillars of coloured fires that rose and turned into eagles, or sailing ships, or a phalanx of flying swans; there was a red thunderstorm and a shower of yellow rain; there was a forest of silver spears that sprang suddenly into the air with a yell like an embattled army, and came down again into the Water with a hiss like a hundred hot snakes. And there was also one last surprise, in honour of Bilbo, and it startled the hobbits exceedingly, as Gandalf intended. The lights went out. A great smoke went up. It shaped itself like a mountain seen in the distance, and began to glow at the summit. It spouted green and scarlet flames. Out flew a red-golden dragon – not life-size, but terribly life-like: fire came from his jaws, his eyes glared down; there was a roar, and he whizzed three times over the heads of the crowd. They all ducked, and many fell flat on their faces. The dragon passed like an express train, turned a somersault, and burst over Bywater with a deafening explosion.</p><p></p><p style="margin-left: 20px">There was a blinding flash of light, and the guests all blinked…</p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">‘That flash was surprising: it quite startled me [Bilbo], let alone the others. A little addition of your [Gandalf] own, I suppose?’ </p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">‘It was.</p><p></p><p style="margin-left: 20px">He [Gandalf] took a step towards the hobbit, and he seemed to grow tall and menacing; his shadow filled the little room.</p><p></p><p>Book II</p><p></p><p>Chapter 1 Many Meetings</p><p></p><p style="margin-left: 20px">‘You have talked long in your sleep, Frodo,’ said Gandalf gently, ‘and it has not been hard for me to read your mind and memory.</p><p></p><p style="margin-left: 20px">He was smiling, and there seemed to be little wrong with him. But to the wizard’s eye there was a faint change, just a hint as it were of transparency, about him, and especially about the left hand that lay outside upon the coverlet.</p><p></p><p>Chapter 2 The Council of Elrond</p><p></p><p style="margin-left: 20px">The change in the wizard’s voice was astounding. Suddenly it became menacing, powerful, harsh as stone. A shadow seemed to pass over the high sun, and the porch for a moment grew dark. All trembled, and the Elves stopped their ears.</p><p></p><p>This is a consequence of Gandalf speaking the words engraved on the One Ring in Black Speech, and may be due to their power rather than Gandalf’s.</p><p></p><p style="margin-left: 20px">‘May your beer be laid under an enchantment of surpassing excellence for seven years!’ said I [Gandalf]</p><p></p><p>The result of this enchantment becomes apparent in RotK Bk VI Ch 7.</p><p></p><p>Chapter 4 A Journey in the Dark</p><p></p><p style="margin-left: 20px">He [Gandalf] laid his hand on the pony’s head, and spoke in a low voice. ‘Go with words of guard and guiding on you,’ he said.</p><p></p><p style="margin-left: 20px">He [Gandalf] passed his hands to and fro, muttering words under his breath… where the wizard’s hands had passed, faint lines appeared, like slender veins of silver running in the stone.</p><p></p><p style="margin-left: 20px">One sign of change that he [Frodo] soon had noticed was that he could see more in the dark than any of his companions, save perhaps Gandalf.</p><p></p><p style="margin-left: 20px">I do not like the feel of the middle way… I shall take the right-hand passage… Gandalf seemed pleased. ‘I chose the right way,’ he said.</p><p></p><p style="margin-left: 20px">He raised his staff, and for a brief instant there was a blaze like a flash of lightning.</p><p></p><p>Chapter 5 The Bridge of Khazad-Dûm</p><p></p><p style="margin-left: 20px">Gandalf stepped before the narrow opening of the door and thrust forward his staff. There was a dazzling flash that lit the chamber and the passage outside.</p><p></p><p style="margin-left: 20px">Then something came into the chamber – I [Gandalf] felt it through the door</p><p></p><p style="margin-left: 20px">There was a ringing clash and a stab of white fire. The Balrog fell back, and its sword flew up in molten fragments.</p><p></p><p>This may be due to the power of Gandalf’s sword, Glamdring, rather than Gandalf.</p><p></p><p>Chapter 7 The Mirror of Galadriel</p><p></p><p style="margin-left: 20px">I [Galadriel] cannot see him [Gandalf] from afar, unless he comes within the fences of Lothlórien: a grey mist is about him, and the ways of his feet and of his mind are hidden from me.</p><p></p><p></p><p>The Two Towers</p><p></p><p>Book III</p><p></p><p>Chapter 5 The White Rider</p><p></p><p style="margin-left: 20px">At last Aragorn stirred. ‘Gandalf!’ he said. ‘Beyond all hope you return to us in our need! What veil was over my sight? Gandalf!’</p><p></p><p style="margin-left: 20px">Then lifting up his [Gandalf’s] head he gave a long whistle. So clear and piercing was the note that the others stood amazed to hear such a sound come from those old bearded lips. Three times he whistled; and then faint and far off it seemed to them that they heard the whinny of a horse borne up from the plains upon the eastern wind.</p><p></p><p>Chapter 6 The King of the Golden Hall</p><p></p><p style="margin-left: 20px">He [Gandalf] lifted his staff and pointed to a high window. There the darkness seemed to clear, and through the opening could be seen, high and far, a patch of shining sky ‘Not all is dark. Take courage, Lord of the Mark...’</p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">Slowly Théoden left his chair. A faint light grew in the hall again…</p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">‘Now, lord,’ said Gandalf, ‘look out upon your land! Breathe the free air again!’</p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">...Suddenly through a rent in the clouds behind them a shaft of sun stabbed down...</p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">‘It is not so dark here,’ said Théoden.</p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">‘No,’ said Gandalf. ‘Nor does age lie so heavily on your shoulders as some would have you think. Cast aside your prop!’</p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">From the king’s hand the black staff fell clattering on the stones. He drew himself up, slowly, as a man that is stiff from long bending over some dull toil. Now tall and straight he stood, and his eyes were blue as he looked into the opening sky.</p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">‘Dark have been my dreams of late,’ he said, ‘but I feel as one new-awakened.</p><p></p><p>Chapter 7 Helm’s Deep</p><p></p><p style="margin-left: 20px">The White Rider was upon them, and the terror of his coming filled the enemy with madness. The wild men fell on their faces before him. The Orcs reeled and screamed and cast aside both sword and spear. Like a black smoke driven by a mounting wind they fled.</p><p></p><p>Chapter 8 The Road to Isengard</p><p></p><p style="margin-left: 20px">As they came the wolves ceased their howling and slunk away. Fear fell on them seeing Gandalf in the moon, and Shadowfax his horse shining like silver.</p><p></p><p></p><p>The Return of the King</p><p></p><p>Book V</p><p></p><p>Chapter 1 Minas Tirith</p><p></p><p style="margin-left: 20px">Then men fell back before the command of his [Gandalf’s] voice and questioned him no further</p><p></p><p style="margin-left: 20px">He [Pippin] felt the strain between them [Gandalf and Denethor], almost as if he saw a line of smouldering fire, drawn from eye to eye, that might suddenly burst into flame.</p><p></p><p style="margin-left: 20px">For a moment the eyes of Denethor glowed again as he faced Gandalf, and Pippin felt once more the strain between their wills; but now almost it seemed as if their glances were like blades from eye to eye, flickering as they fenced.</p><p></p><p>Chapter 4 The Siege of Gondor</p><p></p><p style="margin-left: 20px">Wherever he [Gandalf] came men’s hearts would lift again, and the winged shadows pass from memory.</p><p></p><p>Chapter 7 The Pyre of Denethor</p><p></p><p style="margin-left: 20px">Gandalf sprang up the steps, and the men fell back from him and covered their eyes; for his coming was like the incoming of a white light into a dark place, and he came with great anger. He lifted up his hand, and in the very stroke, the sword of Denethor flew up and left his grasp</p><p></p><p style="margin-left: 20px">Then Gandalf revealed the strength that lay hid in him, even as the light of his power was hidden under his grey mantle. He leaped up on to the faggots, and raising the sick man lightly he sprang down again, and bore him towards the door.</p><p></p><p>Chapter 8 The Houses of Healing</p><p></p><p style="margin-left: 20px">It is given to me [Gandalf] to see many things far off.</p><p></p><p>Chapter 10 The Black Gate Opens</p><p></p><p style="margin-left: 20px">He [Gandalf] cast aside his cloak and a white light shone forth like a sword in that black place. Before his upraised hand the foul Messenger recoiled</p><p></p><p>Book VI</p><p></p><p>Chapter 7 Homeward Bound</p><p></p><p style="margin-left: 20px">Not but what my beer’s good, Gandalf. It’s been uncommon good, since you came in the autumn of last year and put a good word on it.</p><p></p><p>Recounted by Gandalf in Bk II Ch 2 of FotR</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Doug McCrae, post: 7997545, member: 21169"] This post is supplemental to #47 upthread. It details additional examples of Gandalf’s magic from JRR Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. The Fellowship of the Ring Book I Chapter 1 A Long-Expected Party [INDENT]There were rockets like a flight of scintillating birds singing with sweet voices. There were green trees with trunks of dark smoke: their leaves opened like a whole spring unfolding in a moment, and their shining branches dropped glowing flowers down upon the astonished hobbits, disappearing with a sweet scent just before they touched their upturned faces. There were fountains of butterflies that flew glittering into the trees; there were pillars of coloured fires that rose and turned into eagles, or sailing ships, or a phalanx of flying swans; there was a red thunderstorm and a shower of yellow rain; there was a forest of silver spears that sprang suddenly into the air with a yell like an embattled army, and came down again into the Water with a hiss like a hundred hot snakes. And there was also one last surprise, in honour of Bilbo, and it startled the hobbits exceedingly, as Gandalf intended. The lights went out. A great smoke went up. It shaped itself like a mountain seen in the distance, and began to glow at the summit. It spouted green and scarlet flames. Out flew a red-golden dragon – not life-size, but terribly life-like: fire came from his jaws, his eyes glared down; there was a roar, and he whizzed three times over the heads of the crowd. They all ducked, and many fell flat on their faces. The dragon passed like an express train, turned a somersault, and burst over Bywater with a deafening explosion.[/INDENT] [INDENT]There was a blinding flash of light, and the guests all blinked…[/INDENT] [INDENT]‘That flash was surprising: it quite startled me [Bilbo], let alone the others. A little addition of your [Gandalf] own, I suppose?’ [/INDENT] [INDENT]‘It was.[/INDENT] [INDENT]He [Gandalf] took a step towards the hobbit, and he seemed to grow tall and menacing; his shadow filled the little room.[/INDENT] Book II Chapter 1 Many Meetings [INDENT]‘You have talked long in your sleep, Frodo,’ said Gandalf gently, ‘and it has not been hard for me to read your mind and memory.[/INDENT] [INDENT]He was smiling, and there seemed to be little wrong with him. But to the wizard’s eye there was a faint change, just a hint as it were of transparency, about him, and especially about the left hand that lay outside upon the coverlet.[/INDENT] Chapter 2 The Council of Elrond [INDENT]The change in the wizard’s voice was astounding. Suddenly it became menacing, powerful, harsh as stone. A shadow seemed to pass over the high sun, and the porch for a moment grew dark. All trembled, and the Elves stopped their ears.[/INDENT] This is a consequence of Gandalf speaking the words engraved on the One Ring in Black Speech, and may be due to their power rather than Gandalf’s. [INDENT]‘May your beer be laid under an enchantment of surpassing excellence for seven years!’ said I [Gandalf][/INDENT] The result of this enchantment becomes apparent in RotK Bk VI Ch 7. Chapter 4 A Journey in the Dark [INDENT]He [Gandalf] laid his hand on the pony’s head, and spoke in a low voice. ‘Go with words of guard and guiding on you,’ he said.[/INDENT] [INDENT]He [Gandalf] passed his hands to and fro, muttering words under his breath… where the wizard’s hands had passed, faint lines appeared, like slender veins of silver running in the stone.[/INDENT] [INDENT]One sign of change that he [Frodo] soon had noticed was that he could see more in the dark than any of his companions, save perhaps Gandalf.[/INDENT] [INDENT]I do not like the feel of the middle way… I shall take the right-hand passage… Gandalf seemed pleased. ‘I chose the right way,’ he said.[/INDENT] [INDENT]He raised his staff, and for a brief instant there was a blaze like a flash of lightning.[/INDENT] Chapter 5 The Bridge of Khazad-Dûm [INDENT]Gandalf stepped before the narrow opening of the door and thrust forward his staff. There was a dazzling flash that lit the chamber and the passage outside.[/INDENT] [INDENT]Then something came into the chamber – I [Gandalf] felt it through the door[/INDENT] [INDENT]There was a ringing clash and a stab of white fire. The Balrog fell back, and its sword flew up in molten fragments.[/INDENT] This may be due to the power of Gandalf’s sword, Glamdring, rather than Gandalf. Chapter 7 The Mirror of Galadriel [INDENT]I [Galadriel] cannot see him [Gandalf] from afar, unless he comes within the fences of Lothlórien: a grey mist is about him, and the ways of his feet and of his mind are hidden from me.[/INDENT] The Two Towers Book III Chapter 5 The White Rider [INDENT]At last Aragorn stirred. ‘Gandalf!’ he said. ‘Beyond all hope you return to us in our need! What veil was over my sight? Gandalf!’[/INDENT] [INDENT]Then lifting up his [Gandalf’s] head he gave a long whistle. So clear and piercing was the note that the others stood amazed to hear such a sound come from those old bearded lips. Three times he whistled; and then faint and far off it seemed to them that they heard the whinny of a horse borne up from the plains upon the eastern wind.[/INDENT] Chapter 6 The King of the Golden Hall [INDENT]He [Gandalf] lifted his staff and pointed to a high window. There the darkness seemed to clear, and through the opening could be seen, high and far, a patch of shining sky ‘Not all is dark. Take courage, Lord of the Mark...’[/INDENT] [INDENT]Slowly Théoden left his chair. A faint light grew in the hall again…[/INDENT] [INDENT]‘Now, lord,’ said Gandalf, ‘look out upon your land! Breathe the free air again!’[/INDENT] [INDENT]...Suddenly through a rent in the clouds behind them a shaft of sun stabbed down...[/INDENT] [INDENT]‘It is not so dark here,’ said Théoden.[/INDENT] [INDENT]‘No,’ said Gandalf. ‘Nor does age lie so heavily on your shoulders as some would have you think. Cast aside your prop!’[/INDENT] [INDENT]From the king’s hand the black staff fell clattering on the stones. He drew himself up, slowly, as a man that is stiff from long bending over some dull toil. Now tall and straight he stood, and his eyes were blue as he looked into the opening sky.[/INDENT] [INDENT]‘Dark have been my dreams of late,’ he said, ‘but I feel as one new-awakened.[/INDENT] Chapter 7 Helm’s Deep [INDENT]The White Rider was upon them, and the terror of his coming filled the enemy with madness. The wild men fell on their faces before him. The Orcs reeled and screamed and cast aside both sword and spear. Like a black smoke driven by a mounting wind they fled.[/INDENT] Chapter 8 The Road to Isengard [INDENT]As they came the wolves ceased their howling and slunk away. Fear fell on them seeing Gandalf in the moon, and Shadowfax his horse shining like silver.[/INDENT] The Return of the King Book V Chapter 1 Minas Tirith [INDENT]Then men fell back before the command of his [Gandalf’s] voice and questioned him no further[/INDENT] [INDENT]He [Pippin] felt the strain between them [Gandalf and Denethor], almost as if he saw a line of smouldering fire, drawn from eye to eye, that might suddenly burst into flame.[/INDENT] [INDENT]For a moment the eyes of Denethor glowed again as he faced Gandalf, and Pippin felt once more the strain between their wills; but now almost it seemed as if their glances were like blades from eye to eye, flickering as they fenced.[/INDENT] Chapter 4 The Siege of Gondor [INDENT]Wherever he [Gandalf] came men’s hearts would lift again, and the winged shadows pass from memory.[/INDENT] Chapter 7 The Pyre of Denethor [INDENT]Gandalf sprang up the steps, and the men fell back from him and covered their eyes; for his coming was like the incoming of a white light into a dark place, and he came with great anger. He lifted up his hand, and in the very stroke, the sword of Denethor flew up and left his grasp[/INDENT] [INDENT]Then Gandalf revealed the strength that lay hid in him, even as the light of his power was hidden under his grey mantle. He leaped up on to the faggots, and raising the sick man lightly he sprang down again, and bore him towards the door.[/INDENT] Chapter 8 The Houses of Healing [INDENT]It is given to me [Gandalf] to see many things far off.[/INDENT] Chapter 10 The Black Gate Opens [INDENT]He [Gandalf] cast aside his cloak and a white light shone forth like a sword in that black place. Before his upraised hand the foul Messenger recoiled[/INDENT] Book VI Chapter 7 Homeward Bound [INDENT]Not but what my beer’s good, Gandalf. It’s been uncommon good, since you came in the autumn of last year and put a good word on it.[/INDENT] Recounted by Gandalf in Bk II Ch 2 of FotR [/QUOTE]
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