The 'other two' came much earlier, at the same time probably as
Glorfindel, when matters became very dangerous in the
Second Age. Glorfindel was sent to aid
Elrond and was (though not yet said) preeminent in the war in
Eriador. But the other two Istari were sent for a different purpose.
Morinehtar and
Rómestámo. Darkness-slayer and East-helper. Their task was to circumvent
Sauron: to bring help to the few tribes of
Men that had rebelled from Melkor-worship, to stir up rebellion ... and after his first fall to search out his hiding (in which they failed) and to cause [? dissension and disarray] among the dark East ... They must have had very great influence on the history of the Second Age and Third Age in weakening and disarraying the forces of East ... who would both in the Second Age and Third Age otherwise have ... outnumbered the West.
