🧙Gandalf the Grey and Gandalf the White

I meant that if Gandalf knew so much about the war, it would be very strange if he didn't remember the names of people who played a very important part in the war. But then again, he doesn't show that he doesn't remember Aragorn's name, who was the most important, only that he didn't know Gimli's and Legolas' names, and they were less important in the war itself. But it is still strange.

I am not quite sure which war you mean.. are you talking about the attack by orcs at The Great River?
If it is so, I think Gandalf asked Gwaihir to watch the River and gather tidings. He also asked Aragorn to tell what had happend after his fall.

Yeah, this is an interesting part in the book. I think Gandalf might have been testing them. Hmm, this is odd, you'd think Gandalf wouldn't mess with them, but he does. He kinda puts a 'spell' on them. Legolas, Aragorn and Gimli just stand there, not moving, and Legolas drops his bow like he isn't in control of himself. Maybe Gandalf is displaying first some of his new power over them before he reveals himself to get them to...gee, I really don't know! Why would Gandalf do this? Anyone know? Grr! I would like to know! Does Tolkien in his letters mention this meeting between the trio and Gandalf? Hmm.....?

Originally posted by Barahir
Many thanks shadowfax!!

to answer your question, i agree with pontifex amd gamil as regards the 'trauma' concept as to maybe why he didnt recognise aragorn etc in Fangorn.

After his spirit departing from his body for a period of time, you would have expected a few memory/recollection difficulties, maia or not.

that said, if I remember rightly, he still recognised Gwaihir fast enough when he bore Gandalf to Lothlorien - so there does appear to be slight inconsistency as to Gandalf's powers of memory recollection ;-)

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Hail and well met good Barahir. I must disagree with your premise of Gandalf being restored to his old body.

From The Two Towers, The White Rider, it states,
'...Naked I was sent back - for a brief time, until my task is done. And naked I lay upon the mountain-top. The tower behind was crumbled into dust, the windows gone; the ruined stair was choked with burned and broken stone. I was alone, forgotten, without escape upon the hard horn of the world. There I lay staring upward, while the stars wheeled over, and each day was as long as a life-age of the earth. Faint to my ears came the gathered rumour of all lands; the springing and the dying, the song and the weeping, and the slow everlasting groan of overburdened stone. And so at the last Gwaihir the Windlord found me again, and he took me up and bore me away.
"Ever am I fated to be your burden, friend at need," I said.
"A burden you have been," he answered, "but no so now. Light as a swan's feather in my claw you are. The sun shines through you. Indeed I do not think you need me any more; were I to let you fall, you would float upon the wind."...'

This quote indicates to me that Gandalf was rehoused in a new and improved body that was so powerful that no weapon on Middle-earth could harm it. The old body faded away and Gandalf was provided a new body that took some time to form. That is my take on the lighter than a feather thing. Of course, it isn't explained in detail and that is just my humble opinion.