They were sent from Valinor to help unite the free peoples of Middle-Earth. However, they were prevented from using power to dominate Elves and Men, or to match Sauron's power with their own. Out of Alatar, Pallando, Curumo (Saruman), Olorin (Gandalf) and Aiwendil (Radagast), only Gandalf stayed true to his purpose.
Saruman as well all know became evil and was killed by Wormtongue, Radagast became enamoured of birds and nature in ME, while the fate of Alatar and Pallando is unknown. We do know however, that they travelled into the East with Saruman, but even Tolkien seems unsure about what happened to them afterwards-
Quote:
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'What success they [Alatar and Pallando] had I do not know; but I fear they failed, as Saruman did, though doubtless in different ways; and I suspect they were the founders or beginners of secret cults and 'magic' traditions that outlasted the fall of Sauron.'
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(The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, No. 211).
Hope that answers your question! Welcome to the Barrow-Downs by the way.