I see no problem in supposition that literally
nobody knew who or what Gandalf (and others) were. Inscrutable are the ways... For all elves knew, there may have been a lot of beings Eru installed in the created world they never heard about. Exactly the ground of Eregion's Noldor mistake - taking Annatar without examination of what might he be
a travers his fair appearance. And noble ground at that - take the good your Lord gives you without judging it.
In this light, the initial question maybe answered as 'no, nobody in the fellowship, as well as outside it, knew what Gandalf really was'
There are pro arguments a-plenty as well, though:
I do not think such a total igonrance at all probable - Gandalf is a bit free in giving his Western name and indirect hinting and slips of the tongue as well, and there, as have been said above, are people around having enough data to add up 2 and 2 and get 4 at the end of equation. Cf, per isntance:
Quote:
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For I also am a steward. Did you not know?
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Denethor is a scholar as well as a politician. The beads may be easily stringed - the rightful stewards of created things, whom the king of is Eru, are Valar. But Gandalf, if he were a Vala, would not find it difficult to get rid of Sauron. The search goes a step lower - Gandalf is a Maia. This intercourse alone is enough to deduct what Gandalf really is. But the tone of the whole sentence implies that Denethor is supposed to know, or have known the fact, and Gandalf merely reminds, expecting him to recall whom he is talking to.
Aragorn may have known:
Quote:
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'Do I not say truly, Gandalf,' said Aragorn at last, 'that you could go whithersoever you wished quicker than I? And this I also say: you are our captain and our banner. The Dark Lord has Nine. But we have One, mightier than they: the White Rider. He has passed through the fire and the abyss, and they shall fear him. We will go where he leads.'
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(
But that citation itself may be viewed as containing the weak point - Aragorn compares Gandalf not to Sauron (whom he is equal of in status), but to his minions, probably on assumption they are his opposites, not Sauron himself)
Yet the initial question (fellowship's data) may be also answered thus: who cared
and had appropriate sources, those knew. Cared not (supposedly) Legolas, Gimli, Pippin, Merry, Sam. The rest must have known:
1. Aragorn - on the ground of being Elrond's foster son and on the ground of being Heir of Faithful fo Numenor, and personal friend of Gandalf's
2. Boromir - on the ground of being Denethor's son and Faramir's brother. (but this one may be a dubious choice, after all, it is unclear if he cared or cared not - not being eager after knowledge, but rather fame)
3. Frodo - on the ground of his studies in Rivendell, of being
the Ring-Bearer, Gandalf's personal friend, whom the latter valued more than many others, of being Bilbo's heir, who may have equally learned the truth from A. Gandalf, B. Elrond
As for validity of sources - Denethor I've explained, Elrond - may have learned the fact: A. From Gandalf himself, B From Cirdan C From Glorfindel.
***
Funnily enough, the conclusion that may be drawn from this considerable amount of assumptions and suppositions and speculations I took pains to provide you with may sound a paradox:
It does not matter who knew/knew not what Gandalf was whatsoever. The important thing was he was an exact antithesis of Evil Physically Present, the one which needed fighting against, and he had an authority (based rather on his deeds than his status) to rally the power of Good around himself to fight it. Or, in less words -
'let's go for Gandalf against Sauron, for Gandalf is brave, kind, just and loving', and
not 'let's go for Gandalf for he is a maia'. It is exactly when Saruman started acquiring 'status' that his fall began.
Or, go Theoden!
cheers