Thanks, A-Brandybuck, good pulling up of quotes
I'll do my turn in this respect to Aiwendil, than, as he's got a point. So, indeed, here we have:
Quote:
HoME XII, part 2, Late Writings
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) pre-eminent in the war in Eriador. But the other two Istari were sent for a different purpose. Morinehtar and Romestamo. 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.
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But they 'are really no more authoritative' indeed. They give more relevance to Glorfindel's return, confirming him to be same one who slew and was slain by the balrog at the Fall of Gondolin, but they render untrue the whole scene of the Council of Manwe from the UT, which I hold somehow dear:
Quote:
"Who would go ? For they must be mighty, peers of Sauron, but must forgo might, and clothe themselves in flesh so as to treat on equality and win the trust of Elves and Men. But this would imperil them, dimming their wisdom and knowledge, and confusing them with fears, cares, and weariness coming from the flesh." But two only came forward: Curumo, who was chosen by Aulë, and Alatar, who was sent by Oromë. Then Manwë asked, where was Olórin ? And Olórin, who was clad in grey, and having just entered from a journey had seated himself at the edge of the council, asked what Manwë would have of him. Manwë replied that he wished Olórin to go as the third messenger to Middle-earth (and it is remarked in parentheses that "Olórin was a lover of the Eldar that remained," apparently to explain Manwë's choice). But Olórin declared that he was too weak for such a task, and that he feared Sauron. Then Manwë said that that was all the more reason why he should go, and that he commanded Olórin (illegible words follow that seems to contain word "third"). But at that Varda looked up and said: "Not as the third;" and Curumo remembered it.
... Curumo [Saruman] took Aiwendil [Radagast] because Yavanna begged him, and ... Alatar took Pallando as a friend.
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Morinehtar and
Romestamo coming during S.A. eliminate stress on Gandalf's humility (though he be 'quick to anger') made in the UT text, hint at Saruman's future arrogance and envy, and also possible explanation of Radagast's 'inactivity' in the War of the Rings.
cheers