Glamdring

[lathspell]

Gandalf was indeed sent back to Middle-earth to fullfill his task to lead the free people of M-e against Sauron. He was sent back with all his belongings which he had at the time he 'died'.

You forget Gandalf the White was essentially invincible. For one, no weapon could harm him. Also he was aloud to use his full power as a Maia and, arguably, was given even more power by Illuvaltar before being sent back. In short he didn't need either his staff or his sword after his resurection, though they probably made chanalling his power easier (again, a hotly debated issue), but he could not smoke without his pipe.

Sorry, Salocin, but I disagree with everything said in your post.

You forget Gandalf the White was essentially invincible. For one, no weapon could harm him. Also he was aloud to use his full power as a Maia.

The Unfinished Tales clearly states that the Istari, to whom Gandalf belongs, were sent to M-e to get rid of Sauron. They were not allowed to use their full power as being Maia. Their task was to lead and inform the free folks of M-e against Sauron.
They were sent as being 'cloaked', they were to go in the shape of men and leave power behind. This also meant that they could be slain by weapon or magic or grief, also they could die of hunger or thirst.
This, in fact, means that he did need his sword and staff for he wasn't allowed to do great amounds of (attack-planned) magic. Of course he did need his pipe as well, as we see in moria.

It is not known by whom he was sent back, only that he WAS sent back. It is only too obvious that in the time that he was away he has been allowed more power by the one that did allow him to go back. Eru Iluvatar may have been the one to send him back, but there's no record of that as far as I know. In fact my guess would be Mandos and Manwe and maybe Varda as well.

but he could not smoke without his pipe.

I bet he could!! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

greetings,
lathspell