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Noldor and remembered the Day before days in Valinor； and she was the mightiest and fairest of all the Elves that
remained in Middle…earth。 But the Red Ring remained hidden until the end； and none save Elrond and Galadriel and
Círdan knew to whom it had been mitted。
Thus it was that in two domains the bliss and beauty of the Elves remained still undiminished while that Age
endured： in Imladris； and in Lothlórien； the hidden land between Celebrant and Anduin； where the trees bore flowers of
gold and no Orc or evil thing dared ever e。 Yet many voices were heard among the Elves foreboding that； if Sauron
should e again； then either he would find the Ruling Ring that was lost； or at the best his enemies would discover it
and destroy it； but in either chance the powers of the Three must then fail and all things maintained by them must fade；
and so the Elves should pass into the twilight and the Dominion of Men begin。
And so indeed it has since befallen： the One and the Seven and the Nine are destroyed； and the Three have passed
away； and with them the Third Age is ended； and the Tales of the Eldar in Middle…earth draw to then…close。 Those were
the Fading Years； and in them the last flowering of the Elves east of the Sea came to its winter。 In that time the Noldor
walked still in the Hither Lands； mightiest and fairest of the children of the world； and their tongues were still heard by
mortal ears。 Many things of beauty and wonder remained on earth in that time； and many things also of evil and dread：
Orcs there were and trolls and dragons and fell beasts； and strange creatures old and wise in the woods whose names are
forgotten； Dwarves still laboured in the hills and wrought with patient craft works of metal and stone that none now can
rival。 But the Dominion of Men was preparing and all things were changing； until at last the Dark Lord arose in
Mirkwood again。
Now of old the name of that forest was Greenwood the Great； and its wide halls and aisles were the haunt of
many beasts and of birds of bright song； and there was the realm of King Thranduil under the oak and the beech。 But
after many years； when well nigh a third of that age of the world had passed； a darkness crept slowly through the wood
from the southward； and fear walked there in shadowy glades； fell beasts came hunting； and cruel and evil creatures laid
there their snares。
Then the name of the forest was changed and Mirkwood it was called； for the nightshade lay deep there； and few
dared to pass through； save only in the north where Thranduil's people still held the evil at bay。 Whence it came few
could tell； and it was long ere even the Wise could discover it。 It was the Shadow of Sauron and the sign of his return。
For ing out of the wastes of the East he took up his abode in the south of the forest； and slowly he grew and took
shape there again； in a dark hill he made his dwelling and wrought there his sorcery； and all folk feared the Sorcerer of
Dol Guldur； and yet they knew not at first how great was their peril。
Even as the first shadows were felt in Mirkwood there appeared in the west of Middle…earth the Istari； whom Men
called the Wizards。 None knew at that time whence they were； save Círdan of the Havens； and only to Elrond and to
Galadriel did he reveal that they came over the Sea。 But afterwards it was said among the Elves that they were
messengers sent by the Lords of the West to contest the power of Sauron； if he should arise again； and to move Elves
and Men and all living things of good will to valiant deeds。 In the likeness of Men they appeared； old but vigorous； and
they changed little with the years； and aged but slowly； though great cares lay on them； great wisdom they had； and many
powers of mind and hand。 Long they journeyed far and wide among Elves and Men； and held converse also with beasts
and with birds； and the peoples of Middle…earth gave to them many names； for their true names they did not reveal。
Chief among them were those whom the Elves called Mithrandir and Curunír； but Men in the North named Gandalf and
Saruman。 Of these Curunír was the eldest and came first； and after him came Mithrandir and Radagast； and others of the
Istari who went into the east of Middle…earth； and do not e into these tales。 Radagast was the friend of all beasts and
birds； but Curunír went most among Men； and he was subtle in speech and skilled in all the devices of smith…craft。
Mithrandir was closest in counsel with Elrond and the Elves。 He wandered far in the North and West and made never in
any land any lasting abode； but Curunír journeyed into the East； and when he returned he dwelt at Orthanc in the Ring of
Isengard； which the Númenóreans made in the days of their power。
Ever most vigilant was Mithrandir； and he it was that most doubted the darkness in Mirkwood； for though many
deemed that it was wrought by the Ringwraiths； he feared that it was indeed the first shadow of Sauron returning； and he
went to Dol Guldur； and the Sorcerer fled from him； and there was a watchful peace for a long while。 But at length the
Shadow returned and its power increased； and in that time was first made the Council of the Wise that is called the
White Council； and therein were Elrond and Galadriel and Círdan； and other lords of the Eldar； and with them were
Mithrandir and Curunír。 And Curunír （that was Saruman the White） was chosen to be their chief； for he had most studied
the devices of Sauron of old。 Galadriel indeed had wished that Mithrandir should be the Lead of the Council； and
Saruman begrudged them that； for his pride and desire of mastery was grown great； but Mithrandir refused the office；
since he would have no ties and no allegiance； save to those who sent him； and he would abide in no place nor be subject
to any summons。 But Saruman now began to study the lore of the Rings of Power； their making and their history。
Now the Shadow grew ever greater； and the hearts of Elrond and Mithrandir darkened。 Therefore on a time
Mithrandir at great peril went again to Dol Guldur and the pits of the Sorcerer； and he discovered the truth of his fears；
and escaped。 And returning to Elrond he said：
'True； alas； is our guess。 This is not one of the úlairi； as many have long supposed。 It is Sauron himself who has
taken shape again and now grows apace； and he is gathering again all the Rings to his hand； and he seeks ever for news
of the One； and of the Heirs of Isildur； if they live still on earth。'
And Elrond answered： 'In the hour that Isildur took the Ring and would not surrender it； this doom was wrought；
that Sauron should return。'
'Yet the One was lost；' said Mithrandir； 'and while it still lies hid； we can master the Enemy； if we gather our
strength and tarry not too long。'
Then the White Council was summoned； and Mithrandir urged them to swift deeds； but Curunír spoke against
him； and counselled them to wait yet and to watch。
'For I believe not；' said he； 'that the One will ever be found again in Middle…earth。 Into Anduin it fell； and long
ago； I deem； it was rolled to the Sea。 There it shall lie until the end； when all this world is broken and the deeps are
removed。'
Therefore naught was done at that time； though Elrond's heart misgave him； and he said to Mithrandir：
'Nonetheless I forbode that the One will yet be found； and then war will arise again； and in that war this Age will
be ended。 Indeed in a second darkness it will end； unless some strange chance deliver us that my eyes cannot see。'
'Many are the strange chances of fee world；' said Mithrandir； 'and help oft shall e from the hands of the weak
when the Wise falter。'
Thus the Wise were troubled； but none as yet perceived that Curunír had turned to dark thoughts and was already
a traitor in heart： for he desired that he and no other should find the Great Ring； so that he might wield it himself and
order all the world to his will Too long he had studied the ways of。 Sauron in hope to defeat him； and now he envied him
as a rival rather than hated his works。 And he deemed that the Ring； which was Sauron'