Five Guardians
The Five Guardians were a group of Maiar according to a late and unfinished version of the legendarium, written by J.R.R. Tolkien while revising key dates of the Valian Years. As the editor Carl F. Hostetter comments, these five Maiar were apparently the later Istari, but the last two names are not specified,[1] so it is unclear if they belong to the Blue Wizards.
History
After Oromë found the Elves in Cuiviénen, the Valar planned to make War against Melkor. Oromë and Tulkas had dwelt with the Elves for many years, protecting them, so when they left to make war preparations, the Valar sent a group of great Maiar to guard the Elves meanwhile. They were Tarindor (later Saruman), Olórin (Gandalf), Hrávandil (Radagast), Palacendo and Haimenar. They were led by Melian, who had travelled to Cuiviénen before the Five Guardians; she was the sixth Maiar guardian and was the only woman among them.[2] It is unrecorded how long the guardians remained at Cuiviénen or if they accompanied the Eldar on the Great Journey.
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part One. Time and Ageing: XIII. Key Dates", "Notes", p. 102, note 7
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part One. Time and Ageing: XIII. Key Dates", pp. 95, 99
