Whatever happened to Radaghast?

[Attalus]

Originally Posted by Gordis

Found something in HOME 7.


Here is some proof that at least at the time of writing of this outline, Tolkien expected Radagast to survive the War of the Ring and remain in ME.

Good find, Gordis. To me, the least worrisome thing is to find "Rhadagast's old home at Rhosgobel deserted." This seems to imply that there was a newer one, but, then, why should the Elven scouts feel called upon to report that the 'old home' was deserted? And, Saruman did not plan Gandalf's execution, but to leave it to Sauron to 'devise a fitting punishment ...for Gandalf the Grey.' Perhaps it was beyond Saruman's powers to kill another of his fellow Istari? But not Sauron's. Gandalf certainly implies the latter.

[Valandil]

Originally Posted by Attalus

Good find, Gordis. To me, the least worrisome thing is to find "Rhadagast's old home at Rhosgobel deserted." This seems to imply that there was a newer one, but, then, why should the Elven scouts feel called upon to report that the 'old home' was deserted? And, Saruman did not plan Gandalf's execution, but to leave it to Sauron to 'devise a fitting punishment ...for Gandalf the Grey.' Perhaps it was beyond Saruman's powers to kill another of his fellow Istari? But not Sauron's. Gandalf certainly implies the latter.

I suspect not beyond his powers - since they were in the forms of men, and Saruman himself was slain by a man (of sorts). But possibly beyond his inclinations and preferences.

As for the 'old home' part - I suspect that the home itself was just old. Radagast had lived there a long time.

Interesting what Gordis found... though JRRT could have changed his mind about this, as well as so many other things.

I don't think Radagast sent the Eagles to the Black Gate. They had previously come to the Lonely Mountain on their own volition, and they had been clearly keeping an eye on things in February/March of 3019. This watchfulness was more at Gandalf's prompting than Radagast's, I should think.

[Attalus]

Originally Posted by Valandil

I suspect not beyond his powers - since they were in the forms of men, and Saruman himself was slain by a man (of sorts). But possibly beyond his inclinations and preferences.

Good point. A Balrog, or even a Man, could slay the body, but only the Lords of the West could cast the spirit into the Void.

How much, I wonder, of Saruman's vulnerability to Wormtongue's blade was due to the fact that Gandalf broke Saruman's staff and cast him from the Order?

[Valandil]

Originally Posted by Attalus

:
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How much, I wonder, of Saruman's vulnerability to Wormtongue's blade was due to the fact that Gandalf broke Saruman's staff and cast him from the Order?

I don't think very much. In "The Hobbit", I think Gandalf was in as much mortal danger as the dwarves, when they were in the burning trees. Well... at least Bilbo seemed to think so, writing about what Gandalf was going to do before the eagles came to rescue them.

[Attalus]

Originally Posted by Valandil

I don't think very much. In "The Hobbit", I think Gandalf was in as much mortal danger as the dwarves, when they were in the burning trees. Well... at least Bilbo seemed to think so, writing about what Gandalf was going to do before the eagles came to rescue them.

I've always agreed with Sam: "Whatever's in store for old Gandalf, I'll wager it's not a wolf's belly."

[Valandil]

*BUMP*

Here's where we had an earlier discussion that Saruman may have killed Radagast. Unless there's something further up that I missed, I think it starts with Post #24.