JJ48
Well-Known Member
In the discussion tonight, the topic of the Blue Wizards was brought up. Though it sounds like they probably won't appear yet, (and won't get their full story told for many seasons yet), it did get me wondering what that story is. I think this is important to at least think about, as it could potentially affect other frame stories or even main-story foreshadowing. Following is an overview of an idea I would like to propose. Feel free to critique it or offer alternate suggestions.
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Alatar was chosen to be on of the Istari, and took his friend Pallando with him. They traveled to the East with Saruman to help Men out there, but stayed behind when Saruman returned West. They believed that Sauron's influence persisted, and meant to hinder him. Alatar believed the best way to do this was through strength enough to beat Sauron's forces, while Pallando thought encouraging the hearts of Men for endurance was better.
Ultimately, Alatar began training Men in magic and secret rituals in the hopes of forging a mighty army. Pallando reluctantly agreed to help in the hopes of being able to help guide Alatar's efforts and keep him on-mission. They eventually controlled a small-yet-powerful region within Rhûn, hereafter known as Blue Rhûn.
When Sauron began collecting the Easterlings once more, he decided he'd have to deal with Blue Rhûn. The Dark Lord sent a mighty host toward Blue Rhûn, and Alatar pulled his forces back to his central fortress, hoping to lure the enemy into an undesirable position. Mordor's forces instead started attacking outlying villages and settlements.
As the war continued, some of the Men in Alatar's army became afraid for what would happen to their homes; and there was talk of going out to defend the villages themselves, or even switching to Sauron's side if he would only spare their families! The concern was brought to Pallando in the hopes that he would be able to convince Alatar to act. Pallando pleaded with Alatar, but the latter calmly explained that facing the enemy on open ground would surely lose them more Men than would desertion, and that their only hope of maintaining and eventually expanding Blue Rhûn was to patiently wait for the proper moment to strike.
The argument went back and forth, growing more and more heated on both sides. At last, Pallando claimed that Alatar now cared nothing for the people of Middle-earth except as a means to an end, and said that the Istari were supposed to free the people from Sauron, not replace him. At this, Alatar grew furious and struck Pallando. The former nearly lept upon the latter to slay him, but ultimately mastered himself. He renounced his friendship and told Pallando to leave, saying that if ever they met again, there would be death.
Pallando left and took what Men would follow him to face the enemy head-on. At first, they appeared to have success, and drove back the forces of Mordor. It was only in appearance, though, and from his scouts' reports, Alatar realized Pallando was being drawn into a trap. Without consideration, Alatar gathered his forces and went to Pallando's aid. By the time they arrived, Pallando's forces were surrounded, and Pallando had been injured. Enraged, Alatar charged the enemy's ranks, leading his army.
They utterly routed the forces of Mordor, and countless orcs and evil Men were slain; most by Alatar himself, whom none of the enemy could withstand. However, Alatar was mortally wounded, and had Pallando brought to him. Alatar repented his harsh words, and named Pallando his successor. Pallando wept as he forgave his friend; who then smiled weakly, and lived no more. A mist rose from Alatar's body, and started to spread, directionless. But then, a warm breeze enveloped the mist, and gathered it toward the West.
Pallando took up leadership of Blue Rhûn, and many who had deserted or talked of deserting repented, and were welcomed back. And Blue Rhûn remained ever after a thorn in Sauron's side.
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Alatar was chosen to be on of the Istari, and took his friend Pallando with him. They traveled to the East with Saruman to help Men out there, but stayed behind when Saruman returned West. They believed that Sauron's influence persisted, and meant to hinder him. Alatar believed the best way to do this was through strength enough to beat Sauron's forces, while Pallando thought encouraging the hearts of Men for endurance was better.
Ultimately, Alatar began training Men in magic and secret rituals in the hopes of forging a mighty army. Pallando reluctantly agreed to help in the hopes of being able to help guide Alatar's efforts and keep him on-mission. They eventually controlled a small-yet-powerful region within Rhûn, hereafter known as Blue Rhûn.
When Sauron began collecting the Easterlings once more, he decided he'd have to deal with Blue Rhûn. The Dark Lord sent a mighty host toward Blue Rhûn, and Alatar pulled his forces back to his central fortress, hoping to lure the enemy into an undesirable position. Mordor's forces instead started attacking outlying villages and settlements.
As the war continued, some of the Men in Alatar's army became afraid for what would happen to their homes; and there was talk of going out to defend the villages themselves, or even switching to Sauron's side if he would only spare their families! The concern was brought to Pallando in the hopes that he would be able to convince Alatar to act. Pallando pleaded with Alatar, but the latter calmly explained that facing the enemy on open ground would surely lose them more Men than would desertion, and that their only hope of maintaining and eventually expanding Blue Rhûn was to patiently wait for the proper moment to strike.
The argument went back and forth, growing more and more heated on both sides. At last, Pallando claimed that Alatar now cared nothing for the people of Middle-earth except as a means to an end, and said that the Istari were supposed to free the people from Sauron, not replace him. At this, Alatar grew furious and struck Pallando. The former nearly lept upon the latter to slay him, but ultimately mastered himself. He renounced his friendship and told Pallando to leave, saying that if ever they met again, there would be death.
Pallando left and took what Men would follow him to face the enemy head-on. At first, they appeared to have success, and drove back the forces of Mordor. It was only in appearance, though, and from his scouts' reports, Alatar realized Pallando was being drawn into a trap. Without consideration, Alatar gathered his forces and went to Pallando's aid. By the time they arrived, Pallando's forces were surrounded, and Pallando had been injured. Enraged, Alatar charged the enemy's ranks, leading his army.
They utterly routed the forces of Mordor, and countless orcs and evil Men were slain; most by Alatar himself, whom none of the enemy could withstand. However, Alatar was mortally wounded, and had Pallando brought to him. Alatar repented his harsh words, and named Pallando his successor. Pallando wept as he forgave his friend; who then smiled weakly, and lived no more. A mist rose from Alatar's body, and started to spread, directionless. But then, a warm breeze enveloped the mist, and gathered it toward the West.
Pallando took up leadership of Blue Rhûn, and many who had deserted or talked of deserting repented, and were welcomed back. And Blue Rhûn remained ever after a thorn in Sauron's side.
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