May 22, 2003

Re: Question
Danny

I beleive Gandalf knew that he was not as powerful as Sauron. I don't have the books handy, but he did make statements in TTT that were to the effect of his knowing that he would not prove stronger if the two were to match wills. I beleive it is when he is refering to the Palantir. Also when he first comes back he says something about many powers in the world and some of them being stronger than him, and some being powers he has not been tested against. I have always beleived it is implied that he knew that he was not stronger than Sauron. He speaks that Pippin saved him from what would have been a grave and perhaps fatal error had Gandalf looked in the Palantir and been forced to meet Sauron. I also however beleive that it is implied that Sauron is the only Maiar in Middle Earth who is stronger.

In response to the question what would have happened if the Witch King had defeated Gandalf at the gate; I don't think he could have. Gandalf was powerful enough to repel many of the nine and defend Farmir. The Balrogs are also Maiar spirits and Gandalf rose above them. He defeated Saruman who was also a Maiar spirit. It is implied that the Witch King was a great sorceror (possibly also a Maiar) who was enslaved by the will of Sauron. So he is powerful, but I don't beleive he would be more powerful than Gandalf the White. Gandalf also proved more powerful than the Mouthpiece of Sauron (Which leaves us open to another question, which was more powerful the Mouthpiece of the Witch King?). So in my mind Gandalf was the most powerful Maiar in middle earth second only to Sauron. That is why he knew that his way to defeat Sauron was not through strength, but rather through wisdom and cunning.