What are the names of two blue wizards? Gandalf said (in The Hobbit movie) that there were five wizards and that he forgot the name of the blue wizards.
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2I think the question of what the blue wizard's names are is significantly enough different from a question about their final fates, and can therefore be reopened. (Especially in light of the new book The Nature of Middle-earth, which gives us a new set of names for them.)– ibidCommented Aug 8, 2021 at 9:37
2 Answers
Elsewhere in the canon (in "Unfinished Tales") their names are given as "Pallando" and "Alatar". Those names are used in many derivative works, eg the collectible card game.
Much later in his life he wrote more about the blue wizards and named them Morinehtar and Rómestámo ("Darkness-slayer" and "East-helper"). Since Gandalf (and Saruman) had alternative names this is not necessarily a contradiction.
This is discussed in detail at the Tolkien Gateway article.
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12Note that Jackson is not legally permitted to use these names since only material in LotR and the Hobbit is owned by Tolkien Enterprises; the Wizards names come from other sources not published during Tolkien's lifetime and are owned by the Tolkien Estate. Jackson is pushing it a little by even referring to "two Blue Wizards" in his movie. So for the purposes of the movie it is correct to say that they are nameless.– user8719Commented Jan 3, 2014 at 14:33
The Blue Wizards had several different names depending on which unpublished writing you look at.
Undated - Alatar and Pallando
Of major interest, however, is a brief and very hasty sketch of a narrative, telling of a council of the Valar, summoned it seems by Manwë ("and maybe he called upon Eru for counsel?"), at which it was resolved to send out three emissaries to Middle-earth. "Who would go ? For they must be mighty, peers of Sauron, but must forgo might, and clothe themselves in flesh so as to treat on equality and win the trust of Elves and Men. But this would imperil them, dimming their wisdom and knowledge, and confusing them with fears, cares, and weariness coming from the flesh." But two only came forward: Curumo, who was chosen by Aulë, and Alatar, who was sent by Oromë. Then Manwë asked, where was Olórin ? And Olórin, who was clad in grey, and having just entered from a journey had seated himself at the edge of the council, asked what Manwë would have of him. Manwë replied that he wished Olórin to go as the third messenger to Middle-earth (and it is remarked in parentheses that "Olórin was a lover of the Eldar that remained," apparently to explain Manwë's choice). But Olórin declared that he was too weak for such a task, and that he feared Sauron. Then Manwë said that that was all the more reason why he should go, and that he commanded Olórin (illegible words follow that seems to contain word "third"). But at that Varda looked up and said: "Not as the third;" and Curumo remembered it.
The note ends with the statement that Curumo [Saruman] took Aiwendil [Radagast] because Yavanna begged him, and that Alatar took Pallando as a friend.
Unfinished Tales - "The Istari"
1959 - Palacendo and Haimenar
2175. Oromë remains for 12 years, and then is summoned to return for the councils and war-preparations. Manwë has decided that the Quendi should come to Valinor, but on urgent advice of Varda, they are only to be invited, and are to be given free choice. The Valar send five Guardians (great spirits of the Maiar) with Melian (the only woman, but the chief) these make six. The others were Tarindor (later Saruman), Olórin (Gandalf), Hrávandil (Radagast), Palacendo, and Haimenar. Tulkas goes back. Oromë remains in Cuiviénen for 3 more years:VY 866/13-16, FA 2175-8.
The Nature of Middle-earth - "Key Dates"
1972 - Morinehtar and Romestamo
The 'other two' came much earlier, at the same time probably as Glorfindel, when matters became very dangerous in the Second Age. Glorfindel was sent to aid Elrond and was (though not yet said) pre-eminent in the war in Eriador. But the other two Istari were sent for a different purpose. Morinehtar and Romestamo. Darkness-slayer and East-helper. Their task was to circumvent Sauron: to bring help to the few tribes of Men that had rebelled from Melkor-worship, to stir up rebellion ... and after his first fall to search out his hiding (in which they failed) and to cause [?dissension and disarray] among the dark East ...
The Peoples of Middle-earth - "Last Writings"
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1@Wade - I meant "unpublished by Tolkien". As in manuscripts of his that he never published into his books. Also technically the first one is still unpublished.– ibidCommented Aug 9, 2021 at 11:59
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Wow, that's really interesting that JRRT implicitly puts Melian into the same category ('Guardians') as the Istari. And is it implying they were sent all the way back then?? Commented Aug 10, 2021 at 6:49
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@DavidRoberts - Yeah it's a very interesting concept (which I think only appears in this writing). Had Tolkien had the chance to carry through with this perhaps Gandalf would have gotten an actual role in the Silmarillion.– ibidCommented Aug 10, 2021 at 10:12