Here's another picture of Legolas, but this time as rendered by an artist. I don't know who, though, for I downloaded this a long time ago! I hope you won't have trouble downloading this.

The Istari
The Istari, or the Wizards, came from the Undying Lands to Middle-earth because the Valar saw that a lot of evil things were happening in Middle-earth. They are Maia spirits, sort of gods of Arda. They were very powerful. However, in Middle-earth, they were forbidden to use all their power. They were constrained to use the power that their human form had and they could only use powers that they can find in Middle-earth. So I suppose, kasama pa rin ang magic doon, since Elves use magic in Middle-earth.

Sauron is also a Maia gone bad! So, I guess tama lang na si Gandalf ang maging head ng Fellowship.

I've been wondering about the kind of Magic that these Wizards use. They do use magic, but very sparingly. Very different from the context in which magic is tackled in HP. In HP, everything can be done by magic -- up to providing food. But, that's the charm of HP. :-) It's very light!

The Wizards of LOTR don't use magic trivially: (Do not take me for a conjurer of cheap tricks! -- Gandalf, FOTR movie)

I guess it requires great concentration and strength. Like when he battled with the Balrog. The other wizard, Radagast the Brown doesn't appear much in LOTR except to meet Gandalf while he was on his way to Isengard to consult with Saruman. He's supposed to be close with nature and animals and he sends Gwaihir to Orthanc to bring news or get news from Gandalf and instead finds Gandalf imprisoned.

Gwaihir the Windlord, on the other hand, is the dakilang manliligtas in LOTR, hehe. Actually, kahit sa The Hobbit pa lang, diba? Feeling ko pag di na alam ni JRRT ang gagawin, sasabihin ni Christopher, "What about the eagle?" And swoosh, enter eagle! Ano ba 'to, I'm rambling. I'm eager to listen naman. You guys, your turn!