[HairOfTheDog]

Don't you think Gandalf being the mysterious figure makes more sense than Saruman?

Are you talking about the earlier figure they spotted in chapter 2?

I have gone back in forth on whether that was Gandalf or Saruman in the past but I am now taking the side that it was Saruman... because of this quote. I don't remember this standing out so clearly before:

'Wait a minute!' cried Gimli. 'There is another thing that I should like to know first. Was it you, Gandalf, or Saruman that we saw last night?'

'You certainly did not see me,' answered Gandalf, 'therefore I must guess that you saw Saruman. Evidently we look so much alike that your desire to make an incurable dent in my hat must be excused.'

'Good, good!' said Gimli. 'I am glad that it was not you.'

Gandalf laughed again. 'Yes, my good Dwarf,' he said, 'it is a comfort not to be mistaken at all points. Do I not know it only too well! But, of course, I never blamed you for your welcome of me. How could I do so, who have so often counselled my friends to suspect even their own hands when dealing with the Enemy. Bless you, Gimli, son of Glóin! Maybe you will see us both together one day and judge between us!'

[DonnerT]

Guess my selective memory wanted it to be Gandalf before he recovered full memory of who he was to them. Sorry you brought that quote up. I was happier in my earlier delusion.

But then this post doesn't jive with what I said earlier. Proof that my brain is a piece of swiss cheese

[htur_75]

I haven't really read the books in a while, but I am trying to keep up with the discussions. I love the way Gandalf speaks in this part. He's speaking in riddles, insulting the others without hurting any feelings etc. When readin this part, Tolkein makes the reader wonder what happened to Gandalf. He is Gandalf, and yet he's not Gandalf. Interesting riddle.