Handmade Scandinavian Gnome — Gandalf

Gandalf... the very name carries the wind of adventure. Stories spring up like mushrooms wherever he appears. But one should not naively suppose that this wandering pilgrim is some sort of fairground conjurer. He is a wise wizard, walking against the darkness. In the gloom he lights his magical staff, kindling hope in the hearts of friends.

Many value Gandalf as a wise counsellor and helper, never guessing at the true greatness and power of the mage, which he conceals so skillfully. And despite his mighty spirit, Gandalf is not given to pride. On the contrary, his heart is just and merciful. Being a masterful wielder of fire, in great need he uses it as a weapon, and for merriment he puts on incomparable firework displays for the hobbits.

Right now he has crafted a whole box of incredible rockets. The most interesting and largest — in the shape of a red dragon — he carries in his hand. In his linen satchel is the map of the Lonely Mountain, received from the great gnome Thráin. Gandalf still has to deliver the map and key to the dwarf Thorin Oakenshield, find the sword Glamdring and make the perilous journey with Thorin's company to the Lonely Mountain, to defend the dwarf kingdom of Erebor in the Battle of Five Armies.

He has unrolled and rolled that map of the Lonely Mountain so many times that the folds have become a permanent part of the landscape. He looks at it not because he has forgotten the way — he has not — but because maps, as he says, remind you: there is still a great deal of road ahead.

Gandalf, one of the members of the White Council, still has great labours and perils ahead. But for now he is the merry wise man, carrying his homemade fireworks to the Shire to put on an unforgettable show for the dear hobbits.

He leaves without warning — just as he arrived. One morning the pipe is gone from the windowsill, and so is he, and the only traces of his presence are a faint smell of the finest pipe-weed and a small scorched circle in the grass where the dragon rocket made its final launch. The younger gnomes still look at the sky a little while. The older ones simply nod and put away the extra chair.