alatar

Alatar is a fictional character in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium. He is one of the Istari, the order of wizards sent by the Valar to help the free peoples of Middle-earth resist Sauron during the Third Age. Alatar is identified as one of the two Blue Wizards, the companion to Pallando, distinct from the wizards who arrived in the West (Gandalf, Saruman, and Radagast).

Name and origins: The name Alatar appears in Tolkien's later writings, but the exact meaning of the name is not stated in the surviving texts. The Blue Wizards are described as wearing blue robes and belonging to the same overarching mission as the other Istari, though their activities and influence are less clearly documented. Their purpose was to aid the peoples of Middle-earth in countering Sauron, with a particular focus on areas east of the Misty Mountains.

Journey in Middle-earth: Alatar and Pallando traveled to the eastern and southern regions of Middle-earth. The published narratives provide little detail about their activities or aims beyond the broad mandate to assist against Sauron. They did not return to the West, and their deeds in the East are not recorded in the core legends.

Fate and interpretation: Tolkien's surviving notes do not specify the fate of Alatar (or Pallando). In the absence of explicit information, their ultimate outcomes remain unknown, and various interpretations have emerged among scholars and fans. Some suggest their influence was limited or obscured, while others treat their Eastward journey as largely undocumented in the canonical texts.

Legacy: In modern adaptations, the Blue Wizards are rarely depicted or named. Within Tolkien's own writings, Alatar remains one of the less-detailed Istari, with most specifics about his life and deeds left to interpretation.