The old man is revealed to be an old friend: Gandalf the (Formerly) Grey, returned beyond hope from death in battle with the Balrog of Moria. Enhanced in power and in insight, Gandalf gets caught up on the news he missed while he was out; and then offers some wisdom to his companions about Sauron, Saruman, and the power hidden in the forest. Danger is all around, not least in Barliman\u2019s Bag where we pull a hardball question about the inevitably of marring in Tolkien\u2019s world\u2026 and also in a surprising connection back to C.S. Lewis.