One of the most common tropes in any film or TV Series involving magic is the existence of a lair. A lair is the home of a magical creature or being, often underground or somewhere far off and remote where they are unlikely to be disrupted by non-magical beings i.e. people. The giant spider demon is a great example of this, with Shelob’s lair being the cold, dark caverns on the borders of Mordor, filled with her sticky webs and remains of her prey. It could also be argued that Erebor, the golden halls of the dwarves in the Misty Mountains, has become the lair of Smaug the Dragon, after he killed all of the dwarves inside and claimed the cavern of treasure as his own.
One interesting query though, is whether magical beings also require a lair. As wizards, warlocks, witches, and other humanoid figures are more akin to men than to beasts, it begs the question as to whether they would live in structures more like houses or halls, or whether they would prefer a more earthy, rural setting to help keep them in touch with nature, and with the potential source of their magic. Interestingly, two of the wizards that are found in The Hobbit represent exactly the two opposite ends of this spectrum, and have chosen very different abodes in which to live and practice their wizarding powers.
The first is Saruman, the white wizard, and the highest member of his order and of the white council. It’s safe to say that Saruman has chosen a magnificent domain in the form of the Tower of Orthanc, in Isenguard. At the time of The Hobbit story, Isengard is a beautiful green oasis, and is perfectly positioned to be able to watch over and protect the surrounding lands of both Rohan and Gondor.
The tower, although black and imposing looking, is actually akin to obsidian, which is known as a very mystical stone, and therefore could possibly enhance and nurture Saruman’s powers. It also gives him the freedom to go outside and walk among the trees and the ents who live in Fangorn Forest, as all wizards have a love of nature.
As the white wizard, it definitely makes sense that Saruman would choose such a regal and magnificent home. However, in the years after The Hobbit, as Middle Earth approaches the War of the Ring, it becomes very clear that Saruman himself, and therefore his tower in Isengard, have fallen prey to the dark influences of greed and power. There are many characters who are corrupted within the tales, and Saruman is definitely one of them.
In stark contrast to this is Radagast the Brown, possibly one of the most incorruptible characters in The Hobbit or the Lord of the Rings. This is because he is so humble, and has absolutely no designs on wealth or power. He wants simply to exist among his birds and his animals, and to live a simple and peaceful life, unchained by the movements and politics of the wider world. He is one of the purest beings in Middle Earth, with only love and kindness for the natural world and its creatures, which is what makes him such a kindred spirit with Beorn the Bear Man.
Radagast, unlike Saruman, chose a very minimal, homely and unimposing dwelling in the form of a wooden cut/hovel on the edges of Mirkwood. This allows him to be closer to the flora and fauna of the world, which is where his main source of magic derives from. Radagast is a surprisingly powerful wizard with the ability to conjur and combat the most powerful spells, to communicate in all of the tongues of the creatures of Middle Earth, and an extensive knowledge of herbal medicines and healing practices, and his domain reflects all of these modest qualities that exist within the wizard himself.
So if Saruman has Isengard, and Radagast has Mirkwood, where is Gandalf the Grey’s domain? For one of the key characters in both The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, there is very little that a reader is able to learn about Gandalf outside of the quests, including where he lives. However, it can be gleaned that he travels a lot, both because he has an intricate knowledge of the kingdoms and the people of Middle Earth, and because he is referred to by the elves as Pilgrim Grey (pilgrim obviously meaning a traveler or wanderer). This is because he was sent as a Maia to protect Middle Earth, and therefore has spent most of hs days roaming from place to place, learning about the kingdoms and their people, trying to keep the world in order and harmony.
Whether or not he has a specific abode or place of residence is unknown, but it can be argued that all of the world his domain, and that all of its peoples are the friends and family with which he chooses to live.
