Lament of an Istari

(for River Otter's birthday)

They say one grows wiser the older one gets, but I have not seen this in my own life. I think I grow more foolish, not less. I have watched, all these centuries, hoping that my task will be fulfilled, but it does not seem there will be a ‘happy ending’ for Middle-earth. I fear I will return to Valinor a failure. Already Saruman is lost, though he does not yet know it. All my plans seem destined for failure. I had all in the palm of my hands; everything slipped through like sand. The Ringbearer is my only hope.