Most importantly, Gandalf's origin differed; Merlin was the son of a demon, and Odin was a god, but Gandalf was a divine spirit known as a Maia, making him more akin to an angel. Tolkien wanted to ...

In fact, it was his connection to fire that would later help him counter the flaming demon located in the pits of Khazad-dum. It was Gandalf's well-meaning machinations that sent Bilbo on his ...