Altéru dwelt in Mandos for all of the first age, and most of the second age. Altéru would, tend to and listen to the tales of the souls that dwelt there within. He often spent time discussing the histories of Arda with Vairë, and learned of the tales, both good and bad, that had taken place in a far land known as Middle Earth, separated from our dwelling here in Valinor. I learned of the death and torment, but also of the joy and love that these mortals possessed, and would wonder what it would be like to live there among them. "A shepherd I would be." he thought, "A shepherd for the lost souls of Middle Earth. Knowing then his true purpose, Altéru spoke to Namo, and requested leave. "Child, you have finally learned your fate, and thus your time has come. You shall travel to Middle Earth." Namo had selected a time for Altéru to leave. He knew of things that would come to pass, and thus at Manwë’s bidding, sent him in the beginning of the year of 3318 SA. He arrived at the Grey Havens on a black ship, accompanied by others of his order. Altéru dwelt in Mithlond for a short time, and learned much or this world by staying with Cirdan the Shipwright.

In the winter of 3319, Altéru set out from Mithlond, and set course for Numenor. This was his instruction by Namo, though shadow clouded his purpose, and he knew not why he was going there. Upon his arrival, he came to Andúnië. Here he dwelt for several months, in which he befriended Anarion. He would listen to him speak of how the mad king brought the Dark Lord himself to their home, and how the people were gathering dark thoughts. He would listen to how his father grew frightened, and how they knew something was to happen, sooner or later. Sadly it was sooner. News reached at how the kings vessel had vanished, and his mysterious departure. Rumors of the king being controlled by some evil. Rumors of his sailing to Valinor. Elendil and his sons heeded the warning and prepared. Altéru with them, gathered thousands from nearby villages and towns, and sailed off into the dark of night. That evening the king set foot on the soil of the undying lands. That night, Numenor was wiped from the face of the earth, it’s towering citadels, and noble people lost beneath the sea forever. They sailed on to Middle Earth, to start new lives. Altéru was there to guide them, their souls that is. Following Anarion, he protected the people from the orcs of the mountains, and with the aid of their steel, fought off the threats. He left the kingdom of Arnor in the year of 3325.

From here began a new chapter in his life. He longed rather to dwell with beings who understood his age, those who radiated in both worlds as he. He traveled to Imladris. Here he would meet many an elf, including one whom he remembered from her days in Valinor. He reminisced among souls that he knew, but they did not know him in return, for they were those who returned. Many years he dwelt there, guarding their vale along side the elves. As his memories of his time in Mandos slowly returned to him, he began to spend more and more time in the unseen realm, becoming a shadow. He became known as the ’Invisible Watcher’, for one would never know if they were being seen.

It was here in Imladris where Altéru first grasped Tirinoth, the falchion that would serve him throughout his life. The weapon was of mysterious origin, found behind a waterfall nearby the valley, it was surrounded by foul corpses of many orcs, and one elf. All the souls were long past. He examined the sword, and found that it belonged to a elvish lord, dating to the early years of the second age. The blade was broad, and bore a great curve. Inscriptions contoured to the curve, and in Quenya read, " A keen blade, dwells within the soul, not the gauntlet ". He adopted this saying as a personal code. It had a hilt large enough for two hands, and thus he bore it.

Altéru dwelt in the valley until the forming of the last alliance. From Imladris he marched, traveling with a special battalion of elves. They called themselves the Shade Shifters, and they would lead many ambushes in the stealth of night, protected by the shadows of Altéru. Throughout the war, they would do great things, including the assassination of Burbaz, a lofty orc lieutenant.

After the war, when the new peace was established, Altéru traveled back to Imladris. He had grown to love this valley, and dwelt here longer. For more than 2000 years of the third age, he remained relatively dormant, still helping with the protection of the valley. In the year 2463 III, he learned of the formation of a council. He traveled to Isengard then, leaving is valley. Never since his coming to this Middle Earth did he meet another Istari. Here in the great tower, were many. He would dwell here now, leaving his valley in the past. He learned of a threat in the forest of Mirkwood, and of other issues. He lent his power to these causes, and they defeated many evils, and rallied many of Iluvatar’s children. It would be here he would dwell forever more, until the end of his life in Middle Earth, which, even he could not foresee.