The Barrow-Downs

[Joy]

Last night, I was re-reading the section "Fog on the Barrow Downs." I have a couple of questions.

First: Tom Bombadil rescues the hobbits and places a pile of treasure on a hill "free to all finders, birds, beasts, Elves or Men, and all kindly creatures."

It states that he chose for himself a brooch set with blue stones, many-shaded like flax-flowers or the wings of blue butterflies. He looked long at it, as if stirred by some memory, shaking his head, and saying at last:

Here's a pretty toy for Tom and for his lady! Fair was she who long ago wore this on her shoulder. Goldberry shall wear it now, and we will not forget her!

Who was this woman that Tom is speaking of?

Second question. A little later in the same chapter it states:

Few now remember them... yet still some go wandering, sons of forgotten kings walking in loneliness, guarding from evil things folk that are heedless.

I know that this is speaking of the Dunédan, Aragorn and his people, but the next line is what I am wondering about.

The hobbits did not understand his words, but as he spoke they had a vision as it weere of a great expanse of years behind them, like a vast shadowy plain over which there strode shapes of Men, tall and grim with bright swords, and last came one with a star on his brow.

Is this speaking of Aragon in the future or is this speaking of another? Maybe Elendil, Isildur or even Beren?

[ February 22, 2002: Message edited by: Joy ]