The Conversation and Ties between Gandalf and Tom Bombadil - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

MatthewM · 09-06-2006, 09:25 PM

This is a very interesting topic. When Gandalf leaves the Hobbits in the Old Forest on their way back home from the Quest, he goes off to visit Tom Bombadil. I wonder what Gandalf and Tom's ties were? I wonder if Gandalf knew what Tom was? I wonder what they had talked about?

One of the many mysteries of Tolkien.

Opinions?

09-07-2006, 09:59 AM

i have often wondered about this too.maybe he went to tell him about the ring and the success of the quest.or maybe to tell him goodbye since hes leaving middle-earth.oh yeah and to let the hobbits deal with sharkey and his ruffians on their own was probably a reason too.

MatthewM · 09-07-2006, 07:46 PM

Interesting point about the Hobbits dealing with Sharkey. I can't recall, did Gandalf have a feeling of Saruman's destruction of the Shire?

Raynor · 09-09-2006, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatthewM

Interesting point about the Hobbits dealing with Sharkey. I can't recall, did Gandalf have a feeling of Saruman's destruction of the Shire?

There is this interesting discussion at the end of Homeward Bound, RotK:

Quote:

- But if I were you, I should press on now for home, or you will not come to the Brandywine Bridge before the gates are locked.

- But there arent any gates, said Merry, not on the Road; you know that quite well. Theres the Buckland Gate, of course; but theyll let me through that at any time.

- There werent any gates, you mean, said Gandalf. I think you will find some now. And you might have more trouble even at the Buckland Gate than you think. But youll manage all right. Good-bye dear friends! Not for the last time, not yet. Good-bye!

MatthewM · 09-11-2006, 09:56 PM

Ah ha, interesting. So I assume he did know about it.

09-06-2006, 09:25 PM	#1
MatthewM Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New York Posts: 628	The Conversation and Ties between Gandalf and Tom Bombadil This is a very interesting topic. When Gandalf leaves the Hobbits in the Old Forest on their way back home from the Quest, he goes off to visit Tom Bombadil. I wonder what Gandalf and Tom's ties were? I wonder if Gandalf knew what Tom was? I wonder what they had talked about? One of the many mysteries of Tolkien. Opinions? __________________ "Loud and clear it sounds in the valleys of the hills...and then let all the foes of Gondor flee!" -Boromir, The Fellowship of the Ring

09-07-2006, 09:59 AM	#2
axemaster Guest Posts: n/a	i have often wondered about this too.maybe he went to tell him about the ring and the success of the quest.or maybe to tell him goodbye since hes leaving middle-earth.oh yeah and to let the hobbits deal with sharkey and his ruffians on their own was probably a reason too. Last edited by axemaster; 09-07-2006 at 10:02 AM.

09-07-2006, 07:46 PM	#3
MatthewM Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New York Posts: 628	Interesting point about the Hobbits dealing with Sharkey. I can't recall, did Gandalf have a feeling of Saruman's destruction of the Shire? __________________ "Loud and clear it sounds in the valleys of the hills...and then let all the foes of Gondor flee!" -Boromir, The Fellowship of the Ring

09-11-2006, 09:56 PM	#5
MatthewM Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New York Posts: 628	Ah ha, interesting. So I assume he did know about it. __________________ "Loud and clear it sounds in the valleys of the hills...and then let all the foes of Gondor flee!" -Boromir, The Fellowship of the Ring