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When did Bombadil meet Gandalf at the Havens?
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He didn't. Gandalf went to Bombadil's house after the fellowship split up at the end. He went for rest and relaxation. I think what was being asked is why didn't Gandalf speak about his meeting with Tom later when Gandalf saw the hobbits at the Grey Havens, Eg. Tom sends love and kisses to the hobbits.
Of course, this whole line of reasoning is deficient. Tolkien, for example, never mentions the presence of Goldberry near the end of the LotR, while he does mention Tom. Now, both Shelob and Goldberry seem to represent powerful forces of nature. Does that mean, because Goldberry's name wasn't even mentioned by Gandalf, that she is really dead? In fact that might mean that Shelob and Goldberry were identical, since Shelob undoubtedly died of the wounds inflicted upon her, or at least was unable to hunt and died of starvation.
Indeed, you can take this one step further. It is quite clear that Frodo and even Sam find Goldberry quite charming. It is also true that a number of mutton-headed critics have interpreted the fight with Shelob in strictly sexual terms. Frodo was unable to finish the "job" and had to rely on his friend Sam to plunge in the sword.
So, obviously the two characters must be the same, since they were both attractive to the young hobbits and they were both dead.
What rubbish! It is amazing what one can do with logic which defeats all common sense. Obviously, none of this fits the spirit or tone of the tale Tolkien was telling. Sometimes I think we are too smart for our own good. Can you imgine what Tolkien might have said about this analogy? Actually, it is so farfetched, he would probably laugh rather than being upset.
sharon, the 7th age hobbbit
[ July 11, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]