Everywhere I've looked says "They appeared".
Treebeard himself says, "Very Strange," as he tries to find them in the rolls of men a creatures. Hobbits were not accounted for!
It is my belief the Illuvitar meant them to arise, but told no-one of them in order to keep the from the eyes of Melkor and Sauron. Indeed, if the Hobbits were discovered too soon, they might never have a chance of redeeming the world.
At the same time, the Maiar Wizards were sent out. Indeed, if Gandalf were not sent to watch over them it would be a surprise to me. Illuvitar is mysterious, is he/she not?
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'Perilous indeed,' said Aragorn, 'fair and perilous; but only evil need fear it, or those who bring some evil with them. Follow me!'
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