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Shade of Carn Dûm
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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/onering.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Tom Bombadil
Welcome to the board, Elenanna! I think I've already said that, but hey <img src=biggrin.gif ALT="

">
I won't bother arguing about the reason for which the Ring gives power to the bearer; I've already talked about that too much. (If you really want to read some exceptionally long and boring posts on the Ring head on to
http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/u...c&f=1&t=000468this thread</a> but be warned. <img src=smile.gif ALT="

">
Basically, the Ring gives power 'according to stature' i.e. it only gives power to those who desire something, power or peace etc. Gandalf wanted only to be rid of Sauron and leave ME in peace; Galadriel desired much the same (along with beauty for everything around her?) as did many of the other High Elves. Saruman wanted to control everything, and Thorin (along with many other of his kin) would have used the Ring to gain wealth, for greed.
However, Tom desired or sought for nothing. He had set his own bounds, his own 'territory' and was contented with everything that he had within it. Therefore when he put the Ring on it did not have anything to 'corrupt' or he chose not to use the power it offered him (I hate to start this all again <img src=wink.gif ALT="

"> ) and hence it had no effect.
So we can't count him out because of that. To back up the 'for-Maiar' argument, Goldberry was believed to be a lesser spirit of Ulmo, a 'river-daughter,' and since the only major marriages between races (Elwe-Melian, Beren-Luthien, Tuor-Idril, Aragorn-Arwen) seemed to be very important and noticeable (within Tolkien's works) and almost fated within the cosmos, Tom
had to be of Goldberry's kind, otherwise it would surely have be noted that he was a Maiar. (I think Gwaihir posted this argument a while back)
However, I think in Letters (which I sadly am too deprived to have a copy of <img src=biggrin.gif ALT="

"> ) Tolkien states that Tom was not a Maiar (correct me if I'm wrong, Letters' owners) and that, coming straight from the top as it were, automatically discounts that argument, as it does to the for-Valar/Ainur.
Tom's not an elf, dwarf, man or hobbit. He's no dragon. Is he an embodiment of Arda? A spirit? We will never no for certain.
<blockquote>
Quote:<hr> "Tom
is."<hr></blockquote>
Goldberry said it. <img src=wink.gif ALT="

">
Btw, Elenanna, you need to put the picture up on a website...Homestead or Tripod (Geocities doesn't work, they don't allow outside distribution of pictures posted on their posted. Great move, Yahoo. <img src=rolleyes.gif ALT=":rolleyes">
Btw II: I'm intigued by your (Quenyan? Sindarin?) sig. What does it all mean? <img src=tongue.gif ALT=":b">
I should stop rambling.
-
enep</p>
Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000041>enep</A> at: 3/8/01 4:11:01 am