The Long Talk

[Ancalagon'sFire]

They halted and Frodo looked south wistfully. ‘I should dearly like to see the old fellow again,’ he said. ‘I wonder how he is getting on?’
‘As well as ever, you may be sure,’ said Gandalf. ‘Quite untroubled and I should guess, not much interested in anything that we have done or seen, unless perhaps in our visits to the Ents.

The Lord of the Rings

Makes you wonder though, if Tom isn't interested in the workings of men, the downfall of Sauron or the end of the age of the Rings, then where do his loyalties lie? Surely in the earth itself, the trees, the water, the shores, the stars and everything that was created and lasting, that is of course unless its very existence is threatened! What does Tom care about?

I'm sure Gandalf feels the need to unburden himself, but surely someone less 'seemingly' carefree and detached from the trials he had faced would be more suitable? Tom is altogether a different entity, but someone who Gandalf feels a connection with. The Maiar element is palpable in this meeting and as interesting as the workings of Men and Elves might be, just don't seem to be on the same level of debate I suspect these two were about to engage in. I imagine if one were present at the beginning and likely to be so at the end, then his conversation would be well beyond the parameters of bit-players in a very long saga.
Neither do I suspect Tom would be giving Gandalf absolution. In fact it would seem to me that was already granted upon his return following his apparent demise after the battle with the Balrog of Moria;

'Naked I was sent back – for a brief time, until my task is done.

I do not think Mithrandir needed to seek absolution from anyone.