**Birthday Party in the Barrow** (May, 2005) - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

the phantom · 05-02-2005, 02:42 PM

"Esty- you 'postulate that Tom Bombadil has wings'? You say that as if the matter is undecided. He does have wings! The speed with which he arrived at the barrow is good evidence indeed, but why must you focus on such circumstantial evidence when there is proof within the pages of Frodo's book, The Lord of the Rings?"

The other guests perked up their ears. The Phantom's awesome powers of logic and textual interpretation were the stuff of legend.

"If you will recall, Tom once sang-
'By that pool long ago I found the River-daughter,
fair young Goldberry sitting in the rushes.'
Depending on the species, rush can be anywhere from one foot to over three feet in height. If you visit the Withywindle valley, you will see that the predominant rush growing there is the juncas polyanthemus, which usually ranges from two to three feet in height. But, as you know, the plants of the Old Forest are extraordinary. The rush along the Withywindle are between four and five feet tall! Now, how could Tom have seen Goldberry 'sitting' in the rushes unless he was in the air at the time?"

No one knew.

05-02-2005, 02:42 PM	#11
the phantom Beloved Shadow Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: The Stadium Posts: 5,971	"Esty- you 'postulate that Tom Bombadil has wings'? You say that as if the matter is undecided. He does have wings! The speed with which he arrived at the barrow is good evidence indeed, but why must you focus on such circumstantial evidence when there is proof within the pages of Frodo's book, The Lord of the Rings?" The other guests perked up their ears. The Phantom's awesome powers of logic and textual interpretation were the stuff of legend. "If you will recall, Tom once sang- 'By that pool long ago I found the River-daughter, fair young Goldberry sitting in the rushes.' Depending on the species, rush can be anywhere from one foot to over three feet in height. If you visit the Withywindle valley, you will see that the predominant rush growing there is the juncas polyanthemus, which usually ranges from two to three feet in height. But, as you know, the plants of the Old Forest are extraordinary. The rush along the Withywindle are between four and five feet tall! Now, how could Tom have seen Goldberry 'sitting' in the rushes unless he was in the air at the time?" No one knew. __________________ the phantom has posted. This thread is now important.