Eldest? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

alatar · 06-12-2006, 08:59 PM

In TTT Treebeard states that there are trees older than he, and so if Bombadil were present before trees...plus, Tom's obviously older as he dresses so flamboyantly and doesn't care.

Doesn't he also say that as he was First? On the other hand the man does ramble so, and so is suspect. Surely there will be a poll, but between the two I would prefer to hang out with Treebeard. He's more grounded and more active and easier to relate to.

Thinlómien · 07-29-2006, 02:22 PM

My sister happened to ask me today which of them was older.
"I think Tom Bombadil. Ents only awoke around the same time as Elves", I replied. She raised a good point saying: "That'd make good sense since Tom says: 'Tom was here before the trees'."

So, what do you 'downers think? There surely were no ents before there were any trees, so unless Tom is lying he's older than Treebeard in my logic.

davem · 08-05-2006, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thinlómien

So, what do you 'downers think? There surely were no ents before there were any trees, so unless Tom is lying he's older than Treebeard in my logic.

Can we rule out that Tom was 'lying'? Just come across this. Some interesting points are made generally about lying, 'invention' & misinformation in M-e. Tom is not, perhaps, actually 'lying', but whether he's telling the whole truth about himself is another question. Even if he is telling what he believes to be the truth, can we entirely trust his words? Is Tom all that interested in straight 'facts'?

06-12-2006, 08:59 PM	#1
alatar Doubting Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Heaven's basement Posts: 2,466	In TTT Treebeard states that there are trees older than he, and so if Bombadil were present before trees...plus, Tom's obviously older as he dresses so flamboyantly and doesn't care. Doesn't he also say that as he was First? On the other hand the man does ramble so, and so is suspect. Surely there will be a poll, but between the two I would prefer to hang out with Treebeard. He's more grounded and more active and easier to relate to. __________________ There is naught that you can do, other than to resist, with hope or without it.

07-29-2006, 02:22 PM	#2
Thinlómien Shady She-Penguin Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: In a far land beyond the Sea Posts: 8,093	My sister happened to ask me today which of them was older. "I think Tom Bombadil. Ents only awoke around the same time as Elves", I replied. She raised a good point saying: "That'd make good sense since Tom says: 'Tom was here before the trees'." So, what do you 'downers think? There surely were no ents before there were any trees, so unless Tom is lying he's older than Treebeard in my logic. __________________ Like the stars chase the sun, over the glowing hill I will conquer Blood is running deep, some things never sleep Double Fenris