The Other Child: Back to Tom Bombadil
*Please note: I quote a few of Tolkien's words here, from Return of the King - The Grey Havens
Rebecca opened her eyes as the sun slanted through her window, peeping its rays over the tops of the chrysanthemums. Outside she could hear birds along with the dulcet tones of Goldberry. Both were singing songs of washing, Goldberry at her laundry tub and the sparrows in the garden's stone birdbath. Rebecca smiled. It had been many months since she had heard Goldberry's songs or Tom's laughter. She stretched and looked about her room. It was still the same room as it had been a year ago. It remained unchanged, but she did not.
They had arrived at the House under the Hill yesterday. Tom waved them in and set them at the supper table as if they'd never been away. They spoke of the War and the Withywindle and the restoration of Isengard. Goldberry had tucked her in while Tom and Radagast talked late into the night. "You've grown, my little one," she smiled, kissing her forehead as she pulled the blankets up to her chin. "You're becoming a beautiful young lady."
Rebecca lingered in bed that morning. Radagast told her that she would learn from Tom. She began to compose a mental list of questions, then thought better of it and, rising, went to her small writing desk. She chewed the end of a quill for a moment then began her list in earnest:
1. What do I need to learn? What am I to do?
She tugged on the white gem at her throat, then added:
2. Why was I given this jewel?
3. Are the wars over?
She thought about some of the things she'd seen, and about Treebeard:
4. What happened to the Entwives?
5. Who is Yavanna?
She hesitated for a second, then scrawled hurriedly:
6. Who are my real parents?
She stared at the last question, written in ink by her own hand, and flushed. No one had ever answered it before. She had asked Tom, when she was very small. Once. He had patted her and said, "Goldberry and I will take care of you, sweet one." He would speak no more on the subject and she did not ask again. Odd, how it seemed important to her now. She let it stand as Number Six.
She sat for a while, chewing on the quill and thinking of other matters to address. She remembered Legolas talking about the work he was to do in Gondor and her pen flew:
7. Will we visit King Thranduil again?
8. Where is Ithilien?
9. Are we to visit there?
She added another question, to make her list a round ten:
10. May we go to the wedding of Prince Legolas?
Satisfied with her work, she donned the clean dress that Goldberry had laid out for her, having taken her traveling tunic and breeches for washing day. She found Tom and Radagast at the breakfast table. She tucked in, remembering how much she loved Goldberry's scones and fresh blackberry jam.
"Slept well, Rebecca?" asked Tom, his eyes twinkling over his teacup.
"Yes, sir, very," she replied around a mouthful of scone.
"Appetite like a horse," he remarked approvingly.
She nodded and handed Tom her list.
"What's this, then?" he asked, squinting as he perused it. "I see! A most impressive array of questions! Am I to answer them over breakfast?"
"If you would, sir," she replied earnestly.
He laughed and shook his head. "Nay, little one, we shall have many mornings together, you and I. Pick just one and I will answer it now, while I finish my tea."
She reread her list. "Number One, please, sir."
He sighed. "You used to call me Tom and Tom am I still - I am no king! Now then, what was Number One?"
"What am I to learn, Tom, and what am I to do?"
Tom pushed back from the table and lit his pipe. "Well," he said at last. "That's rather a big question, isn't it?"
"Is it?" She honestly didn't know.
"Yes, indeed! I will answer it in part only, for we will spend much of our time together discussing this matter. For the present, I will tell you this. You are to learn your history, which is part of the great story of Middle Earth. You will learn of its peoples and creatures, its great tales of glory and its sorrows. You will, in time, come to understand your part in things, Rebecca, for you are to have a part - a great one, indeed."
"But what am I to do?" she repeated, toying with the jewel around her neck.
"First you are to listen with patience," replied Radagast with a smile.
"We should start from the very beginning," continued Tom. "Finish your breakfast and we'll go to the garden."
Rebecca did so and they went to sit in the sunny garden, full of Michaelmas daisies and chrysanthemums; the leaves of the oak and beech trees had turned to gold. Rebecca sat cross-legged on the grass while Radagast shared his pouch of Old Toby with Tom. Tom lit his pipe and sighed with great contentment. "Let's see, we will start from the beginning. A nice place on such a lovely autumn day. Mind you, that was many ages ago, even before my time and that's saying something!" he laughed heartily. "Now, back at the beginning of things, when the Ainur - they are also called the Valar or the Powers - they sang for Ilúvatar the First Song of the Ainur and of their singing Middle Earth was born.
Yavanna's song brought forth the gardens, the fields and the trees; the Ents are her eldest, her Shepherds of Trees. Their branches dance in the winds of Manwë and their roots plumb Ulmo's depths. They grew in the great forests when Elbereth rekindled the stars and awoke the Elves. The Elves taught them their speech, for the Ents delighted in learning languages. Their own tongue rolls deep and full as the timeless booming of the waves upon the shores of Middle Earth. Entwives there were as well, who became enamored of open lands where they tended the lesser Olvar - fruit trees, shrubs, flowers, grasses, grains. As long as there are Entings, Middle Earth will prosper; so spoke Yavanna.
Manwë is mightiest of the Powers and rules the Undying Lands. His nearest kindred, Melkor, fell into pride and sought to rule creatures of his own while destroying anything of value to Ilúvatar. He fled to establish his dark kingdom - Thangorodrim, the Mountains of Tyranny - above Angband in the northwestern corner of Middle Earth. Here at the roots of the mountains he bred foul creatures - Orcs, Trolls, Balrogs and the fearsome Dragon-worms - to despoil the works of the Valar.
Then the Eldar awoke near Lake Cuiviénen in the far east of Middle Earth, and the Valar were so delighted with them that they invited them to their own kingdom to dwell in the beauty of Valinor. Many Elves accepted this offer - the Vanyar and the Noldor came on the Great March, whilst the Teleri became enamored of the Sea and chose to live on Eressëa in the Bay of Eldemar, forever in sight of Aman yet always near the waters of Ulmo. Here Olwë founded Alqualondë, the Haven of the Swans. Some of the Teleri remained in Beleriand and became known as the Sindar. Elwë Thingol was their lord and he became King of Doriath, taking to wife Melian, a Maia of great power and beauty. There were also Elves who chose not to heed the call of the Valar. These were the Avari, or East Elves, who established themselves throughout the forests of Middle Earth.
The Vanyar and Noldor greatly benefited from their association with the Valar. The Noldor, in particular, learned from Aulë - great became their knowledge and skill in crafting metals and gems of the earth.
Now Finwë, King of the Noldor was wed to Míriel Serindë, who gave birth to their only son, Fëanor. It was said she gave all of her fëa, her life's energy, to him, for she sought the Halls of Mandos and left her body to sleep in the gardens of Lorien. Finwë greatly mourned her yet she would not return to the living. Subsequently he took to wife a Vanyarin Elf, Indis, who gave birth to sons Fingolfin and Finarfin. Great enmity had Fëanor for them, resenting his father's second marriage.
Fëanor threw himself into his work and poured his own fëa into the creation of the Silmarils, three jewels that were filled with the light of the Two Trees of Valinor - Telperion the White Tree and Laurelin the Golden.
Ever desiring to thwart the Valar and their beloved Elves, Melkor poisoned the Trees with the help of Ungoliant, stole the Silmarils and fled to Angband.
Manwe bade Yavanna to put forth all her powers upon the trees but her songs and her tears could not heal them. For a long time she sang and as her hope wavered and her song faltered, Laurelin bore at last a single fruit of gold and Telperion a great silver flower and one dewy teardrop. Yavanna gave these to Aulë, who made vessels to hold them and send forth their radiance. He presented them to Elbereth, who set them in the skies to travel a great girdle above the World, East to West, as Isil the moon and Anar the sun.
Of the teardrop of Telperion Aulë created a jewel, a powerful gemstone that was infused with the Song of Yavanna.
Meanwhile Fëanor cursed Melkor, renaming him Morgoth, the Black Foe of the World, and led the Noldor in revolt against the wishes of the Valar to Middle Earth. In so doing Fëanor stole the white ships of the Teleri at Alqualondë, which were as precious to them as the Silmarils, leading to a terrible massacre and incurring the Doom of Mandos - that tears unnumbered would the Noldor shed and troubled would be their road, by weapon and by grief. And so began the great War of the Jewels - the Silmarillion."
Tom paused to relight his pipe. "I tell you this, little one, so that you may understand the rhythms of history, for they tend to repeat themselves."
Rebecca nodded, wide-eyed. "What happened to the Silmarils, Tom? And to Fëanor and the Elves?"
Tom sighed. "These are sad stories and, for now, I will tell them only in brief. Morgoth set the Silmarils in his iron crown and Fëanor was slain by Orcs in trying to recover them. The Noldor went on to build great kingdoms in Middle Earth - Nargothrond and Gondolin. Both were destroyed in turn by Morgoth and his armies.
During this time, the Second Children of Ilúvatar, Men, came into the World in the eastern land of Hildórien. They, too, spread across Middle Earth. The Men of the Three Houses of Elf-friends - the Atani or the Edain - traveled west to seek lands free of Morgoth's shadow. These were the peoples of Bëor, Haleth and Hador.
This you must know, for it affects you directly: to Men was given the Gift of Ilúvatar, that they would pass beyond the ken of Middle Earth to a destiny unknown even to the Valar, while the Eldar remain part of Arda until the end of days. But Morgoth, desiring to cause enmity between the Children of Ilúvatar, caused Men to fear this gift and twisted it from one of hope to one of fear; it has come to be held in grief due to his deceits. Yet Ilúvatar has declared that Men will join in the Second Music of the Ainur, whereas he has not revealed what he purposes for the Elves at the World's end. Ilúvatar always plants with a purpose, and he did not set the love of Arda in Men's hearts in vain. Remember that, Rebecca, and do not doubt it."
Rebecca took his words to heart. Then she asked, "What became of Morgoth?"
"Now I will tell you of Eärendil the Mariner, son of Tuor and Idril Turgon's daughter, who was born in Gondolin. He was descended from the Two Kindred - Elves and Men - and he sailed to Valinor to beseech the aid of the Valar. He begged pardon for the Noldor and mercy for the Men and Elves who were in greet need of deliverance from Morgoth. The Valar heard his petition and granted it.
At last the might of Valinor came out of the West and the challenge of their trumpets rang throughout Middle Earth. They came forth and, in the War of Wrath, faced and defeated the armies of Morgoth. The Balrogs were destroyed save those who fled and hid at the roots of the earth. Legions of Orcs perished. The winged Dragons were repelled by Eärendil, who slew Ancalagon the Black - his fall broke Thangorodrim. Then Morgoth was bound, his iron crown beaten into a collar about his neck and brought before Manwe, who shut him beyond the World into the Void that is without. Never shall he return while the Powers are enthroned.
Eärendil and his wife Elwing remained in Valinor, and Eärendil's ship, the Vingilot, often travels through the skies. You can see the Silmaril set upon its prow and it is called the Flamiffer of Westernesse, bringing hope to all of us who linger here.
Now Eärendil had two sons, who were granted a choice of destiny - either to remain with the Eldar or elect the Gift of Ilúvatar. Each son chose a different path. Elros chose to be mortal and became Tar-Minyatur, the first King of Númenor. Elrond cast his lot with the Eldar and became the Lord of Imladris, or Rivendell. At this time the Doom of Mandos was revoked and any among the Noldor who wished to do so were given leave to return to the Utmost West.
"Then everything ended happily," exclaimed Rebecca.
"No, little one, not so. For Morgoth created many evils which still dwelt in the dark places of Middle Earth. Worse still, he had corrupted a Maia of old, who became his chief and his name was Sauron, the Abhorred. Originally he was from the House of Aulë and so knew the craft of ringmaking. In the days of Celebrimbor, when the great Elven smiths of Eregion made the Rings of Power, he deceived them all and created the One Ring. The three Elven rings were secreted away from him but their doom was now tied to the fate of the One Ring; as long as it lasted their powers would hold but if it was unmade, so too would they fade.
Sauron grew steadily in power, seducing the Númenorians and bringing about their downfall by inciting them to challenge the Valar themselves. Thus was Númenor crushed by the Sea and the World was bent so that the path to the Utmost West lay straight and open only to those Elves who wished to return there.
In the destruction of Númenor, Sauron's body was destroyed. As a Maia his spirit lingered and sought a new form, but no longer could he assume a countenance fair and pleasing. Thenceforth he was doomed to appear as he was - foul and evil.
With the Ring of Power he built Barad-dûr and held sway over much of Middle Earth, until he was faced by the Last Alliance of Men and Elves. He came down from his tower and did battle with the Elven King Gil-galad and his ally Elendil and was thrown down. Prince Isildur of Arnor cut the One Ring from his finger and he was vanquished, for a time. But Isildur would not follow Elrond's counsel to destroy the ring and so Sauron's power grew again, albeit slowly and secretly."
Tom spoke in great detail about these times, about the evil in Dol Guldur and the works wrought with the Elven Rings in Imladris and Lorien. He told of the lineage of Arnor and of Gondor. He talked about the Kings who were buried in the Barrow-downs and of Carn Dûm and the Witch-king of Angmar. He spoke of the lands of the Rohirrim and the about the Éothéod. He told of the adventure of Bilbo Baggins and the finding of the One Ring, of the great Quest and of its conclusion. "At last the destruction of the One Ring came to pass and Barad-dûr was destroyed. Sauron, like his master before him, was sent broken into the Void."
"Just this March!" exclaimed Rebecca. "Isn't that right, Uncle? That's when you gave me my necklace!"
"Aye, and now your part of the tale begins, little one. For you wear the jewel that Aulë wrought from the teardrop of the dying Telperion, that you might heal the wounds inflicted upon Middle Earth in the time of Great Healing. These matters we will discuss on another day. Many things have you heard and of these only a part. We will speak in greater detail on all these matters as we learn the lore of living things in a fashion of which Treebeard himself would approve. Now the sun sets and it is time for supper. Tomorrow we will begin our discussion of the Istari."
"What are the Istari?"
"I am," laughed Radagast. "But there are four of my brethren whom you must know. One we met upon our road two days hence."
"Gandalf?" asked Tom. "I didn't expect him until tomorrow."
"No, not Gandalf. It was Saruman that we saw, heading west on the Greenway."
Tom frowned. "Curunír has left Orthanc, then?"
"Yes, and Treebeard has restored it - with our help, as we told you."
Tom nodded, his eyes unfocused. "Then Curunír has met our Rebecca?"
"Yes, for a moment only."
"Hmm. Perhaps inevitable, I can't tell. Certainly no good can come from Curunír's knowledge of her."
"You feel he still has venom in his sting, then?"
"Aye," said Tom, blowing smoke rings pensively. "Aye, he has both venom and sting, and will have them to the end, I fear. Yet nothing is to be done. Indeed, it is the will of Ilúvatar that things take their due course."
"Who is Gandalf?" asked Rebecca.
Tom laughed. "That question is not on your list, Rebecca! But come, we will be late for supper. On the morrow I shall tell you about the Istari, and about Gandalf."
The following morning, Rebecca asked again, "Who is Gandalf?"
Tom smiled. "Now, then, everything in its proper order. We must begin with an historic council, held in the Second Age. That is over many thousands of your years, Rebecca. At that time, Manwe called a Máhanaxar - a great council of the Valar - to address the fate of Middle Earth. As we discussed yesterday, Morgoth waged the War of the Jewels and Middle Earth had paid dearly for it. Now Morgoth's chief, Sauron, had begun to grow in power and the Valar were worried lest the peoples of Middle Earth fall under yet another shadow. The Powers agreed to resist him and, with the consent of Ilúvatar they sent forth members of the Maia, who were clad in the bodies of Men and forbidden to reveal themselves in forms of majesty or to seek to rule the wills of Elves or Men by openly displaying their powers. In these shapes, weak and humble, they were bidden to advise and persuade the peoples of Middle Earth to unite against evil.
There were five Istari. Two were sent ahead of the others, along with Glorfindel, who was to aid Elrond in Eriador. They arrived when matters became dangerous in the Second Age, to help the few tribes of Men who had rebelled from Morgoth-worship. They were key in weakening the forces of the East and the South, which would otherwise have outnumbered the West. Rómestámo the East Helper and Morinehtar the Darkness-slayer, Alatar and Pallando they are called - the Ithryn Luin - the Blue Wizards. To the East and to the South they were sent. Alatar has worked these many years with the Men of the East - the Easterlings - and he has wrought much good. Sadly, his brother Pallando chose to ally himself with Sauron at the start of the Third Age. He has served Sauron well, igniting the Haradrim to make their treaties with Barad-dûr and fight its battles.
The next Istari appeared on the shores of Middle Earth in the year 1000 of the Third Age. At first they were quiet, traveling and gaining knowledge of Middle Earth and all that dwelt therein. As the shadow of Sauron began to grow and lengthen, their true work commenced. Aiwendil, or your Uncle Radagast the Brown you know. His mission begins now - to heal the wounds of Sauron.
You have also met Curunir upon the road. Saruman the White was he called, and great he was of old - intelligent yet very proud. Too proud, I fear, for he succumbed to the lust for power and also fell under the shadow of Mordor, as Pallando had before him. But instead of serving the Dark Lord he sought to replace him. I fear that he will not seek the clemency of the Powers and, in the end, will tread the dark path into the Void."
Tom paused and took a deep breath. "So it is, Radagast, that two of your brethren have stumbled into darkness. It is fortunate that Gandalf surpassed all their evil with his greater good."
"I have long considered Gandalf to be the finest that the Valar sent forth," agreed Radagast. "Yet he would maintain his humility in the face of his achievements, giving all credit to those who heeded his counsel."
"Aye, Gandalf is humble but not to be trifled with, as Saruman discovered to his own undoing."
"But what is he like?" asked Rebecca.
"What is he like?" mused Tom. "A very difficult question to answer."
"He is many things, the least of which is good-humored and always punctual," declared a deep voice from the door.
"Gandalf!" cried Radagast, rising to clap the newcomer on his shoulder.
Rebecca's eyes grew wide as she watched the wizard take a seat by the hearth. Taller than Radagast, his beard was snowy white as was his raiment. He threw his silver mantle over the back of his chair, his blue eyes twinkling like sapphires as he regarded her.
"So you are Radagast's young ward, eh? Mae govannen, little one!"
Radagast introduced her. She took the hand Gandalf offered and shook it. She felt, under his steady regard, that he instantly knew her better than she did herself.
His bushy white eyebrows sailed to his hairline. "By my beard! Well met indeed!"
He looked to Radagast, who shook his head slightly. Understanding, Gandalf nodded. "Well," said he. "You were coming to my part of the story - please don't let me interrupt. Praising me, weren't you?"
Tom laughed. "We were speaking of your great humility, Olórin. Do not prove me wrong!"
"How many names do you have, sir?"
"Many, little one, and not all of them to my liking! But you may call me Gandalf, as that is my favorite." So saying, he doffed his tall pointed hat and produced a long pipe. "I have just come, my friends, from Rivendell and bring you the compliments of Elrond. I have also left my beloved hobbits on the road and am, therefore, sorely lacking in pipeweed." Tom obliged him with his pouch. "Ah!" cried Gandalf in delight, sitting back and stretching his long legs before him. "Now I am content and you may ask me anything you wish."
Rebecca tucked her knees up to her chin and asked, "What are hobbits like?"
"If I had several years I could not answer you in full, Rebecca, for their ways are many! Let us say they are a folk who live to the West and are as full of surprises as Tom here. There are none dearer to me."
Tom chuckled. "They are the Periannath, little one, the Halflings. I shall take you to their country and you shall see for yourself."
"They shall be glad of your visit, I am sure. I fear they return to a changed land," said Gandalf, shaking his head.
"All lands are changing for the better, now that the worst has passed," said Radagast.
"Yet your work begins," replied Gandalf.
"That it does, and I shall have help in doing it," said Radagast, with a nod to Rebecca.
"Little one, run and see what Goldberry is up to - she needs your help as well!" said Tom. "You shall join us later, I promise," he added upon seeing her reluctance to leave.
Rebecca made a curtsey and skipped from the room.
Gandalf's manner became somber. "You did not tell me about the girl, Tom. I would have liked to have known sooner."
Tom shook his head. "No harm is done in your knowing now, Olórin."
"Maybe not. She is wearing the jewel of the West, and destiny lies before her. Does she know her past?"
"Not yet. Do you?"
"I can guess. Will you tell her?"
"A part, perhaps," replied Tom. "She is not prepared to know too much at once - it is unwise. Nor are you to tell him. There is too much to do, yet."
"I will keep my silence," agreed Gandalf. "But I do not agree."
Tom smiled. "You were never one to reveal your plans in their entirety. I am recalling a certain hobbit you sent upon an adventure with Dwarves…"
Gandalf shrugged. "If I did not speak of my designs it was often because I did not know them myself."
"Nor do I know all there is about this matter," replied Tom. "Only in the fullness of time are the plans of Ilúvatar revealed."
"It is wiser, then, to let matters proceed of their own impetus," agreed Radagast. "The girl has much to learn, yet, and to do. The time of Great Healing is upon us, at last."
Later that day a second visitor arrived at the House under the Hill. The wizard Alatar alit from Meneldor the Swift and rang the bell. Rebecca answered and grinned broadly at his pointed blue hat. "You are here to see Tom!" she declared.
"Aye, that I am," replied Alatar, following her into the house and greeting his brethren therein. Again Tom sent Rebecca away and they stayed locked in Tom's library all day and night for several days to follow.
At last, on the third day of their visitation, Tom called Rebecca in to them. She sat on the hearthrug and listened to their tales. Gandalf talked long about the War of the Ring and the peoples of Middle Earth. Alatar added his part about the Easterlings and the valiant people of Bór, who continued to be trustworthy allies of the West. She felt as if she could listen for days, and indeed she did. Weeks passed and their talks continued. Some of the conversation was sad, some brutal, some very funny and full of joy.
Then, on a fine September day Gandalf and Alatar took their leave. Gandalf pressed a kiss on Rebecca's forehead and blessed her. She hated to see them go.
In the autumn of 3021, while Rebecca stayed in the House under the Hill, Gandalf and Alatar rode forth to meet the Last Riding of the Keepers of the Rings at the Grey Havens. A great party of Elves rode through the Shire and met Frodo and Samwise. Gildor Inglorion was with them, and Elrond with the sapphire Vilya upon his finger. The Lady Galadriel rode upon a white palfrey and was robed in white, like clouds about the Moon; on her finger was Nenya, the mithril ring set with a frosty white stone. Riding with them was Bilbo, who drowsed on his pony.
Galadriel complimented Sam upon his use of her gift to him, for the Shire was greener and lovelier than it had been even before Saruman's destruction.
"Aye," agreed Gandalf. "There is still much to heal, but you will have help, Sam. The best of help!" he said with a laugh.
"But who will help us now that you are gone?" asked Sam sadly.
"You shall see, my friend," smiled Gandalf but would say no more.
They rode on, for the Third Age was over and the Days of the Rings were passed. With them went many Elves of the High Kindred who would no longer stay in Middle Earth now that its magic was diminishing. They rode at last to Mithlond, to the Grey Havens in the long firth of Lune. Círdan the Shipwright led them to the Havens where a white ship awaited them, along with Gandalf and Alatar. The hobbits took their leave of each other and the sails were drawn up, the wind blew and slowly the ship slipped away down the long firth and the light of the vial of Galadriel that Frodo bore glimmered and was lost.*
Thus passed the Ringbearers to the Uttermost West and ended the Third Age, the twilight between the Eldar days and the Afterworld, which then began.
And at the beginning of those days, Rebecca sat beside Tom and learned the lore of every living thing - its history and its future - in the House under the Hill.
Next: The Eilenaer