Today we will be talking about one of Middle Earth's inhabitants. Someone whose name you probably haven't heard before, but if you did you know what an eccentric character it is.

Tom Bombadil



He lives inside the Old Forest, a place he hasn't ventured outside of- well, a long, long time. How long? No one knows. In fact, I don't even think anyone has asked him. He is a kind man, very helpful, but when the darkness found Eriador he didn't offer his help, and remained in the Old Forest where he still dwells.

His whole existence is a mystery. According to elven knowledge he already lived here on Arda before the coming of the rivers and the trees. Before the first light shone down on it. Then, who is he? He is not an elf, not a dwarf, looks like a man, but if he is as old, if not older than the Valar he couldn't possibly be.

Amongst many peoples he has various names. Dwarves call him Forn, which is a word for old. His Sindarin name is Iarwan Ben-adar which roughly translates to 'Oldest and fatherless'. Even in Rohan he has a name, Orald, which means 'very ancient'.

As I already mentioned, he is a merry fellow. We are not quite sure what his powers are, but records say he can speak to trees, and even wights recognise his power and fear it. He is married to a lovely water-spirit named Goldberry, whom he cares for deeply.

Who do you think this man can be, or what? Some say he is Ilúvatar himself, watching over Middle Earth like this, some say he is one of the Valar, but even our own Queen Íona says he is not. Some even claim he is the personification of the Music of the Ainur that created Arda. What do you think? Let me know.