September 16, 2003

Gnomes and Pip's Question
Bob Praz

Gnomes are the name Tolkien used for the Noldor in his earlier texts of the Silmarillion. They are still elves, of course, simply referred to as "Gnomes" (probably because gnomes are, according to legend, creatures that delve in the earth for jewels and such; notice any resemblance with the Noldor?)

As for you Pip, assuming of course you were inquiring about the alternate ending of Sam pushing Gollum in the Cracks of Doom, it is - I think - in Volume 9 of the History of Middle-Earth: "Sauron Defeated". I didn't actually read it, but someone on the forum brought up the subject. By the way, Imlar has just posted a very good arguement about that alternate ending; much better than I could have put it.

P.S.: It's funny that you called me "Mr Praz", as this is what some of my friends call me due to a Matrix-related joke. ("Praz" is the first half of my family name which, in full, is too strange to pronounce for most people).