June 7, 2002

Marsh's Bombadil Theory
Lughaidh

I'm inclined to agree with Marsh on his idea of Bombadil being Aulë, and Goldberry Yavanna ... to a point. Some questions arise for which there are no easy answers.

In the beginning Sauron served Aulë. This could account for the reason that Sauron's Ring had no effect or power over Bombadil. If Bombadil represented Arda, or the "Spirit of Arda", it seems that the Ring could effect him just as Sauron's power affected other parts of the world. But we must remember that it was Aulë who sent Curumo, later named Curunir by the Elves, and better known as Saruman.

Yavanna ensured that one of the Maiar, Aiwendil (Radagast), accompanied the Istari to Middle Earth because of his love for all things made by her. Curumo was forced to take Aiwendil with him, which may be why Saruman used Radagast to lure Gandalf (Olórin, sent by Manwë) to Orthanc.

The flaw in this scenario is this; why would Aulë and Yavanna be 'living' in Middle Earth in the first place? Why would they be limiting themselves to this small plot of land, within which they defined the boundaries from which Bombadil would not pass?

I think this is an interesting supposition, and one of the better enigmas to come from Tolkien's work.