Well, there is Niord, but he's only mentioned in passing, not actually encountered by Roverandom. If that's not it, I give up. Maybe someone else will come up with the answer...

The mysterious Norse
 

No, I'm afraid it's not Njord. He's a god, and Vikings tend to be human. This really is rather more obvious than it might look: the only difficulty is that the character isn't actually called a viking by Tolkien. The clues are there, though; particularly if you have the annotated Roverandom

OK, I could go through the story character by character, guessing, but I won't. I surrender.

*waves white flag

Bump
 

Surely someone knows the answer to this one.

Time for a new question, then
 

It doesn't look as though anyone's going to get this one, so here are the answer and an easier question.

Our Viking is the Mer-dog. His story gives it away, although Tolkien never says anything specific. A fine sea-rover indeed.

What is Tailbiter's proper name?

This one I know without even having to look it up! It's Caudimordax.

Mordant brand
 

Right you are, Estelyn.

Which character in one of the minor works is referred to in all caps as HE and HIM?

No takers for this question?

Minor Works Revival
 

Just to resurrect this thread, I think I'll go out on a limb and suggest the King of Faerie in Smith of Wootton Major.

I have a message for you, Squatter. Estelyn says "Keep looking." :D

This time I'm not guessing
 

Fastitocalon, in the poem of the same name from The Adventures of Tom Bombadil.

Your days at peace in Middle-earth
In mirth
Fulfil

You are right of course, Squatter, and thus entitled to baffle us with a new question. Sorry that my absence kept me from reacting to your post sooner...

A question of distance
 

Thanks, Estelyn. Perhaps it won't be so baffling after all.

What colour is the label on the new bicycle that awaits Niggle at the end of his train journey?

yellow, with large black letters

Yep
 

That was quick. And spot on, of course.

ok, probably easy

What did Torhthelm use to kill the corpse-looter?

He used Beorhtnoth's sword.

(...only easy because I've read these lines so often for the threads here and in 'Quotes'!)

Good job
your question

Which of Tolkien's characters suffered from lumbago?

Putting his back up...
 

Parish. His being "laid up with lumbago" was one of "a tremendous crop of interruptions" that helped to prevent the completion of Niggle's painting.

Right you are, Sir Trespasser. Pray proceed.

Naval exercise
 

Right you are Esty.

Where does Smith encounter the Elven mariners?

On the shore of the Sea of Windless Storm.

The other elves
 

That's the place. Take it away.

When did Farmer Giles set out with Garm to find the dragon?

They started off on Epiphany day, which is January 6. According to Wikipedia, that's "a Christian feast intended to celebrate the 'shining forth' or revelation of God to mankind in human form". It would be interesting to think of a reason for Tolkien's choice of that day for this event - actually a good topic for a serious discussion! Thanks for bringing up a fact which I had not consciously read until now, Elf-warrior!

You're welcome, Estelyn Telcontar. It's your turn now.

I did start a thread to discuss the topic to which your question inspired me here. Thanks again for the wonderful idea!

Now for a new question:

In which cave did the Sea-serpent used to live (and people wished him back there)?

Lifestyles of the large and autothalassic
 

Once he lived in Pot, "at the bottom of the deepest sea". Perhaps he was crowded out by the number of other things that have allegedly gone there over the years. There's an article about his interior decoration in Better Caves and Wastelands issue 135 (June 1958).

You're right, of course, Squatter! Darn, I knew I should have bought all issues of Better Caves and Wastelands - I have 134 and 136, but not 135...

Anyway, take it away - and not to Pot!

Guess what I got for Christmas
 

What is the North Polar Bear's real name?

Karhu, or so it was supposed from his signature...

Ursine nomenclature
 

Actually he does announce that his name is Karhu in one of his letters, but that's by the by. The thread is yours. :smokin:

But he also wrote it under a picture (of rising sun behind the mountains): "Love from Karhu, Paksu, and Valkotukka" (this is from where I remember it)

Anyway.

How did Tídwald recognize Torhthelm in the dark? (easy one)

Alas, they flossed not well in early ages
 

Oh, wait, perhaps this means the night is cold and Torhthelm is shivering rather than he had a dental problem? Clearly I've been reading too much of Minus Teeth.

'Twas Totta's rattling teeth that announced him to Tidwald.

Of course. Your turn now.

(And yes, I think maybe there was something wrong with their dentists...)

teach me to hear . . .
 

Would that I had found a warg reference to allude to teeth, either marked or pulled. For now, satisfy ourselves with this:

A wonderful line from a wonderful poem, Bb! It's Philomythus speaking to Misomythus in Mythopoeia:I must admit, a wish closer to my heart comes a few lines later:

Ah, the Evenstar! It's a lovely comment about her role, isn't it?

You have the thread, Mistress Quilty, to weave as you wish, for any lord or Downer unseen. ;)