The Conversation and Ties between Gandalf and Tom Bombadil
 

This is a very interesting topic. When Gandalf leaves the Hobbits in the Old Forest on their way back home from the Quest, he goes off to visit Tom Bombadil. I wonder what Gandalf and Tom's ties were? I wonder if Gandalf knew what Tom was? I wonder what they had talked about?

One of the many mysteries of Tolkien.

Opinions?

i have often wondered about this too.maybe he went to tell him about the ring and the success of the quest.or maybe to tell him goodbye since hes leaving middle-earth.oh yeah and to let the hobbits deal with sharkey and his ruffians on their own was probably a reason too.

Interesting point about the Hobbits dealing with Sharkey. I can't recall, did Gandalf have a feeling of Saruman's destruction of the Shire?

There is this interesting discussion at the end of Homeward Bound, RotK:

Ah ha, interesting. So I assume he did know about it.